Item 3. Legal Proceedings
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Government Investigations
As previously disclosed, on January 19, 2024, the Company was notified by the Compliance and Field Operations Division (the “Division”) of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) that the Division intends to recommend the imposition of a civil penalty of approximately $32 million for alleged untimely reporting in relation to certain utility bars and miter saws that were subject to voluntary recalls in September 2019 and March 2022, respectively. The Company believes there are defenses to the Division’s claims and has presented its defenses in a meeting with the Division on February 29, 2024, and in a written submission dated March 29, 2024. On April 1, 2024, the Division informed the Company’s counsel that the Division intended to recommend that the CPSC refer the matter to the U.S. Department of Justice (the “DOJ”). On May 1, 2024, the Company was informed that the CPSC voted to refer the matter to the DOJ. In December 2024, the CPSC requested that the Company reproduce documents previously provided to the CPSC following changes to the agency’s electronic file sharing system. The Company has reproduced the requested documents to the CPSC. The Company has not heard anything further from the CPSC
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or the DOJ in relation to this matter since then and therefore is not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on its financial condition or to estimate the amount of potential loss, if any, from this matter.
The Company is committed to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and is continuously focused on ensuring the effectiveness of its policies, procedures, and controls. The Company is in the process, with the assistance of professional advisors, of reviewing and further enhancing relevant policies, procedures, and controls.
Class Action Litigation
As previously disclosed, on March 24, 2023, a putative class action lawsuit titled Naresh Vissa Rammohan v. Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., et al ., Case No. 3:23-cv-00369-KAD (the “ Rammohan Class Action”), was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut against the Company and certain of the Company’s current and former officers and directors. The complaint was filed on behalf of a purported class consisting of all purchasers of Stanley Black & Decker common stock between October 28, 2021 and July 28, 2022, inclusive. The complaint asserts violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 based on allegedly false and misleading statements related to consumer demand for the Company’s products amid changing COVID-19 trends and macroeconomic conditions. The complaint seeks unspecified damages and an award of costs and expenses. On October 13, 2023, Lead Plaintiff General Retirement System of the City of Detroit filed an Amended Complaint that asserts the same claims and seeks the same forms of relief as the original complaint. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action in all respects and on December 14, 2023, filed a motion to dismiss the Amended Complaint in its entirety. Briefing on that motion concluded on April 5, 2024, and the Company awaits a decision on that motion. Given the early stage of this litigation, at this time, the Company is not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on its financial condition or to estimate the amount or range of potential losses, if any, from this action.
Derivative Actions
As previously disclosed, on August 2, 2023 and September 20, 2023, derivative complaints were filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, titled Callahan v. Allan, et al ., Case No. 3:23-cv-01028-OAW (the “ Callahan Derivative Action”) and Applebaum v. Allan, et al ., Case No. 3:23-cv-01234-OAW (the “ Applebaum Derivative Action”), respectively, by putative stockholders against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company premised on the same allegations as the Rammohan Class Action. The Callahan and Applebaum Derivative Actions were consolidated by Court order on November 6, 2023, and defendants’ responses to both complaints have been stayed pending the disposition of any motions to dismiss in the Rammohan Class Action. The individual defendants intend to vigorously defend the Callahan and Applebaum Derivative Actions in all respects. However, given the early stage of this litigation, at this time, the Company is not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on its financial condition or to estimate the amount or range of potential losses, if any, from these actions.
On October 19, 2023, a derivative complaint was filed in Connecticut Superior Court, titled Vladimir Gusinsky Revocable Trust v. Allan, et al ., Docket Number HHBCV236082260S, by a putative stockholder against certain current and former directors and officers of the Company. Plaintiff seeks to recover for alleged breach of fiduciary duties and unjust enrichment under Connecticut state law premised on the same allegations as the Rammohan Class Action. By Court order on November 11, 2023, the Connecticut Superior Court granted the parties’ motion to stay defendants’ response to the complaint pending the disposition of any motions to dismiss in the Rammohan Class Action. The individual defendants intend to vigorously defend this action in all respects. However, given the early stage of this litigation, at this time, the Company is not in a position to assess the likelihood of any potential loss or adverse effect on its financial condition or to estimate the amount or range of potential losses, if any, from this action.
Other Actions
In addition to the matters above, in the normal course of business, the Company is involved in various lawsuits and claims, including product liability, environmental, intellectual property, contract and commercial, advertising, employment and distributor claims, and administrative proceedings. The Company does not expect that the resolution of these matters occurring in the normal course of business will have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
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The following is a list of the executive officers of the Company as of February 18, 2025:
Name and Age Office Date Elected to Office as an Executive Officer
Donald Allan, Jr. (60) President and Chief Executive Officer since July 2022. President and Chief Financial Officer (2021); Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer (2016); Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2010); Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (2009); Vice President and Corporate Controller (2002); Corporate Controller (2000); Assistant Controller (1999).
10/24/2006
Patrick D. Hallinan (57) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2023. Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (formerly, Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.) (2017); Senior Vice President Finance, Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (2017); Vice President Finance and Chief Financial Officer, Moen Incorporated (2013). 4/21/2023
Tamer K. Abuaita (52) Global Chief Supply Chain Officer and President, Industrial since July 2024. Senior Vice President, Chief Supply Chain Officer (2022); Senior Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, SC Johnson & Son, Inc. (2017). 4/6/2023
Janet M. Link (55) Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since July 2017. Executive Vice President, General Counsel, JC Penney Company, Inc. (2015); Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, JC Penney Company, Inc. (2014); Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Clear Channel Companies (2013). 7/19/2017
Christopher J. Nelson (54) Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and President, Tools & Outdoor since June 2023. President, HVAC, Carrier Global Corporation (2020); President, Commercial HVAC, Carrier Global Corporation (2018); President, North America HVAC, Carrier Global Corporation (2012).
6/14/2023
Deborah Wintner (56) Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer since August 2024. Senior Vice President of HR Operations, Chief Human Resources Officer of Tools & Outdoor (2023); Interim Chief Human Resources Officer (2022); Vice President, Global Human Resources, Stanley Security (2018). 8/13/2024
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PART II