1 unchanged sentence
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below, together with the information included elsewhere in this Form 10-K and other documents we file with the SEC.
−Removed: The risks and uncertainties described below are those that we have identified as material, but may not be the only risks to which Colfax might be exposed.
−Removed: Additional risks and uncertainties, which are currently unknown to us or that we do not currently consider to be material, may materially affect the business of Colfax and could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: If any of the following risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected, the value of our Common stock could decline and investors could lose all or part of the value of their investment in Colfax shares.
+Added: The risks and uncertainties described below are those that we have identified as material, but may not be the only risks to which Enovis might be exposed.
+Added: Additional risks and uncertainties, which are currently unknown to us or that we do not currently consider to be material, may materially affect the business of Enovis and could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: If any of the following risks were to occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and liquidity could be materially adversely affected, the value of our Common stock could decline and investors could lose all or part of the value of their investment in Enovis shares.
Risks in this section are grouped in the following categories:
(1) Risks Related to Our Business and Operations;
−Removed: (2) Risks Related to Our Medical Technology Business;
−Removed: (3) Risks Related to Litigation and Regulatory Compliance;
−Removed: (4) Risks Relating to the Separation;
+Added: (2) Risks Related to Government Regulation and Litigation;
+Added: (3) Risks Related to the Separation;
and (4) General and Other Risks.
Many risks affect more than one category, and the risks are not in order of significance or probability of occurrence because they have been grouped by categories.
−Removed: RISK FACTOR SUMMARY
−Removed: The following summarizes the principal factors that make an investment in Colfax speculative or risky, all of which are more fully described in the “Risk Factors” section below.
−Removed: This summary should be read in connection with the “Risk Factors” section and should not be relied upon as an exhaustive summary of the material risks facing our business.
−Removed: The following factors could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity and the trading price of our common stock.
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
−Removed: • An inability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, complete any proposed acquisitions or successfully integrate the businesses we acquire.
−Removed: • The terms on which additional capital is available.
−Removed: • Our indebtedness and our debt agreements, which contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.
−Removed: • Our ability to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness.
−Removed: • The effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic.
−Removed: • A continued significant or sustained decline in the levels of new capital investment and maintenance expenditures by certain of our customers, which could reduce the demand for our fabrication technology products and services.
−Removed: • Our restructuring activities, which may subject us to additional uncertainty in our operating results.
−Removed: • Any impairment in the value of our intangible assets, including Goodwill.
−Removed: • The possibility of product liability lawsuits.
−Removed: • Our information technology infrastructure could be subject to service interruptions, data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security breaches, which could result in the disruption of operations or the loss of data confidentiality.
−Removed: • A material disruption at any of our manufacturing facilities.
−Removed: • Specific risks associated with international operations.
−Removed: • If our associates represented by trade unions or works councils engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown or if the representation committees responsible for negotiating with such trade unions or works councils are unsuccessful in negotiating new and acceptable agreements when the existing agreements with associates covered by collective bargaining expire.
−Removed: • Any failure to maintain and protect our intellectual property rights or challenges to these rights by third parties.
−Removed: • Our defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement medical and death benefit plans are or may become subject to funding requirements or obligations.
−Removed: • Significant movements in foreign currency exchange rates, which may harm our financial results.
−Removed: • The availability of raw materials, as well as parts and components used in our products, as well as the impact of raw material, energy and labor price fluctuations and supply shortages.
−Removed: • The competitive environment in which we operate.
−Removed: • Changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities.
−Removed: Risks Related to Our Medical Technology Business
−Removed: • Our ability to obtain coverage and adequate levels of reimbursement from third-party payors for our medical device products.
−Removed: • Federal and state health reform and cost control efforts.
−Removed: • Failure to comply with government regulations relating to the safety, efficacy, testing, manufacturing, labeling, and marketing of our medical device products.
−Removed: • Our relationships with leading surgeons who assist with the development and testing of our products and our ability to comply with enhanced disclosure requirements regarding payments to physicians.
−Removed: • Our reliance on a variety of distribution methods to market and sell our medical device products and our ability to effectively manage the distribution of such products.
−Removed: • Audits or denials of claims by government agencies, which could reduce our revenues or profits.
−Removed: • Failure to comply with healthcare and other governmental regulations.
−Removed: • Managed care and buying groups have put downward pressure on the prices of medical device products.
−Removed: Risks Related to Litigation and Regulatory Compliance
−Removed: • Available insurance coverage, the number of future asbestos-related claims and the average settlement value of current and future asbestos-related claims of certain subsidiaries, which could be different than we have estimated.
−Removed: • Failure to comply with various export control regulations, which could lead to fines or other sanctions.
−Removed: • Failure to comply with export control regulations, we could be subject to substantial fines or other sanctions.
−Removed: • Various environmental and health and safety laws for which compliance, or liabilities that arise as a result of noncompliance, could be costly.
−Removed: • Certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change.
−Removed: Risks Relating to the Separation
−Removed: • Our ability to complete the Separation on the currently contemplated timeline, or at all, and achieve the intended benefits.
−Removed: • Changes to our financial and operational profile as a result of the Separation.
−Removed: • If the Separation and/or certain related transactions do not qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S.
−Removed: federal income tax purposes, we and our stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities.
−Removed: General and Other Risks
−Removed: • Changes in the general economy and the cyclical nature of the markets that we serve.
−Removed: • The loss of key leadership or the inability to attract, develop, engage, and retain qualified employees.
−Removed: • The issuances of additional Common and Preferred stock or the resale of previously restricted Common stock, which may adversely affect the market price of Colfax Common stock.
−Removed: • Provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law, and the percentage of Common stock owned by our largest stockholders, which may delay or prevent an acquisition of Colfax that may be beneficial to our stockholders.
−Removed: Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
Acquisitions have formed a significant part of our growth strategy in the past and are expected to continue to do so.
16 unchanged sentences
We may require additional capital to finance our operating needs and to finance our growth, including acquisitions.
−Removed: If the terms on which the additional capital is available are unsatisfactory, if the additional capital is not available at all or if we are not able to fully access credit under our credit agreement, we may not be able to pursue our growth strategy.
+Added: If the terms on which the additional capital is available are unsatisfactory, if the additional capital is not available at all or if we are not able to fully access credit under our Enovis Credit Agreement, we may not be able to pursue our growth strategy.
Our growth strategy will require additional capital investment to complete acquisitions, integrate the completed acquisitions into our existing operations and expand into new markets.
4 unchanged sentences
If we are unable to obtain sufficient additional capital in the future, it may limit our ability to fully implement our growth strategy.
−Removed: Even if future debt financing is available, it may result in (i) increased interest expense, (ii) increased term loan payments, (iii) increased leverage and (iv) decreased income available to fund further acquisitions and expansion.
+Added: Even if future debt financing is available, it may result in (i) increased interest
+Added: expense, (ii) increased term loan payments, (iii) increased leverage and (iv) decreased income available to fund further acquisitions and expansion.
It may also limit our ability to withstand competitive pressures and make us more vulnerable to economic downturns.
If future equity financing is available, issuances of our equity securities may significantly dilute our existing stockholders.
−Removed: Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and our debt agreements contain restrictions that limit our flexibility in operating our business.
−Removed: We have outstanding debt and other financial obligations and significant unused borrowing capacity.
−Removed: As of December 31, 2021, we had $2.1 billion of outstanding indebtedness.
−Removed: We are also party to letter of credit facilities with total capacity of $277.3 million, of which $36.0 million were outstanding as of December 31, 2021.
+Added: Our indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition and restricts us in ways that limit our flexibility in operating our business.
+Added: We have outstanding debt and other financial obligations and significant unused borrowing capacity, and may incur or assume more debt in the future.
Our debt level and related debt service obligations could have negative consequences, including:
−Removed: requiring us to dedicate significant cash flow from operations to the payment of principal, interest and other amounts payable on our debt, which would reduce the funds we have available for other purposes, such as working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions;
−Removed: making it more difficult or expensive for us to obtain any necessary future financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, debt refinancing, acquisitions or other purposes;
+Added: requiring us to dedicate significant cash flow from operations to the payment of amounts payable on our debt, which would reduce the funds we have available for other purposes;
+Added: making it more difficult or expensive for us to obtain any necessary future financing;
increasing our leverage and reducing our flexibility in planning for or reacting to changes in our industry and market conditions;
making us more vulnerable in the event of a downturn in our business;
−Removed: and exposing us to interest rate risk given that a portion of our debt obligations is at variable interest rates.
−Removed: Additionally, the credit agreement governing our term loan and revolving credit facilities (the “Credit Facility”) and the indentures governing our notes contain various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions.
−Removed: These covenants limit our ability to, among other things:
−Removed: incur additional indebtedness;
−Removed: make certain investments;
−Removed: create liens on certain assets to secure debt;
−Removed: consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all our assets;
−Removed: and refinance our indebtedness.
−Removed: In addition, under the Credit Facility we are required to satisfy and maintain compliance with a total leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio.
−Removed: Limitations imposed by the various covenants contained in the Credit Facility or in the indentures governing our notes could have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: Additionally, we may incur or assume more debt in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in our existing debt agreements, and if we do not retire existing debt, the risks described above could increase.
−Removed: We may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness and may be forced to take other actions to satisfy our obligations under our indebtedness, which may not be successful.
−Removed: Our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to certain financial, business, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond our control.
−Removed: We cannot assure you that we will maintain a level of cash flows from operating activities sufficient to permit us to pay the principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness.
−Removed: If our cash flows and capital resources are insufficient to fund our debt service obligations, we may face substantial liquidity problems and be forced to reduce or delay investments and capital expenditures, sell assets, including material assets or operations, seek additional capital or restructure or refinance our indebtedness.
−Removed: These alternative measures may not be successful or yield adequate proceeds and may not permit us to meet our scheduled debt service obligations.
−Removed: The Credit Facility restricts our ability to dispose of assets and our use of the proceeds of dispositions and the Credit Facility and the indentures governing our notes restrict our ability to refinance our indebtedness.
−Removed: In addition, any future refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants, which could further restrict our business operations.
−Removed: The effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic have materially affected how we and our customers and suppliers operate, and the duration and extent to which this will impact our future results of operations, financial condition, and overall financial performance remains uncertain.
−Removed: The COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in a widespread health crisis, and the resulting impact on governments, businesses and individuals and actions taken by them in response to the situation have resulted in widespread economic disruptions, significantly affecting broader economies, financial markets, and overall demand for our products.
−Removed: It is uncertain when and to what extent these conditions will completely subside.
−Removed: As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak and the emergence and spread of COVID-19 variants, we have experienced and may continue to experience disruptions that severely impact and may continue to severely impact our businesses including, but not limited to:
−Removed: • Material delays and periodic cancellations of elective medical procedures;
−Removed: orthopedic clinics and physical therapy centers operating at reduced levels;
−Removed: and periodic cancellation of professional, college, high school and youth sports programs impacting our Medical Technology business;
−Removed: • Reductions in levels of new capital investment and maintenance expenditures impacting our Fabrication Technology business.
−Removed: In 2021, we recognized a strong recovery from the prior year COVID-related sales downturn despite experiencing pressures from the emergence and spread of COVID-19 variants, and we expect these pressures may continue into at least the first quarter of 2022.
−Removed: To the extent there is a resurgence of COVID-19 or restrictions are reinstated, our businesses could be further negatively impacted.
−Removed: Ultimately, we expect that the longer the period of economic disruption and sharper the declines in customer demand, the more material the adverse impact will be on our businesses, results of operations and financial condition.
−Removed: Moreover, a prolonged period of generating lower cash from operations could adversely affect our financial condition and the achievement of our strategic objectives.
−Removed: Conditions in the financial and credit markets may also limit the availability of funding or increase the cost of funding, which could adversely affect our businesses, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: The degree to which the COVID-19 situation continues to impact our businesses, results of operations and financial condition, including the duration and magnitude of such impacts, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, including any resurgences and spread of COVID-19 variants, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, the availability and public acceptance of approved vaccines and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions resume.
−Removed: Even to the extent conditions improve, the duration and sustainability of any such improvements will be uncertain and continuing adverse impacts and/or the degree of improvement may vary dramatically by geography and line of business.
−Removed: Additionally, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including actions by governments, businesses and individuals in response, could give rise or contribute to or amplify many of the risks discussed in our other risk factors, included in this Part 1, Item A of this Form 10-K.
−Removed: A continued significant or sustained decline in the levels of new capital investment and maintenance expenditures by certain of our customers could reduce the demand for our fabrication technology products and services and harm our operations and financial performance.
−Removed: Demand for our fabrication technology products and services depends significantly on the level of new capital investment and planned maintenance expenditures by certain of our customers.
−Removed: The level of new capital expenditures by our fabrication technology customers is dependent upon many factors, including general economic conditions, availability of credit,
−Removed: economic conditions and investment activities within their respective industrie s and expectations of future market behavior.
−Removed: In addition, volatility in commodity prices can negatively affect the level of these new activities and can result in postponement of capital spending decisions or the delay or cancellation of existing orders.
−Removed: A reduction in demand for our fabrication technology products and services has resulted in the past, and in the future could result in the delay or cancellation of existing orders or lead to excess manufacturing capacity, which unfavorably impacts our absorption of fixed manufacturing costs.
−Removed: This reduced demand could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: and exposing us to interest rate risk given our debt obligations at variable interest rates.
+Added: In addition, our ability to make scheduled payments on or to refinance our debt obligations depends on our financial condition and operating performance, which is subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions and to financial, business, legislative, regulatory, and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.
+Added: Additionally, the Enovis Credit Agreement, which governs our term loan and revolving credit facility, contains various covenants that limit our ability to engage in specified types of transactions.
+Added: These covenants limit the Company’s ability to incur debt or liens, merge or consolidate with others, dispose of assets, or make investments or pay dividends.
+Added: The Enovis Credit Agreement also contains financial covenants requiring the Company to satisfy and maintain compliance with a total leverage ratio and an interest coverage ratio.
+Added: Upon an event of default, the lenders may, subject to various customary cure rights, require the immediate payment of all amounts outstanding.
+Added: These restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our restructuring activities may subject us to additional uncertainty in our operating results.
6 unchanged sentences
The Goodwill results from our acquisitions, representing the excess of cost over the fair value of the net assets we have acquired.
−Removed: As a result of our acquisition of DJO, the amount of Goodwill on our consolidated financial statements increased.
−Removed: We assess at least annually whether there has been impairment in the value of our indefinite-lived intangible assets.
+Added: We assess at least annually whether there has been impairment in the value of our Goodwill.
If future operating performance at one or more of our business units were to fall significantly below current levels, if competing or alternative technologies emerge, or if market conditions for an acquired business decline, we could incur, under current applicable accounting rules, a non-cash charge to operating earnings for Goodwill impairment.
−Removed: Any determination requiring the write-off of a significant portion of unamortized intangible assets would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and total capitalization, the effect of which could be material.
−Removed: Certain of our businesses, particularly our Medical Technology business, subject us to the possibility of product liability lawsuits, which could harm our business.
−Removed: Our Medical Technology business exposes us to potential product liability risks that are inherent in the design, manufacture and marketing of medical devices.
−Removed: Additionally, as the manufacturer of equipment for use in industrial markets, we may be subject to product liability claims.
−Removed: Component failures, manufacturing nonconformances, design defects, or inadequate disclosure of product-related risks or product-related information with respect to our products could result in unsafe conditions, injury or death.
−Removed: In addition, some of our products contain components manufactured by third parties, which may also have defects.
−Removed: From time to time, DJO has historically been, and is currently, subject to a number of product liability claims alleging that the use of its products resulted in adverse effects.
−Removed: Our product liability insurance policies have limits that may not be sufficient to cover claims made.
−Removed: In addition, this insurance may not continue to be available at a reasonable cost.
−Removed: With respect to components manufactured by third-party suppliers, the contractual indemnification that we seek from our third-party suppliers may be limited and thus insufficient to cover claims made against us.
−Removed: If insurance coverage or contractual indemnification is insufficient to satisfy product liability claims made against us, the claims could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
−Removed: Even claims without merit could harm our reputation, reduce demand for our products, cause us to incur substantial legal costs and distract the attention of our management.
−Removed: The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: With respect to certain of our medical device products, the Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) and certain foreign regulatory bodies have the authority to require the recall of commercialized products under certain circumstances.
−Removed: Accordingly, a government mandated recall or a voluntary recall initiated by us could occur as a result of actual or potential component failures, manufacturing errors, or design defects, including defects in labeling.
−Removed: Any recall would divert managerial and financial resources and could harm our reputation with customers and with the healthcare professionals that use, prescribe and recommend our products and result in significant costs.
−Removed: Correcting product deficiencies and defects may also require submission of additional marketing authorizations before we may continue marketing the corrected device.
−Removed: Our information technology infrastructure could be subject to service interruptions, data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security breaches, which could result in the disruption of operations or the loss of data confidentiality.
−Removed: We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, cloud-based services and third-party service providers, to process, transmit and store electronic information (including protected health information (“PHI”), personally identifiable information, credit card and other financial information), and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including procurement, manufacturing, distribution, invoicing, collection, communication with our employees, customers, dealers and suppliers, business acquisitions and other corporate transactions, compliance with regulatory, legal and tax requirements, and research and development.
−Removed: For example, in the ordinary course of business, our Medical Technology segment collects, stores, and transmits certain sensitive data, including PHI, personally identifiable information, and patient data.
−Removed: These information technology networks and systems may be susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to failures during the process of upgrading or replacing software, databases or components, power outages, hardware failures or computer viruses.
−Removed: If these information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown and business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity could be materially adversely affected.
−Removed: In addition, our information technology networks and systems are subject to security threats and sophisticated cyber-based attacks, including, but not limited to, denial-of-service attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, employee or insider error, malfeasance, social engineering, or physical breaches, that can cause deliberate or unintentional damage, destruction or misuse, manipulation, denial of access to or disclosure of confidential or important information by our employees, suppliers or third-party service providers.
−Removed: Additionally, advanced persistent attempts to gain unauthorized access or deny access to, or otherwise disrupt, our systems and those of third-party service providers we rely on are increasing in sophistication and frequency.
−Removed: We have experienced, and expect to continue to confront, efforts by hackers and other third parties to gain unauthorized access or deny access to, or otherwise disrupt, our information technology systems and networks.
−Removed: Any such future attacks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
−Removed: We can provide no assurance that our efforts to actively manage technology risks potentially affecting our systems and networks will be successful in eliminating or mitigating risks to our systems, networks and data or in effectively resolving such risks when they materialize.
−Removed: A failure of or breach in information technology security of our own systems, or those of our third-party vendors, could expose us and our employees, customers, dealers and suppliers to risks of misuse of information or systems, the compromise of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes and operations disruptions.
−Removed: Any of these events in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitive position, including loss of customers and revenue, business, results of operations and liquidity.
−Removed: In addition, such breaches in security could result in litigation, regulatory action and potential liability, including liability under federal or state laws that protect the privacy of personal information, such as HIPAA or HITECH, as well as the costs and operational consequences of implementing further data protection measures.
−Removed: Additionally, to conduct our operations, we regularly move data across national borders, and consequently we are subject to a variety of continuously evolving and developing laws and regulations in the United States and abroad regarding privacy, data protection and data security.
−Removed: The scope of the laws that may be applicable to us is often uncertain and may be conflicting, particularly with respect to foreign laws.
−Removed: For example, some of the data we handle and aspects of our operations are subject to the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, which greatly increases the jurisdictional reach of European Union law and adds a broad array of requirements for handling personal data, including the public disclosure of significant data breaches and provides for significant potential penalties and remedies for violations.
−Removed: Other countries have enacted or are enacting data localization laws that require data to stay within their borders.
−Removed: All of these evolving compliance and operational requirements impose significant costs that are likely to increase over time.
+Added: Any determination requiring the write-off of a significant portion of intangible assets would adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and total capitalization, the effect of which could be material.
A material disruption at any of our manufacturing facilities could adversely affect our ability to generate sales and meet customer demand.
−Removed: If operations at any of our manufacturing facilities were to be disrupted as a result of a significant equipment failure, natural disaster or adverse weather conditions (including events that may be caused or exacerbated by climate change), power outage, fire, explosion, terrorism, cyber-based attack, health epidemic or pandemic or other contagious outbreak, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, labor dispute or shortage or other reason, our financial performance could be adversely affected as a result of our inability to meet customer demand for our products.
+Added: If operations at any of our manufacturing facilities were to be disrupted as a result of a significant equipment failure, natural disaster or adverse weather conditions (including events that may be caused or exacerbated by climate change), power outage, fire, explosion, terrorism, cyber-based attack, health emergency, labor dispute or shortage or other reason, our financial performance could be adversely affected as a result of our inability to meet customer demand for our products.
Interruptions in production could increase our costs and reduce our sales.
Any interruption in production capability could require us to make substantial capital expenditures to remedy the situation or rely on third-party manufacturers, which could negatively affect our profitability and financial condition.
−Removed: Any recovery under our property damage and business interruption insurance policies may not offset the lost sales or increased costs that may be experienced during the disruption of operations, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: The majority of our sales are derived from international operations.
−Removed: We are subject to specific risks associated with international operations.
−Removed: In the year ended December 31, 2021, we derived approximately 59% of our sales from operations outside of the United States and we have principal manufacturing facilities in 18 countries in addition to the United States.
−Removed: Sales from international operations, export sales and the use of manufacturing facilities outside of the United States by us are subject to risks inherent in doing business outside the United States.
−Removed: These risks include:
−Removed: economic or political instability;
−Removed: partial or total expropriation of international assets;
−Removed: limitations on ownership or participation in local enterprises;
−Removed: trade protection measures by the United States or other nations including China, including tariffs or import-export restrictions or licensing requirements, and other changes in trade relations;
−Removed: currency exchange rate fluctuations and restrictions on currency repatriation;
−Removed: labor and employment laws that may be more restrictive than in the United States;
−Removed: changes in laws and regulations, including taxation policies, or in how such provisions are interpreted or administered;
−Removed: difficulties in enforcing our rights outside the United States, including intellectual property rights;
−Removed: difficulties in hiring and maintaining qualified staff and managing geographically diverse operations;
−Removed: the disruption of operations from natural disasters or adverse weather conditions (including events that may be caused or exacerbated by climate change), world health events, including the COVID-19 pandemic, labor or political disturbances, terrorist activities, insurrection or war;
−Removed: the imposition of additional foreign governmental controls or regulations on the sale of our products;
−Removed: increased costs of transportation or shipping;
−Removed: the transition away from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate as a benchmark reference for short-term interests;
−Removed: and uncertainties arising from local business practices and cultural considerations.
−Removed: If any of these risks were to materialize, they may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: For example, changes in U.S.
−Removed: policy regarding international trade, including import and export regulation and international trade agreements, could also negatively impact our business.
−Removed: In 2018, the United States imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as on goods imported from China and certain other countries, which has resulted in retaliatory tariffs by China and other countries.
−Removed: Additional tariffs imposed by the United States on a broader range of imports, or further retaliatory trade measures taken by China or other countries in response, could result in an increase in supply chain costs that we may not be able to offset or otherwise adversely impact our results of operations.
−Removed: Any trade barriers resulting from the exit may disrupt distribution channels, increase our Cost of sales, and limit our ability to achieve future product margin growth.
−Removed: We may also face new regulatory costs, employee retention, and other challenges that could have an adverse effect on our business.
−Removed: In many foreign countries, particularly in those with developing economies, there are companies that engage in business practices prohibited by laws and regulations applicable to us, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, and the U.K.
−Removed: Although we implement policies, procedures and training designed to facilitate compliance with these laws, our employees, contractors and agents, as well as those of the companies to which we outsource certain of our business operations, may take actions in violation of our policies, which could result in civil or criminal enforcement actions and penalties, create a substantial liability for us and also cause a loss of reputation in the market.
−Removed: If our associates represented by trade unions or works councils engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown or if the representation committees responsible for negotiating with such trade unions or works councils are unsuccessful in negotiating new and acceptable agreements when the existing agreements with associates covered by collective bargaining expire, we could experience business disruptions or increased costs.
−Removed: As of December 31, 2021, approximately 47% of our associates were represented by a number of different trade unions and works councils.
−Removed: Further, as of that date, we had approximately 13,100 associates, representing 81% of our worldwide associate base, in foreign locations.
−Removed: In Canada, Australia and various countries in Europe, Asia, and Central and South America, by law, certain of our associates are represented by a number of different trade unions and works councils, which subject us to employment arrangements very similar to collective bargaining agreements.
−Removed: Further, the laws of certain foreign countries may place restrictions on our ability to take certain employee-related actions or require that we conduct additional negotiations with trade unions, works councils or other governmental authorities before we can take such actions.
−Removed: If our associates represented by trade unions or works councils were to engage in a strike, work stoppage or other slowdown in the future, we could experience a significant disruption of our operations.
−Removed: Such disruption could interfere with our business operations and could lead to decreased productivity, increased labor costs and lost revenue, as well as adversely impact our reputation.
−Removed: The representation committees that negotiate with the foreign trade unions or works councils on our behalf may
−Removed: not be successful in negotiating new collective bargaining agreements or other employment arrangements when the current ones expire.
−Removed: Furthermore, future labor negotiations could result in significant increases in our labor costs.
−Removed: The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: Any recovery under our property damage and business
+Added: interruption insurance policies may not offset the lost sales or increased costs that may be experienced during the disruption of operations, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Failure to maintain and protect our intellectual property rights or challenges to these rights by third parties may affect our operations and financial performance.
The market for many of our products, including our medical device products, is, in part, dependent upon patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, agreements with employees, customers and other third parties, including confidentiality agreements, invention assignment agreements and proprietary information agreements, to establish and maintain our intellectual property rights, and the Goodwill engendered by our trademarks and trade names.
−Removed: The protection and enforcement of these intellectual property rights is therefore material to our business.
The failure to protect these rights may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
8 unchanged sentences
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: Our defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement medical and death benefit plans are or may become subject to funding requirements or obligations that could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: We operate defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement medical and death benefit plans for current and former employees worldwide.
−Removed: Each plan’s funding position is affected by the investment performance of the plan’s investments, changes in the fair value of the plan’s assets, the type of investments, the life expectancy of the plan’s members, changes in the actuarial assumptions used to value the plan’s liabilities, changes in the rate of inflation and interest rates, our financial position, as well as other changes in economic conditions.
−Removed: Furthermore, since a significant proportion of the plans’ assets are invested in publicly traded debt and equity securities, they are, and will be, affected by market risks.
−Removed: Any detrimental change in any of the above factors is likely to worsen the funding position of each of the relevant plans, and this would likely require the plans’ sponsoring employers to increase the contributions currently made to the plans to satisfy our obligations.
−Removed: Any requirement to increase the level of contributions currently made could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: The effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic have adversely affected our results of operations, financial condition, and business and continue to adversely affect us effects of the COVID-19 global pandemic have adversely affected our results of operations, financial condition, and business and continue to adversely affect us.
+Added: We continue to be adversely affected by the economic and other challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and actions taken in response thereto.
+Added: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we experienced adverse impacts on sales in 2020 and 2021, as well as material delays and periodic cancellations of elective medical procedures, orthopedic clinics and physical therapy centers operating at reduced levels, and periodic cancellation of sports programs impacting our business.
+Added: Although restrictions in most jurisdictions have eased and some impacts of the pandemic have abated, cost inflation, supply chain challenges such as logistics delays, and healthcare provider staffing shortages, all of which are attributable in some part to the pandemic, continue to impact us, including by reducing capacity and the number of medical procedures.
+Added: It is uncertain when and to what extent lingering conditions will completely subside.
+Added: The degree to which the COVID-19 situation will continue to impact our businesses, results of operations, and financial condition, including the duration and magnitude of such impacts, will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including how quickly and to what extent normal economic conditions resume in full.
Significant movements in foreign currency exchange rates may harm our financial results.
1 unchanged sentence
During the year ended December 31, 2022, approximately 32% of our sales were derived from operations outside the United States.
−Removed: A significant portion of our revenues and income are denominated in foreign currencies.
Large fluctuations in the rate of exchange between foreign currencies and the U.S.
1 unchanged sentence
Changes in the currency exchange rates may impact our financial results positively or negatively in one period and not another, which may make it difficult to compare our operating results from different periods.
−Removed: For example, during 2018, Argentina became a highly inflationary economy, resulting in the remeasurement of our Argentinian operations.
−Removed: Future impacts to earnings of applying highly inflationary accounting for Argentina on our Consolidated Financial Statements will be dependent upon movements in the applicable exchange rates.
We also face exchange risk from transactions with customers in countries outside the United States and from intercompany transactions between affiliates.
Although we use the U.S.
−Removed: dollar as our functional currency for reporting purposes, we have manufacturing sites throughout the world and a substantial portion of our costs are incurred and sales are generated in foreign currencies.
+Added: dollar as our functional currency for reporting purposes, we have manufacturing sites throughout the world and a large portion of our costs are incurred and sales are generated in foreign currencies.
Costs incurred and sales recorded by subsidiaries operating outside of the United States are translated into U.S.
dollars using exchange rates effective during the respective period.
−Removed: As a result, we are exposed to movements in the
−Removed: exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S.
+Added: As a result, we are exposed to movements in the exchange rates of various currencies against the U.S.
Further, we may be subject to foreign currency translation losses depending upon whether foreign nations devalue their currencies.
3 unchanged sentences
Additionally, FDA regulations may require additional testing of any raw materials or components from new suppliers prior to the use of those materials or components in certain medical device products.
−Removed: In addition, in the case of a device which is the subject of a pre-market approval, we may also be required to obtain prior FDA permission (which may or may not be given), which could delay or prevent access or use of such raw materials or components.
+Added: In addition, in the case of a device that is the subject of a pre-market approval, we may also be required to obtain prior FDA permission, which may not be given and could delay or prevent access or use of such raw materials or components.
Any significant change in the supply of, or price for, these raw materials, parts or components could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
1 unchanged sentence
For example, the microprocessor used in our OL1000 and SpinaLogic devices is from a single manufacturer.
−Removed: Establishment of additional or replacement suppliers for these components cannot be accomplished quickly and the loss of a single-source supplier, the deterioration of our relationship with a single-source supplier, or any unilateral modification to the contractual terms under which we are supplied components by a single-source supplier could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: Establishment of replacement suppliers for these components cannot be accomplished quickly and the loss of a single-source supplier, the deterioration of our relationship with a single-source supplier, or any unilateral modification to the contractual terms under which we are supplied components by a single-source supplier could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we rely on third parties to manufacture some of our medical device products.
−Removed: For example, we use a single source for many of the consumer devices our Medical Technology segment distributes in one country.
+Added: For example, we use a single source for many of the consumer devices our Prevention & Recovery segment distributes in a particular country.
If our agreements with these manufacturing companies were terminated, we may not be able to find suitable replacements within a reasonable amount of time or at all.
Any such cessation, interruption or delay may impair our ability to meet scheduled deliveries of our products to our customers and may cause our customers to cancel orders.
−Removed: Additionally, political and economic instability and changes in government regulations in China and other parts of Asia or any health epidemics or pandemics or other contagious outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, could affect our ability to continue to receive materials from suppliers there.
−Removed: The loss of suppliers in these areas, any other interruption or delay in the supply of required materials or our inability to obtain these materials at acceptable prices and within a reasonable amount of time could impair our ability to meet scheduled product deliveries to our customers and could hurt our reputation and cause customers to cancel orders.
+Added: Additionally, political and economic instability and changes in government regulations in China and other parts of Asia or any health emergencies could affect our ability to continue to receive materials from suppliers in those locations or affected by those emergencies.
+Added: The loss of such suppliers, any other interruption or delay in the supply of required materials or our inability to obtain these materials at acceptable prices and within a reasonable amount of time could impair our ability to meet scheduled product deliveries to our customers and could hurt our reputation and cause customers to cancel orders.
We are vulnerable to raw material, energy and labor price fluctuations and supply shortages, which have impacted and could continue to impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
−Removed: In the normal course of our business, we are exposed to market risks related to the availability of and price fluctuations in the purchase of raw materials, energy and commodities used in the manufacturing of our products (including steel and oil).
+Added: In the normal course of our business, we are exposed to market risks related to the availability of and price fluctuations in the purchase of raw materials, energy and commodities used in the manufacturing of our products.
The availability and prices for raw materials, energy and commodities are subject to volatility and are influenced by worldwide economic conditions, including the current rising inflationary pressure.
They are also influenced by import duties and tariffs speculative action, world supply and demand balances, inventory levels, availability of substitute materials, currency exchange rates, anticipated or perceived shortages, geopolitical tensions, government trade practices and regulations and other factors.
−Removed: Further, the labor market for skilled manufacturing remains tight as the U.S.
−Removed: and global economy recovers after the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns, and our labor costs have increased as a result.
+Added: Further, the labor market for skilled manufacturing remains tight and our labor costs have increased as a result.
Energy, commodity, raw material energy, labor and other cost inflation has impacted and could continue to impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
1 unchanged sentence
If we are unable to respond successfully to this competition, this could reduce our sales and operating margins.
−Removed: Our businesses operate in highly fragmented and competitive markets.
+Added: Our business operates in highly fragmented and competitive markets.
In order to maintain and enhance our competitive position, we intend to, among other things, continue investing in manufacturing quality, marketing, customer service and support, distribution networks, and research and development.
3 unchanged sentences
As a result, those competitors may be better able to withstand the effects of periodic economic downturns.
−Removed: In addition, pricing pressures could cause us to adjust the prices of some of our products to stay
+Added: In addition, pricing pressures could cause us to adjust the prices of some of our products to stay competitive.
The development of new technologies by competitors that may compete with our technologies could reduce demand for our products and affect our financial performance.
−Removed: For example, our present and future medical device products could be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by technological advances by one or more of our present or future competitors or by other therapies, including biological therapies.
+Added: For example, our present and future medical device products could be rendered obsolete or uneconomical by technological advances by one or more of our present or future competitors or by other therapies,
+Added: including biological therapies.
Should we not be able to maintain or enhance the competitive values of our products or develop and introduce new products or technologies successfully, or if new products or technologies fail to generate sufficient revenues to offset research and development costs, our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
8 unchanged sentences
Additionally, longstanding international tax norms that determine each country’s jurisdiction to tax cross-border international trade are subject to potential evolution.
−Removed: For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”), a global coalition of member countries, proposed a two-pillar plan to reform international taxation.
+Added: For example, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, a global coalition of member countries, proposed a two-pillar plan to reform international taxation.
The proposals aim to ensure a fairer distribution of profits among countries and to impose a floor on tax competition through the introduction of a global minimum tax.
+Added: On December 12, 2022, European Union member states reached agreement in principle to implement the minimum tax component, known as Pillar 2.
+Added: The directive has to be transposed into member states’ national law by the end of 2023.
As these and other tax laws, regulations and norms change or evolve, our financial results could be materially impacted.
4 unchanged sentences
If these audits result in assessments different from amounts recorded, our future financial results may include unfavorable tax adjustments.
−Removed: Risks Related to Our Medical Technology Business
−Removed: If coverage and adequate levels of reimbursement from third-party payors for our medical device products are not obtained, healthcare providers and patients may be reluctant to use our medical device products, our margins may suffer and revenue and profits may decline.
−Removed: The sales of our medical device products depend largely on whether there is coverage and adequate reimbursement by government healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and by private payors.
−Removed: Surgeons, hospitals, physical therapists and other healthcare providers may not use, purchase or prescribe our products and patients may not purchase these products if these third-party payors do not provide satisfactory coverage of and reimbursement for the costs of our medical device products or the procedures involving the use of such products.
−Removed: Reduced reimbursement rates will also lower our margins on product sales and could adversely impact the profitability and viability of the affected products.
−Removed: Third-party payors continue to review their coverage policies carefully and can, without notice, reduce or eliminate reimbursement for our medical device products or treatments that use these products.
−Removed: For instance, they may attempt to control costs by (i) authorizing fewer elective surgical procedures, including joint reconstructive surgeries, (ii) requiring the use of the least expensive product available, (iii) reducing the reimbursement for or limiting the number of authorized visits for rehabilitation procedures, (iv) bundling reimbursement for all services related to an episode of care, or (v) otherwise restricting coverage or reimbursement of our medical device products or procedures using these products.
−Removed: Medicare payment for Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics, and Supplies (“DMEPOS”) also can be impacted by the DMEPOS competitive bidding program, under which Medicare rates are based on bid amounts for certain
−Removed: products in designated geographic areas, rather than the Medicare fee schedule amount.
−Removed: Only those suppliers selected through the competitive bidding process within each designated competitive bidding area (“CBA”) are eligible to have their products reimbursed by Medicare.
−Removed: The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) also has adopted regulations to adjust national DMEPOS fee schedules to take into account competitive bidding pricing.
−Removed: If any of our medical device products are included in competitive bidding and we are not selected as a contract supplier (or subcontractor) in a particular region, or if contract or fee schedule prices are significantly below current Medicare fee schedule reimbursement levels, it could have an adverse impact on our sales and profitability.
−Removed: Because many private payors model their coverage and reimbursement policies on Medicare, other third-party payors’ coverage of, and reimbursement for, our medical device products also could be negatively impacted by legislative, regulatory or other measures that restrict Medicare coverage or reduce Medicare reimbursement.
−Removed: International sales of medical device products also depend in part upon the coverage and eligibility for reimbursement of our products through government-sponsored healthcare payment systems and third-party payors, the amount of reimbursement, and the cost allocation of payments between the patient and government-sponsored healthcare payment systems and third-party payors.
−Removed: Coverage and reimbursement practices vary significantly by country, with certain countries requiring products to undergo a lengthy regulatory review in order to be eligible for third-party coverage and reimbursement.
−Removed: In addition, healthcare cost containment efforts similar to those we face in the United States are prevalent in many of the foreign countries in which our products are sold, and these efforts are expected to continue in the future, possibly resulting in the adoption of more stringent reimbursement standards relating to our international operations.
−Removed: Additionally, federal and state legislatures and regulators have periodically considered proposals to limit the types of orthopedic professionals who can fit or sell our orthotic products or who can seek reimbursement for them.
−Removed: Several states have adopted legislation imposing certification or licensing requirements on the measuring, fitting and adjusting of certain orthotic devices, and additional states may do so in the future.
−Removed: Although some of these state laws exempt manufacturers’ representatives, others do not.
−Removed: Such laws could reduce the number of potential customers by restricting our sales representatives’ activities in those jurisdictions or reduce demand for our products by reducing the number of professionals who fit and sell them.
−Removed: In addition, legislation has been adopted, but not implemented to date, requiring that certain certification or licensing requirements be met for individuals and suppliers furnishing certain custom-fabricated orthotic devices as a condition of Medicare payment.
−Removed: Medicare currently follows state policies in those states that require the use of an orthotist or prosthetist for furnishing of orthotics or prosthetics.
−Removed: Federal and state health reform and cost control efforts include provisions that could adversely impact our business and results of operations, and federal and state legislatures continue to consider further reforms and cost control efforts that could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
−Removed: In the United States, there have been and continue to be a number of legislative initiatives to contain healthcare costs.
−Removed: In March 2010, the Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) was enacted in the United States.
−Removed: The ACA is a sweeping measure designed to expand access to affordable health insurance, control health care spending, and improve health care quality.
−Removed: Several provisions of the ACA specifically affect the medical equipment industry.
−Removed: The ACA also implemented payment system reforms including a national pilot program on payment bundling to encourage hospitals, physicians and other providers to improve the coordination, quality and efficiency of certain healthcare services through bundled payment models.
−Removed: The ACA also established enhanced Medicare and Medicaid program integrity provisions, including expanded documentation requirements for Medicare DMEPOS orders, more stringent procedures for screening Medicare and Medicaid DMEPOS suppliers, and new disclosure requirements regarding manufacturer payments to physicians and teaching hospitals, along with broader expansion of federal fraud and abuse authorities.
−Removed: The ACA also established a new Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to oversee and identify priorities in comparative clinical effectiveness research in an effort to coordinate and develop such research.
−Removed: In addition, other legislative changes have been proposed and adopted since the ACA was enacted.
−Removed: On August 2, 2011, the Budget Control Act of 2011 was signed into law, which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to providers by 2% per fiscal year, effective on April 1, 2013 and, due to subsequent legislative amendments to the statute, will remain in effect through 2027 unless additional Congressional action is taken.
−Removed: On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was signed into law, which, among other things, reduced Medicare payments to several providers, including hospitals, and increased the statute of limitations period for the government to recover overpayments to providers from three to five years.
−Removed: The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (“MACRA”) enacted on April 16, 2015, repealed the formula by which Medicare made annual payment adjustments to physicians and replaced the former formula with fixed annual updates and a new system of incentive payments that became effective in 2019 that are based on various performance measures and
−Removed: physicians’ participation in alternative payment models such as accountable care organizations.
−Removed: It is unclear what effect new quality and payment programs, such as MACRA, may have on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
−Removed: Likewise, most states have adopted or are considering policies to reduce Medicaid spending as a result of state budgetary shortfalls, which in some cases include reduced reimbursement for DMEPOS items and/or other Medicaid coverage restrictions.
−Removed: Federal policy may also impact state Medicaid policy.
−Removed: For instance, effective January 1, 2018, the 21st Century Cures Act prohibits federal financial participation payments to states for certain Medicaid DME spending that exceeds what Medicare would have paid for such items.
−Removed: Any modification or repeal of any provisions of the ACA may require states to modify their own laws and regulations.
−Removed: As states continue to face significant financial pressures, it is possible that state health policy changes will adversely affect our profitability.
−Removed: We are subject to extensive government regulation relating to the safety, efficacy, testing, manufacturing, labeling, and marketing of our medical device products, non-compliance with which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: As described in Part I, Item 1.
−Removed: “Business – Regulation,” our medical device products are subject to extensive regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities.
−Removed: Failure to comply with such regulations could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: Our contract manufacturers and component suppliers are also required to comply with the FDA’s Quality System Regulation.
−Removed: We cannot assure you that our contract manufacturers’ or component suppliers’ facilities would pass any future quality system inspection.
−Removed: If we or any of our contract manufacturers’ or component suppliers’ facilities fail a quality system inspection, our product sales and profitability could be adversely affected.
−Removed: In addition, the FDA has taken the position that device manufacturers are prohibited from promoting their products other than for the uses and indications set forth in the approved product labeling, and any failure to comply could subject us to significant civil or criminal exposure, administrative obligations and costs, and/or other potential penalties from, and/or agreements with, the federal government.
−Removed: With respect to our operations in the EU, we have incurred and will need to incur additional costs to comply, which may be significant.
−Removed: If we fail to meet the requirements of the MDR, or are delayed in doing so, it could adversely impact our business in the EU and other regions that tie their product registrations to the EU requirements.
−Removed: Additionally, the FDA regulates the export of medical devices from the United States to foreign countries and certain foreign countries may require FDA certification that our medical device products are in compliance with U.S.
−Removed: Failure to obtain or maintain export certificates required for the export of our products could materially adversely impact revenues and growth.
−Removed: The success of our surgical implant products depends on our relationships with leading surgeons who assist with the development and testing of our products, and our ability to comply with enhanced disclosure requirements regarding payments to physicians.
−Removed: A key aspect of the development of our surgical implant products is the use of designing and consulting arrangements with orthopedic surgeons who are highly qualified and experienced in their field.
−Removed: These surgeons assist in the development and clinical testing of new surgical implant products.
−Removed: They also participate in symposia and seminars introducing new surgical implant products and assist in the training of healthcare professionals in using our new products.
−Removed: We may not be successful in maintaining or renewing our current designing and consulting arrangements with these surgeons or in developing similar arrangements with new surgeons.
−Removed: In that event, our ability to develop, test and market new surgical implant products could be adversely affected.
−Removed: In addition, the Physician Payment Sunshine Act which requires manufacturers of drugs, medical devices, biologicals and medical supplies for which payment is available under Medicare, Medicaid, or the Children’s Health Insurance Program to report annually certain information related to payments or other transfers of value made to licensed physicians, certain other healthcare providers, and teaching hospitals, and related state marketing and payment disclosure requirements and industry guidelines could have an adverse impact on our relationships with surgeons, and we cannot assure you that such requirements and guidelines would not impose additional costs on us or adversely impact our consulting and other arrangements with surgeons.
We rely on a variety of distribution methods to market and sell our medical device products and if we fail to effectively manage the distribution of such products, our results of operations and future growth could be adversely impacted.
We use a variety of distribution methods to market and sell our medical device products, each of which has distinct risks.
−Removed: For example, to market and sell certain of the orthopedic rehabilitation products which are intended for use in the home and in rehabilitation clinics, we rely on our own direct sales force of representatives in the United States and in Europe.
+Added: For example, to market and sell certain of the orthopedic rehabilitation products that are intended for use in the home and in rehabilitation clinics, we rely on our own direct sales force of representatives in the United States and in Europe.
A direct sales force may subject us to higher fixed costs than those of companies that market competing products through independent third parties due to the costs associated with employee benefits, training, and managing sales personnel.
1 unchanged sentence
Additionally, these fixed costs may slow our ability to reduce costs in the face of a sudden decline in demand for such products, which could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.
−Removed: However, for certain orthopedic products, CMF products and surgical implant products, we rely on third-party distributors and independent commissioned sales representatives that maintain the customer relationships with the hospitals, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals that purchase, use and recommend the use of such products.
+Added: However, for certain orthopedic products, CMF bone growth stimulator products and surgical implant products, we rely on third-party distributors and independent commissioned sales representatives that maintain the customer relationships with the hospitals, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals that purchase, use and recommend the use of such products.
Although our internal sales staff trains and manages these third-party distributors and independent sales representatives, we do not directly monitor the efforts that they make to sell our products.
2 unchanged sentences
If we fail to attract and maintain relationships with third-party distributors and skilled independent sales representatives or fail to adequately train and monitor the efforts of the third-party distributors and sales representatives that market and sell our products, or if our existing third-party distributors and independent sales representatives choose not to carry our products, our results of operations and future growth could be adversely affected.
+Added: Risks Related to Government Regulation and Litigation
+Added: Our products and our operations are subject to extensive government regulation and oversight, and if we fail to maintain regulatory approvals and clearances, or are unable to obtain, or experience significant delays in obtaining, FDA clearances or approvals or their foreign equivalent for our current and future products or product enhancements, our ability to commercially distribute and market these products could suffer.
+Added: Our products are subject to rigorous regulation by the FDA and numerous other federal, state and foreign governmental authorities, as discussed under “Regulatory Environment – Medical Device Regulation” in Part I, Item 1.
+Added: The process of obtaining regulatory clearances or approvals to market a medical device can be costly and time consuming, and we may not be able to obtain these clearances or approvals on a timely basis, if at all.
+Added: In the EU, our notified body issues the certificates that allow CE marking for the sale of our products.
+Added: To continue to place products on the market in the EU and United Kingdom after expiry of our existing notified body certificate[s], we will need to apply for their certification under the MDR and UK MDR.
+Added: We may not be able to continue to place our devices on the market in the EU and/or United Kingdom for any current use if we cannot obtain certification for their current use under the MDR or under the UK MDR 2002 when required, if we are unable to do so before the current certificates for our products expire, or if our technical documentation does not meet the new (and more stringent) requirements under the MDR.
+Added: Modifications to our products may require new regulatory clearances or approvals in the United States and EU or may require us to recall or cease marketing our products until clearances or approvals are obtained.
+Added: If the FDA requires us to obtain PMAs, PMA supplements, or pre-market clearances for any modification to a previously cleared or approved device, we may be required to cease manufacturing and marketing of the modified device or to recall such modified device until we obtain FDA clearance or approval.
+Added: Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
+Added: In the EU, we must notify our EU notified body of significant changes to products or to our quality assurance systems affecting those products.
+Added: For devices covered by CE Certificates of Conformity issued under the EU MDD, no significant changes in design or intended purpose are allowed.
+Added: If changes are anticipated, new certificates must be obtained under the MDR.
+Added: Obtaining new clearances and approvals can be a time-consuming process, and delays in obtaining required future clearances or approvals would adversely affect our ability to introduce new or enhanced products in a timely manner, which could harm our future growth.
+Added: The discovery of serious safety issues with our products, or a recall of our products either voluntarily or at the direction of the FDA or another governmental authority, could have a negative impact on us, and failure to report adverse medical events or failures or malfunctions to the FDA as required would subject us to sanctions that could harm our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: We are subject to the FDA’s medical device reporting regulations and similar foreign regulations, which require us to report to the FDA when we receive or become aware of information that reasonably suggests that one or more of our products may have caused or contributed to a death or serious injury or malfunctioned in a way that, if the malfunction were to recur, could cause or contribute to a death or serious injury.
+Added: The timing of our obligation to report is triggered by the date we become aware of the adverse event as well as the nature of the event.
+Added: We may fail to report adverse events of which we become aware within the prescribed timeframe.
+Added: We may also fail to recognize awareness of a reportable adverse event, especially if it is not reported to us as an adverse event or if it is unexpected or removed in time from the use of the product.
+Added: If we fail to comply with our reporting obligations, the FDA could take action, including warning letters, untitled letters, administrative actions, criminal prosecution, imposition of civil monetary penalties, revocation of our device clearance or approval, seizure of our products or delay in clearance or approval of future products.
+Added: We also are required to comply with strict post-marketing obligations for our CE marked medical devices in the EU.
+Added: The MDR provides various requirements relating to post-market surveillance and vigilance, including the obligation for manufacturers to implement a post-market surveillance system, in a manner proportionate to the risk class and appropriate for the type of device.
+Added: Once a device is on the EEA market, manufacturers must comply with certain vigilance requirements, such
+Added: as reporting serious incidents and fielding safety corrective actions.
+Added: Noncompliance could lead to penalties and a suspension or withdrawal of our CE Certificate of Conformity.
+Added: Our products must be manufactured in accordance with federal and state regulations, and we could be forced to recall our devices or terminate production if we fail to comply with these regulations.
+Added: The methods used in, and the facilities used for, the manufacture of our products must comply with the FDA’s QSR, a complex regulatory scheme covering the procedures and documentation of design, testing, production, process controls, quality assurance, labeling, packaging, handling, storage, distribution, installation, servicing and shipping of medical devices.
+Added: We must also verify that our suppliers maintain facilities, procedures, and operations that comply with our quality standards and applicable regulatory requirements.
+Added: The FDA enforces the QSR through periodic announced or unannounced inspections of medical device manufacturing facilities, which may include subcontractor facilities.
+Added: Our products are also subject to similar state regulations and various laws and regulations of foreign countries governing manufacturing.
+Added: Our third-party manufacturers may not take the necessary steps to comply with applicable regulations, which could cause delays in the delivery of our products.
+Added: In addition, failure to comply with applicable FDA requirements or later discovery of previously unknown problems with our products or manufacturing processes could result in actions, as discussed in “Regulatory Environment – Medical Device Regulation” in Part I, Item 1.
+Added: Any of these actions could significantly and negatively affect supply of our products, harm our reputation, and expose us to product liability claims, and we could lose customers and experience reduced sales and increased costs.
+Added: We may be subject to regulatory or enforcement actions if we engage in improper marketing or promotion of our products.
+Added: Our promotional activities must comply with FDA and other applicable laws, including prohibition of the promotion of a medical device for a use that has not been FDA-cleared or approved.
+Added: Use of a device outside of its cleared or approved indications is known as “off-label” use.
+Added: Physicians may use our products off-label in their professional medical judgment, as the FDA does not restrict or regulate a physician’s choice of treatment within the practice of medicine.
+Added: However, if the FDA determines that our educational and promotional activities or training constitutes promotion of an off-label use, it could request that we modify our training or promotional materials or subject us to regulatory or enforcement actions, as discussed in “Regulatory Environment – Medical Device Regulation” in Part I, Item 1.
+Added: Other federal, state or foreign enforcement authorities also might take action, including, but not limited to, through a whistleblower action under the FCA, if they consider our business activities constitute promotion of an off-label use, which could result in significant penalties.
+Added: For example, in the EU, the MDR expressly prohibits misleading claims via off-label promotion and grants enforcement power to national competent authorities.
+Added: In addition, off-label use of our products may increase the risk of product liability claims, which are expensive to defend and could divert our management’s attention, result in substantial damage awards against us, and harm our reputation.
+Added: It is also possible that other federal, state or foreign enforcement authorities might take action under other regulatory authority, such as false claims laws or consumer protection laws, if they consider our business activities to constitute promotion of an off-label use, which could result in significant penalties, including, but not limited to, criminal, civil and administrative penalties, damages, fines, disgorgement, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs and the curtailment of our operations.
+Added: Legislative or regulatory reforms may make it more difficult and costly for us to obtain regulatory clearance or approval of any future products and to manufacture, market and distribute our products after clearance or approval is obtained.
+Added: From time to time, legislation is introduced in Congress that could significantly change the governance of the regulatory approval, manufacture and marketing of regulated products or the reimbursement thereof.
+Added: In addition, the FDA may change clearance and approval policies, adopt additional regulations or revise existing regulations, or take other actions, which may prevent or delay approval or clearance of our future products under development or impact our ability to modify our currently cleared products on a timely basis.
+Added: Any new regulations or revisions or reinterpretations of existing regulations may impose additional costs or lengthen review times of planned or future products.
+Added: It is impossible to predict whether legislative changes will be enacted or FDA regulations, guidance or interpretations changed, and what the impact of such changes, if any, may be.
+Added: The clinical trial process is lengthy and expensive with uncertain outcomes, often requires the enrollment of large numbers of patients, suitable patients may be difficult to identify and recruit, and delays or failures will prevent us from commercializing new or modified products and will adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects.
+Added: Initiating and completing clinical trials necessary to support any future PMAs, or additional safety and efficacy data beyond that typically required for a 510(k) clearance for our possible future product candidates, will be time-consuming and expensive and the outcome uncertain.
+Added: Moreover, the results of early clinical trials are not necessarily predictive of future results, and any product we advance into clinical trials may not have favorable results in later clinical trials.
+Added: The results of preclinical studies and clinical trials of our products conducted to date and ongoing or future studies and trials of our current, planned, or future products may not be predictive of the results of later clinical trials, and interim results of a clinical trial do not necessarily predict final results.
+Added: In addition, the initiation and completion of any of clinical studies may be prevented, delayed, or halted for numerous reasons.
+Added: We may experience delays in our ongoing clinical trials for a number of reasons, which could adversely affect the costs, timing or successful completion of our clinical trials.
+Added: Development of sufficient and appropriate clinical protocols to demonstrate safety and efficacy is required and we may not adequately develop such protocols to support clearance and approval.
+Added: Further, the FDA or our notified body may require us to submit data on a greater number of patients than we originally anticipated or for a longer follow-up period or change the data collection requirements or data analysis applicable to our clinical trials.
+Added: Delays in patient enrollment or failure of patients to continue to participate in a clinical trial may cause an increase in costs and delays in the approval and attempted commercialization of our products or result in the failure of the clinical trial.
+Added: In addition, despite considerable time and expense invested in our clinical trials, the FDA or our notified body may not consider our data adequate to demonstrate safety and efficacy.
+Added: Such increased costs and delays or failures could adversely affect our business, operating results and prospects.
+Added: The results of our clinical trials may not support our product candidate claims or may result in the discovery of adverse side effects.
+Added: The results of our future clinical trials may not support our future product claims and the FDA may not agree with our conclusions regarding them.
+Added: Success in pre-clinical studies and early clinical trials does not ensure that later clinical trial success, and we cannot be sure that later trials will replicate the results of prior trials and pre-clinical studies.
+Added: The clinical trial process may fail to demonstrate that our product candidates are safe and effective for the proposed indicated uses, which could cause us to abandon a product candidate and may delay development of others.
+Added: Any delay or termination of our clinical trials will delay the filing of our product submissions and, ultimately, our ability to commercialize our product candidates and generate revenues.
+Added: It is also possible that patients enrolled in clinical trials will experience adverse side effects that are not currently part of the future product’s profile.
+Added: Our failure to comply with U.S.
+Added: federal, state and foreign governmental regulations, including in the EU, could lead to the issuance of warning letters or untitled letters, the imposition of injunctions, suspensions or loss of regulatory clearance, certificates or approvals, product recalls, termination of distribution, product seizures, civil penalties, and in extreme cases, criminal sanctions or closure of manufacturing facilities.
+Added: Any product for which we obtain clearance or approval, and the manufacturing processes, post-market surveillance, post-approval clinical data and promotional activities for such product will be subject to continued regulatory review, oversight, requirements, and periodic inspections by the FDA and other domestic and foreign regulatory bodies.
+Added: In particular, we and our suppliers are required to comply with FDA’s QSR and other regulations enforced outside the United States that cover the manufacture of our products and the methods and documentation of the design, testing, production, control, quality assurance, labeling, packaging, storage and shipping of medical devices.
+Added: Regulatory bodies, such as the FDA, enforce the QSR and other regulations through periodic inspections.
+Added: The failure by us or one of our suppliers to comply with applicable statutes and regulations administered by the FDA and other regulatory bodies, or the failure to timely and adequately respond to any adverse inspectional observations or product safety issues, could result in, among other things, any of the enforcement actions discussed in “Regulatory Environment – Medical Device Regulation” in Part I, Item 1.
+Added: These enforcement actions include, for the EU, the suspension or withdrawal of CE Certificate of Conformity in the EU and the refusal or delay in CE certification and CE marking or new products or modified products.
+Added: If any of these actions were to occur, it would harm our reputation and cause our product sales and profitability to suffer and may prevent us from generating revenue.
+Added: Our medical device businesses subject us to the possibility of product liability lawsuits, which could harm our business.
+Added: Our business exposes us to potential product liability risks that are inherent in the design, manufacture and marketing of medical devices.
+Added: Component failures, manufacturing nonconformances, design defects, or inadequate disclosure of product-related risks or product-related information with respect to our products could result in unsafe conditions, injury or death.
+Added: In addition, some of our products contain components manufactured by third parties, which may also have defects.
+Added: From time to time, our business has historically been, and is currently, subject to a number of product liability claims alleging that the use of its products resulted in adverse effects.
+Added: Our product liability insurance policies have limits that may not be sufficient to cover claims made.
+Added: In addition, this insurance may not continue to be available at a reasonable cost.
+Added: With respect to components manufactured by third-party suppliers, the contractual indemnification that we seek from our third-party suppliers may be limited and thus insufficient to cover claims made against us.
+Added: If insurance coverage or contractual indemnification is insufficient to satisfy product liability claims made against us, the claims could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
+Added: Even claims without merit could harm our reputation, reduce demand for our products, cause us to incur substantial legal costs and distract the attention of our management.
+Added: The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: If coverage and adequate levels of reimbursement from third-party payors for our medical device products are not obtained, healthcare providers and patients may be reluctant to use our medical device products, our margins may suffer and revenue and profits may decline.
+Added: As explained in greater detail in “ Regulatory Environment” in Part I, Item 1, the sales of our medical device products depend largely on whether there is coverage and adequate reimbursement by government healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, and by private payors.
+Added: Surgeons, hospitals, physical therapists and other healthcare providers may not use, purchase or prescribe our products and patients may not purchase these products if these third-party payors do not provide satisfactory coverage of, and reimbursement for, the costs of our medical device products or the procedures involving the use of such products.
+Added: Reduced reimbursement rates will also lower our margins on product sales and could adversely impact the profitability and viability of the affected products.
+Added: Medicare payment for DMEPOS also can be impacted by the DMEPOS competitive bidding program, under which Medicare rates are based on bid amounts for certain products in designated geographic areas, rather than the Medicare fee schedule amount.
+Added: If any of our medical device products are included in competitive bidding and we are not selected as a contract supplier (or subcontractor) in a particular region, or if contract or fee schedule prices are significantly below current Medicare fee schedule reimbursement levels, it could have an adverse impact on our sales and profitability.
+Added: Additionally, federal and state legislation and regulation may limit the types of orthopedic professionals who can fit or sell our orthotic products or who can seek reimbursement for them or impose certification or licensing requirements on the measuring, fitting and adjusting of certain orthotic devices, and additional states may do so in the future.
+Added: Although some of these state laws exempt manufacturers’ representatives, others do not.
+Added: Such laws could reduce the number of potential customers by restricting our sales representatives’ activities in those jurisdictions or reduce demand for our products by reducing the number of professionals who fit and sell them.
Audits or denials of claims by government agencies could reduce our revenues or profits.
−Removed: As part of our Medical Technology business, we submit claims on behalf of patients directly to, and receive payments directly from, the Medicare and Medicaid programs and private payors.
+Added: We submit claims on behalf of patients directly to, and receive payments directly from, the Medicare and Medicaid programs and private payors.
Therefore, we are subject to extensive government regulation, including detailed requirements for submitting reimbursement claims under appropriate codes and maintaining certain documentation to support our claims.
Medicare contractors and Medicaid agencies periodically conduct pre- and post-payment reviews and other audits of claims and are under increasing pressure to more closely scrutinize healthcare claims and supporting documentation.
−Removed: Historically, DJO was subject to pre-payment and post-payment reviews as well as audits of claims and we may experience such reviews and audits of claims in the future.
−Removed: Such reviews or similar audits of our claims including by RACs (private companies operating on a contingent fee basis to identify and recoup Medicare overpayments) and ZPICs (contractors charged with investigating potential fraud and abuse) could result in material delays in payment, as well as material recoupment or denials, which would reduce our net sales and profitability, investigations, potential liability under fraud or abuse laws or exclusion from participation in the Medicare or Medicaid programs.
−Removed: Private payors may from time to time conduct similar reviews and audits.
+Added: Such reviews or similar audits of our claims including by Recovery Audit Contractors, or private companies operating on a contingent fee basis to identify and recoup Medicare overpayments, and Zone Program Integrity Contractors, or contractors charged with investigating potential fraud and abuse, could result in material delays in payment, as well as material recoupment or denials, which would reduce our Net sales and profitability, investigations, potential liability under fraud or abuse laws or exclusion from participation in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs.
+Added: Private payors may conduct similar reviews and audits.
Additionally, we participate in the government’s Federal Supply Schedule program for medical equipment, whereby we contract with the government to supply certain of our medical products.
−Removed: Participation in this program requires us to follow certain pricing practices and other contract requirements.
+Added: Participation in this program requires us to follow
+Added: certain pricing practices and other contract requirements.
Failure to comply with such pricing practices and/or other contract requirements could result in delays in payment or fines or penalties, which could reduce our revenues or profits.
−Removed: If we fail to comply with broad based healthcare and other governmental regulations, we could face substantial fines and penalties and our business, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
−Removed: As described in Part I, Item 1.
−Removed: “Business – Regulation,” our Medical Technology business is subject to various federal, state and foreign laws and regulations pertaining to healthcare fraud and abuse.
−Removed: Violations of these laws are punishable by criminal and/or civil sanctions, including, in some instances, fines, imprisonment and, within the United States, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans Administration health programs, and any action brought against us for violations of these laws or regulations, even successfully defended, could cause us to incur significant legal expenses and divert our management’s attention from the operation of our business.
−Removed: Additionally, if there is a change in law, regulation or administrative or judicial interpretations, we may have to change one or more of our business practices to be in compliance with these laws.
−Removed: Required changes could be costly and time consuming and could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
−Removed: Managed care and buying groups have put downward pressure on the prices of medical device products.
−Removed: The growth of managed care and the advent of buying groups in the United States have caused a shift toward coverage and payments based on more cost-effective treatment alternatives.
−Removed: Buying groups enter into preferred supplier arrangements with one or more manufacturers of medical products in return for price discounts to members of these buying groups.
−Removed: Our failure to obtain new preferred supplier commitments from major group purchasing organizations or our failure to retain our existing preferred supplier commitments could adversely affect our sales and profitability.
−Removed: In international markets where we sell our medical device products, there has been similar downward pressure on product pricing and other effects of healthcare cost control efforts.
−Removed: We expect a continued emphasis on healthcare cost controls, alternate payment models such as bundled payments, and managed care in the United States and in these international markets, which could put further downward pressure on product pricing, which, in turn may adversely affect our sales and profitability.
−Removed: We have experienced and may continue to experience increases in the cost of raw materials and freight costs in our supply chain due to inflation and COVID-related impacts, which we have responded to through pricing increases to our customers.
−Removed: To the extent we are unable to pass these costs onto our customers due to contractual pricing with managed care or buying groups, there could be an material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
−Removed: Risks Related to Litigation and Regulatory Compliance
−Removed: Available insurance coverage, the number of future asbestos-related claims and the average settlement value of current and future asbestos-related claims of certain subsidiaries could be different than we have estimated, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: Certain of our subsidiaries are one of many defendants in a large number of lawsuits that claim personal injury as a result of exposure to asbestos from products manufactured or used with components that are alleged to have contained asbestos.
−Removed: Such components were acquired from third-party suppliers and were not manufactured by any of our subsidiaries nor were the subsidiaries producers or direct suppliers of asbestos.
−Removed: Additionally, pursuant to the definitive purchase agreements related to the sale of our Fluid Handling and Howden businesses, we and our subsidiaries have retained the asbestos-related contingencies and insurance coverage related to these businesses, even though we and our subsidiaries sold the operating assets of the Fluid Handling or Howden businesses.
−Removed: For the purposes of our financial statements, we have estimated the future claims exposure and the amount of insurance available based upon certain assumptions with respect to future claims and liability costs.
−Removed: We estimate the liability costs to be incurred in resolving pending and forecasted claims for the next 15-year period as well as the amount of insurance proceeds available for such claims.
−Removed: We reevaluate these estimates regularly.
−Removed: Although we believe our current estimates are reasonable, a change in the time period used for forecasting our liability costs, the actual number of future claims brought against us, the cost of resolving these claims, the likelihood of payment by, and the solvency of, insurers and the amount of remaining insurance available could be substantially different than our estimates, and future revaluation of our liabilities and insurance recoveries could result in material adjustments to these estimates, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: In addition, we incur defense, settlement, and/or judgment costs related to those claims, a portion of which has historically been reimbursed by our insurers.
−Removed: We also incur legal costs in connection with efforts to recover insurance from certain of the subsidiaries’ insurers relating to insurance coverage.
−Removed: These costs may be significant, and we may not be able to predict the amount or duration of such costs.
−Removed: Additionally, we may experience delays in receiving reimbursement from insurers, during which time we may be required to pay cash for settlement or legal defense costs.
−Removed: Any increase in the actual number of future claims brought against us, the costs of defending or resolving these claims, the costs of pursuing claims against our insurers, the likelihood and timing of payment by, and the solvency of, insurers and the amount of remaining insurance available, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: We have done and may continue to do business in countries subject to U.S.
−Removed: sanctions and embargoes, and we may have limited managerial oversight over those activities.
−Removed: Failure to comply with various sanction and embargo laws may result in enforcement or other regulatory actions.
−Removed: Certain of our independent foreign subsidiaries have conducted and may continue to conduct business in countries subject to U.S.
−Removed: sanctions and embargoes or may engage in business dealings with parties whose property or property interests may be blocked under non-country-specific U.S.
−Removed: sanctions programs, and we have limited managerial oversight over those activities.
−Removed: Failure to comply properly with various sanction and embargo laws to which we and our operations may be subject may result in enforcement or other regulatory actions.
−Removed: Specifically, from time to time, certain of our independent foreign subsidiaries sell products to companies and entities located in, or controlled by the governments of, certain countries that are or have previously been subject to sanctions and embargoes imposed by the U.S.
−Removed: government, the United Nations or other
−Removed: countries where we maintain operations.
−Removed: With the exception of the U.S.
−Removed: sanctions against Cuba and Iran, the applicable sanctions and embargoes generally do not prohibit our foreign subsidiaries from selling non-U.S.-origin products and services to countries that are or have previously been subject to sanctions and embargoes.
−Removed: However, our U.S.
−Removed: personnel, each of our domestic subsidiaries, as well as our employees of foreign subsidiaries who are U.S.
−Removed: citizens, are prohibited from participating in, approving or otherwise facilitating any aspect of the business activities in those countries or with persons prohibited under U.S.
−Removed: These constraints impose compliance costs and risks on our operations and may negatively affect the financial or operating performance of such business activities.
+Added: Federal and state health reform and cost control efforts could adversely impact our business and results of operations, and federal and state legislatures and agencies continue to consider further reforms and cost control efforts that could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
+Added: As discussed in “Regulatory Environment – Healthcare Reform” in Part I, Item 1, there have been a variety of federal and state healthcare reform and cost control efforts that have affected and could in the future adversely affect our business.
+Added: We cannot be sure whether additional legislative changes will be enacted, or whether government regulations or other policy will be changed, or what the impact of such changes would be on the marketing approvals, sales, pricing, or reimbursement of our products.
+Added: We expect that any such health care reform measures that may be adopted in the future may result in more rigorous coverage criteria and in additional downward pressure on the price that we receive for our products.
+Added: Any reduction in reimbursement from Medicare or other government health care programs may result in a similar reduction in payments from private payors.
+Added: The implementation of cost containment measures or other health care reforms may prevent us from being able to generate revenue, attain profitability, or commercialize our product candidates.
+Added: Our relationships with customers, physicians and third-party payors are subject to federal and state health care fraud and abuse laws, false claims laws, physician payment transparency laws and other health care laws and regulations.
+Added: If we or our employees, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners, or vendors violate these laws we could face substantial penalties.
+Added: Our relationships with customers, physicians and third-party payors are subject to federal and state health care fraud and abuse laws, false claims laws, physician payment transparency laws and other health care laws and regulations.
+Added: health care laws and regulations that may affect our ability to operate include, but are not limited to the federal Anti-Kickback Statute, the federal civil False Claims Act, the civil monetary penalties statute, the Physician Self-Referral Law, the healthcare fraud provisions under HIPAA, the federal Physician Payments Sunshine Act, and state and foreign equivalents of each of these laws.
+Added: Refer to “Regulatory Environment – Other Healthcare Laws – Fraud and Abuse Laws” in Part I, Item 1 for a more fulsome description of these laws.
+Added: Violations of these laws are punishable by criminal and/or civil sanctions, including, in some instances, fines, imprisonment and, within the United States, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, including Medicare, Medicaid and Veterans Administration health programs.
+Added: Greater scrutiny of marketing practices in the medical device industry has resulted in numerous government investigations, and this enforcement activity is expected to continue.
+Added: For example, the Department of Justice recently entered into a settlement with a diabetic shoe company and its president and CEO to resolve allegations that the company violated the False Claims Act by selling custom diabetic shoe inserts that were not actually custom-fabricated in accordance with Medicare standards.
+Added: As a DME supplier, we submit claims for reimbursement from federal health care programs, which can present increased risks under the False Claims Act if not conducted in a compliant manner.
+Added: These laws and regulations, among other things, constrain our business, marketing and other promotional activities by limiting the kinds of financial arrangements we have with hospitals, physicians or other potential purchasers of our products, including marketing and consulting arrangements, payment of royalties for product development, and our OfficeCare consignment stock and bill program.
+Added: Because of the breadth of these laws and the narrowness of available statutory exceptions and regulatory safe harbors, our business, marketing and other promotional activities could be subject to challenge under one or more of such laws.
+Added: It is not always possible to identify and deter employee misconduct or business noncompliance, and the precautions we take to detect and prevent inappropriate conduct may not be effective in controlling unknown or unmanaged risks or losses or in protecting us from governmental investigations or other actions or lawsuits stemming from a failure to be in compliance with such laws or regulations.
+Added: Efforts to ensure that our business arrangements will comply with applicable health care laws may involve substantial costs.
+Added: It is possible that governmental and enforcement authorities will conclude that our business practices may not comply with current or future statutes, regulations or case law interpreting applicable fraud and abuse or other health care laws and regulations.
+Added: If we or our employees, agents, independent contractors, consultants, commercial partners and vendors violate these laws, we may be subject to investigations, enforcement actions and/or significant penalties, including the imposition of significant civil, criminal and administrative penalties, damages, disgorgement, monetary fines, imprisonment, possible exclusion from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and other federal health care programs, contractual damages, reputational harm, diminished profits and future earnings, additional reporting requirements and/or oversight if we become subject to a
+Added: corporate integrity agreement or similar agreement to resolve allegations of non-compliance with these laws, and curtailment of our operations, any of which could adversely affect our ability to operate our business and our results of operations.
+Added: The success of our surgical implant products depends on our relationships with leading surgeons who assist with the development and testing of our products, and our ability to comply with enhanced disclosure requirements regarding payments to physicians.
+Added: A key aspect of the development of our surgical implant products is the use of designing and consulting arrangements with orthopedic surgeons who are highly qualified and experienced in their field.
+Added: These surgeons assist in the development and clinical testing of new surgical implant products.
+Added: They also participate in symposia and seminars introducing new surgical implant products and assist in the training of healthcare professionals in using our new products.
+Added: Our arrangements with orthopedic surgeons also must comply with the fraud and abuse and transparency laws discussed above, which may be an impediment for some surgeons we seek to engage.
+Added: We may not be successful in maintaining or renewing our current designing and consulting arrangements with these surgeons or in developing similar arrangements with new surgeons.
+Added: In that event, our ability to develop, test and market new surgical implant products could be adversely affected.
+Added: To enforce compliance with the healthcare regulatory laws, certain enforcement bodies have recently increased their scrutiny of interactions between healthcare companies and healthcare providers, which has led to a number of investigations, prosecutions, convictions and settlements in the healthcare industry.
+Added: For example, the EU Member States closely monitor perceived unlawful marketing activity by companies, including inducement to prescribe and the encouragement of off-label use of devices.
+Added: Responding to investigations can be time- and resource-consuming and can divert management’s attention from the business.
+Added: Additionally, as a result of these investigations, healthcare providers and entities may have to agree to additional compliance and reporting requirements as part of a consent decree or corporate integrity agreement.
+Added: Any such investigation or settlement could increase our costs or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business.
+Added: Even an unsuccessful challenge or investigation into our practices could cause adverse publicity and be costly to respond to.
+Added: If our operations are found to be in violation of any of the healthcare laws or regulations described above or any other healthcare regulations that apply to us, we may be subject to penalties, including administrative, civil and criminal penalties, damages, fines, exclusion from participation in government healthcare programs, imprisonment, contractual damages, reputational harm, disgorgement and the curtailment or restructuring of our operations.
+Added: Moreover, industry associations closely monitor the activities of their member companies.
+Added: If these organizations or national authorities were to name us as having breached our obligations under their laws, regulations, rules or standards, our reputation would suffer and our business, financial condition, operating results, cash flows and prospects could be adversely affected.
+Added: Actual or perceived failures to comply with applicable data protection, privacy and security laws, regulations, standards and other requirements could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
+Added: Our business is subject to U.S.
+Added: federal privacy and security laws and regulations, including HIPAA, as more fully described in “Regulatory Environment – Other Healthcare Laws – Data Privacy and Security Laws” in Part I, Item 1.
+Added: Healthcare providers who prescribe our products and from whom we obtain patient health information are subject to privacy and security requirements under HIPAA, as are we in certain circumstances.
+Added: Department of Health and Human Services has direct enforcement authority against covered entities and business associates with regard to compliance with HIPAA regulations.
+Added: We also could be subject to criminal penalties if we knowingly obtain individually identifiable health information from a covered entity in a manner that is not authorized or permitted by HIPAA or for aiding and abetting and/or conspiring to commit a violation of HIPAA.
+Added: We are unable to predict whether our actions could be subject to prosecution in the event of an impermissible disclosure of health information to us.
+Added: There are costs and administrative burdens associated with ongoing compliance with HIPAA regulations and similar state law requirements.
+Added: Any failure to comply with current and applicable future requirements could adversely affect our profitability.
+Added: As described in further detail in “Regulatory Environment – Other Healthcare Laws – Data Privacy and Security Laws” in Part I, Item 1, various states have implemented similar privacy laws and regulations that are not necessarily preempted by HIPAA.
+Added: If the states in which we conduct our business are more protective, we may have to comply with the stricter provisions.
+Added: Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may result in, among other things, significant civil penalties and injunctive relief, or potential statutory or actual damages.
+Added: There can be no assurance that the processes we have implemented to manage compliance with these laws and regulations will be successful.
+Added: The FTC also sets expectations for failing to take appropriate steps to keep consumers’ personal information secure, or failing to provide a level of security commensurate to promises made to individual about the security of their personal information (such as in a privacy notice) may constitute unfair or deceptive acts or practices in violation of Section 5(a) of the
+Added: While we do not intend to engage in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, the FTC has the power to enforce promises as it interprets them, and events that we cannot fully control, such as data breaches, may be result in FTC enforcement.
+Added: Enforcement by the FTC under the FTC Act can result in civil penalties or enforcement actions.
+Added: Any actual or perceived failure by us or the third parties with whom we work to comply with data privacy or security laws, policies, legal obligations or industry standards, or any security incident that results in the unauthorized release or transfer of information concerning individuals, may result in governmental enforcement actions and investigations, including by European data protection authorities and U.S.
+Added: federal and state regulatory authorities, fines and penalties, litigation and/or adverse publicity, including by consumer advocacy groups, and could cause our customers, their patients and other healthcare professionals to lose trust in us, which could harm our reputation and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: In addition, the landscape of laws regulating personal data is constantly evolving, compliance requires a flexible privacy framework and substantial resources, and compliance efforts will likely be an increasing and substantial cost in the future.
+Added: Our information technology infrastructure could be subject to service interruptions, data corruption, cyber-based attacks, or network security breaches, which could result in the disruption of operations or the loss of data confidentiality.
+Added: We rely on information technology networks and systems, including the Internet, cloud-based services and third-party service providers, to process, transmit and store electronic information (including PHI), personally identifiable information, credit card and other financial information, and to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including procurement, manufacturing, distribution, invoicing, collection, communication with our employees, customers, dealers and suppliers, business acquisitions and other corporate transactions, compliance with regulatory, legal and tax requirements, and research and development.
+Added: For example, in the ordinary course of business, our business collects, stores, and transmits certain sensitive data, including PHI, personally identifiable information, and patient data.
+Added: These information technology networks and systems may be susceptible to damage, disruptions or shutdowns due to failures during the process of upgrading or replacing software, databases or components, power outages, hardware failures or computer viruses.
+Added: If these information technology systems suffer severe damage, disruption or shutdown and business continuity plans do not effectively resolve the issues in a timely manner, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity could be materially adversely affected.
+Added: Our information technology networks and systems are subject to security threats and sophisticated cyber-based attacks, including, but not limited to, denial-of-service attacks, hacking, “phishing” attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, employee or insider error, malfeasance, social engineering, or physical breaches, that can cause deliberate or unintentional damage, destruction or misuse, manipulation, denial of access to or disclosure of confidential or important information by our employees, suppliers or third-party service providers.
+Added: Additionally, advanced persistent attempts to gain unauthorized access or deny access to, or otherwise disrupt, our systems and those of third-party service providers we rely on are increasing in sophistication and frequency.
+Added: We have experienced, and expect to continue to confront, efforts by hackers and other third parties to gain unauthorized access or deny access to, or otherwise disrupt, our information technology systems and networks.
+Added: Any such future attacks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
+Added: We can provide no assurance that our efforts to actively manage technology risks potentially affecting our systems and networks will be successful in eliminating or mitigating risks to our systems, networks and data or in effectively resolving such risks when they materialize.
+Added: A failure of or breach in information technology security of our own systems, or those of our third-party vendors, could expose us and our employees, customers, dealers and suppliers to risks of misuse of information or systems, the compromise of confidential information, manipulation and destruction of data, defective products, production downtimes and operations disruptions.
+Added: Any of these events in turn could adversely affect our reputation, competitive position, including loss of customers and revenue, business, results of operations and liquidity.
+Added: In addition, such breaches in security could result in litigation, regulatory action and potential liability, including liability under federal or state laws that protect the privacy of personal information, such as HIPAA, as well as the costs and operational consequences of implementing further data protection measures.
+Added: Additionally, to conduct our operations, we regularly move data across national borders, and consequently we are subject to a variety of continuously evolving and developing laws and regulations in the United States and abroad regarding privacy, data protection and data security.
+Added: The scope of the laws that may be applicable to us is often uncertain and may be conflicting, particularly with respect to foreign laws.
+Added: For example, some of the data we handle and aspects of our operations are subject to the European Union’s GDPR, which greatly increases the jurisdictional reach of European Union law and adds a broad array of requirements for handling personal data, including the public disclosure of significant data breaches and provides for significant potential penalties and remedies for violations.
+Added: Other countries have enacted or are enacting data localization
+Added: laws that require data to stay within their borders.
+Added: All of these evolving compliance and operational requirements impose significant costs that are likely to increase over time.
+Added: We are subject to anti-bribery laws such as the U.S.
+Added: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act as well as export controls, economic sanctions, and other trade laws, the violation of which could lead to serious adverse consequences.
+Added: We are subject to the U.S.
+Added: Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”), the U.K.
+Added: Bribery Act, and similar anti-bribery laws in other jurisdictions that generally prohibit companies and those acting on their behalf from authorizing, promising, offering or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or anything else of value to government officials to obtain or retain business or other commercial advantage, and the U.K.
+Added: Bribery Act and other anti-bribery laws also prohibit similar conduct between private parties.
+Added: The FCPA also imposes obligations on publicly traded U.S.
+Added: corporations that are intended to prevent the diversion of corporate funds for improper payments and the establishment of “off the books” slush funds from which such payments can be made and to provide assurance that transactions are accurately recorded, lawful and in accordance with management’s authorization.
+Added: Because of the predominance of government-sponsored health care systems around the world, many of our customer relationships outside of the United States are with government entities.
+Added: As a result, interactions with those customers present compliance risk under the FCPA and other anti-bribery laws.
+Added: In addition, anti-bribery laws can pose unique challenges for companies with foreign operations in countries where corruption is a recognized problem.
+Added: While we believe we have implemented appropriate policies and procedures to mitigate risk of non-compliance with the FCPA and other applicable anti-bribery laws by the Company and persons or entities acting on our behalf, we cannot assure that such policies, procedures, and training will always protect us from violations by our employees, distributors or other agents.
+Added: In addition, we may be exposed to liability due to pre-acquisition conduct of businesses or operations we acquire, as well as the conduct of their employees, distributors or other agents.
+Added: Violations of anti-bribery laws, or allegations thereof, could disrupt our operations, distract management, and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: We also could be subject to criminal and civil penalties, disgorgement, substantial expenditures related to remedial actions, and reputational harm.
+Added: We are also subject to U.S.
+Added: export controls and economic sanctions laws, regulations and other legal requirements, including the Export Administration Regulations and economic sanctions administered and enforced by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, as well as other laws and regulations that limit our ability to market, sell, distribute or otherwise transfer our products or technology directly or indirectly to restricted persons and prohibited countries or regions.
Our efforts to comply with U.S.
−Removed: and other applicable sanction and embargo laws may not be effective, and as a consequence we may face enforcement or other actions if our compliance efforts are not or are perceived as not being wholly effective.
−Removed: Actual or alleged violations of these laws could lead to substantial fines or other sanctions which could result in substantial costs.
−Removed: In addition, Syria, Sudan and Iran and certain other sanctioned countries currently are identified by the U.S.
−Removed: State Department as state sponsors of terrorism, and have been subject to restrictive sanctions.
−Removed: Because certain of our independent foreign subsidiaries have contact with and transact limited business in certain U.S.
−Removed: sanctioned countries, including sales to enterprises controlled by agencies of the governments of such countries, our reputation may suffer due to our association with these countries, which may have a material adverse effect on the price of our Common stock and our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: In addition, certain U.S.
−Removed: states and municipalities have enacted legislation regarding investments by pension funds and other retirement systems in companies that have business activities or contacts with countries that have been identified as state sponsors of terrorism and similar legislation may be pending in other states.
−Removed: As a result, pension funds and other retirement systems may be subject to reporting requirements with respect to investments in companies such as Colfax or may be subject to limits or prohibitions with respect to those investments that may have a material adverse effect on the price of our Common stock and our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: If we fail to comply with export control regulations, we could be subject to substantial fines or other sanctions, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: Some of our products manufactured or assembled in the United States are subject to the U.S.
−Removed: Export Administration Regulations, administered by the U.S.
−Removed: Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (“BIS”), which require that an export license is obtained before such products can be exported to certain countries, and the U.S.
−Removed: Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control’s (“OFAC”) trade and economic sanctions programs.
−Removed: Additionally, some of our products are subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, which restrict the export of certain military or intelligence-related items, technologies and services to non-U.S.
−Removed: Such regulations may prohibit or restrict our ability to, directly or indirectly, conduct activities or dealings in or with certain countries or territories that are the subject of comprehensive embargoes, as well as with certain individuals or entities.
−Removed: Failure to comply with these laws could harm our business by subjecting us to sanctions by the U.S.
−Removed: government, including substantial monetary penalties, denial of export privileges and debarment from U.S.
−Removed: government contracts.
−Removed: For example, from 2016 through 2020, one of our foreign subsidiaries engaged in certain transactions, a limited number of which included U.S.
−Removed: origin goods, either directly or indirectly through distributors, involving sales to specially designated nationals and/or to the Crimea region of Ukraine, which may have been made in violation of relevant trade sanctions or export control laws.
−Removed: We submitted a voluntary disclosure report to relevant U.S.
−Removed: government agencies regarding these transactions.
−Removed: On March 26, 2021 and August 26, 2021, the Company received letters from BIS and OFAC, respectively, warning the Company against future violations and closing the matter without further action.
−Removed: The Company has received no further communications from any other relevant U.S.
−Removed: government agencies.
−Removed: We are subject to a variety of environmental and health and safety laws for which compliance, or liabilities that arise as a result of noncompliance, could be costly.
−Removed: Our businesses are subject to international, federal, state and local environmental and safety laws and regulations, including laws and regulations governing emissions of regulated air pollutants and greenhouse gases;
−Removed: discharges of wastewater and storm water;
−Removed: storage and handling of raw materials;
−Removed: the use, manufacture, handling, storage and disposal of hazardous materials;
−Removed: generation, storage, transportation and disposal of regulated wastes;
−Removed: and laws and regulations governing worker safety.
−Removed: These requirements impose certain responsibilities on our businesses, including the obligation to obtain and maintain various environmental permits.
−Removed: If we were to fail to comply with these requirements or fail to obtain or maintain a required permit, we could be subject to penalties and be required to undertake corrective action measures to achieve compliance.
−Removed: In addition, under various federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, and, in some instances, international laws, relating to the protection of the environment, a current or former owner or operator of real property may be liable for the cost to remove or remediate contamination on, under, or released from such property and for any damage to natural resources, such as soil or groundwater, resulting from such contamination.
−Removed: Similarly, a generator of waste can be held
−Removed: responsible for contamination resulting from the treatment or disposal of such waste at any off-site location (such as a landfill), regardless of whether the generator arranged for the treatment or disposal of the waste in compliance with applicable laws.
−Removed: Costs associated with liability for removal or remediation of contamination or damage to natural resources could be substantial and liability under these laws may attach without regard to whether the responsible party knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of the contaminants.
−Removed: Moreover, noncompliance could subject us to private claims for property damage or personal injury based on exposure to hazardous materials or unsafe working conditions.
−Removed: In addition, changes in applicable requirements or stricter interpretation of existing requirements may result in costly compliance requirements or otherwise subject us to future liabilities.
−Removed: In addition, any environmental liability may be joint and several.
−Removed: Moreover, the presence of contamination or the failure to remediate contamination at our properties, or properties for which we are deemed responsible, may expose us to liability for property damage or personal injury, or materially adversely affect our ability to sell our real property interests or to borrow using the real property as collateral.
−Removed: We could be subject to environmental liabilities in the future as a result of historic or current operations that have resulted or will result in contamination.
−Removed: The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: We are exposed to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: Continuing political and social attention to the issue of climate change has resulted in both existing and pending international agreements and national, regional or local legislation and regulatory measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions, such as cap and trade regimes, carbon taxes, restrictive permitting, increased fuel efficiency standards and incentives or mandates for renewable energy.
−Removed: Such measures could subject us to additional costs and restrictions and require significant operating and capital expenditures, which could impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
−Removed: Additionally, such measures may impact our customers, which could impact their ability or desire to continue to operate at similar levels in certain jurisdictions as historically seen or as currently anticipated, which could negatively impact their demand for our products and services.
−Removed: Risks Relating to the Separation
−Removed: The separation of our fabrication technology and medical technology business into two, differentiated, independent publicly traded companies may not be completed on the currently contemplated timeline, or at all, and may not achieve the intended benefits.
−Removed: In March 2021, we announced our intention to separate our fabrication technology and medical technology business into two, differentiated, independent publicly traded companies.
−Removed: We are targeting completion of the Separation near the end of the first quarter of 2022.
−Removed: Completion of the Separation is subject to, among other things, completion of financing and other transactions on satisfactory terms, other steps necessary to qualify the Separation as a generally tax-free transaction, receipt of other regulatory approvals, obtaining final approvals from our board of directors and market conditions.
−Removed: The Separation is complex in nature, and unanticipated developments or changes, including changes in the law, macroeconomic environment and competitive conditions of our markets, the need both to receive regulatory approvals or clearances and to satisfy the requirements to effectuate a generally tax-free transaction, the uncertainty of the financial markets and challenges in executing the Separation, could delay or prevent the completion of the Separation or cause the Separation to occur on terms or conditions that are different or less favorable than expected.
−Removed: Whether or not we complete the Separation, our ongoing businesses may face material challenges in connection with the Separation, including, but not limited to:
−Removed: • the diversion of our management’s attention from operating and growing our business as a result of the significant amount of time and effort required to execute the Separation;
−Removed: • foreseen and unforeseen costs and expenses that will be incurred in connection with the Separation, including accounting, tax, legal and other professional services costs, and potential prepayment charges and write-offs of deferred costs related to establishing new capital structures;
−Removed: • retaining existing business and operational relationships, including with customers, suppliers and employees, as well as cultivating new business relationships;
−Removed: • potential negative reactions from the financial markets if we fail to complete the Separation in its currently intended form, within the anticipated time frame or at all.
−Removed: Additionally, volatility in the world financial markets could increase borrowing costs or affect our ability to access the capital markets.
−Removed: Our ability to issue debt or enter into other financing arrangements on acceptable terms could be adversely affected if there is a material decline in the demand for our products or in the solvency of our customers or suppliers or if there are other significantly unfavorable changes in economic conditions.
−Removed: These conditions may adversely affect our anticipated timeline to complete the Separation and the expected benefits of the Separation, including by increasing the time and expense involved in the Separation.
−Removed: Other challenges associated with effectively executing the Separation include attracting, retaining and motivating key management and employees during the pendency of the Separation and following its completion, addressing any disruptions to our supply chain, manufacturing, sales and distribution, and other operations resulting from separating our fabrication and specialty medical technology business into two, differentiated, independent publicly traded companies.
−Removed: Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and/or the price of our common stock.
−Removed: Furthermore, if the Separation is completed, we cannot provide assurance that the Separation will achieve the full strategic and financial benefits expected to result from the Separation, nor can we provide assurance that each independent company will be successful in meeting its objectives.
−Removed: If the Separation occurs, our financial and operational profile will change, and we will be a smaller, less diversified company than we are today.
−Removed: If the Separation occurs, it will result in two smaller, less diversified companies, each with a more concentrated area of focus.
−Removed: As a result, each company may be more vulnerable to changing market conditions and competitive pressures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: The diversification of revenues, costs and cash flows will diminish as a result of the Separation, such that each company’s results of operations, cash flows, working capital, effective tax rate and financing requirements may be subject to increased volatility, and each company’s ability to fund capital expenditures, investments and service our debt may be diminished.
−Removed: There can be no assurance that the combined value of the common stock of the two independent publicly traded companies following the completion of the Separation will be equal to or greater than what the value of our common stock would have been had the Separation not occurred.
−Removed: If the Separation and/or certain related transactions do not qualify as transactions that are generally tax-free for U.S.
−Removed: federal income tax purposes, we and our stockholders could be subject to significant tax liabilities.
−Removed: Notwithstanding that we intend to structure the Separation to generally be a tax-free transaction, the U.S.
−Removed: Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) could determine that the Separation and/or certain related transactions should be treated as taxable transactions for U.S.
−Removed: federal income tax purposes.
−Removed: Accordingly, there can be no assurance that the IRS will not assert that the Separation and/or certain related transactions do not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S.
−Removed: federal income tax purposes or that a court would not sustain such a challenge.
−Removed: In the event the IRS were to prevail with such challenge, we and our stockholders could be subject to significant U.S.
−Removed: federal income tax liability.
−Removed: If the Separation, together with certain related transactions, were to fail to qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S.
−Removed: federal income tax purposes under Sections 355 and 368(a)(1)(D) of the U.S.
−Removed: Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in general, for U.S.
−Removed: federal income tax purposes, we would recognize taxable gain as if we had sold the common stock of the separated entity in a taxable sale for its fair market value (unless we and the separated entity jointly make an election under Section 336(e) of the Code with respect to the Separation, in which case, in general, (a) we would recognize taxable gain as if the separated entity had sold all of its assets in a taxable sale in exchange for an amount equal to the fair market value of its common stock and the assumption of all its liabilities and (b) the separated entity would obtain a related step-up in the basis of its assets), and our stockholders who receive shares of common stock of the separated entity in the Separation would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution equal to the fair market value of such shares.
−Removed: General and Other Risks
−Removed: Changes in the general economy and the cyclical nature of the markets that we serve could negatively impact the demand for our products and services and harm our operations and financial performance.
+Added: and other applicable export controls and economic sanctions laws, regulations and other legal requirements may not prevent violations.
+Added: Noncompliance with these laws could result in substantial civil and criminal penalties, including fines and the disgorgement of profits, the imposition of a court-appointed monitor, the denial of export privileges, and debarment from participation in government contracts, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our international operations or on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
+Added: Risks Related to the Separation
+Added: We may not achieve some or all of the expected benefits of the Separation, and the Separation may adversely affect our businesses.
+Added: We may not be able to achieve the full strategic and financial benefits from the Separation that were expected, or such benefits may be delayed or not occur at all.
+Added: The following benefits, among others, were expected to result from the Separation:
+Added: • the Separation is expected to allow investors to value the Company based on its distinct investment identity, and enable investors to evaluate the merits, performance and future prospects of the Company’s businesses based on their distinct characteristics;
+Added: • the Separation is expected to facilitate incentive compensation structures for employees more directly tied to the performance of the Company’s businesses, and may enhance employee hiring and retention by, among other things, improving the alignment of management and employee incentives with performance and growth objectives;
+Added: • the Separation is expected to allow us to more effectively pursue our operating priorities and strategies, and enable management to focus on unique opportunities for long-term growth and profitability.
+Added: We may not achieve these and other anticipated benefits for a variety of reasons, including, among others:
+Added: • certain costs and liabilities that were otherwise less significant to the Company prior to the Separation will be more significant for us as a separate company after the Separation
+Added: • we may be more susceptible to market fluctuations and other adverse events than we were prior to the Separation;
+Added: • following the Separation, our businesses are less diversified than they were prior to the Separation.
+Added: If we fail to achieve some or all of the benefits we expected to result from the Separation, or if such benefits are delayed, our businesses, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
+Added: We could incur significant liability if the separation and distribution of ESAB is determined to be a taxable transaction.
+Added: We have received (i) a private letter ruling from the IRS and (ii) an opinion from outside tax counsel regarding the qualification of the separation and distribution of ESAB as a transaction that is described in Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code.
+Added: The private letter ruling and opinion each relies on certain facts, assumptions, representations and undertakings from ESAB and us regarding the past and future conduct of the companies’ respective businesses and other matters.
+Added: If any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are incorrect or not satisfied, we may not be able to rely on the private letter ruling or opinion of tax counsel.
+Added: In addition, the private letter ruling does not address all the requirements for determining whether the separation and distribution qualify under Sections 355(a) and 368(a)(1)(D) of the Internal Revenue Code, and the opinion, which addresses all such requirements, relies on the private letter ruling as to matters covered by the ruling and will not be binding on the IRS or the courts.
+Added: Notwithstanding the private letter ruling or the opinion of tax counsel we have received, the IRS could determine on audit that the separation and distribution are taxable if it determines that any of these facts, assumptions, representations or undertakings are not correct or have been violated or if it disagrees with the conclusions not addressed in the ruling.
+Added: If the separation and distribution of ESAB are determined to be taxable for U.S.
+Added: federal income tax purposes, our stockholders that received the distribution and are subject to U.S.
+Added: federal income tax and we could be subject to significant U.S.
+Added: federal income tax liabilities.
+Added: Potential indemnification liabilities to ESAB pursuant to the separation agreement could materially and adversely affect our businesses, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: We entered into a separation and distribution agreement and related agreements with ESAB to govern the separation and distribution of ESAB and the relationship between the two companies going forward.
+Added: These agreements provide for specific indemnity and liability obligations of each party and could lead to disputes between us.
+Added: If we are required to indemnify ESAB under the circumstances set forth in these agreements, we may be subject to substantial liabilities.
+Added: In addition, with respect to the liabilities for which ESAB has agreed to indemnify us under these agreements, there can be no assurance that the indemnity rights we have against ESAB will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of the liabilities, or that ESAB will be able to fully satisfy its indemnification obligations.
+Added: Each of these risks could negatively affect our businesses, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
+Added: General Risk Factors and Other Risks
+Added: Changes in the general economy could negatively impact the demand for our products and services and harm our operations and financial performance.
Our financial performance depends, in large part, on conditions in the markets we serve and on the general condition of the global economy, which impacts these markets.
−Removed: For example, the COVID-19 global pandemic has resulted in widespread economic disruption which has severely impacted, and will likely continue to severely impact, our business and demand for our products and services.
Any sustained weakness in demand for our products and services resulting from a downturn of or uncertainty in the global economy could reduce our sales and profitability.
1 unchanged sentence
If our customers lack liquidity or are unable to access the credit markets, it may impact customer demand for our products and services and we may not be able to collect amounts owed to us.
−Removed: Further, our products are sold in many industries, some of which are cyclical and may experience periodic downturns.
−Removed: Cyclical weakness in the industries that we serve could lead to reduced demand for our products and affect our profitability and financial performance.
The occurrence of any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
+Added: Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected by disruptions in the global economy caused by the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
+Added: The global economy has been negatively impacted by the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
+Added: Furthermore, governments in the United States, United Kingdom and European Union have each imposed export controls on certain products and financial and economic sanctions on certain industry sectors and parties in Russia, and Russia has imposed counter-sanctions in response.
+Added: Although we have no direct operations in Russia or Ukraine or government-imposed sanctions on our products currently, we could experience the impact of sanctions in the future and/or shortages in materials, increased costs for raw material and other supply chain issues due in part to the negative impact of the Russia-Ukraine military conflict on the global economy.
+Added: Further escalation of geopolitical tensions related to the military conflict, including increased trade barriers or restrictions on global trade, could result in, among other things, cyberattacks, additional supply disruptions, lower consumer demand and changes to foreign exchange rates and financial markets, any of which may adversely affect our business and supply chain.
The loss of key leadership or the inability to attract, develop, engage, and retain qualified employees could have a material adverse effect on our ability to run our business.
4 unchanged sentences
Failure to attract, develop, engage, and retain qualified employees, whether as a result of an insufficient number of qualified applicants, difficulty in recruiting new employees, or inadequate resources to train, integrate, and retain qualified employees, could impair our ability to execute our business strategy and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
−Removed: The issuances of additional Common and Preferred stock or the resale of previously restricted Common stock may adversely affect the market price of Colfax Common stock.
−Removed: Pursuant to certain registration rights agreements we have entered with Mitchell P.
−Removed: Rales, Steven M.
−Removed: Rales and Markel Corporation (collectively, the “Investors”), the Investors and their permitted transferees have registration rights for the resale of certain shares of Colfax Common stock.
−Removed: These registration rights would facilitate the resale of such securities into the public market, and any such resale would increase the number of shares of Colfax Common stock available for public trading.
−Removed: Sales by the Investors or their permitted transferees of a substantial number of shares of Colfax Common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of Colfax Common stock.
−Removed: Additionally, under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, there are additional authorized shares of Colfax Common stock.
+Added: The issuances of additional Common and Preferred stock or the resale of previously restricted Common stock may adversely affect the market price of our Common stock.
+Added: Pursuant to certain registration rights agreements we have entered into with Mitchell P.
+Added: Rales and Steven M.
+Added: Rales (collectively, the “Investors”), the Investors and their permitted transferees have registration rights for the resale of certain shares of our Common stock.
+Added: These registration rights would facilitate the resale of such securities into the public market, and any such resale would increase the number of shares of our Common stock available for public trading.
+Added: Sales by the Investors or their permitted transferees of a substantial number of shares of our Common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of our Common stock.
+Added: Additionally, under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, there are additional authorized shares of our Common stock.
Furthermore, we may issue a significant number of additional shares, in connection with acquisitions or otherwise.
1 unchanged sentence
Additional shares issued would have a dilutive effect on our earnings per share.
−Removed: Provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law, and the percentage of Common stock owned by our largest stockholders, may delay or prevent an acquisition of Colfax that may be beneficial to our stockholders.
+Added: Provisions in our governing documents and Delaware law may delay or prevent an acquisition of Enovis that may be beneficial to our stockholders.
Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, Amended and Restated Bylaws, and Delaware law contain provisions that may make it difficult for a third-party to acquire us without the consent of our Board of Directors.
These include provisions prohibiting stockholders from taking action by written consent, prohibiting special meetings of stockholders called by stockholders, prohibiting stockholder nominations and approvals without complying with specific advance notice requirements, and mandating certain procedural steps for stockholders who wish to introduce business or nominate a director candidate.
−Removed: In addition, our Board of Directors has the right to issue Preferred stock without stockholder approval, which our Board of Directors could use to affect a rights plan or “poison pill” that could dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer and may have the effect of delaying, discouraging or preventing an acquisition of Colfax.
−Removed: Delaware law also imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between Colfax and any holder of 15% or more of its outstanding voting stock.
+Added: In addition, our Board of Directors has the right to issue Preferred stock without stockholder approval, which our Board of Directors could use to affect a rights plan or “poison pill” that could dilute the stock ownership of a potential hostile acquirer and may have the effect of delaying, discouraging or preventing an acquisition of Enovis.
Unresolved Staff Comments
Compared sentence by sentence after normalising whitespace, quotation marks, case and digits, so re-formatting and restated figures do not read as changed language. Wording changes appear as one removal and one addition. The current filing and the prior one are authoritative.