TELEFLEX INC (TFX) FY 2024 MD&A
This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.
Overview
We are a global provider of medical technology products focused on enhancing clinical benefits, improving patient and provider safety and reducing total procedural costs. We primarily design, develop, manufacture and supply medical devices used by hospitals and healthcare providers for common diagnostic and therapeutic procedures in critical care and surgical applications. Approximately 92% of our net revenues come from single-use medical devices. We market and sell our products worldwide through a combination of our direct sales force and distributors. Because our products are used in numerous markets and for a variety of procedures, we are not dependent upon any one end-market or procedure. We are focused on achieving consistent, sustainable and profitable growth by increasing our market share and improving our operating efficiencies.
We evaluate our portfolio of products and businesses on an ongoing basis to ensure alignment with our overall objectives. Based on our evaluation, we may seek to optimize utilization of our facilities through restructuring initiatives designed to further reduce our cost base and enhance our competitive position. In addition, we may continue to explore opportunities to expand the size of our business and improve our margins through a combination of acquisitions and distributor to direct sales conversions, which generally involve our elimination of a distributor from the sales channel, either by acquiring the distributor or terminating the distributor relationship (in some instances, the conversions involve our acquisition or termination of a master distributor and the continued sale of our products through sub-distributors). Our distributor to direct sales conversions are designed to facilitate improved product pricing and more direct access to the end users of our products within the sales channel. Further, we may identify opportunities to expand our margins through strategic divestitures of existing businesses and product lines that no longer meet our objectives.
Goodwill Impairment
Our goodwill impairment testing is performed annually during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year in addition to periods where changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of our goodwill assets may not be recoverable. During the second quarter of 2024, we identified indicators of a potential impairment related to our Interventional Urology North America reporting unit (the “IU reporting unit”), included within our Americas operating segment. The indicators of a potential impairment primarily arose from lower than anticipated sales results from our UroLift product line (“UroLift"), primarily driven by the adverse impact of persistent end-market challenges within the U.S. office site of service. We performed a quantitative impairment test of the reporting unit using both the income and the market approaches, and no impairment to goodwill was recognized in the second quarter of 2024 as the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying value. During the third quarter of 2024, the IU reporting unit performed largely in line with the forecast used in the second quarter 2024 quantitative fair value test.
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In connection with preparing the financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, we performed our annual impairment test for goodwill and determined that the carrying value of the IU reporting unit exceeded its fair value. Consequently, we recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $240 million in the goodwill impairment line in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The charge was primarily driven by updates to our UroLift forecast, done as part of our annual operating plan process, which reflects management's expectations of a prolonged period of subdued revenue growth due to persistent end-market challenges and changes in competitive pressures in the short to mid-term. Moreover, we anticipate that challenges related to a combination of price, mainly within the office site of service, and volume, will likely continue to impact growth rates.
As of December 31, 2024, goodwill of the IU reporting unit was $403.9 million after the impairment charge. We estimated the fair value of the reporting unit using both the income and the market approaches. The more significant judgments and assumptions in determining the fair value of the IU reporting unit for our 2024 impairment assessments included the revenue growth rates, the projected operating margins and the discount rate. The quantitative assessment utilized a discount rate of 10.75%. A hypothetical 1% increase in our discount rate estimate used to determine the fair value of the estimated future cash flows would result in an additional impairment charge of $95.0 million.
Italian payback measure
In 2015, the Italian parliament enacted legislation that, among other things, imposed a “payback” measure on medical device companies that supply goods and services to the Italian National Healthcare System. Under the measure, companies are required to make payments to the Italian government if medical device expenditures in a given year exceed regional expenditure ceilings established for that year. The payment amounts are calculated based on the amount by which the regional ceilings for the given year were exceeded. In response to decrees issued by the Italian Ministry of Health, in the fourth quarter of 2022 the various Italian regions issued invoices to medical device companies, including Teleflex, under the payback measure seeking payment with respect to excess expenditures for the years 2015 through 2018. Following the issuance of the invoices, we and numerous other medical device companies filed appeals with the Italian administrative courts challenging the enforceability of the payback measure, primarily on the basis that the law was unconstitutional. The Italian administrative courts referred the question regarding the constitutionality of the law to the Italian Constitutional Court, which in July 2024, issued a ruling upholding the law as constitutional. During the year ended December 31, 2024 we recognized increases to our reserve, and corresponding reductions to revenue of $22.1 million. The increase in reserve for the year ended December 31, 2024 included $13.8 million pertaining to prior years stemming from the July 2024 ruling. As of December 31, 2024, our reserve related to this matter was $35.7 million. Following the ruling of the Italian Constitutional Court, the appeal before the Italian administrative court will proceed with respect to the remaining legal arguments asserted by the appellants with regard to the enforceability of the payback law.
Pension termination
In 2023, we began the execution of a plan to terminate the Teleflex Incorporated Retirement Income Plan (the “TRIP”), a U.S. defined benefit pension plan. The TRIP is subject to Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and, therefore, must be terminated in accordance with the requirements of ERISA and the process governed by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (the “PBGC”). The termination date of the TRIP was August 1, 2023, which is the date upon which the timing of the requirements for the formal termination process is based. On September 8, 2023, we filed the required notice regarding the TRIP termination with the PBGC. The termination process requires that all TRIP benefits be distributed to participants, beneficiaries and alternate payees or transferred to a group annuity contract or the PBGC. In December of 2023, we made payments to eligible participants, beneficiaries and alternate payees who elected the one-time lump sum distribution option offered in connection with the TRIP termination, resulting in the recognition of a pre-tax settlement charge of $45.2 million.
In 2024, we purchased a group annuity contract, using TRIP assets, which resulted in the recognition of net pre-tax settlement charges of $132.7 million for the year-ended December 31, 2024. The participants, beneficiaries, and alternate payees whose benefits were transferred to the group annuity contract will each receive from such group annuity contract the full value of their benefit that accrued under the TRIP. The assets in the TRIP Trust exceed the estimated liability for amounts to be transferred to the PBGC for missing participants and beneficiaries (“surplus plan assets”) and as a result, we transferred $43.0 million of the surplus plan assets to a suspense account within the Teleflex 401(k) Savings Plan, a qualified defined contribution plan. These assets are restricted for future use in accordance with our election to use them to fund future employer contributions to participants in the Teleflex 401(k) Savings Plan. The surplus assets contributed to the suspense account remaining as of December 31, 2024 are
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included within prepaid and other current assets and other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet included below within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Acquisition of BIOTRONIK Vascular Intervention business
On February 24, 2025, we executed a definitive agreement to acquire substantially all of the Vascular Intervention business (the “VI Business”) of BIOTRONIK SE & Co. KG ("BIOTRONIK"). The acquisition will include a broad suite of coronary and peripheral medical devices, such as drug-coated balloons, stents, and balloon catheters, which will complement our interventional product portfolio. Under the terms of the agreement, we will acquire the VI Business for an initial cash payment of €760 million reduced by certain adjustments as provided in the purchase agreement including certain working capital not transferring and other customary adjustments. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of certain regulatory approvals, and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2025.
Concurrent with the execution of the agreement to acquire the VI Business, we entered into an amendment to our Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), which, among other things, (a) provides for a delayed draw term loan facility in an aggregate principal amount of $500 million, which will be available to be drawn on the date on which we consummate the VI Business acquisition and (b) permits us to borrow up to $550 million under the revolving facility provided for under the Credit Agreement on a limited condition basis on the date on which the VI Business acquisition is consummated. Borrowings under the delayed draw term loan will bear interest at a rate per annum equal to the applicable margin plus, at our option, either (1) the highest of (i) the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. last quoted by The Wall Street Journal, (ii) 0.50% above the greater of the federal funds rate and the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in dollars and (iii) 1.00% above the Term SOFR Rate for a one month interest period, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.125% to 1.00%, in each case subject to adjustments based on our total net leverage ratio or (2) a Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) rate (which includes a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points). The applicable margin for borrowings under the delayed draw term loan range from 1.125% to 2.00% for SOFR borrowings and from 0.125% to 1.00% for base-rate borrowings, in each case, depending on, at our election, either (x) our public corporate family rating or (y) our consolidated total net leverage ratio, in each case, based on the most recently ended fiscal quarter. The obligations under the delayed draw term loan will be guaranteed and secured on the same basis as the facilities provided for under the Credit Agreement. The delayed draw term loan will not amortize and will mature on the earlier of (x) the date that is two years after the date on which such loans are funded and (y) the maturity date for the revolving facility provided for under the Credit Agreement.
In addition to amending our Credit Agreement, we also entered into foreign exchange derivative contracts with an aggregate notional value of €700 million to economically hedge against the foreign currency exposure associated with the cash consideration needed to complete the VI Business acquisition.
We anticipate using the new delayed draw term loan along with revolving credit borrowings under the Credit Agreement and cash on hand to finance the VI Business acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we incurred transaction costs of $11.5 million in connection with the acquisition, which was recognized in selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The majority of the transaction costs were recognized in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Recently Announced Strategic Actions
On February 27, 2025, we announced our intention to create a new, independently traded public company comprising Urology (consisting of our Interventional Urology and Urology product categories), Acute Care (consisting of our Respiratory product category, the majority of our Anesthesia product category and certain products within our Interventional Access and Surgical product categories) and our OEM businesses. Our Vascular Access product category, most of our products within our Interventional Access and Surgical product categories and the expected acquisition of the VI business will remain with Teleflex. We intend to target the completion of the transaction in the middle of 2026 via a distribution of newly issued shares of the new company to shareholders that is tax-free for U.S. tax purposes. There can be no guarantees that the proposed separation will be completed on the terms and within the timeframe we announced, or at all.
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Economic and other factors impacting our business
The healthcare industry has been impacted by shifts in the delivery, or site of service, of healthcare services, staffing shortages at healthcare facilities and government-led initiatives designed to reduce the cost of healthcare products. These factors have impacted and may continue to influence the demand for our products in the future.
Our operations, supply chain, contractors, suppliers, customers and other business partners are impacted by various global macroeconomic factors. During 2024, we experienced a general stabilization in overall cost inflation; however, materials and labor costs remain elevated compared to historical levels. We continue to monitor the impacts stemming from increases in interest rates and fluctuations in exchange rates driven by monetary policy decisions of central banks as well as ongoing geopolitical conflicts and the evolving global trade landscape, characterized by newly enacted, proposed and retaliatory tariffs. The implementation of such trade policies and tariffs could have a material adverse impact on our business.
We have implemented various measures designed to mitigate the future impacts of these factors impacting our business. Due to the dynamic nature of the macroeconomic and other factors discussed above, we cannot accurately predict the extent, duration, or our ability to offset the impact of these factors or the related effects on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Results of Operations
As used in this discussion, "new products" are products for which commercial sales have commenced within the past 36 months, and “existing products” are products for which commercial sales commenced more than 36 months ago. Discussion of results of operations items that reference the effect of one or more acquired businesses (except as noted below with respect to acquired distributors) generally reflects the impact of the acquisitions within the first 12 months following the date of the acquisition. In addition to increases and decreases in the per unit selling prices of our products to our customers, our discussion of the impact of product price increases and decreases also reflects the impact on the pricing of our products resulting from any elimination of distributors, either through acquisition or termination of the distributor, from the sales channel. All dollar amounts in tables are presented in millions unless otherwise noted.
For a discussion of our results of operations comparison for 2023 and 2022, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed on February 23, 2024. Discussion of our reportable segment results of operations comparison for 2023 and 2022 is included below within this Annual Report on Form 10-K to reflect the changes in our segment presentation, which occurred during the fourth quarter of 2024.
Comparison of 2024 and 2023
Revenues
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Revenues | $ | 3,047.3 | $ | 2,974.5 |
Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $72.8 million, or 2.4%, compared to the prior year, primarily due to a $51.4 million contribution from price increases and a $43.0 million increase in sales of new products. Moreover, there was a net increase in sales volume of existing products, primarily due to higher global intra-aortic balloon ("IAB") pump sales, which were partially offset by a decline in sales related to our UroLift product line within our Americas segment. The increases in net revenues were partially offset by the unfavorable impact from an increase in our reserves related to the Italian payback measure and, to a lesser extent, a decrease from the net impact of acquired and divested businesses.
Gross profit
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross profit | $ | 1,702.7 | $ | 1,646.9 | ||
| Percentage of revenues | 55.9 | % | 55.4 | % |
For the year ended December 31, 2024, gross margin increased 50 basis points, or 0.9%, compared to the prior year period, primarily due to the favorable impact of gross margin attributed to acquired and divested businesses, price increases and the benefits from cost improvement initiatives. The increases in gross margin were partially offset by the unfavorable impact from an increase in our reserves related to the Italian payback measure, continued
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cost inflation from macro-economic factors, specifically with respect to labor and raw materials, the adverse impact of manufacturing inefficiencies and unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Selling, general and administrative
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling, general and administrative | $ | 995.3 | $ | 929.9 | ||
| Percentage of revenues | 32.7 | % | 31.3 | % |
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $65.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year period, primarily due to a benefit recognized in the prior year period resulting from decreases in the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities, whereas, in the current period, we recognized an expense due to increases in these liabilities. Additionally, higher operating expenses incurred by the acquired Palette business and higher IT related costs that were primarily driven by our implementation of a new ERP solution contributed to the overall increase.
Research and development
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Research and development | $ | 161.7 | $ | 154.4 | ||
| Percentage of revenues | 5.3 | % | 5.2 | % |
Research and development expenses increased $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to expenses incurred by the acquired Palette business and higher project spend within certain product categories, partially offset by lower European Union Medical Device Regulation related costs.
Pension settlement charge
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pension settlement charge | $ | 132.7 | $ | 45.2 |
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized net pre-tax settlement charges of $132.7 million related to our plan to terminate the TRIP resulting from our purchase of a group annuity contract to provide participants, beneficiaries, and alternate payees the full value of their benefit under the plan. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized a pre-tax settlement charge of $45.2 million stemming from payments to eligible participants who elected a lump sum distribution under our plan to terminate the TRIP.
Goodwill impairment charge
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwill impairment charge | $ | 240.0 | $ | — |
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $240.0 million related to our IU reporting unit. Refer to Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
Restructuring and other impairment charges
2024 Restructuring plan
During the fourth quarter of 2024, we initiated the "2024 restructuring plan," a new strategic restructuring plan aimed at optimizing operations, reducing costs and enhancing efficiencies across our business lines and includes the relocation of select office administrative operations. We estimate that we will incur aggregate pre-tax restructuring and restructuring related charges in connection with the 2024 restructuring plan of $9 million to $11 million. The actions under the 2024 restructuring plan are expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2025. We began realizing plan-related savings in the fourth quarter of 2024 and expect to achieve annual pre-tax savings of $9 million to $11 million once the plan is fully implemented.
2024 Footprint realignment plan
During the second quarter of 2024, we initiated the "2024 Footprint realignment plan," encompassing several strategic restructuring initiatives. These initiatives primarily include the relocation of select manufacturing operations to existing lower-cost locations, the optimization of specific product portfolios through targeted rationalization efforts,
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the relocation of certain integral product development and manufacturing support functions, the optimization of certain supply chain activities and related workforce reductions. We estimate that we will incur aggregate pre-tax restructuring and restructuring related charges in connection with the 2024 Footprint realignment plan of $37 million to $46 million. The actions under the 2024 Footprint realignment plan are expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2025.
We expect to achieve annual pre-tax savings of $12 million to $14 million once the plan is fully implemented. The impact of product rationalization efforts will partially offset the annual pre-tax savings generated by the plan.
2023 Footprint realignment plan
In 2023, we initiated the "2023 Footprint realignment plan," a restructuring plan primarily involving the relocation of certain manufacturing operations to existing lower-cost locations, the outsourcing of certain manufacturing processes and related workforce reductions. We estimate that we will incur aggregate pre-tax restructuring and restructuring related charges in connection with the plan of $11 million to $15 million. We expect to achieve annual pretax savings in connection with the 2023 Footprint realignment plan of $2 million to $4 million once the plan is fully implemented.
2023 Restructuring plan
In 2023, we initiated the "2023 restructuring plan," which primarily involved the integration of Palette into Teleflex and workforce reductions designed to improve operating performance across the organization by creating efficiencies that align with evolving market demands and our strategy to enhance long-term value creation. The plan is substantially complete and as a result, we expect future restructuring expenses associated with the plan, if any, to be immaterial.
The following table provides information regarding restructuring charges we have incurred with respect to each of our restructuring programs, as well as other impairment charges, for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. The restructuring charges listed in the table primarily consist of termination benefits.
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Restructuring plan | $ | 6.1 | $ | — | ||
| 2024 Footprint realignment plan | 11.2 | — | ||||
| 2023 Restructuring plan | (1.5) | 12.5 | ||||
| 2023 Footprint realignment plan | 1.4 | 1.5 | ||||
| 2022 Restructuring plan | (1.4) | 3.1 | ||||
| Other restructuring programs | (1.6) | (1.5) | ||||
| Other impairment charges (1) | 7.8 | — | ||||
| Total | $ | 22.0 | $ | 15.6 |
(1)For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded non-cash impairment charges totaling $7.8 million related to a decrease in the carrying value of an equity investment and an impairment of a portion of our operating lease assets stemming from our cessation of occupancy of a specific facility.
Interest expense
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest expense | $ | 83.5 | $ | 85.1 | ||
| Average interest rate on debt during the year | 4.4 | % | 4.4 | % |
The decrease in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the prior year was primarily due to a decrease in our average outstanding debt balance.
Gain on sale of assets and business
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gain on sale of assets and business | $ | — | $ | 4.4 |
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized a gain related to the second phase of the Respiratory divestiture.
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Taxes on income from continuing operations
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effective income tax rate | 7.0 | % | 17.6 | % |
The effective income tax rate for 2024 reflects a non-deductible goodwill impairment charge recognized in connection with our annual impairment test for goodwill. Tax benefits were recognized in both 2024 and 2023 related to the pension settlement charge recognized in connection with the termination of the TRIP. The effective income tax rate for 2023 reflects the impact of deferred charges resulting from a legal entity rationalization, the impact of a non-taxable contingent consideration adjustment recognized in connection with a decrease in the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities and a tax expense resulting from a deferred charge relating to the 2022 Restructuring Plan.
A significant number of jurisdictions, including EU member states, have enacted legislation to establish a 15% global minimum tax in accordance with both the established Pillar Two framework and guidance subsequently published by the OECD. We considered and analyzed the enacted tax laws and guidance in the jurisdictions relevant to Teleflex, and there are no material impacts to our tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2024. We will continue to evaluate the potential impact of future proposed legislation, enacted legislation, and updated guidance as it becomes available but do not currently expect a material increase to our effective tax rate as a result of the Pillar Two framework.
Segment Results
Segment Net Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | % Increase/(Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023 | 2023 vs 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 2,066.3 | $ | 2,041.4 | $ | 1,926.3 | 1.2 | 6.0 | ||||||||||
| EMEA | 618.0 | 586.2 | 558.4 | 5.4 | 5.0 | |||||||||||||
| Asia | 363.0 | 346.9 | 306.3 | 4.7 | 13.2 | |||||||||||||
| Segment Net Revenues | $ | 3,047.3 | $ | 2,974.5 | $ | 2,791.0 | 2.4 | 6.6 |
Segment Operating Profit
| Year Ended December 31, | % Increase/(Decrease) | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023 | 2023 vs 2022 | ||||||||||||||
| Americas | $ | 670.5 | $ | 714.0 | $ | 669.9 | (6.1) | 6.6 | ||||||||||
| EMEA | 133.0 | 111.1 | 96.9 | 19.7 | 14.7 | |||||||||||||
| Asia | 114.7 | 121.0 | 104.7 | (5.2) | 15.5 | |||||||||||||
| Segment Operating Profit (1) | $ | 918.2 | $ | 946.1 | $ | 871.5 | (2.9) | 8.6 |
(1)See Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of segment operating profit to our consolidated income from continuing operations before interest, loss on extinguishment of debt and taxes.
Comparison of 2024 and 2023
Americas
Americas net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $24.9 million, or 1.2%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to a $36.0 million contribution from price increases and a $35.2 million increase in sales of new products. The increases in net revenue were partially offset by a $25.9 million decrease from the net impact of acquired and divested businesses and an $18.1 million decrease in sales volumes of existing products, primarily driven by a decline in sales related to our UroLift product line partially mitigated by higher IAB pumps sales.
During the second half of 2024, we were notified that a large customer within our OEM product category intended to vertically integrate a component that we previously manufactured on their behalf. Additionally, we have begun to experience delays in orders from certain customers as they increasingly focus on managing inventories. We cannot predict with certainty the timing of customer inventory corrections; however, should the current trend of customers more tightly managing their inventory persist, it may adversely impact future results.
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Americas operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased $43.5 million, or 6.1%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to a benefit recognized in the prior year resulting from decreases in the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration liabilities, in contrast to an increase recognized in the current period, and operating expenses incurred by the acquired Palette business. The factors contributing to a decrease in operating profit were partially mitigated by an increase in gross profit resulting from price increases and higher sales, partially offset by higher manufacturing costs.
EMEA
EMEA net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $31.8 million, or 5.4%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to a $25.8 million increase in sales volumes of existing products and price increases, partially offset by the unfavorable impact from an increase in our reserves related to the Italian payback measure.
EMEA operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $21.9 million, or 19.7%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to lower research and development expenses related to the European Union Medical Device Regulation and an increase in gross profit resulting from higher sales and price increases. The increases in operating profit were partially offset by an increase in sales expenses to support higher sales.
Asia
Asia net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased $16.1 million, or 4.7%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to a $13.0 million increase in sales volumes of existing products, and revenues generated by the acquisition of Palette. The increase in net revenues was partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Asia operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased $6.3 million, or 5.2%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to an increase in sales and marketing expenses to support higher sales, an increase in research and development expenses, and unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The decreases in operating profit were partially offset by an increase in gross profit resulting from higher sales, despite an unfavorable impact from product mix.
The Chinese government has implemented regional and national programs for volume-based procurement ("VBP") of medical device products designed to reduce healthcare costs. These programs require manufacturers to meet specific quality and quantity requirements to be awarded tenders. Successful tenders provide allocated sales volumes, while unsuccessful bids may result in significant revenue loss. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we were awarded a tender for certain products with our surgical product category under a VBP program. The anticipated implementation of this program during 2025 is expected to have an adverse impact on future results due to reduced pricing.
Currently, we are not aware of any other upcoming VBP programs that are expected to materially impact our product portfolio. However, to the extent additional VBP programs are implemented in the future, we cannot reasonably predict the direct or indirect impact on our financial performance.
Revenue generated from our China business represented approximately 4% of consolidated revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Comparison of 2023 and 2022
Americas
Americas net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $115.1 million, or 6.0%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to a $125.9 million increase in sales of new products, price increases and, to a lesser extent, net revenues generated by the acquired Palette and Standard Bariatrics businesses, partially offset by an $86.2 million decrease in sales volume of existing products. The increase in sales of new products and the decrease in sales of volumes of existing products primarily reflect the conversion to the next generation of an existing product.
Americas operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $44.1 million, or 6.6%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to an increase in gross profit resulting from higher sales and price increases and a benefit recognized from decreases in the estimated fair value of our contingent consideration
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liabilities. The increases in operating profit were partially offset by an increase in sales expenses to support higher sales, higher research and development expenses, and an increase in operating expenses incurred by the acquired Palette and Standard Bariatrics businesses.
EMEA
EMEA net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $27.8 million, or 5.0%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to $12.1 million in favorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, price increases and an increase in sales of new products.
EMEA operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $14.2 million, or 14.7%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to lower expenses related to the European Union Medical Device Regulation within research and development expenses and favorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, partially offset by an increase in sales expenses to support higher sales.
Asia
Asia net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $40.6 million, or 13.2%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to a $25.5 million increase in sales volume of existing products and an $18.8 million increase in sales of new products, partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Asia operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased $16.3 million, or 15.5%, compared to the prior year, which was primarily attributable to an increase in gross profit resulting from price increases and higher sales, partially offset by unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and an increase in sales expenses to support higher sales.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We assess our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operating, investing and financing activities. Our principal source of liquidity is our cash flows provided by operating activities. Our cash flows provided by operating activities are reduced by cash used to, among other things, fulfill contractual obligations for minimum lease payments under noncancellable operating leases, which often extend beyond one year; the weighted average remaining lease term of our operating lease portfolio is 6.5 years. Our cash flows provided by operating activities are also reduced by cash used for unconditional legally binding commitments to purchase goods or services (i.e., purchase obligations), which are primarily related to inventory expected to be purchased within one year.
Other significant factors that affect our overall management of liquidity include contractual obligations such as scheduled principal and interest payments with respect to outstanding indebtedness and tax on deemed repatriation of non-U.S. earnings, of which the final payment will be made in 2025. We may also be obligated to make payments for contingent consideration due to past acquisitions, the timing and amount of which may be uncertain, and the magnitude of which can vary from year to year. Other significant factors that affect our liquidity include certain actions controlled by management such as capital expenditures, acquisitions, and dividends. See Note 10, Note 12 and Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
We believe our cash flow from operations, available cash and cash equivalents and borrowings under our revolving credit facility (which is provided for under the Credit Agreement) and accounts receivable securitization facility will enable us to fund our operating requirements, capital expenditures and debt obligations for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.
Of our $290.2 million of cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2024, $192.6 million was held at non-U.S. subsidiaries. We manage our worldwide cash requirements by monitoring the funds available among our subsidiaries and determining the extent to which we can access those funds on a cost effective basis.
On February 26, 2024, we executed two separate term cross-currency swap agreements set to expire on February 26, 2027 and February 28, 2029, respectively, to hedge against the effect of variability in the U.S. dollar to euro exchange rate. Each of the swap agreements had a notional principal amount of $250 million and was designated as a net investment hedge. On April 25, 2024, the cross-currency agreements executed in February 2024 were terminated in response to changes in market conditions, resulting in $0.4 million in a cash settlement payment, and we simultaneously executed two new separate term cross-currency swap agreements with the same
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expiration dates and notional values (together, the "2024 Cross-currency swap agreements"). The cross-currency swap agreements expiring in 2027 include five different financial institution counterparties and notionally exchanged $250 million at an annual interest rate of 4.25% for €233.4 million at an annual interest rate of 2.44%. The cross-currency swap agreements expiring in 2029 include four different financial institution counterparties and notionally exchanged $250 million at an annual interest rate of 4.25% for €233.4 million at an annual interest rate of 2.45%. Both of the 2024 Cross-currency swap agreements are designated as net investment hedges and require an exchange of the notional amounts upon expiration or the earlier termination of the agreements. We and the counterparties have agreed to effect the exchange through a net settlement. As a result, we may be required to pay (or be entitled to receive) an amount equal to the difference, on the expiration or earlier termination date, between the U.S. dollar equivalent of the €466.8 million notional amount and the $500 million notional amount. The 2024 Cross-currency swap agreements entail risk that the counterparties will not fulfill their obligations under the agreements. However, we believe the risk is reduced because we have entered into separate agreements with nine different counterparties, all of which are large, well-established financial institutions. Based on the U.S. dollar to euro currency exchange rate in effect April 25, 2024, and assuming exchange rates remain constant throughout the terms of the 2024 Cross-currency swap agreements, we would realize a reduction in annual cash interest expense of $9.0 million.
On July 30, 2024, the Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program for up to $500 million of our common stock. The timing, price and actual number of shares of common stock that may be repurchased under the share repurchase authorization will depend on a variety of factors including price, market conditions and corporate and regulatory requirements. The repurchases may occur in open market transactions, transactions structured through investment banking institutions, in privately negotiated transactions, by direct purchases of common stock or a combination of the foregoing, and the timing and amount of stock repurchased will depend on market and business conditions, applicable legal and credit requirements and other corporate considerations. The authorization of the repurchase program does not constitute a binding obligation to acquire any specific amount of common stock, and the repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. On August 2, 2024, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement for $200 million of our common stock. Under this agreement, 678,110 shares of common stock, representing 80% of the $200 million aggregate, were delivered and included in treasury stock. The initial shares received were calculated based on a price per share of $235.95, which was the closing share price of our common stock on August 1, 2024. Final settlement under the ASR Transaction occurred on October 30, 2024, at which time we received 172,351 additional shares of common stock. The total shares received were calculated based on a price per share of $235.17, which was based on volume-weighted average prices of our common stock during the accelerated share repurchase period less a discount.
On February 28, 2025, we entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement for $300 million of our common stock, representing the remainder of the share repurchase program approved by the Board of Directors in 2024. We plan to fund the share repurchase with $300 million in additional borrowings under our Senior Credit facility.
We may at any time, from time to time, repurchase our outstanding debt securities in open market purchases, via tender offers or in privately negotiated transactions, exchange transactions or otherwise, at such price or prices as we deem appropriate. Such purchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors and may be commenced or suspended at any time.
Recently Announced Strategic Actions
On February 27, 2025, we announced our intention to create a new, independently traded public company. During 2025 and the first half of 2026, we expect to incur significant separation and transaction costs related to the proposed separation, which will likely adversely impact our earnings and operating cash flows. Additionally, we expect to incur some amount of dis-synergies following those transactions due to the reduced size of our remaining company and, as a result, we will need to undertake actions to ensure that our cost structure is appropriate to support our remaining businesses.
Summarized Financial Information – Obligor Group
The 2027 Notes are issued by Teleflex Incorporated (the “Parent Company”), and payment of the Parent Company's obligations under the 2027 Notes is guaranteed, jointly and severally, by an enumerated group of the Parent Company’s subsidiaries (each, a “Guarantor Subsidiary” and collectively, the “Guarantor Subsidiaries”). The guarantees are full and unconditional, subject to certain customary release provisions. Each Guarantor Subsidiary is directly or indirectly 100% owned by the Parent Company. Summarized financial information for the Parent and
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Guarantor Subsidiaries (collectively, the “Obligor Group”) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2024 is as follows:
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obligor Group | Intercompany | Obligor Group (excluding intercompany) | ||||||
| Net revenue | $ | 2,103.1 | $ | 232.8 | $ | 1,870.3 | ||
| Cost of goods sold | 1,317.1 | 190.4 | 1,126.7 | |||||
| Gross profit | 786.0 | 42.4 | 743.6 | |||||
| Income from continuing operations | 75.5 | 293.6 | (218.1) | |||||
| Net income | 75.0 | 293.6 | (218.6) |
| December 31, 2024 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obligor Group | Intercompany | Obligor Group (excluding intercompany) | ||||||
| Total current assets | $ | 1,034.1 | $ | 201.2 | $ | 832.9 | ||
| Total assets | 2,815.2 | 277.8 | 2,537.4 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 1,275.4 | 953.4 | 322.0 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 3,450.5 | 1,126.6 | 2,323.9 |
The same accounting policies as described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 are used by the Parent Company and each of its subsidiaries in connection with the summarized financial information presented above. The Intercompany column in the table above represents transactions between and among the Obligor Group and non-guarantor subsidiaries (i.e., those subsidiaries of the Parent Company that have not guaranteed payment of the 2027 Notes). Obligor investments in non-guarantor subsidiaries and any related activity are excluded from the financial information presented above.
See "Financing Arrangements" below as well as Note 10 and Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information related to our borrowings and financial instruments.
Cash Flows
The following table provides a summary of our cash flows for the periods presented:
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
| Cash flows from continuing operations provided by (used in): | ||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 638.3 | $ | 511.7 | ||
| Investing activities | (99.4) | (621.2) | ||||
| Financing activities | (421.9) | 38.5 | ||||
| Cash flows used in discontinued operations | (2.5) | (1.0) | ||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents | (9.7) | 2.8 | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents | $ | 104.8 | $ | (69.2) |
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $638.3 million during 2024, and $511.7 million during 2023. The $126.6 million increase was primarily attributable to favorable operating results, surplus plan assets from the TRIP termination included within prepaid expenses and other assets, a decrease in cash outflows from inventories as we continue to moderate our inventory levels and a decrease in cash outflows from accounts payable and accrued expenses stemming primarily from lower payments associated with our restructuring plans. The increases in net cash provided from operating activities were partially offset by higher tax payments.
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Cash Flow from Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $99.4 million during 2024, which primarily consisted of $126.4 million in capital expenditures, partially offset by $27.2 million in net proceeds on swaps designated as net investment hedges.
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $421.9 million during 2024, which primarily consisted of $200.0 million in repurchases of our common stock under the accelerated share repurchase agreement, a $161.5 million reduction in net borrowings under our Senior Credit Facility and $63.5 million in dividend payments.
For a discussion of our cash flow comparison for 2023 and 2022, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed on February 23, 2024.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by subtracting capital expenditures from cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations. This financial measure is used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., or GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, the most comparable GAAP financial measure. Management believes that free cash flow is a useful measure to investors because it facilitates an assessment of funds available to satisfy current and future obligations, pay dividends and fund acquisitions. We also use this financial measure for internal managerial purposes and to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. Free cash flow is not a measure of cash available for discretionary expenditures since we have certain non-discretionary obligations, such as debt service, that are not deducted from the measure. We strongly encourage investors to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. The following is a reconciliation of free cash flow to the most comparable GAAP measure.
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations | $ | 638.3 | $ | 511.7 | ||
| Less: Capital expenditures | 126.4 | 91.5 | ||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 511.9 | $ | 420.2 |
Financing Arrangements
Senior credit facility
In 2022, we amended and restated our existing credit agreement by entering into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) which provides for a five-year revolving credit facility of $1.0 billion and a term loan facility of $500.0 million. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are guaranteed (subject to certain exceptions and limitations) by substantially all of our material domestic subsidiaries. The obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, by a lien on substantially all of the assets owned by us and each guarantor. The maturity date of the revolving credit facility and the term loan facility under the Credit Agreement is November 4, 2027.
At our option, loans under the Credit Agreement will bear interest at a rate equal to adjusted Term Secured Overnight Lending Rate (SOFR) plus an applicable margin ranging from 1.125% to 2.00% or at an alternate base rate, which is defined as the highest of (i) the “Prime Rate” in the U.S. last quoted by The Wall Street Journal, (ii) 0.50% above the greater of the federal funds rate and the rate comprised of both overnight federal funds and overnight eurodollar transactions denominated in Dollars and (iii) 1.00% above the Term SOFR Rate for a one month interest period, plus an applicable margin ranging from 0.125% to 1.00%, in each case subject to adjustments based on our total net leverage ratio. Overdue loans will bear interest at the rate otherwise applicable to such loans plus 2.00%.
At December 31, 2024, we had $113.0 million in borrowings outstanding and $0.9 million in outstanding standby letters of credit under our $1.0 billion revolving credit facility.
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The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties and covenants that, in each case, subject to certain exceptions, qualifications and thresholds, (a) place limitations on us and our subsidiaries regarding the incurrence of additional indebtedness, additional liens, fundamental changes, dispositions of property, investments and acquisitions, dividends and other restricted payments, transactions with affiliates, restrictive agreements, changes in lines of business and swap agreements, and (b) require us and our subsidiaries to comply with sanction laws and other laws and agreements, to deliver financial information and certain other information and give notice of certain events, to maintain their existence and good standing, to pay their other obligations, to permit the administrative agent and the lenders to inspect their books and property, to use the proceeds of the Credit Agreement only for certain permitted purposes and to provide collateral in the future. Subject to certain exceptions, we are required to maintain a maximum total net leverage ratio of 4.50 to 1.00. We are further required to maintain a minimum interest coverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants in the Credit Agreement.
On February 24, 2025, we amended and restated our existing Credit Agreement to facilitate our upcoming acquisition of the VI business. For additional information, see Note 20 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
2027 and 2028 Senior Notes
As of December 31, 2024, the outstanding principal amount of our 2027 Notes and 2028 Notes (collectively the "Senior Notes") was $500 million, respectively. The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains covenants that, among other things among other things and subject to certain exceptions, limit or restrict our ability, and the ability of our subsidiaries, to create liens; consolidate, merge or dispose of certain assets; and enter into sale leaseback transactions. The obligations under the Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by each of our existing and future 100% owned domestic subsidiaries that are a guarantor or other obligor under the Credit Agreement and by certain of our other 100% owned domestic subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all of the terms of our Senior Notes.
Accounts receivable securitization
We have an accounts receivable securitization facility under which we sell an undivided interest in domestic accounts receivable for consideration of up to $75 million to a commercial paper conduit. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we borrowed the maximum amount available of $75 million under this facility. This facility is utilized to provide increased flexibility in funding short term working capital requirements. The agreement governing the accounts receivable securitization facility contains certain covenants and termination events. An occurrence of an event of default or a termination event under this facility may give rise to the right of our counterparty to terminate this facility. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the covenants and none of the termination events had occurred.
For additional information regarding our indebtedness, see Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from the amounts derived from those estimates and assumptions.
We have identified the following as critical accounting estimates, which are defined as those that are reflective of significant judgments and uncertainties, are the most pervasive and important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. The following discussion should be considered in conjunction with the description of our accounting policies in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Inventory Utilization
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Factors utilized in the determination of estimated net realizable value and whether a reserve is required include (i) current sales data and historical return
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rates, (ii) estimates of future demand, (iii) competitive pricing pressures, (iv) new product introductions, (v) product expiration dates, and (vi) component and packaging obsolescence.
We review the net realizable value of inventory each reporting period and adjust as necessary. We regularly compare inventory quantities on hand against historical usage or forecasts related to specific items in order to evaluate obsolescence and excessive quantities. In assessing historical usage, we also qualitatively assess business trends to evaluate the reasonableness of using historical information in estimating future usage. Our inventory reserve was $59.4 million and $54.3 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Long-Lived Assets
We assess the remaining useful life and recoverability of long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. For example, such an assessment may be initiated if, as a result of a change in expectations, we believe it is more likely than not that the asset will be sold or disposed of significantly before the end of its useful life or if an adverse change occurs in the business employing the asset. Significant judgments in this area involve determining whether such events or circumstances have occurred and determining the appropriate asset group requiring evaluation. The recoverability evaluation is based on various analyses, including undiscounted cash flow projections, which involve significant management judgment. Any impairment loss, if indicated, equals the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the estimated fair value of the asset.
The increased use and FDA approval of GLP-1 products for the treatment of chronic weight management has impacted the demand for bariatric surgery procedures and our Titan SGS product line acquired as part of our 2022 acquisition of Standard Bariatrics Inc. Although the long term impact on bariatric procedures from GLP-1 products is uncertain, to the extent GLP-1 products reduce the long term demand for bariatrics surgery procedures and cause their prevalence to differ significantly from management’s expectations, we ultimately may find it necessary to recognize future impairment charges with respect to the related assets, which could be material.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets include indefinite-lived assets (such as goodwill, certain trade names and in-process research and development ("IPR&D")), as well as finite-lived intangibles (such as trade names that do not have indefinite lives, customer relationships, intellectual property, distribution rights and non-competition agreements) and are, generally, obtained through acquisition. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are measured at fair value and we allocate any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in a business combination to goodwill. Considerable management judgment is necessary in making the assumptions used in the estimated fair value of intangible assets acquired in a business combination.
The costs of finite-lived intangibles are amortized to expense over their estimated useful life. Determining the useful life of an intangible asset requires considerable judgment as different types of intangible assets typically will have different useful lives. Goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized; we test these assets annually for impairment during the fourth quarter, using the first day of the quarter as the measurement date, or earlier upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate an impairment may have occurred. Such conditions may include an economic downturn in a geographic market or a change in the assessment of future operations.
Goodwill
Goodwill impairment assessments are performed at a reporting unit level. For purposes of this assessment, our reporting units are our operating segments, or, in certain cases, a business one level below our operating segments. Our reporting units did not change as a result of our segment change in the fourth quarter of 2024.
For the year ended December 31, 2024 we recognized a goodwill impairment charge of $240 million related to our Interventional Urology North America reporting unit. For further information refer to Note 8 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As the fair values of our remaining reporting units are more likely than not greater than the carrying values, no additional impairment charges were recorded as a result of the annual goodwill impairment testing performed during the fourth quarter of 2024.
In applying the goodwill impairment test, we may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Qualitative factors may include, but are not limited to, macroeconomic conditions, industry conditions, the competitive environment, changes in the market for our products and services, regulatory and political developments, and entity specific factors such as strategies
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and financial performance. If, after completing the qualitative assessment, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, we proceed to a quantitative impairment test described below. Alternatively, we may test goodwill for impairment through the quantitative impairment test without conducting the qualitative analysis.
Under a quantitative impairment test we compare the fair value of a reporting unit to the carrying value. We calculate the fair value of the reporting unit using a combination of two methods; one which estimates the discounted cash flows of the reporting unit based on projected earnings in the future (the Income Approach) and one which is based on revenue and EBITDA of similar businesses to those of the reporting unit in actual transactions (the Market Approach). If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value, there is no impairment. If the reporting unit carrying value exceeds the fair value, we recognize an impairment loss based on the amount the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value.
The more significant judgments and assumptions in determining fair value using in the Income Approach include (1) the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, which are based primarily on our estimates of future sales, operating income, industry trends and the regulatory environment of the individual reporting units, (2) the expected long-term growth rates of revenue and EBITDA for each of our reporting units, which approximate the expected long-term growth rate of the global economy and of the medical device industry, and (3) the discount rates that are used to estimate the present value of the future cash flows, which are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting units along with various market based inputs. The more significant judgments and assumptions used in the Market Approach include (1) determination of appropriate revenue and EBITDA multiples used to estimate a reporting unit’s fair value and (2) the selection of appropriate comparable companies to be used for purposes of determining those multiples. There were no changes to the underlying methods used in 2024 as compared to the valuations of our reporting units in the past several years.
Our expected future growth rates estimated for purposes of the goodwill impairment test are based on our estimates of future sales, operating income and cash flow and are consistent with our internal budgets and business plans, which reflect a modest amount of core revenue growth coupled with the successful launch of new products each year; the effect of these growth indicators more than offset volume losses from products that are expected to reach the end of their life cycle. Changes in assumptions underlying the Income Approach could cause a reporting unit's carrying value to exceed its fair value. While we believe our assumed growth rates of sales and cash flows are reasonable, the possibility remains that the revenue growth of a reporting unit may not be as high as expected, and, as a result, the estimated fair value of that reporting unit may decline. In this regard, if our strategy and new products are not successful and we do not achieve anticipated core revenue growth in the future with respect to a reporting unit, the goodwill in the reporting unit may become impaired and, in such case, we may incur material impairment charges. Moreover, changes in revenue and EBITDA multiples in actual transactions from those historically present could result in an assessment that a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, in which case we also may incur material impairment charges.
Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are assets acquired that lack physical substance and that meet the specified criteria for recognition apart from goodwill. Management tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that an impairment may have occurred. Similar to the goodwill impairment test process, we may assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If, after completing the qualitative assessment, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its carrying amount, the asset is not impaired. If we conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying value, we then proceed to a quantitative impairment test, which consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset to its carrying amount. Alternatively, we may elect to forgo the qualitative analysis and test the indefinite-lived intangible asset for impairment through the quantitative impairment test.
In connection with intangible assets acquired in a business combination and quantitative impairment tests, we determine the estimated fair value using various methods under the Income Approach. The more significant judgments and assumptions used in the valuation of intangible assets may include revenue growth rates, royalty rate, obsolescence factor, distributor margin, discount rates, attrition rate, and EBITDA margin. Each of these factors and assumptions can significantly impact the value of the intangible asset.
We did not record any impairment charges related to intangible assets during the years ended December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2024. See "Restructuring and impairment charges" within "Result of Operations" above as
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well as Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on these charges.
Contingent Consideration Liabilities
In connection with an acquisition, we may be required to pay future consideration that is contingent upon the achievement of specified objectives, such as receipt of regulatory approval, commercialization of a product or achievement of sales targets. In a business combination, we record a contingent liability, as of the acquisition date, representing the estimated fair value of the contingent consideration we expect to pay. We determined the fair value of the contingent consideration liabilities related to the Palette acquisition, which represents the majority of our contingent consideration liabilities at December 31, 2024, using a Monte Carlo valuation approach, which simulates future revenues during the earn out-period using management's best estimates. We determined the fair value of our other contingent consideration liabilities using a discounted cash flow analysis. Significant judgment is required in determining the assumptions used to calculate the fair value of the contingent consideration. Increases in projected revenues and probabilities of payment may result in significantly higher fair value measurements; decreases in these items may have the opposite effect. Increases in discount rates in the periods prior to payment may result in significantly lower fair value measurements; decreases may have the opposite effect. See Note 12 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
We remeasure our contingent consideration liabilities each reporting period and recognize the change in the liabilities' fair value within selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Income. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we accrued $49.3 million and $39.5 million of contingent consideration, respectively, related to completed business combinations.
If the transaction is determined to be an asset acquisition rather than a business combination, a contingent consideration liability is recognized when the specified objective is deemed probable and is estimable.
Income Taxes
Our annual provision for income taxes and determination of the deferred tax assets and liabilities require management to assess uncertainties, make judgments regarding outcomes and utilize estimates. The difficulties inherent in such assessments, judgments and estimates are particularly challenging because we conduct a broad range of operations around the world, subjecting us to complex tax regulations in numerous international jurisdictions. As a result, we are at times subject to tax audits, disputes with tax authorities and potential litigation, the outcome of which is uncertain. In connection with its estimates of our tax assets and liabilities, management must, among other things, make judgments about the outcome of these uncertain matters.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured and recorded using currently enacted tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their tax bases are recovered or settled. The likelihood of a material change in our expected realization of these assets is dependent on future taxable income, our ability to use foreign tax credit carryforwards and carrybacks, final U.S. and non-U.S. tax settlements, changes in tax law, and the effectiveness of our tax planning strategies in the various relevant jurisdictions. While management believes that its judgments and interpretations regarding income taxes are appropriate, significant differences in actual experience may require future adjustments to our tax assets and liabilities, which could be material.
In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we evaluate positive and negative evidence and use judgments regarding past and future events, including results of operations and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the deferred tax assets. Based on this assessment, we determine when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets may not be realized, in which case we apply a valuation allowance to offset the amount of such deferred tax assets. To the extent facts and circumstances change in the future, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be required. The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets of $88.4 million and $95.7 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, relates principally to the uncertainty of the utilization of tax loss and credit carryforwards in various jurisdictions.
Significant judgment is required in determining income tax provisions and in evaluating tax positions. We establish additional provisions for income taxes when, despite the belief that tax positions are supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold, which is a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. In the normal course of business, we are examined by various federal, state and non-U.S. tax authorities. We regularly assess the potential outcomes of these examinations and any future examinations for the current or prior years in determining the
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adequacy of our provision for income taxes. We adjust the income tax provision, the current tax liability and deferred taxes in any period in which we become aware of facts that necessitate an adjustment. We are currently under examination in Germany and the United States. The ultimate outcome of these examinations could result in increases or decreases to our recorded tax liabilities, which would affect our financial results. See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information regarding our uncertain tax positions.
New Accounting Standards
See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards, including estimated effects, if any, of the adoption of those standards on our consolidated financial statements.