https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2022-11/AVNT Q3 2022 Earnings Presentation - Website Final.pdf
Additionally, Adjusted EPS excludes the impact of special items and amortization expense associated with intangible assets.2 T RAN S FO R MAT IO NAL OVE RV IE W Avient Protective Materials Dyneema ® RECENT TRANSACTIONS Acquired Divested $1.45 B $0.95 B 4 Distribution UPDATED CAPITAL STRUCTURE & LIQUIDITY • Proceeds from completed sale of Distribution used to pay near-term maturing debt to strengthen balance sheet • Fixed/floating debt ratio of ~55/45 • Proven track record of deleveraging following major acquisitions through strong free cash flow generation • 2022 pro forma net debt/adjusted EBITDA expected to be 3.1x $725 $725 $575 $500 $600 $525 $650 $650 $600 Capital Structure Cash $544 Undrawn Revolver $250 Liquidity $3.15B $2.40B 2030 Notes 2029 Term Loan 2026 Term Loan 2025 Notes 2023 Notes After Dyneema Acquisition After Distribution Divestiture $794M (1) (1) $250M reflects estimated undrawn revolver following the divestiture of Distribution 5 PREVIOUS TRANSACTIONS Performance Solutions Products & $0.8 B COLOR $1.4 B Acquired (2020)Divested (2019) 6 • Acquisition of Clariant Color business significantly expanded presence in healthcare, packaging and consumer end markets • Strength of portfolio – double-digit annual EBITDA growth since acquisition • $75 million of realized synergies anticipated in 2022 • Acquisition completed on July 1, 2020 for $1.45 billion.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2022 Three Months Ended September 30, 2021 Reconciliation to Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income $ EPS $ EPS Net (loss) income from continuing operations attributable to Avient shareholders $ (27.4) $ (0.30) $ 33.7 $ 0.37 Special items, after tax (Attachment 3) 68.3 0.75 11.7 0.13 Amortization expense, after-tax 13.4 0.14 $ 11.0 $ 0.11 Adjusted net income / EPS $ 54.3 $ 0.59 $ 56.4 $ 0.61 2009* 2012* 2015 2018 Net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient common shareholders $ 106.7 $ 53.3 $ 144.6 $ 161.1 Joint venture equity earnings, after tax (19.0) — — — Special items, before tax (48.7) 55.1 87.6 59.5 Special items, tax adjustments (27.2) (18.9) (58.7) (25.3) Amortization expense, after tax 1.8 8.3 10.4 19.5 Adjusted net income from continuing operations attributable to Avient common shareholders $ 13.6 $ 97.8 $ 183.9 $ 214.8 Diluted shares 93.4 89.8 88.7 80.4 Adjusted EPS attributable to Avient common shareholders $ 0.15 $ 1.09 $ 2.08 $ 2.67 * Historical results have been updated to reflect subsequent changes to accounting principle and discontinued operations, excluding any changes as a result of discontinued operations from the sale of the Designed Structures and Solutions segment (DSS) and the Performance Products and Solutions segment (PP&S). 1 Year Ended December 31, Reconciliation to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA: 2006 2018 Sales $ 2,622.4 $ 3,533.4 Net income from continuing operations – GAAP $ 133.5 $ 160.8 Income tax expense 29.7 36.4 Interest expense 63.1 62.8 Depreciation and amortization 57.1 91.5 EBITDA $ 283.4 $ 351.5 Special items, before tax (34.0) 59.5 Depreciation and amortization included in special items — (3.0) JV - equity income (107.0) — Adjusted EBITDA $ 142.4 $ 408.0 EBITDA as a % of sales 5.4 % 11.5 % Reconciliation of Color, Additives and Inks EBITDA Q3 2022 Q3 2021 Operating Income 68.6 66.8 Depreciation and amortization 24.2 26.6 EBITDA 92.8 $ 93.4 Reconciliation of Specialty Engineered Materials EBITDA Q3 2022 Q3 2021 SEM(1) Pro forma APM(1) Pro forma SEM SEM Pro forma APM Pro forma SEM Operating Income 31.4 6.3 37.7 30.0 13.9 43.9 Depreciation and amortization 12.9 10.9 23.8 7.9 18.4 26.3 EBITDA $ 44.3 $ 17.2 $ 61.5 $ 37.9 $ 32.3 $ 70.2 Reconciliation of Specialty Engineered Pro Forma Sales Q3 2022 Q3 2021 Sales 258.2 231.7 Pro forma APM(1) 60.7 94.1 Pro forma sales $ 318.9 $ 325.8 Reconciliation of Avient Pro Forma Sales Q3 2022 Q3 2021 Sales 823.3 818.0 Pro forma APM(1) 60.7 94.1 Pro forma sales $ 884.0 $ 912.1 (1) - Q3 2022 SEM results reflect one month of APM’s results while owned by Avient, as the acquisition closed on September 1, 2022.
The Q3 2022 "Pro Forma APM" adjustments reflect periods prior to the acquisition date and are preliminary estimates for APM’s results for the months of July and August. 2 Reconciliation of Avient consolidated pro forma EBITDA Q3 2022 Q3 2021 Avient(1) Pro forma APM(1) Pro forma Avient Avient Pro forma APM Pro forma Avient Net income from continuing operations (27.8) 3.9 (23.9) 33.4 0.3 33.7 Income tax expense (1.2) 0.6 (0.6) 2.0 2.5 4.5 Interest expense 37.3 1.8 39.1 19.0 11.2 30.2 Depreciation and amortization 39.8 10.9 50.7 36.6 18.4 55.0 EBITDA 48.1 17.2 65.3 91.0 32.4 123.4 Special items, before tax 82.0 — 82.0 19.9 — 19.9 Interest expense included in special items (10.0) — (10.0) — — — Depreciation included in special items (0.8) — (0.8) (0.9) — (0.9) Adjusted EBITDA $ 119.3 $ 17.2 $ 136.5 $ 110.0 $ 32.4 $ 142.4 (1) - Q3 2022 Avient results reflect one month of APM’s results while owned by Avient, as the acquisition closed on September 1, 2022.
https://www.avient.com/resources/safety-data-sheets?page=4399
STAN-TONE MB- SP 55 PINK
https://www.avient.com/company/sustainability/sustainability-report/metrics/planet-data-and-metrics
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https://www.avient.com/investor-center/news/polyone-completes-clariant-masterbatch-acquisition-announces-new-name-avient-corporation
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https://www.avient.com/news/plastics-and-rubber-thailand-2024-include-avients-showcase-specialty-and-sustainable-materials
reSound™ REC TPEs: specially developed for automotive interiors, formulated with 55% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content to offer a more sustainable alternative to standard TPE grades without compromising performance criteria such as ultraviolet (UV) stability, low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, low odor, and low fogging in applications such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) nozzles, interior mats, and cup holders
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2025-03/2025 Proxy Statement.pdf
Goff 68 2011 Yes M C Neil Green 55 2021 Yes M M William R.
Director since: 2021 Age: 55 ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS PROXY STATEMENT 2025 | Annual Meeting of Shareholders 14 William R.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS PROXY STATEMENT 2025 | Annual Meeting of Shareholders 55 Retirement of Mr.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2021-10/microbial-susceptibility-of-various-polymers-and-evaluation.pdf
Woodhead Publishing Limited, Cambridge, England 2010, p. 55. [7] U.S.
Chandler, I.
https://www.avient.com/sites/default/files/2020-03/Global_High_Yield_%26_Leverage_Conference %281%29.pdf
V I S I O N PolyOne Corporation 4 To be the world’s premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions C O R E V A L U E S P E R S O N A L V A L U E S Honesty IntegrityRespect Operational Excellence Commercial Excellence Specialization Globalization Collaboration ExcellenceInnovation To be the world’s premier provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions S A F E T Y F I R S T PolyOne Corporation 5 Injuries per 100 Workers Spartech Acquisition 1.3 1.1 1.1 0.85 0.65 0.57 0.54 0.97 0.84 0.74 0.74 0.69 0.51 0.56 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 C O M M O D I T Y T O S P E C I A L T Y T R A N S F O R M A T I O N PolyOne Corporation 6 • Volume driven, commodity production • Heavily tied to cyclical end markets • Performance largely dependent on non- controlling joint ventures • Shift to value-based selling & an innovative culture • New leadership team appointed • Implementation of four pillar strategy • Investment in commercial training and innovation • Faster growing, high margin focus • Accelerated growth with world class vitality index • Significant commercial resource additions • Expanded margins with specialty focus • Acquired strategic, bolt-on companies to expand technology offerings and improve geographic breadth Volume Value Transformation The Future 2006 - 2013 2013 – 20192000-2005 2006 - 2013 • Landmark portfolio transformation creates specialty growth company • Sustainability / mega- trends drive above market growth 2020 and Beyond PolyOne Corporation 7 P O L Y O N E 2 0 1 9 R E V E N U E | $ 2 . 9 B I L L I O N Segment End Market Geography Transportation 15% Healthcare 15% Industrial 14% Packaging 13% Consumer 12% Wire & Cable 11% Building & Construction 6% Electrical & Electronics 6% Textiles 5% Appliance 3% Color Additives & Inks 34% Distribution 41% Specialty Engineered Materials 25% United States 54% Europe 19% Asia 11% Latin America 11% Canada 5% P R O O F O F P E RFO RMAN CE C O N S E C U T I V E Y E A R S 10 A D J U S T E D E P S E X P A N S I O N PolyOne Corporation 8 $1.69 $1.51 S U S T A I N A B L E P A T H T O D O U B L E - D I G I T E P S G R O W T H PolyOne Corporation 9 P E O P L E P R O D U C T S P L A N E T P E R F O R M A N C E Double digit annual EPS growth Expand specialty portfolio with strategic acquisitions Innovate and develop new technologies and services Repurchase 600K-1M shares annually Increase commercial resources 5-7% annually Double acquired company margins Enhance efficiencies through Lean Six Sigma and commercial excellence 531 710 1,042 130 164 208 504 663 880 2014 2018 2019E PF* R&D / Technical Marketing Sales PolyOne Corporation 10 + 34% + 26% + 32% E X P A N S I O N O F COMMERCIAL RESOURCES D R I V I N G G R O W T H $2.9 $2.9 $3.5 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019E PF Total + 9% Organic + 5% Revenue in Billions Total + 10% Organic + 7%+ 47% + 27% + 33% $4.0 $3.2 2019E PF* * 2019E Pro Forma for PP&S Divestiture and Clariant Masterbatch business Lead Specialists T H E E V O L V I N G C U S T O M E R R E L A T I O N S H I P PolyOne Corporation 11 Expanded Path Traditional Path Strategic Accounts/ Field Sales Business Development Customer Service Web and Social Media Inside Sales PolyOne Corporation 12 Investments in digital and dedicated inside sales to improve customer experience 110% increase in leads (from 6,000 to 12,700) driven by website, phone, and online chat EXPANDED PATH A D D I N G C U S T O M E R T O U C H P O I N T S 4 33 2014 2019 Inside sellers $11M $87M 2014 2019 Inside sales/digital revenue A L I G N I N G W I T H T R E N D S F O R G R O W T H T R A N S P O R T A T I O N P A C K A G I N G H E A L T H C A R E C O N S U M E R PolyOne Corporation 13 Facilitate alternative energy solutions Light- weighting Reduce packaging materials Improve recyclability Reduce spread of infection R E V E N U E F R O M S U S T A I N A B L E S O L U T I O N S PolyOne Corporation 14 2016 2017 2018 2019 Lightweighting Reduced Material Requirements Improved Recyclability Renewable Energy Applications Eco-conscious Bio-derived Content Reduced Energy Use VOC Reduction $275M $325M $355M $410M 14% Total Annual Growth 9% Organic Annual Growth I N N O V A T I O N PolyOne Corporation 15 Customization 55% M&A 30% Innovation Pipeline 15% Innovation comes from Research & Development Spend ($ millions) Vitality Index % of sales from products launched last 5 years 12% 37% 2006 2019 $20 $51 2006 2019 Transformational Opportunity for Growth Through M&A Adjacent Opportunity for Growth Through New Product Pipeline Core Customization 3 H O R I Z O N S O F D E V E L O P M E N T PolyOne Corporation 16 Incremental development from existing base of technology New development adjacent to current technology New technology development outside of and with our current base Service adjacent markets and customers Create new markets, target new customer needs Service existing markets and customers Market Technical I N N O V A T I O N Non-Halogen Flame Retardants Barrier Technologies Fiber Colorants Advanced Composites Thermoplastic Elastomers Gordon Composites/ Polystrand – Composites GLS – Thermoplastic Elastomers ColorMatrix – Liquid Color & Additives PlastiComp Fiber-Line I N N O V A T I O N S P O T L I G H T : C O M P O S I T E S PolyOne Corporation 17 C O M P O S I T E M A T E R I A L S Glass Carbon Aramid Thermosets Thermoplastics PolymersFibers PolyOne Corporation 18 Focused End Markets • Wire & Cable / Electrical • Consumer • Transportation • Industrial C O M P O S I T E S P O R T F O L I O D I V E R S E C A P A B I L I T I E S A N D S O L U T I O N S S E R V I N G M A N U F A C T U R E R S A N D O E M S PolyOne Corporation 19 LFT Tapes Laminates/Panels Shapes Pultrusion Engineered Fibers P O L Y O N E A P P L I C A T I O N S I N F I B E R O P T I C C A B L E S PolyOne Corporation 20 1.
Leverage PolyOne’s global reach Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 18-20% operating margins Invest in commercial resources I N V E S T - T O - G R O W P R O O F O F P E R F O R M A N C E PolyOne Corporation 24 Commercial Resources Operating Income ($ in millions) Operating Margins 256 309 At Acquisition Today $36 $100 At Acquisition Today 9% 19% At Acquisition Today Established Acquisitions (> 7 years) + 20% + 165% + 1000 bps CLARIANT MASTERBATCH ACQUISITION DRIVES NEXT LEVEL SPECIALTY TRANSFORMATION ACCELER ATING GR OWTH WITH SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS T R A N S F O R M A T I O N H E A D L I N E S PolyOne Corporation 26 F I T W I T H F O U R P I L L A R S T R A T E G Y PolyOne Corporation 27 Specialization • Innovation-led organization with heavy emphasis on R&D • World-class expertise in color formulation • Strong presence in specialty end markets including Consumer, Packaging and Healthcare Globalization • Diverse geographic portfolio with an established presence in every major region • Expands PolyOne’s ability to serve customers in key growth areas including India, China and Southeast Asia Operational Excellence • Extensive manufacturing footprint with 46 facilities • Organizational focus on optimizing supply chain to better serve customers • Color design expertise Commercial Excellence • Value-focused salesforce with vast experience marketing and commercializing specialty technologies • Diverse customer portfolio with established OEM’s People Experienced and talented associates with a winning mentality E N D M A R K E T T R A N S F O R M A T I O N PolyOne Corporation 28 Building & Construction 5% 2006 2019E PF* 4% 12% 10% 18% 8% 20% 2006 2019E PF* Healthcare Consumer Packaging 50% 22% High Growth End Markets Percentage of Total Revenue 38% * 2019E Pro Forma for PP&S Divestiture and Clariant Masterbatch business E N D M A R K E T T R A N S F O R M A T I O N PolyOne Corporation 29 Packaging 8% Building & Construction 38% Wire & Cable 11% Industrial 10% Electrical & Electronic 7% 2006 2019E PF* Healthcare 4% Transportation 12% Consumer 18% Building & Construction 5% Wire & Cable 6% Industrial 12% Electrical & Electronic 5% Appliance 3% Textiles 6% Transportation 13% Healthcare 12% Packaging 20% Consumer 10% * 2019E Pro Forma for PP&S Divestiture and Clariant Masterbatch business C O M P L E M E N T A R Y G E O G R A P H I C P R E S E N C E PolyOne Corporation 30 United States 38% Europe 33% Asia 19% Canada 4% Latin America 6% United States 22% Europe & Middle East 48% Asia 23% Canada 1% Latin America 6% Color & Engineered Materials Clariant Masterbatch Business Net Sales by Geographic Region United States 31% Europe & Middle East 39% Asia 21% Canada 3% Latin America 6% Pro Forma Color & Engineered Materials U N I F I E D F O C U S O N S U S T A I N A B I L I T Y PolyOne Corporation 31 2006 - 2013 2013 – 2019 PEO PLE PRO D U C TS PLA N ET PER FO R M A N C E PolyOne Clariant Masterbatch Business • Building mini-recycling plants to facilitate customer projects on design for recycling - CycleWorks • Uses packaging additives & colorants to improve recyclability and enhance automated sorting • Manufactures oxygen scavengers to extend shelf-life of perishable items and reduce material requirements • Combines UV-blocking additive colorants & other barriers to prevent spoilage and waste • Offers spin-dyeing solutions that use significantly less water than traditional methods, allowing for sustainable coloration of textiles • Produces infrared absorbing additives that reduce energy requirements for bottle manufacturing ($ in millions) PolyOne (Continuing Operations) Clariant Color & Additive Masterbatch Business Synergies New PolyOne 2019 Total Sales $2,863 $1,150 $4,013 2019 Adjusted EBITDA $309 $130 $60 $499 % Margin 10.8% 11.3% 12.4% 2019 CapEx $68 $85 % Sales 2.4% 2.1% 2019 Free Cash Flow $161 $250 2019 Adjusted EPS $1.69 $2.22 2019 PF Adjusted EPS $1.69 $2.54 P O L Y O N E + C L A R I A N T M A S T E R B A T C H B U S I N E S S PolyOne Corporation 32 (1) Excludes step-up of depreciation & amortization related to purchase accounting of transaction (1) $0.85/share O V E R 8 5 % O F A D J U S T E D E B I T D A F R O M S P E C I A L T Y PolyOne Corporation 33 46% 66% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 2005 2010 2015 2019E PF % o f A d ju st e d E B IT D A * JV's Performance Products & Solutions Distribution Specialty 7% 87% * Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA excluding corporate costs and special items ** 2019E Pro Forma for PP&S Divestiture and Clariant Masterbatch business acquisition with synergies Specialty EBITDA $14M $117M $273M $500M ** T R A N S A C T I O N O V E R V I E W • Expected mid-2020, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions Closing Conditions / Timing • Committed financing in place • Permanent financing to be combination of available cash on-hand, new debt and equity component to limit leverage • Equity issuance of $500MM • Target net leverage below 3.5x, 3.1x synergized PolyOne Corporation 36 • $1.45 B net purchase price • Represents 11.1x adjusted EBITDA (excluding synergies), 7.6x adjusted EBITDA (including synergies) • Pre-tax synergies of $60MM expected to be fully realized by the end of 2023 • Synergies realized from sourcing, operational, technology / commercial, and general administrative Transaction Value Synergies Financing Estimated Synergy Breakdown $60MM • Expect EBITDA synergies of $60MM – Proven integration expertise with a decade of acquisition experience – Administrative synergies reflect reduction of duplicative internal and third-party costs • Run rate synergies of $20MM by the end of Year 1 with $60MM achieved by the end of Year 3 • Significant additional opportunity for geographical expansion – Clariant Masterbatch business has complementary regional presence in key growth areas including India & Southeast Asia • Opportunity to accelerate growth with a combined portfolio of innovative solutions aligned with sustainability megatrends Sourcing 40% Operational 30% Administrative 30% PolyOne Corporation 37 S I G N I F I C A N T S Y N E R G Y O P P O R T U N I T I E S $450 $600 $624 $743 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 A T T R A C T I V E F I N A N C I N G S T R U C T U R E Attractive Debt Maturity Profile Existing Revolver Existing Senior Notes Existing Term Loan B New Debt Financing Financing Summary Terms on New Debt • $465 million of cash from the balance sheet expected to fund a portion of the purchase price • Bridge financing for remainder fully committed from Citi, Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo • Permanent financing expected to include a combination of long-term debt and new equity • The timing of the permanent financing is subject to a number of factors, including, but not limited to, market conditions • PolyOne is committed to preserving a strong balance sheet – Target net leverage at close below 3.5x, excluding synergies • Pro forma capital structure positions PolyOne with flexibility to pursue continued growth strategy • New financing expected to have same or better covenant package than existing capital structure • Capital structure would be “covenant lite” Capital Policy • Transaction in line with PolyOne’s disciplined capital allocation policy • Existing PolyOne dividend policy to be maintained • Focus on deleveraging in the near term 2028+ PolyOne Corporation 38 PolyOne Corporation 37 $0.16 $0.20 $0.24 $0.32 $0.40 $0.48 $0.54 $0.70 $0.78 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Cumulative Share Repurchases (In millions) $0 $150 $300 $450 $600 $750 $900 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 $917M R E T U R N I N G C A S H T O S H A R E H O L D E R S O V E R $ 1 . 2 B I L L I O N S I N C E 2 0 1 1 PolyOne Corporation Increasing Annual Dividend 38 $0.81 PolyOne Corporation 39 W H Y I N V E S T I N P O L Y O N E ?
Service:�The Timeless differentiator Talent development IQ DESIGN LSS CUSTOMER FIRST Innovating with PolyOne COLOR, ADDITIVES & INKS Color, Additives & Inks Specialty Engineered Materials Specialty Engineered Materials DISTRIBUTION Overview of RAW MATERIAL PURCHASES Target end markets & �application examples Slide Number 52 Slide Number 53 Slide Number 54 Slide Number 55 Slide Number 56 Slide Number 57 Slide Number 58 Slide Number 59 Slide Number 60 Slide Number 61 Slide Number 62 Slide Number 63 Slide Number 64 Slide Number 65
https://www.avient.com/news/polyone-celebrates-grand-opening-new-facility-india
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: changes in the economy in India; our ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from the realignment of assets, including the planned closure of certain manufacturing facilities; the timing of closings and shifts of production to new facilities related to asset realignments and any unforeseen disruptions of service or quality caused by such closings and/or production shifts; separation and severance amounts that differ from original estimates, amounts for non-cash charges related to asset write-offs and accelerated depreciation realignments of property, plant and equipment, that differ from original estimates; our ability to identify and evaluate acquisition targets and consummate acquisitions; the ability to successfully integrate acquired companies into our operations, retain the management teams of acquired companies and retain relationships with customers of acquired companies including without limitation Spartech Corporation; disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; the financial condition of our customers, including the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability; the speed and extent of an economic recovery, including the recovery of the housing market; our ability to achieve new business gains; the effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; changes in polymer consumption growth rates where we conduct business; changes in global industry capacity or in the rate at which anticipated changes in industry capacity come online; fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply and in energy prices and supply; production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; an inability to achieve or delays in achieving or achievement of less than the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to working capital reductions, cost reductions and employee productivity goals; an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; an inability to maintain appropriate relations with unions and employees; our ability to continue to pay cash dividends; the amount and timing of repurchases of our common shares, if any; and other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including, without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates and changes in the rate of inflation.
https://www.avient.com/news/polyone-announces-25-increase-quarterly-dividend
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those implied by these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: our ability to realize anticipated savings and operational benefits from the realignment of assets, including the planned closure of certain manufacturing facilities; the timing of closings and shifts of production to new facilities related to asset realignments and any unforeseen disruptions of service or quality caused by such closings and/or production shifts; our ability to identify and evaluate acquisition targets and consummate acquisitions; the ability to successfully integrate acquired companies into our operations, retain the management teams of acquired companies and retain relationships with customers of acquired companies including without limitations Spartech Corporation; disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in the credit markets that could adversely impact the availability of credit already arranged and the availability and cost of credit in the future; the financial condition of our customers, including the ability of customers (especially those that may be highly leveraged and those with inadequate liquidity) to maintain their credit availability; the speed and extent of an economic recovery, including the recovery of the housing market; our ability to achieve new business gains; the effect on foreign operations of currency fluctuations, tariffs and other political, economic and regulatory risks; changes in polymer consumption growth rates where we conduct business; changes in global industry capacity or in the rate at which anticipated changes in industry capacity come online; fluctuations in raw material prices, quality and supply and in energy prices and supply; production outages or material costs associated with scheduled or unscheduled maintenance programs; unanticipated developments that could occur with respect to contingencies such as litigation and environmental matters; an inability to achieve or delays in achieving or achievement of less than the anticipated financial benefit from initiatives related to working capital reductions, cost reductions and employee productivity goals; an inability to raise or sustain prices for products or services; an inability to maintain appropriate relations with unions and employees; our ability to continue to pay cash dividends; the amount and timing of repurchases of our common shares, if any; and other factors affecting our business beyond our control, including, without limitation, changes in the general economy, changes in interest rates and changes in the rate of inflation.