Item 1. Business
ITEM 1. Business
(All currency and share amounts are in millions)
Forward-Looking Information
Some of the statements in this document and any documents incorporated by reference, including any statements as to operational and financial projections, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our businesses’ or our industries’ actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. Such statements may address our plans, our strategies, our prospects, changes and trends in our business and the markets in which we operate under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) or in other sections of this document. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “project,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. Particular risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, include the following: cyclical changes and specific industry events in the Company’s markets; changes in anticipated capital investment and maintenance expenditures by customers; availability, limitations or cost increases of raw materials and/or commodities, including as a result of new or increased tariffs, that cannot be recovered in product pricing; the impact of competition on profit margins and the Company’s ability to maintain or increase market share; inadequate performance by third-party suppliers and subcontractors for outsourced products, components and services and other supply-chain risks; the uncertainty of claims resolution with respect to environmental and other contingent liabilities; the impact of climate change and any legal or regulatory actions taken in response thereto; cyber-security risks; risks with respect to the protection of intellectual property, including with respect to the Company’s digitalization initiatives; the impact of overruns, inflation and the incurrence of delays with respect to long-term fixed-price contracts; defects or errors in current or planned products; the impact of pandemics and governmental and other actions taken in response; domestic economic, political, legal, accounting and business developments adversely affecting the Company’s business, including regulatory changes; changes in worldwide economic conditions, including as a result of geopolitical conflicts; uncertainties with respect to the Company’s ability to identify acceptable acquisition targets; uncertainties surrounding timing and successful completion of acquisition or disposition transactions, including with respect to integrating acquisitions and achieving cost savings or other benefits from acquisitions; the impact of retained liabilities of disposed businesses; potential labor disputes; and extreme weather conditions and natural and other disasters. These and other risks and uncertainties are further discussed in other sections of this document. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially because of market conditions in our industries or other factors, and forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. In addition, management’s estimates of future operating results are based on our current complement of businesses, which is subject to change as management selects strategic markets.
All the forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the risks and uncertainties discussed in this filing, including under the heading “Risk Factors,” and any subsequent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as well as in any documents incorporated by reference that describe risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements. We caution you that these discussions of risks and uncertainties may not be exhaustive. We operate in a continually changing business environment and frequently enter into new businesses and product lines. We cannot predict these new risk factors, and we cannot assess the impact, if any, of these new risk factors on our businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. We disclaim any responsibility, except to the extent we are legally required, to update or publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date of this document.
Business
SPX Technologies, Inc. (“SPX”, “our”, “the Company”, or “we”) is the successor registrant pursuant to Rule 12g-3(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to SPX Corporation (“Legacy SPX”) as a result of the completion on August 15, 2022 of a holding company reorganization (the “Holding Company Reorganization”) effected as a merger of Legacy SPX with and into SPX Merger, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company. Each share of Legacy SPX’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the Holding Company Reorganization was automatically converted into an equivalent corresponding share of the Company's common stock having the same designations, rights, powers and preferences and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions as the corresponding share of Legacy SPX
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common stock being converted. Accordingly, upon consummation of the Holding Company Reorganization, Legacy SPX stockholders became stockholders of the Company. Legacy SPX was founded in Muskegon, Michigan in 1912 as the Piston Ring Company and adopted the name SPX Corporation in 1988. Its common stock had been listed on the New York Stock Exchange since 1972. The terms “SPX,” “we” and “our” include Legacy SPX for periods prior to the consummation of the Holding Company Reorganization as the context requires.
On September 26, 2015, we completed the spin-off to our stockholders (the “Spin-Off”) of all the outstanding shares of SPX FLOW, Inc. (“SPX FLOW”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of SPX prior to the Spin-Off, which at the time of the Spin-Off held the businesses comprising our Flow Technology reportable segment, our Hydraulic Technologies business, and certain of our corporate subsidiaries.
Based on a review of our portfolio of businesses, and the belief that a recovery within the power generation markets was unlikely in the foreseeable future, we decided in 2015 that our strategic focus would be on our (i) scalable growth businesses that serve the heating, ventilation and cooling (“HVAC”) and detection and measurement markets and (ii) power transformers and process cooling systems businesses. As a result, we subsequently significantly reduced our exposure to the power generation markets. This reduction included the wind-down of the SPX Heat Transfer Business (“Heat Transfer”), completed during the fourth quarter of 2020, and the wind-down of our South African subsidiary, DBT Technologies (PTY) LTD (“DBT”) in 2021 when we substantially ceased all operations. In addition, we completed the sale of our Transformer Solutions business (“Transformer Solutions”) during 2021. As a result, we are reporting Heat Transfer, DBT, and Transformer Solutions as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. See Note 4 for additional details regarding discontinued operations and Notes 4 and 15 for additional details of DBT’s dispute resolution matters.
On March 31, 2022, we completed the acquisition of International Tower Lighting, LLC (“ITL”), a leader in the design and manufacture of highly-engineered aids to navigation systems, including obstruction lighting for telecommunications towers, wind turbines and numerous other terrestrial obstructions. The post-acquisition operating results of ITL are reflected within our Detection and Measurement reportable segment.
On November 1, 2022, SPX divested three wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold asbestos liabilities and certain assets, including related insurance assets, to Canvas Holdco LLC, an entity formed by a joint venture of Global Risk Capital LLC and an affiliate of Premia Holdings Ltd (the “Asbestos Portfolio Sale”). The divested subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify us and our affiliates for their asbestos-related liabilities, which encompassed all of our consolidated asbestos-related liabilities and contingent liabilities immediately prior to the divestiture. These indemnification obligations are not subject to any cap or time limitation. The board of managers of each of the divested subsidiaries received a solvency opinion from an independent advisory firm that the divested subsidiaries were solvent after giving effect to the Asbestos Portfolio Sale.
On April 3, 2023, we completed the acquisition of T.A. Morrison & Co. Inc. (“TAMCO”), a market leader in motorized and non-motorized dampers that control airflow in large-scale specialty applications in commercial, industrial, and institutional markets. The post-acquisition operating results of TAMCO are reflected within our HVAC reportable segment.
On June 2, 2023, we completed the acquisition of ASPEQ Heating Group (“ASPEQ”), a leading provider of electrical heating solutions to customers in industrial and commercial markets. The post-acquisition operating results of ASPEQ are reflected within our HVAC reportable segment.
On February 7, 2024, we completed the acquisition of Ingénia Technologies Inc. (“Ingénia”) which specializes in the design and manufacture of custom air handling units that demand high levels of precision and reliability in healthcare, pharmaceutical, education, food processing and industrial end markets. The post-acquisition operating results of Ingénia are reflected within our HVAC reportable segment.
On January 27, 2025, we completed the acquisition of Kranze Technology Solutions, Inc. (“KTS”), which specializes in digital interoperability and tactical networking solutions, primarily for the defense industry. The post-acquisition operating results of KTS will be reflected within our Detection and Measurement reportable segment.
Unless otherwise indicated, the description of our business provided in Part I pertains to continuing operations only (see Notes 1 and 4 to our consolidated financial statements for information on discontinued operations). A description of the general development of our business, including with respect to developments occurring prior to those discussed above, is included in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 , which description is incorporated by reference.
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We are a diversified, global supplier of infrastructure equipment serving the HVAC and detection and measurement markets. With operations in over 15 countries and approximat el y 4,300 emp loyees, we offer a wide array of highly engineered infrastructure products with strong brands.
HVAC solutions offered by our businesses include package and process cooling equipment, engineered air movement and handling solutions, residential and commercial boilers, electrical heating, and ventilation products. Our market leading brands, coupled with our commitment to continuous innovation and focus on our customers’ needs, enables our HVAC cooling and heating businesses to serve an expanding number of industrial, commercial, data center, and residential customers. Growth for our HVAC businesses will be driven by innovation, increased scalability, and our ability to meet the needs of broader markets.
Our detection and measurement product lines encompass underground pipe and cable locators, inspection and rehabilitation equipment, robotic systems, transportation systems, communication technologies, and aids to navigation. Our detection and measurement solutions enable utilities, telecommunication providers and regulators, and municipalities and transit authorities to build, monitor and maintain vital infrastructure. Our technology and decades of experience have afforded us a strong position in specific detection and measurement markets. We intend to expand our portfolio of specialized products through new, innovative hardware and software solutions in an attempt to (i) further capitalize on the detection and measurement markets we currently serve and (ii) expand the number of markets that we serve.
Reportable Segments
Our operating segments are aggregated into the following two reportable segments: HVAC and Detection and Measurement. The factors considered in determining our aggregated segments are the economic similarity of the businesses, the nature of products sold or services provided, production processes, types of customers, distribution methods, and regulatory environment. In determining our reportable segments, we apply the threshold criteria of the Segment Reporting Topic of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Codification (“Codification”). Operating income for our reportable segments is determined before considering, if applicable, impairments and special charges, long-term incentive compensation, certain other operating income/expense, other indirect corporate expenses, intangible asset amortization expense, inventory step-up charges, and certain other acquisition and integration-related costs. This is consistent with the way our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”), the President and Chief Executive Officer, evaluates the results of each segment.
HVAC Reportable Segment
Our HVAC reportable segment had revenues of $1,364.7 , $1,122.3, and $913.8 in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and backlog of $436.8 and $306.1 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 , respectively. Approximately 88 % of the segment’s backlog as of December 31, 2024 is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2025. The segment engineers, designs, manufactures, installs and services cooling products and engineered air movement and handling solutions for the HVAC industrial, commercial, data center, and power generation markets, as well as heating and ventilation products for the residential, industrial, and commercial markets. The primary distribution channels for the segment’s products are direct to customers, independent manufacturing representatives, third-party distributors, and retailers. The segment serves a cu stomer base in North America, Europe, and Asia. Core brands for our cooling products include Marley, Recold, SGS, Cincinnati Fan, TAMCO, and Ingénia , while our heating products are sold under the Berko, Qmark, Fahrenheat, Leading Edge, Patterson-Kelley, Weil-McLain, Williamson-Thermoflo, INDEECO, Heatrex, AccuTherm, Brasch, Spectrum, BannerDay PipeHeating, and Solar Products brands.
Detection and Measurement Reportable Segmen t
Our Detection and Measurement reportable segment had revenues of $619.2, $618.9, and $547.1 in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and backlog of $220.9 and $244.5 as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 , respectively. Approximately 58 % of the segment’s backlog as of December 31, 2024 is expected to be recognized as revenue during 2025. The segment engineers, designs, manufactures, services, and installs underground pipe and cable locators, inspection and rehabilitation equipment, robotic systems, transportation systems, communication technologies, and aids to navigation. The primary distribution channels for the segment’s products are direct to customers and third-party distributors. The segment serves a global customer base in North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. Core brands for our underground pipe and cable locators and inspection and rehabilitation equipment are Radiodetection, Pearpoint, Schonstedt, Dielectric, Cues, ULC Robotics, and Sensors & Software. Our transportation systems are sold under the Genfare brand, our communication technologies products are sold under the TCI, ECS, and KTS brands, and our aids to navigation products are sold under the Flash Technology, ITL, Sabik Marine, Sealite, and Avlite brands.
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Acquisitions
From time to time, we may make acquisitions that do not significantly impact our financial position or operations. These acquisitions primarily complement our existing business operations or strategic initiatives with no significant impact to our financial outlook and end markets, or requiring a significant investment of resources. Such acquisitions are not separately identified within this report on Form 10-K. We regularly review and negotiate potential acquisitions in the ordinary course of business, some of which are or may be material.
As previously indicated, we acquired KTS in January 2025, Ingénia in 2024, TAMCO and ASPEQ in 2023, and ITL in 2022.
Divestitures
We regularly review and negotiate potential divestitures in the ordinary course of business, some of which are or may be m aterial. As previously indicated, the divestiture of three wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold asbestos liabilities and certain assets, including related insurance assets, was completed in 2022 and the divestiture of Transformer Solutions was completed in 202 1. As previously indicated, we completed the wind-down of our DBT and Heat Transfer businesses in the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2020, respectively.
International Operations
We are a multinational co rporation with operations in over 15 countries. Sales outside the United States were $343.1 , $287.1 and $237.4 in 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
See Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements for more information on our international operations.
Research and Development
We are actively engaged in research and development programs designed to improve existing products and manufacturing methods and develop new products to better serve our current and future customers. These efforts encompass certain of our products with divisional engineering teams coordinating their resources. We place particular emphasis on the development of new products that are compatible with, and build upon, our manufacturing and marketing capabilities.
Patents/Trademarks
We own 227 domestic and 402 foreign patents (comprising 159 patent “families”) (foreign patents include patents in individual countries in the European Union (“EU”), as well as EU-level patents), including 24 patents that were issued in 2024, covering a variety of our products and manufacturing methods. We also own a number of registered trademark s. Although in the aggregate our patents and trademarks are of considerable importance in the operation of our business, we do not consider any single patent or trademark to be of such importance that its absence would adversely affect our ability to conduct business as presently constituted. We are both a licensor and licensee of patents. For more information, please refer to “Risk Factors.”
Outsourcing and Raw Materials
We manufacture many of the components used in our products; however, our strategy includes outsourcing certain components and sub-assemblies to other companies where strategically and economically beneficial. In instances where we depend on third-party suppliers for outsourced products or components, we are subject to the risk of customer dissatisfaction with the quality or performance of the products we sell due to supplier failure. In addition, business difficulties experienced by a third-party supplier can lead to the interruption of our ability to obtain the outsourced product or component and ultimately to our inability to supply certain products to our customers on a timely basis or at all. We believe that we generally will be able to continue to obtain adequate supplies of key products, components or appropriate substitutes at reasonable costs.
We are subject to increases in the prices, including from the impact of tariffs, of many of our key raw materials, including petroleum-based products and steel. In recent years, we have generally been able to offset increases in raw material costs through corresponding product pricing actions. Occasionally, we are subject to long-term supplier contracts, which may increase our exposure to pricing fluctuations.
Due to our diverse products and services, as well as the wide geographic dispersion of our production facilities, we use numerous sources for the raw materials needed in our operations. We are not significantly dependent on any one or a limited number of suppliers, and we have been able to obtain suitable quantities of raw materials at competitive prices.
For information regarding supply chain disruptions and labor shortages refer to “MD&A - Supply Chain Disruptions, Labor Shortages, and Cost Increases.”
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Competition
Our competitive position cannot be determined accurately in the aggregate or by reportable or operating segment since we and our competitors do not offer all the same product lines or serve all the same markets. In addition, specific reliable comparative figures are not available for many of our competitors. In most product groups, competition comes from numerous concerns, both large and small. The principal methods of competition are service, product performance, technical innovation and price. These methods vary with the type of product sold. We believe we compete effectively on the basis of each of these factors as they apply to the various products and services offered.
Environmental Matters
See “ Risk Factors - Risks Related to Contingent Liabilities ,” “ MD&A — Critical Accounting Estimates — Contingent Liabilities ,” and Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements for information regarding environmental matters.
Human Capital Resources
At December 31, 2024, we had approximately 4,300 employees, with approximately 3,300 employed in the United States. We also leverage temporary workers to provide flexibility for our business and manufacturing needs. Six domestic collective bargaining agreements cover approximately 460 of our employees. In addition, we have various collective labor arrangements covering certain of our non-U.S. employee groups. While we generally have experienced satisfactory labor relations, we are subject to potential union campaigns, work stoppages, union negotiations and other potential labor disputes.
We believe that our future success is impacted by our continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled employees. As such, we strive to provide an environment where employees are developed and provided challenging career growth opportunities. We offer a “Total Rewards” program that provides comprehensive compensation and benefits packages that are designed to reward employees and assist them in managing their well-being. We have focused many of our policies and programs to provide increased flexibility and work-life balance to our team members.
As part of our focus on building and sustaining a highly capable, engaged and motivated workforce that has the ability to deliver on the current and future requirements of the Company, we continue to advance our talent management framework, known as RiSE, which helps us Reach, Identify, Strengthen, and Engage our workforce. In 2024, we introduced our Building Strength program, adding development opportunities for all employees in leadership, communication, team development, and collaboration directly aligned to our Leadership Model. We continued to expand participation in our leadership development programs and have now trained 275 leaders through our “Frontline Leaders Program” and 92 leaders have completed our midlevel leader program, “Amplified Leadership.” We are looking forward to launching our fourth cohort of our Executive Leadership Program in 2025 adding to our growing class of more than 100 leaders who have completed this advanced development program.
At the beginning of 2024, we launched our updated Global Employee Survey with over 90% employee participation, the results of which informed discussions about what is most important to our employees and helped us develop action plans to focus on those priorities. During 2024, we continued our focus on enhancing our programs aimed at ensuring that we provide an inclusive environment where all employees feel valued and respected. We believe through these efforts we can unlock greater potential, provide new opportunities for our employees, and benefit from varying backgrounds and points of view.
Other Matters
No customer or group of customers that, to our knowledge, are under common control accounted for more than 10 % of our consolidated revenues for any period presented.
Our businesses maintain sufficient levels of working capital to support customer requirements, particularly inventory. We believe our businesses’ sales and payment terms are generally similar to those of our competitors.
Many of our businesses closely follow changes in the industries and end markets they serve. In addition, certain businesses have seasonal fluctuations. Historically, our businesses generally tend to be stronger in the second half of the year.
Our website address is www.spx.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference herein. We file reports with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and certain amendments to these reports. Copies of these reports are available free of charge on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we file the reports with the SEC. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
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