Risk Factors - MSM

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$MSM Risk Factor changes from 00/10/25/23/2023 to 00/10/24/24/2024

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.In addition to the other information in this Report, the following factors should be considered in evaluating the Company and its business. Our future operating results depend upon many factors and are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Our future operating results depend upon many factors and are subject to various risks and 12Table of Contentsuncertainties. The known material risks and uncertainties which may cause our operating results to vary from anticipated results or which may negatively affect our business, financial condition, or results of operations are as follows:Risks Related to Our Business Our business depends heavily on the operating levels of our customers and the economic factors that affect them, including general economic conditions. The known material risks and uncertainties which may cause our operating results to vary from anticipated results or which may negatively affect our operating results and profitability are as follows:Risks Related to Our Business Our business depends heavily on the operating levels of our customers and the economic factors that affect them, including general economic conditions. Many of the primary markets for the products and services we sell are subject to cyclical fluctuations that affect demand for goods and materials that our customers produce. Consequently, demand for our products and services has been, and will continue to be, influenced by many of the same economic factors that affect demand for and production of our customers’ products. Consequently, demand for our products and services has been, and will continue to be, influenced by most of the same economic factors that affect demand for and production of our customers’ products. When current or prospective customers reduce production levels because of lower demand or tight credit conditions, as occurs in economic downturns, their need for our products and services diminishes. When, as occurs in economic downturns, current or prospective customers reduce production levels because of lower demand or tight credit conditions, their need for our products and services diminishes. Selling prices and terms of sale with our customers come under pressure, which may adversely affect the profitability and the durability of customer relationships. Credit losses increase as well. Volatile economic and credit conditions also make it more difficult for 12Table of Contentsdistributors, as well as customers and suppliers, to forecast and plan future business activities and may prevent them from ordering our products as frequently or in the quantities they otherwise would. Volatile economic and credit conditions also make it more difficult for distributors, as well as customers and suppliers, to forecast and plan future business activities and may prevent them from ordering our products as frequently or in the quantities they otherwise would. As a result of any such economic recession or slowing in the rate of growth, we may experience a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Additionally, macroeconomic conditions may impact the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity and energy prices, labor and supply costs, and interest rates. We have also been affected by macroeconomic conditions specific to the principal end markets that we serve, including as the result of work stoppages and organized labor activity. Any or all of these factors may impact us, our customers, and their demand for our products.Further, our business is highly related to the manufacturing sector. As various sectors of our manufacturing customer base face increased foreign competition, and in fact lose business to foreign competitors or shift their operations overseas in an effort to reduce expenses, we may face increased difficulty in growing and maintaining our market share and growth prospects.In addition, as various sectors of our industrial customer base face increased foreign competition, and in fact lose business to foreign competitors or shift their operations overseas in an effort to reduce expenses, we may face increased difficulty in growing and maintaining our market share and growth prospects. Changes in our customer and product mix, or adverse changes to the cost of goods we sell, could cause our gross margin percentage to fluctuate or decrease.As a distributor, our profitability is highly dependent on our gross margin, which in turn varies based on the product sold and the type of customer. From time to time, we experience changes in our customer mix and in our product mix.From time to time, we experience changes in our customer mix and in our product mix. Changes in our customer mix have resulted from various factors, such as changes in the geographies we serve, daily selling activities within current geographic markets, and targeted selling activities to new customers. Changes in our customer mix have resulted from various factors, such as geographic expansion, daily selling activities within current geographic markets, and targeted selling activities to new customers. Changes in our product mix have also resulted from various factors, such as marketing activities to existing customers, needs communicated to us from existing and prospective customers and business acquisitions. As our national account and government customer program sales grow, we will face continued pressures on maintaining gross margin because these customers receive lower pricing due to their higher level of purchases from us. In addition, our continued expansion of our vending program and other E-commerce platforms places pressure on our gross margin. We may also be subject to price increases from our suppliers and independent freight carriers that we may not be able to pass along to our customers, particularly in periods of high or rapid inflation.Volatility in commodity, energy and labor prices may adversely affect operating margins.In times of commodity, energy and labor price increases, we may be subject to price increases from our suppliers and independent freight carriers that we are unable to pass along to our customers. Raw material costs used in our suppliers’ products (steel, tungsten, etc.) and energy and labor costs may increase, which may result in increased production costs for our suppliers that they pass along to us. In recent years, the fuel costs of our independent freight carriers have also been volatile. Our suppliers and independent freight carriers typically look to pass increased costs along to us through price increases. When we are forced to accept these price increases, we may not be able to pass them along to our customers, resulting in lower margins.In addition to increases in commodity, energy and labor prices, decreases in those costs, particularly if severe, could also adversely affect us by creating deflation in selling prices, which could cause our gross profit margin to deteriorate, or by negatively impacting customers in certain industries, which could cause our sales to those customers to decline.In addition to increases in commodity, energy and labor prices, decreases in those costs, particularly if severe, could also adversely impact us by creating deflation in selling prices, which could cause our gross profit margin to deteriorate, or by negatively impacting customers in certain industries, which could cause our sales to those customers to decline. Inflation impacts the costs at which we can procure products and our ability to increase prices at which we sell to customers over time. 13Table of ContentsInflation impacts the costs at which we can procure products and our ability to increase prices at which we sell to customers over time. Prolonged periods of low inflation or deflation could adversely affect our ability to increase the prices at which we sell to customers. Periods of high or rapid inflation, such as the historically high levels of inflation the United States has experienced in recent years, may also cause the prices that our suppliers and independent freight carriers charge to increase rapidly or unpredictably. Periods of high or rapid inflation, such as the historically high levels of inflation the United States has experienced recently, may also cause the prices that our suppliers and independent freight carriers charge to increase rapidly or unpredictably. We may not be able to pass along increased costs due to inflation in full or synchronously to customers, which may result in lower margins or changes in our relationships with customers. We operate in a highly competitive industry, which is evolving and consolidating, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. We operate in a highly competitive industry, which is evolving and consolidating, which could adversely affect our business and financial results. The MRO supply industry, although consolidating, still remains a large, fragmented industry that is highly competitive. We face competition from traditional channels of distribution, such as retail outlets, small dealerships, 13Table of Contentsregional and national distributors utilizing direct sales forces, manufacturers of MRO supplies, large warehouse stores and larger direct mail distributors. We face competition from traditional channels of distribution, such as retail outlets, small dealerships, regional and national distributors utilizing direct sales forces, manufacturers of MRO supplies, large warehouse stores and larger direct mail distributors. We believe that sales of MRO supplies will continue to concentrate over the next several years, which may make MRO supply distribution more competitive. Some of our competitors challenge us with a greater variety of product offerings, greater financial resources, additional services, or a combination of these factors. In addition, we also face the risk of companies that operate primarily outside of our industry entering our marketplace. In addition, we also face the risk of companies which operate primarily outside of our industry entering our marketplace. Our industry is evolving at a rapid pace. Our industry is evolving at an accelerated pace. If we do not have the agility and flexibility to effectively respond to the accelerated pace of industry changes, our strategy could be put at risk resulting in a loss of market share. If we do not have the agility and flexibility to effectively respond to this accelerated pace of industry changes, our strategy could be put at risk resulting in a loss of market share. We also face substantial competition in the online distribution space that competes with price transparency. Increased competition from online retailers (particularly those major internet providers who can offer a wide range of products and rapid delivery), and the adoption by competitors of aggressive pricing strategies or sales methods, could cause us to lose market share or reduce our prices, adversely affecting our sales, margins, and profitability. Traditional MRO suppliers are attempting to consolidate the market through internal expansion or acquisitions or mergers with other industrial suppliers, or a combination of both. This consolidation allows suppliers to improve efficiency, spread fixed costs over a greater number of sales, and achieve other benefits derived from economies of scale. This consolidation allows suppliers to improve efficiency and spread fixed costs over a greater number of sales, and to achieve other benefits derived from economies of scale. The trend of our industry toward consolidation could cause the industry to become more competitive as greater economies of scale are achieved by competitors, or as competitors with new lower-cost business models are able to operate with lower prices and gross profit on products. These trends may adversely affect our sales, margins and profitability. In order to operate more efficiently, control costs and improve profitability, we incur restructuring and other costs, which can include consulting, severance and separation costs. In order to operate more efficiently, control costs and improve profitability, we incurred approximately $7. There can be no assurance that action taken in connection with such costs will achieve their intended benefits. There can be no assurance that these actions will achieve their intended benefits. As a supplier to the U.S. government and public sector, we are subject to certain laws and regulations that subject us to certain compliance requirements and potential liabilities and may increase our costs of doing business. government and public sector, we are subject to certain laws and regulations which may increase our costs of doing business and which subject us to certain compliance requirements and potential liabilities. As a supplier to the U.As a supplier to the U. S. government and public sector, which represented approximately 9% of total Company revenue in fiscal year 2024, we must comply with certain laws and regulations, including the Trade Agreements Act, the Buy American Act and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, relating to the formation, administration and performance of U. government and public sector, which currently represents approximately 10% of total Company revenue, we must comply with certain laws and regulations, including the Trade Agreements Act, the Buy American Act and the Federal Acquisition Regulation, relating to the formation, administration and performance of U. S. government contracts. These laws and regulations affect how we do business with government customers and, in some instances, impose added compliance and other costs on our business. From time to time, we are subject to governmental or regulatory inquiries or audits relating to our compliance with these laws and regulations. A violation of these specific laws and regulations, as well as others, could result in the imposition of fines and penalties or the termination of our U.S. government contracts and could harm our reputation and cause our business to suffer. Our business is exposed to the credit risk of our customers, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Our business is exposed to the credit risk of our customers, which could adversely affect our operating results. We generally do not require collateral from our customers, which exposes us to credit risk. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their creditworthiness based on our periodic reviews, and a reserve for accounts that we believe to be uncollectible. We evaluate the collectability of accounts receivable based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers and their creditworthiness, and we provide a reserve for accounts that we believe to be uncollectible. A significant deterioration in the economy or the financial condition of our customers, including as a result of higher inflation and fluctuations in interest rates, geopolitical events or macroeconomic events, could have an adverse effect on our ability to collect our accounts receivable, lengthen payment cycles and increased collection costs.Failure to accurately forecast customer demand and timely purchase inventory could lead to excess inventories or inventory shortages, which could result in decreased operating margins, reduced cash flows and harm to our business. 14Table of ContentsFailure to accurately forecast customer demand and timely purchase inventory could lead to excess inventories or inventory shortages, which could result in decreased operating margins, reduced cash flows and harm to our business. To meet anticipated demand for our products, we may purchase products from manufacturers outside of our typical programs, including payment terms, and in advance of customer orders, which we hold in inventory and resell to customers. We are subject to the risk that we may be unable to sell all of the products we purchase for resale. We are subject to the risk that we may be unable to sell excess products ordered from manufacturers. Inventory levels in excess of customer demand may result in inventory impairment or write-downs, and the sale of excess inventory at discounted prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Excess inventory could result from factors such as incorrectly anticipating demand for such products or rapid changes in customer preference, product innovations, or customer financial condition. Conversely, if we underestimate customer demand for our products or if our manufacturers fail to supply products we require at the time we need them, we may experience inventory shortages. Conversely, if we underestimate customer demand for our products or if our manufacturers fail to supply products we require at the time we need them, including due to supply chain disruptions affecting us and our suppliers, we may experience inventory shortages. Inventory shortages could result from events such as difficulties in product sourcing, 14Table of Contentsincluding due to supply chain disruptions affecting us and our suppliers, or the concentration of demand for a limited number of SKUs. Inventory shortages could delay shipments to customers, negatively impact customer relationships, reduce cash flows and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.Interruptions in our ability to make deliveries to our customers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Our ability to provide same-day shipping and next-day delivery of our core metalworking and MRO products is an integral component of our overall business strategy.Our ability to provide same-day shipping and next-day delivery of our core metalworking and MRO products is an integral component of our overall business strategy. Disruptions at transportation centers, shipping ports, or our customer fulfillment centers, including global and domestic locations, due to third-party work stoppages or labor shortages or severe weather conditions affect both our ability to maintain core products in inventory and to deliver products to our customers on a timely basis, which may in turn adversely affect our customer relationships and results of operations. Disruptions at transportation centers or shipping ports, including global and domestic locations, due to third-party work stoppages or labor shortages or severe weather conditions affect both our ability to maintain core products in inventory and to deliver products to our customers on a timely basis, which may in turn adversely affect our customer relationships and results of operations. In addition, severe weather conditions and work stoppages affecting the end markets we serve could adversely affect demand for our products in particularly hard-hit regions and impact our sales and/or our ability to deliver our products. Supply chain disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.Disruptions in our supply chain due to such factors as natural and human-induced disasters, widespread contagious diseases or viruses, geopolitical events such as war, economic sanctions, civil unrest, rioting or terrorist attacks in the United States or countries in which we operate, our key suppliers are located or through which our products are transported or distributed, transportation disruptions, labor disputes or shortages, raw material shortages, inadequate manufacturing capacity or utilization to meet demand, actions by governments and central banks that impact the flow of international goods, and the imposition of other trade limitations, prohibitions or sanctions that increase the costs of domestic and international trade and transportation, could restrict our ability to obtain products that our customers demand or to meet delivery expectations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.Disruptions in our supply chain due to events outside of our control, including natural and human-induced disasters, earthquakes, storms, hurricanes, floods, fires, droughts, tornados and other extreme weather, widespread contagious diseases or viruses, geopolitical events, such as war, economic sanctions, civil unrest, rioting or terrorist attacks in the United States or countries in which we operate, in which our key suppliers are located or through which products we sell are transported or distributed, transportation disruptions, labor disputes or shortages, raw material shortages, inadequate manufacturing capacity or utilization to meet demand, actions by governments and central banks that impact the flow of international goods, and the imposition of other trade limitations, prohibitions or sanctions that increase the costs of domestic and international trade and transportation, could restrict our ability to obtain products that our customers demand or to meet delivery expectations, which could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial position. Any such disruption or other catastrophic event could cause our distribution channels and networks to become limited or non-operational, adversely affect our ability to obtain or deliver products to our customers in a timely manner, limit our ability to meet customer demand, result in lost sales, increased costs, penalties, order cancellations or contract terminations, or adversely affect our customer relationships. Any such disruption or other catastrophic event could cause our distribution channels and networks to become limited or non-operational, adversely impact our ability to obtain or deliver products to our customers in a timely manner, limit our ability to meet customer demand, result in lost sales, increased costs, penalties, order cancellations or contract terminations, or adversely impact our customer relationships. Our business depends on our ability to attract, train and retain qualified sales and customer service personnel and metalworking and specialty sales specialists. Our business depends on our ability to attract, train and retain qualified sales and customer service personnel and metalworking specialists. We greatly benefit from having associates who are familiar with the products we sell and their applications, as well as associates, particularly metalworking specialists, who can provide technical support to our customers. We greatly benefit from having associates who are familiar with the products we sell and their applications, as well as associates, and in particular metalworking specialists, who can provide technical support to our customers. Qualified individuals of the requisite caliber and number needed to fill these positions may be difficult to hire and retain in sufficient numbers. Additionally, our ability to hire and retain such qualified individuals may be adversely affected by global and domestic economic uncertainty, or increased competition for such qualified individuals. Additionally, hiring and retaining such qualified individuals may be adversely impacted by global and domestic economic uncertainty, and increased competition for such qualified individuals. If we are unable to hire and retain associates capable of providing a high level of customer service and technical support, our operational capabilities and ability to provide differentiated services may be adversely affected.The loss of key suppliers or contractors or key brands could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.The loss of key suppliers or contractors or key brands could adversely affect our operating results. We believe that our ability to offer a combination of well-known brand name products and competitively priced exclusive brand products is an important factor in attracting and retaining customers. Our ability to offer a wide range of products and services is dependent on obtaining adequate product supply and services from our key suppliers and contractors. The loss of, or a substantial decrease in, the availability of products or services from key suppliers or contractors at competitive prices, or the loss of a key brand, could cause our revenues and profitability to decrease.Changes to trade policies or trade relationships could make sourcing products from overseas more difficult and/or costlier as well as negatively affect the markets we sell into.Changes to trade policies or trade relationships, including the imposition of significant restrictions, quotas, duties, tariffs or moratoriums on economic activity with certain countries or regions, whether because of amendments to or the elimination of existing trade agreements or the imposition of new or modified trade tariffs or other governmental orders or sanctions, could have an adverse effect on our business. These changes and other changes to trade policies or trade 15Table of Contentsrelationships could adversely affect our ability to secure sufficient products to service our customers and/or result in increased product costs that we may not be able to pass on to our customers, resulting in lower margins or otherwise adversely affecting our sales. These changes and other changes to trade policies or trade relationships could adversely affect our ability to secure sufficient products to service our customers and/or result in increased product costs that we may not be able to pass on to our customers, resulting in lower margins. Opening or expanding our customer fulfillment centers exposes us to risks of delays and may affect our operating results. Opening or expanding our customer fulfillment centers exposes us to risks of delays and may affect our operating results. In the future, as part of our long-term strategic planning, we may open new customer fulfillment centers to improve our efficiency, geographic distribution and market penetration. In addition, we intend to make, as we have in the past, capital improvements and operational enhancements to certain of our existing customer fulfillment centers. Moving or opening customer fulfillment centers and effecting such improvements requires a substantial capital investment, including expenditures for real estate and construction, and opening new customer fulfillment centers requires a substantial investment in inventory. Additionally, prior to and for some time following the commencement of operations of a new customer fulfillment center or the completion of the expansion of an existing customer fulfillment center, operating expenses as a percentage of sales, inventory turnover and return on investment will be adversely impacted.We establish insurance-related healthcare reserves based on historical claims experience and actuarial estimates, which could lead to adjustments in the future based on actual claims incurred. We establish insurance-related healthcare reserves based on historical claims experience and actuarial estimates, which could lead to adjustments in the future based on actual claims incurred. We retain a significant portion of the risk under our healthcare insurance program. In fiscal year 2021, we began self-insuring for costs associated with associates’ health needs, which is limited by stop-loss coverage. Our healthcare insurance program accruals are determined on an actuarial basis, based on historical claims experience and an estimate of claims incurred but not yet reported and other relevant factors. While we believe our estimation process is well designed, every estimation process is inherently subject to limitations. Fluctuations in the frequency, magnitude or number of claims make it difficult to predict the ultimate cost of claims and may lead to future adjustments of reported results of operations which, depending on the magnitude of such adjustments, may significantly affect our reported results or negatively affect the reliability of our reported results. An interruption of operations at our headquarters or customer fulfillment centers could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. An interruption of operations at our headquarters or customer fulfillment centers could adversely impact our business. Our business depends on maintaining operations at our co-located headquarters and customer fulfillment centers. A serious, prolonged interruption due to power outage, telecommunications outage, cyber-attack, terrorist attack, earthquake, storm, hurricane, flood, fire, drought, tornado and other extreme weather, widespread contagious disease or virus or other events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. A serious, prolonged interruption due to power outage, telecommunications outage, cyber-attack, terrorist attack, 16Table of Contentsearthquake, storm, hurricane, flood, fire, drought, tornado and other extreme weather, widespread contagious disease or virus or other interruption could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. Products that we sell may expose us to potential material liability for property damage, environmental damage, personal injury, or death linked to the use of those products by our customers. Certain of our customers operate in challenging industries which involve a material risk of catastrophic events. If any of these events are linked to the use of any of our products by our customers, claims could be brought against us by those customers, by governmental authorities, and by third parties who are injured or damaged as a result of such events. In addition, our reputation could be adversely affected by negative publicity surrounding such events regardless of whether or not claims against us are successful. We could experience significant losses as a result of claims made against us, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded as a result of our acquisitions could become impaired. As of August 31, 2024, our combined goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets amounted to $734. As of September 2, 2023, our combined goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets amounted to $729. 8 million.3 million. To the extent we do not generate sufficient cash flows to recover the net amount of any investment in goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets recorded, the investment could be considered impaired and subject to write-off. We expect to record further goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets as a result of future acquisitions we may complete. Future amortization of such assets or impairments, if any, of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets would adversely affect our results of operations in any given period. If the financial performance of our business was to decline significantly, we could incur a material non-cash charge to our income statement for the impairment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets. 16Table of ContentsClimate change and societal and governmental responses to climate change could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations, including indirectly through impacts on our customers.Concerns over the long-term impacts of climate change have led, and will continue to lead, to governmental efforts around the world to mitigate those impacts. Consumers and businesses also may change their behavior on their own as a result of concerns regarding the impact of climate change, governmental regulations and public perceptions. We and our customers will need to respond to new laws and regulations as well as consumer and business preferences resulting from climate change concerns. The impact on our customers will likely vary depending on their specific attributes, including reliance on or role in carbon intensive activities. Among the impacts to us could be a drop in demand for our products and services, particularly in certain sectors. Our efforts to take these risks into account, including by increasing our business with climate-friendly companies, may not be effective in protecting us from the negative impact of new laws and regulations or changes in consumer or business behavior.Furthermore, climate change may present additional physical risks to our operations and lead to an increased frequency of unusual or extreme weather conditions, which could disrupt our supply chain or harm or disrupt our operations or those of our customers or suppliers. Risks Related to Our IndebtednessThe terms of our credit facilities and senior notes impose operating and financial restrictions on us, which may limit our ability to respond to changing business and economic conditions.We currently have credit facilities and outstanding senior notes. For a description of these facilities and senior notes, please see Note 10, “Debt” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We are subject to various operating and financial covenants under the credit facilities and senior notes which restrict our ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make particular types of investments, incur certain types of liens, engage in fundamental corporate changes, enter into transactions with affiliates or make substantial asset sales. Any failure to comply with these covenants may constitute a breach under the credit facilities and senior notes, which could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of any outstanding indebtedness and the termination of revolving credit commitments. Additionally, as interest rates rise, there may be fewer alternatives to our existing credit facilities for raising additional capital or such alternatives may be more expensive.Our inability to maintain our committed and uncommitted credit facilities or to obtain additional financing could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, business, financial condition, or results of operations.Our inability to maintain our committed and uncommitted credit facilities could materially adversely affect our liquidity and our business. Our ability to manage our business and execute our business strategy is dependent, in part, on the continued availability of financing.Our ability to manage our business and execute our business strategy is dependent, in part, on the continued availability of financing. With respect to committed facilities, lenders may decline to renew or extend credit facilities, or they may require stricter terms and conditions with respect to future facilities, and we may not find these terms and conditions acceptable. With respect to uncommitted facilities, lenders may cease making loans or demand payment of outstanding loans, which may overly restrict our ability to conduct our business successfully and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. With respect to uncommitted facilities, lenders may cease making loans or demand payment of outstanding loans, which may overly restrict our ability to conduct our business successfully and adversely impact our liquidity and financial position. Our ability to obtain additional financing will be dependent on, among other things, our financial condition, prevailing market conditions, and numerous other factors beyond our control. Such additional financing may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Any inability to obtain financing on an as-needed basis could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.Risks Related to the ReclassificationThe Reclassification may not achieve the desired benefits for us or our shareholders. 17Table of ContentsRisks Related to the ReclassificationThe Reclassification may not achieve the desired benefits for us or our shareholders. The long-term impacts of the Reclassification are still unknown, and the Reclassification may not result in an increase in shareholder value or improve the liquidity and marketability of our equity. If the Reclassification is not viewed favorably by members of the investment community, it may impair the value of our Class A Common Stock and limit its liquidity and marketability. Furthermore, securities markets worldwide have experienced significant price and volume fluctuations in recent years. This market volatility, as well as general economic, market or political conditions, could cause a reduction in the market price and liquidity of shares of our Class A Common Stock.17Table of ContentsOur principal shareholders own a significant amount of our voting stock and have rights to nominate directors to our Board of Directors, and their interests may differ from those of our other shareholders.Our principal shareholders own a significant amount of our voting stock and have rights to nominate directors to our Board of Directors, and their interests may differ from those of our other shareholders. So long as the Jacobson / Gershwind Family Shareholders (as defined below), collectively, have beneficial or record ownership of at least 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, our Board of Directors will, subject to the procedures and limitations set forth in the Reclassification Agreement (as defined below), nominate two individuals designated by the Jacobson / Gershwind Family Shareholders for election to our Board of Directors at any annual meeting of our shareholders at which directors are to be elected. So long as the Jacobson / Gershwind Family Shareholders, collectively, have beneficial or record ownership of less than 10% but 5% or more of the issued and outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock, our Board of Directors will, subject to the procedures and limitations set forth in the Reclassification Agreement, nominate one individual designated by the Jacobson / Gershwind Family Shareholders for election to our Board of Directors at any annual meeting of our shareholders at which directors are to be elected.The amount of Class A Common Stock currently held by the Jacobson / Gershwind Family Shareholders, together with the foregoing director nomination rights, provide the Jacobson / Gershwind Family Shareholders with significant continued influence over our decisions. The interests of the Jacobson / Gershwind Family Shareholders with respect to matters potentially or actually involving or affecting us and our other shareholders, such as future acquisitions, financings and other corporate opportunities and attempts to acquire us, may differ from, or conflict with, the interests of our other shareholders.Risks Related to Information Technology and Intellectual PropertyThe growth of our digital platforms and E-commerce capabilities exposes us to particular risks, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.The implementation of our business strategy includes a commitment to technological innovation and the utilization of digital technologies, including the MSC website and other E-commerce capabilities. As our digital platforms have grown in recent years, we have increased, and expect to continue to increase, our investment in developing, managing and implementing technology information systems, proprietary software development, and other technological innovations to support our customers. In addition, we continue to invest in our Vendor Managed Inventory, Customer Managed Inventory, and vending solutions, which involve the use of vending machines that rely on network or web-based software. There could be material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, or results of operations if our customer-facing technology systems are perceived as more difficult or less compelling for customers to use than those of our competitors, if our digital marketing efforts are unsuccessful, or if we are otherwise unsuccessful at realizing the benefits of these investments. Ongoing changes in the legal and regulatory requirements surrounding data privacy, online tracking technologies such as cookies, digital advertising, and other similar matters could require us to modify our E-commerce strategy, incur significant additional costs to comply with such changes, or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The known material risks and uncertainties which may cause our operating results to vary from anticipated results or which may negatively affect our operating results and profitability are as follows:Risks Related to Our Business Our business depends heavily on the operating levels of our customers and the economic factors that affect them, including general economic conditions. We are also actively leveraging artificial intelligence (“AI”) in various contexts to improve customer experiences and drive efficiencies in certain areas of our business. As we continue to leverage, secure, and pilot the use of AI-driven technologies, we have increased and expect to continue to increase our investments in such technologies. While these innovations can present significant benefits to the Company, they also create risks and challenges. If investments in such technologies are less successful at attracting and retaining customers than similar investments by our competitors, or if we are otherwise unsuccessful at realizing the benefits of these technological investments generally, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.Maintaining our IT systems and complying with data privacy laws may incur significant, recurring costs.Our IT systems are an integral part of our business and growth strategies. In recent years, we have modified our business practices, which included a shift to a hybrid work schedule for many of our office-based associates. As a result, we are dependent upon our IT systems to operate our business and our ability to effectively manage our business depends on the security, reliability, and adequacy of our IT systems. We also depend upon our IT systems to help process orders, to manage inventory and accounts receivable collections, to manage financial reporting, to purchase, sell and ship products efficiently and on a timely basis, to maintain cost-effective operations, to operate our websites and to help provide superior service to our customers. We have made and continue to make investments in technology to protect our systems, 18Table of Contentscomputers, software, data and networks from attacks, damage or unauthorized access. We have made and continue to make investments in technology to protect our systems, computers, software, data and networks from attacks, damage or unauthorized access. We also have implemented numerous security protocols in order to strengthen security, and we maintain a customary cyber insurance policy, but there can be no assurance that breaches will not occur in the future or be covered by our insurance policy. The costs of maintaining our IT systems are significant and require recurring investment. In the past we have experienced, and may again in the future experience, challenges with our IT systems that have caused or may cause us to not realize expected benefits of investments into our IT systems.In addition to incurring continual costs to maintain cybersecurity, we also incur significant, recurring costs to comply with data privacy laws. Regulatory authorities have increased their focus on how companies collect, process, use, store, share and transmit personal data. Recent privacy security laws and regulations, including the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), the European Union General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR) that became effective May 2018, the California Consumer Protection Act that became effective January 2020, and other similar state privacy laws, pose increasingly complex compliance challenges, which may increase compliance costs, and any failure to comply with data privacy laws and regulations could result in significant penalties. New privacy security laws and regulations, including the United Kingdom’s Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA), the European Union General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR) that became effective May 2018, the California Consumer Protection Act that became effective on January 1, 2020, and other similar state privacy laws, pose increasingly complex compliance challenges, which may increase compliance costs, and any failure to comply with data privacy laws and regulations could result in significant penalties. Disruptions or breaches of our IT systems, or violations of data privacy laws, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. Our IT systems may be vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control or anticipation, such as catastrophic events, power outages, natural disasters, computer system or network failures, computer viruses and physical or electronic break-ins.Our IT systems may be vulnerable to damage or disruption caused by circumstances beyond our control or anticipation, such as catastrophic events, power outages, natural disasters, computer system or network failures, computer viruses, and physical or electronic break-ins. In addition, our IT systems may be vulnerable to cyber-attacks, including the use of malicious codes, worms, phishing, spyware, denial of service attacks and ransomware, all of which are rapidly evolving and becoming increasingly sophisticated. Despite our efforts to ensure the integrity of our IT systems, as cyber-attacks evolve and become more difficult to detect and successfully defend against, one or more cyber-attacks might defeat the measures that we take to anticipate, detect, avoid or mitigate these threats. These cyber-attacks and any unauthorized access or disclosure of our customers’ information could compromise and expose sensitive information and damage our reputation. Cyber-attacks could also cause us to incur significant remediation costs, including the possibility of government fines, disrupt our operations and divert management attention and key IT resources.Any material cyber-attack or failure of our IT systems to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and operations, result in transaction errors, the loss of data, processing inefficiencies, downtime, litigation, government investigation or fines, substantial remediation costs (including potential liability for stolen assets or information and the costs of repairing system damage), and the loss of sales and customers and damage our reputation. In addition, changes to our IT systems could disrupt our business operations. Any one or more of these consequences could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, our suppliers and customers also rely upon IT systems to operate their respective businesses. If any of our suppliers or customers experience a cyber-attack or other cyber incident, this could adversely affect their operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The loss of, or a substantial decrease in, the availability of products or services from key suppliers or contractors at competitive prices, or the loss of a key brand, could cause our revenues and profitability to decrease. Our E-commerce channels are subject to risks related to online payment methods and other online transactions, including through purchasing platforms.We accept a variety of payment methods via our E-commerce channels, including credit card, debit card and other payment methods and other online transactions. Although we generally rely on third parties to facilitate E-commerce payments and payment processing services, we may become subject to additional compliance requirements regarding these transactions and may also suffer losses from online fraudulent transactions on our E-commerce channels. In addition, we must pay certain transaction fees relating to these transactions, which may increase over time and could have a material adverse effect on product margin, profitability and operating costs. Our E-commerce channels may become subject to further rules and regulations, and changes in these rules and regulations, or their interpretation, could increase costs and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.General Risk FactorsWe have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting and, as a result of which, have determined that our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of August 31, 2024. A failure to remediate this material weakness, and to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures in the future, may result in a misstatement of our financial statements or the failure to detect such a misstatement.19Table of ContentsThe Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP. As required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we perform an evaluation of and report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures, and our independent registered public accounting firm provides an opinion attesting to the effectiveness of such controls and procedures. The rules governing the standard that must be met for management to assess the adequacy of our internal control over financial reporting are complex and require significant documentation, testing and, where a deficiency is identified, remediation.As discussed in more detail in Part II, Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures” below, management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2024 identified a material weakness relating to deficiencies in the operating effectiveness of our information technology general controls (“ITGCs”) relating to user access for certain information technology systems that support financial reporting processes for revenue and inventory transactions (the ITGC Material Weakness). As a result of the ITGC Material Weakness, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of August 31, 2024. Although we have not identified any misstatements in our consolidated financial statements as a result of the ITGC Material Weakness, and our independent registered public accounting firm has expressed an unqualified opinion with respect to the consolidated financial statements in its report within Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, the identified control deficiencies created the reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements would not have been prevented or detected on a timely basis. Our management has commenced remediating the ITGC Material Weakness, however such remediation steps are ongoing.If we fail to remediate the ITGC Material Weakness and maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures in the future, our ability to accurately report financial information and prepare financials statements could be adversely affected and cause us to misstate our interim or annual financial statements, fail to meet our reporting obligations, incur significant expense, negatively impact investor confidence and adversely impact the price of our securities.Our success is dependent on certain key management personnel.Our success depends largely on the efforts and abilities of certain key members of our senior management. The loss or disruption of the services of one or more of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. The loss or disruption of the services of one or more of such key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results. We do not maintain any key-man insurance policies with respect to any of our executive officers.We are subject to litigation risk due to the nature of our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.We are subject to litigation risk due to the nature of our business, which may have a material adverse effect on our business. From time to time, we are involved in lawsuits or other legal proceedings that arise from business transactions or the operation of our business. Due to the nature of our business, these proceedings may, for example, relate to product liability claims, commercial disputes or employment matters. In addition, we could face claims over other matters, such as claims arising from our status as a government contractor, intellectual property matters, or corporate or securities law matters. The defense and ultimate outcome of lawsuits or other legal proceedings may result in higher operating expenses, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.We may encounter difficulties with acquisitions and other strategic transactions which could harm our business.We have completed several acquisitions and we expect to continue to pursue acquisitions and other strategic transactions, such as joint ventures, that we believe will either expand or complement our business in new or existing markets or further enhance the value and offerings we are able to provide to our existing or future potential customers. Acquisitions and other strategic transactions present numerous risks and challenges, which could harm our business, including:•the diversion of management’s attention from the normal operation of our business;•the potential loss of key associates and customers of the acquired companies;•difficulties managing and integrating operations in geographically dispersed locations;•the potential for deficiencies in internal controls at the acquired companies;•increases in our expenses and working capital requirements, which reduce our return on invested capital;•the lack of experience operating in the geographic market or industry sector of the acquired companies; and•the exposure to unanticipated liabilities of the acquired companies.20Table of ContentsTo integrate acquired businesses, we must implement our management information systems, operating systems and internal controls, and assimilate and manage the personnel of the acquired operations.To integrate acquired businesses, we must implement our management information systems, operating systems and internal controls, and assimilate and manage the personnel of the acquired operations. The difficulties of this integration may be further complicated by geographic distances. The difficulties of this 19Table of Contentsintegration may be further complicated by geographic distances. The integration of acquired businesses may not be successful and could result in disruption to other parts of our business.We are subject to environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. We are subject to federal, state, local, foreign and provincial environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with applicable environmental, health, and safety requirements and for failure to obtain or to comply with the terms and conditions of required permits. Fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements and the failure to have or to comply with the terms and conditions of required permits. The failure by us to comply with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements could result in fines, penalties, enforcement actions, third-party claims for property damage and personal injury, requirements to clean up property or to pay for the costs of cleanup, or regulatory or judicial orders requiring corrective measures, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. Additionally, such actions could negatively impact our reputation in the impacted geographic market and more broadly.Social and environmental responsibility policies and provisions may be difficult to comply with and may impose costs on us.There is an increasing focus on corporate social and environmental responsibility in our industry. An increasing number of our customers have adopted, or may adopt, procurement policies that include social and environmental responsibility provisions that their suppliers should comply with, or they may seek to include such provisions in their procurement terms and conditions. This corporate social and environmental responsibility influence is expanding to other stakeholders such as investors, suppliers, associates and communities. We currently voluntarily comply with the sustainability standards set forth by various sustainability initiatives and organizations. These social and environmental responsibility practices, policies, provisions and initiatives are subject to change, can be unpredictable, and may be difficult and expensive for us to comply with. In addition, the failure by us to take action or otherwise comply with the policies of our customers may negatively impact our customer relationships or reputation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations. In addition, the failure by us to take action or otherwise comply with the policies of our customers may negatively impact our customer relationships or reputation, which may adversely impact our business and results of operations. ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS.None.ITEM 1C.ITEM 1A. CYBERSECURITYWe have established controls for identifying, assessing and managing material risks from cybersecurity threats that could adversely affect our information systems or the information residing on those systems. These include a combination of policies, procedures, technologies and safe-guards (based on frameworks such as Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (“CMMC”) and Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) that are designed to prevent, detect, and mitigate data loss, theft, misuse, unauthorized access, and other security incidents or vulnerabilities affecting our systems and data, and to assess and evaluate the risk of such incidents and vulnerabilities. Additionally, we have processes in place designed to oversee and identify material risks from cybersecurity threats associated with our use of third-party technology and systems, including our cloud computing platforms. As part of our risk management process, we conduct application security assessments, security audits, third-party penetration testing, vulnerability assessments and ongoing risk assessments. We also maintain a variety of incident response plans that are utilized when incidents are detected. Associates of the Company complete an annual cybersecurity training program in which specific threats and scenarios are highlighted based on the cyber risk management team’s analysis of current cyber risks to the Company or as required by regulatory frameworks. Simulated phishing tests are conducted with associates on a regular basis to provide training and awareness against scams and fraudulent communications. Associates also receive ongoing communications regarding the importance of guarding against phishing, social engineering and other cyberattack vectors. In addition to our in-house cybersecurity capabilities, at times, we also engage consultants, auditors or other third parties to assist with assessing, identifying and managing cybersecurity risks. We maintain cybersecurity insurance and regularly review our policy and levels of coverage based on current risks. Our cyber management team, led by our Vice President of Information Security, is tasked with implementing and maintaining centralized cybersecurity and data protection practices in close coordination with MSC’s leadership team and 21Table of Contentsother teams across the Company. Our Vice President of Information Security has extensive cybersecurity knowledge and skills gained from over 25 years of work experience across multiple verticals. Reporting to our Vice President of Information Security are a number of experienced information security professionals responsible for various parts of our business, including Architecture and Engineering, Identity and Access Management, Security Operations, and Governance, Risk and Compliance programs, each of which is supported by a team of trained cybersecurity professionals.The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) oversees our financial and risk management policies, including risk management policies and programs related to cybersecurity designed to monitor, mitigate and respond to cyber risks, threats, and reports. The Audit Committee receives regular reports from the Vice President of Information Security on, among other things, the Company’s cyber risks and threats, the status of projects to strengthen the Company’s information security systems, assessments of the Company’s cybersecurity program and the emerging cyber threat landscape. Additionally, the Audit Committee has engaged a consulting firm to serve in the role of a cybersecurity advisor to the Audit Committee. In fulfilling this role, the consultant will engage with the Vice President of Information Security and other associates of the Company to evaluate the Company’s cybersecurity maturity and advise the Audit Committee on cybersecurity gaps, best practices and industry trends on an ongoing basis. Any failure to comply with these covenants may constitute a breach under the credit facilities and senior notes, which could result in the acceleration of all or a substantial portion of any outstanding indebtedness and the termination of revolving credit commitments. Our business strategy, results of operations and financial condition have not been materially affected by risks from cybersecurity threats, but we cannot provide assurance that we will not be materially affected in the future by such risks or future cybersecurity incidents. For more information on our cybersecurity related risks, see Item 1A.

Risk Factors of this Annual Report on Form 10-K..