Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this release or presentation, other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our
business plans, objectives, and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking
statements ”within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “anticipate,” “estimate,”
“intend,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “would,” “will be,” “will continue”, “will likely result,” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements are based on current expectation and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause results to
differ materially from the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether
because of new information, future events or otherwise.
Risks and uncertainties to which our forward-looking statements are subject include: (1) the ability to achieve business plans, including growing existing
sales and volume profitably and maintaining and improving margins and market share, despite high levels of competitive activity, an increasingly volatile
economic environment, lower than expected market growth rates, especially with respect to the product categories and geographical markets (including
developing markets) in which the Company has chosen to focus, and/or increasing competition from mid- and lower tier value products in both developed
and developing markets; (2) the ability to successfully manage ongoing acquisition, divestiture and joint venture activities to achieve the cost and growth
synergies in accordance with the stated goals of these transactions without impacting the delivery of base business objectives; (3) the ability to
successfully manage ongoing organizational changes and achieve productivity improvements designed to support our growth strategies, while
successfully identifying, developing and retaining key employees, especially in key growth markets where the availability of skilled employees is limited;
(4) the ability to manage and maintain key customer relationships; (5) the ability to maintain key manufacturing and supply sources (including sole supplier
and plant manufacturing sources); (6) the ability to successfully manage regulatory, tax and legal requirements and matters (including product liability,
patent, intellectual property, price controls, import restrictions, environmental and tax policy), and to resolve pending matters within current estimates; (7)
the ability to resolve the pending competition law inquiries in Europe within current estimates; (8) the ability to successfully implement, achieve and
sustain cost improvement plans and efficiencies in manufacturing and overhead areas, including the Company's outsourcing projects; (9) the ability to
successfully manage volatility in foreign exchange rates, as well as our debt and currency exposure (especially in certain countries with currency
exchange controls, such as Venezuela, China and India); (10) the ability to maintain our current credit rating and to manage fluctuations in interest rate,
increases in pension and healthcare expense, and any significant credit or liquidity issues; (11) the ability to manage continued global political and/or
economic uncertainty and disruptions, especially in the Company's significant geographical markets, due to a wide variety of factors, including but not
limited to, terrorist and other hostile activities, natural disasters and/or disruptions to credit markets, resulting from a global, regional or national credit
crisis; (12) the ability to successfully manage competitive factors, including prices, promotional incentives and trade terms for products; (13) the ability to
obtain patents and respond to technological advances attained by competitors and patents granted to competitors; (14) the ability to successfully manage
increases in the prices of commodities, raw materials and energy, including the ability to offset these increases through pricing actions; (15) the ability to
develop effective sales, advertising and marketing programs; (16) the ability to stay on the leading edge of innovation, maintain a positive reputation on
our brands and ensure trademark protection; and (17) the ability to rely on and maintain key information technology systems and networks (including
Company and third-party systems and networks), the security over such systems and networks, and the data contained therein. For additional information
concerning factors that could cause actual results to materially differ from those projected herein, please refer to our most recent 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K
reports.
