AZZ Azz Inc - 10-K
0000008947-26-000068Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is -0.12pp more bearish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase- adversely+2
- negatively+1
- conflict+1
- conflicts+1
- disrupt+1
- benefit+1
- exclusively+1
Risk Factors (Item 1A)
7,673 words
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business is subject to a variety of risks, including, but not limited to, the risks described below. We believe the risks described below are the most significant risks and uncertainties facing our business. Additional risks and uncertainties not known to us or not described below may also impair our business operations in the future. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and future growth could be negatively or materially impacted. Carefully consider the risks described below and all of the other information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K when deciding whether to invest in our securities or when evaluating our business. You should also refer to the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements contained here under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements."
Risks Related to Our Business and Operations
Our business segments operate in highly competitive markets.
Competition is based on a number of factors, including price. Certain competitors in each of our segments may have lower cost structures or larger economies of scale on raw materials and therefore, may be able to provide their manufactured solutions at lower prices than we are able to provide. If our response to competitor pricing actions is not timely, we could be impacted by loss of market share. We cannot be certain that our competitors will not develop the expertise, experience and resources to provide manufactured solutions that are superior to ours in price, delivery time or quality in the future. Similarly, we cannot be certain that we will be able to maintain or enhance our competitive position within our industries, maintain our customer base at current levels or increase our customer base.
Our operating results may vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
Our quarterly results may be materially and adversely affected by the following, among others:
• Changes in political actions and landscapes across the globe, including global conflicts;
• Unstable political economic conditions and public health issues or crisis, such as a pandemic, delaying our or our customer's operations;
• Timing and volume of work under new or existing agreements;
• General economic conditions;
• Fluctuations in the budgetary spending of customers, including seasonality;
• Increases in manufacturing or transportation costs;
• Losses experienced in our operations not otherwise covered by insurance;
• Delays of raw materials or component suppliers;
• A change in the demand of our manufactured solutions caused by severe weather conditions;
• A change in the mix of our customers, contracts and business;
• Modifications or changes in customer delivery schedules;
• Ability or willingness of customers to timely pay their invoices when owed to us; and
• Changes in interest rates.
Accordingly, our operating results in any particular quarter may not be indicative of the results expected for any other quarter or for the entire year.
Our business requires skilled labor, and we may be unable to attract and retain qualified employees.
Our ability to maintain our productivity and profitability could be limited by an inability to employ, train and retain skilled personnel necessary to meet our labor requirements. A significant increase in the wages paid by competing employers could result in a shortage of skilled personnel, increases in labor-related costs, or both. It is necessary that we maintain a skilled
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labor force to operate efficiently and support our growth strategy. Labor shortages or increased labor-related costs could impair our ability to maintain our profit margins or impact our ability to sustain and grow our sales.
Technological innovations by competitors may make existing production methods obsolete.
The manufactured solutions we provide require evolving technologies for success in the markets we serve. The competitive environments can be highly sensitive to technological innovation. It is possible for our competitors, or new market place entrants, either foreign or domestic, to develop new manufactured solution methods or technologies which could make our existing manufactured solutions and methods obsolete, hasten their obsolescence or materially reduce our competitive advantage in the markets we serve.
Our business segments are cyclical and are sensitive to economic downturns.
Our business often aligns with the economic environments that we operate within and is subject to seasonality within the annual operating cycle of the business. Our customers may also delay or cancel new or previously planned projects. If there is a downturn in the general economies in which we operate, there could be a material adverse effect on price levels and the quantity of goods and services purchased by our customers, which could adversely impact our sales, consolidated results from operations and cash flows. A number of factors, including financing conditions and potential bankruptcies in the industries we serve, could adversely affect our customers and their ability or willingness to fund their internal projects in the future and pay for services. Certain economic conditions may also impact the financial condition of one or more of our key suppliers, which could affect our ability to secure raw materials and components to meet our customers' demand for our manufactured solutions in the future. Other various factors impact demand for our manufactured solutions, including the price of commodities (such as zinc, natural gas or other commodities), paint, economic forecasts and financial markets. Uncertainty in the economy and financial markets could impact our customers and could, in turn, severely impact the demand for corporate infrastructure projects which could result in a reduction in orders for our manufactured solutions. All of these factors combined together could materially impact our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.
International events and political issues may adversely affect our operating segments.
A portion of the sales from our segments are from markets outside the U.S. The occurrence of any of the risks described below could have an adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition:
• political and economic instability in the countries where we conduct business;
• social unrest, acts of war, terrorism, severe weather events, other natural conditions, and global outbreaks of contagious diseases;
• inflation, or hyper-inflation or recession;
• significant currency fluctuations, currency devaluations or restrictions on currency conversions;
• governmental activities that limit or disrupt markets, restrict payments or limit the movement of funds;
• trade restrictions, tariffs and economic embargoes by the United States or other countries; and
• travel restrictions placed upon personnel.
Catastrophic events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
The occurrence of catastrophic events, including acts of war, terrorism, or geopolitical conflict; severe weather events and other natural conditions such as earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and other severe weather conditions; or outbreaks of epidemic, pandemic, or contagious diseases, could disrupt economic activity and adversely affect our business. While we operate exclusively in the United States and Canada and do not ship products to foreign locations, ongoing armed conflicts, including those in Ukraine, Iran, Israel, and the broader Middle East, could indirectly impact our operations through disruptions experienced by our customers or suppliers, including their respective contract manufacturers, as well as through broader macroeconomic effects such as volatility in energy and commodity markets, inflationary pressures, or reduced customer demand.
At this time, these conflicts have not materially impacted our operations. However, any escalation, expansion, or prolongation of such conflicts, or the emergence of new conflicts, could adversely affect our future sales, results of operations, or cash flows. In addition, the spread of contagious diseases could adversely affect domestic and global economies and financial markets, and result in an economic downturn that could negatively affect demand for our manufactured solutions. These events are outside of the Company's control, and any of them could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows in the future.
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Supply chain disruptions and inflation in the price of energy and certain raw materials for our business segments may adversely affect our operations.
Within our AZZ Metal Coatings segment, zinc and natural gas costs represent a large portion of our cost of sales. In our AZZ Precoat Metals segment, paint and natural gas costs represent a large portion of our cost of sales.
For both segments, operating margins could be negatively impacted by supply chain disruptions and adverse price movements in the market for zinc and natural gas. Unanticipated commodity price increases could significantly increase our operating costs if we cannot pass the costs to our customers, and could potentially adversely affect profitability. The following factors, which are beyond our control, affect the price of raw materials and energy for our segments:
• supply and demand;
• freight costs and transportation availability;
• trade duties and taxes; and
• labor disputes.
We seek to maintain our operating margins by increasing the price of our manufactured solutions in response to increased costs, but we may not be successful in passing these increased costs of operation through to our customers. Even if successful, there is no guarantee the increased price would not negatively affect the volume of future orders. While we are exposed to inflationary pressures for zinc and energy, we evaluate market conditions and follow a general practice of locking in the fixed premiums associated with zinc on annual contracts unless market conditions dictate otherwise, and we enter into energy contracts for natural gas, normally for durations of six to twelve months to reduce risks associated with large fluctuations in these commodities.
No other individual material input cost represents a significant portion of our cost of sales other than those previously discussed. We believe for the remaining input costs any price increase would not be able to significantly affect margins even if the increased costs could not be passed on to our customers.
A failure in our operational information systems, or the occurrence of cyber incidents or cybersecurity attacks at any of our facilities or those of our third-party suppliers and service providers, may adversely affect our financial results. Such incidents or cyber security attacks may also result in faulty business decisions, operational inefficiencies, damage to our reputation or our employee and business relationships, and/or subject us to costs, fines, or lawsuits.
Our business is heavily supported by operational systems to process large amounts of data and support complex transactions. If significant financial, operational, or other data processing systems fail, experience actual or attempted cyber-attacks or have other significant shortcomings, our financial results could be adversely affected. Our financial results could also be adversely affected if an employee causes our operational systems to fail, either as a result of inadvertent error or by deliberately tampering with or manipulating our financial or operational systems. Third-parties may also attempt to fraudulently induce employees into disclosing sensitive information such as user names, passwords or other information in order to gain access to customer or supplier data or our internal data, including intellectual property, financial, and other confidential business information. Due to increased technology advances, we are more reliant on technologies to support our operations. We use computer software and programs to run our financial and operational information, and this may subject our business to increased risks. Cyber-attacks are an ever-increasing risk to companies. We rely on commercially available systems, software, tools, third-party service providers and monitoring to provide security for processing, transmission and storage of confidential information and data. While we have security measures in place, our systems, networks, and third-party service providers have been and will continue to be subject to ongoing threats. We believe our mitigation measures reduce but cannot eliminate the risk of a cyber incident; however, there can be no assurance that our existing and planned precautions of backup systems, regular data backups, security protocols and other procedures will be adequate to prevent significant damage, system failure or data loss and the same is true for our suppliers and other third parties on which we rely. Because techniques used to obtain unauthorized access or sabotage systems change frequently and are typically not identified until they are launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative or mitigating measures. We and our third-party service providers have experienced and expect to continue to experience actual or attempted cyber-attacks of our information systems or networks; however, none of these actual or attempted cyber-attacks had a material impact on our operations or financial condition. Any significant cyber security attacks that affect our facilities, our customers, our key suppliers, or material financial data could have a material adverse effect on our business.
In addition, cyber-attacks on our customers, suppliers and employee data may result in a financial loss, including potential fines for failure to safeguard data, and could negatively impact our reputation. Third-party systems on which we rely could also suffer operational system failures or cyber-attacks. An unauthorized disclosure or use of information could cause
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interruptions in our operations and might require us to spend significant management time and other resources investigating the event and dealing with local and federal law enforcement.
Occurrences of any of the events discussed above could disrupt our business, result in potential liability or reputational damage or otherwise have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
If we are unable to adequately protect our intellectual property, we may lose some of our competitive advantage.
We possess intellectual property, which is instrumental in our ability to compete and grow our business. If our intellectual property rights are not adequately protected, we could lose our competitive advantage. We rely on a combination of copyrights, trademarks, trade secret protection and contractual rights to establish and protect our intellectual property. In addition, our competitors may develop proprietary information or manufacturing technologies that are equivalent or superior to our intellectual property. Despite our safeguards and controls, our intellectual property may be misappropriated by our employees, our competitors, or other third parties. Failure of our copyrights, trademarks and trade secret protection, non-disclosure agreements and other measures to provide protection of our technologies and our intellectual property rights could enable our competitors to more effectively compete with us and could result in an adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Defects in the solutions we provide could increase our cost of quality and could result in consequential damage claims.
Our business exposes us to potential liability risks that are inherent in the manufacture and sale of our solutions. We provide assurance-type warranties for our manufactured solutions. Widespread manufacturing defects and quality system failures could result in significant losses due to the costs of containment, the destruction of customer-owned inventory and lost sales due to the unavailability of a solution for a period of time. We may not be able to obtain indemnity or reimbursement from our suppliers or other third parties for the costs or liabilities associated with our suppliers' products. A significant warranty claim could also result in adverse publicity, damage to our business reputation, and a loss of consumer confidence in our solutions or offerings. Each of these could have a material adverse effect on our business financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Related to Strategy
Our acquisition strategy involves a number of risks.
We intend to pursue continued growth through acquiring the assets of target companies that will enable us to (i) expand our product and service offerings and (ii) increase our geographic footprint. We routinely review potential acquisitions. However, we may be unable to implement this growth strategy if we are not able to reach agreement on mutually acceptable terms to complete the acquisition. Moreover, our acquisition strategy involves certain risks, including:
• risks and liabilities from our acquisitions that may not be discovered during the pre-acquisition due diligence process;
• difficulties in the post-acquisition integration of internal controls, operations and systems;
• termination of relationships with key personnel and customers of the acquired company;
• potential failure to add additional employees to manage the increased volume of business;
• additional post-acquisition challenges and complexities in areas such as tax planning, treasury management, financial reporting and legal compliance;
• disruption of our ongoing business or an inability of our ongoing business to receive sufficient management attention;
• failure to realize the cost savings or other financial benefits we anticipated prior to acquisition;
• expansion through acquisition may expose us to new business, regulatory, political, operational, financial, and economic risks associated with such expansion, both inside and outside of the U.S.; and
• counterparties to the transaction may fail to perform.
Future acquisitions may require us to obtain additional equity or debt financing, which may not be available to us, and/or may increase our leverage ratios.
We may be unsuccessful at implementing and generating internal growth from our strategic growth initiatives.
Our ability to generate internal growth will be affected by, among other factors, our ability to:
• attract new customers, internationally and domestically;
• integrate regulatory changes;
• increase the number or size of projects performed for existing customers;
• hire and retain employees; and
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• increase volume utilizing existing facilities.
Many of the factors affecting our ability to generate internal growth through our initiatives may be beyond our control, and we cannot be certain that our strategies will be successful or that we will be able to generate cash flow sufficient to fund our operations and to support internal growth. If we are unsuccessful, we may not be able to achieve internal growth, expand our operations or grow our business.
The departure of key personnel could disrupt our business.
We depend on the continued efforts of our executive officers and senior management team. We cannot be certain that any individual will continue in such capacity for any particular period of time. The future loss of key personnel, or the inability to hire and retain qualified employees, could negatively impact our ability to manage our business, which could disrupt our operations or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business.
Risks Related to Legal Liability, Taxes, and Regulations
Actual and potential claims, lawsuits, and proceedings could ultimately reduce our profitability and liquidity and negatively impact our financial condition.
The Company could be named as a defendant in legal proceedings claiming damages from us in connection with the operation of our business. Most actions filed against our Company typically arise out of the normal course of business related to commercial disputes regarding the manufactured solutions we provide. We could potentially be a plaintiff in legal proceedings against our customers, in which we seek to recover payments of contractual amounts we believe are due to us and indemnity claims for increased costs or damages incurred by our Company. Under applicable accounting literature, and when appropriate, we establish financial provisions for certain legal exposures meeting the criteria of being both probable and reasonably estimable. Where material, we may adjust any such financial provisions depending on developments related to each case. If our assumptions and estimates related to such exposures prove to be inadequate or incorrect, or we have material adverse claims or lawsuits, such events could harm our business reputation, divert management resources away from operating our business, and result in a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flow or financial condition.
Changes to U.S. trade policy, tariff and import/export regulations and foreign government regulations could adversely affect our business, operating results, foreign operations, sourcing of materials and financial condition.
Our business could be adversely affected by:
• changes in U.S. or international social, political, regulatory and economic conditions;
• changes in laws and policies governing foreign trade, manufacturing, development and investment in the territories or countries where we currently manufacture, distribute and/or sell our manufactured solutions or conduct our business, or any negative sentiment toward the U.S. as a result of such changes;
• new tariffs or changes in existing tariffs; and
• other changes in U.S. trade policy.
All of the above listed changes have the potential to adversely impact the economies in which we operate or certain sectors thereof, our industry and the demand for our manufactured solutions, and as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our business is also subject to risks associated with U.S. and foreign legislation and regulations relating to imports, including quotas, duties, tariffs or taxes, and other charges or restrictions on imports, which could adversely affect our operations and our ability to import or export manufactured solutions at current or increased levels. We cannot predict whether additional U.S. and foreign customs quotas, duties (including antidumping or countervailing duties), tariffs, taxes or other charges or restrictions, requirements as to where raw materials must be purchased, reporting obligations pertaining to "conflict minerals" mined from certain countries, additional workplace regulations, or other restrictions on our imports will be imposed upon the importation or exportation of our manufactured solutions in the future or adversely modified, or what effect such actions would have on our costs of operations. Future quotas, duties, or tariffs may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Future trade agreements could also provide our competitors with an advantage over us, or increase our costs, either of which could potentially have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
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Regulations related to conflict minerals could adversely impact our business.
Pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Act, which established annual disclosure and reporting requirements for publicly-traded companies that use tin, tantalum, tungsten or gold (collectively, "conflict minerals") mined from the Democratic Republic of Congo and adjoining countries in their manufactured solutions, we are subject to certain annual disclosures and audit requirements. There are costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including costs for due diligence to determine the source of any conflict minerals used in our manufactured solutions and other potential changes to manufactured solutions, processes, or sources of supply. Despite our continued due diligence efforts, in the future we may be unable to verify the origin of all conflict minerals used in our component products. As a result, we could potentially face reputational and other challenges with our customers that require that all of the components incorporated in our manufactured solutions be certified as conflict-free.
Adoption of new or revised employment and labor laws and regulations could make it easier for our employees to obtain union representation and our business could be adversely impacted.
As of February 28, 2026, 558 (or 14.8%) of our full-time employees were represented by unions under collective bargaining agreements. Our U.S.-based employees have the right at any time under the National Labor Relations Act to form or affiliate with a union. If a large portion of our U.S. workforce were to become unionized and the terms of the collective bargaining agreement were significantly different from our current compensation arrangements, it could increase our operating costs and adversely impact our profitability. Any changes in regulations, the imposition of new regulations, or the enactment of new legislation could have an adverse impact on our business to the extent it becomes easier for workers to obtain union representation.
Changes in labor or employment laws, including minimum wage rules, could increase our costs and may adversely affect our business.
Various federal, state and international labor and employment laws govern our relationship with employees and affect operating costs. These laws include minimum wage requirements, overtime, unemployment tax rates, workers' compensation rates, leaves of absence, mandated health and other benefits, and citizenship requirements. Significant additional government-imposed increases or new requirements in these areas could materially affect our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows.
Risks Related to Environmental Conditions
Climate change could impact our business.
Climate change could present risks to our future operations from severe weather events and other natural conditions, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, wildfires, droughts or flooding. Consequences of such extreme weather conditions could include physical risks to our facilities, supply chain disruptions, increased operational costs, as well as the price and/or availability of insurance coverage for Company assets. We cannot predict the potential timing or impact from potential global warming, winter storms and other severe weather events and other natural conditions. We carry certain limits of insurance to mitigate the potential effects of events that could impact our business, as well as disaster recovery plans related to any potential severe weather events and other natural conditions that might occur within regions in which we have operations, or at any of the Company locations.
Changes in environmental laws and regulations and heightened focus on corporate sustainability initiatives and practices are under increased scrutiny by both governmental and non-governmental bodies, which could cause a change in our business practices by increasing capital, compliance, operating and maintenance costs, which could impact our future operating results.
Over the past several years, there has been a heightened focus by both governmental and non-governmental bodies requesting disclosure of information relating to corporate sustainability practices as well as an increase in customers' preference to source from suppliers who have implemented effective sustainability initiatives. International agreements, national and regional legislation, and regulatory measures to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and require companies to more efficiently use energy, water and reduce waste, are in various stages of discussion and/or implementation across the globe. These laws, regulations and policies, as well as other sustainability demands made by governmental and non-governmental bodies may result in the need for future capital, compliance, operating and maintenance costs. We cannot predict the level of expenditures or potential impact to the Company that may be required to comply with these evolving environmental and sustainability laws and regulations due to the uncertainties on the laws enacted in each jurisdiction in which we operate, and our activities in each one of these jurisdictions.
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The financial impact of the heightened focus on sustainability practices for all companies to increase efficiencies in consumption of resources and regulations regarding greenhouse gas emissions will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to:
• the sectors covered;
• future permitted levels for greenhouse gas emissions;
• the extent to which we would be entitled to receive emission allowance allocations or would need to invest in additional compliance equipment or compliance instruments, either on the open market or through auctions;
• the price and availability of emission allowances and credits; and
• the impact of legislation or other regulation on our ability to recover the costs incurred through the pricing of our manufactured solutions.
Our operations could be adversely impacted by the effects of future changes to the law and government regulations regarding emissions, the environment and other sustainability matters.
Various regulations have been implemented regarding emissions, the environment and other sustainability matters. We cannot predict future changes in the law and government regulations regarding emissions, the environment and other sustainability matters, or what actions may be taken by our customers or other industry participants in response to any future legislation. While the Company actively is engaged in enhancing our environmental, social and governance programs, changes in laws or governmental regulations could negatively impact our business or the demand for our manufactured solutions by customers, other industry related participants, or our investors, and could result in a negative impact to our operations, profitability, or our ability to perform projects in the future.
Risks Related to Financial Matters and Our Capital Structure
The Company's flexibility to operate its business could be impacted by provisions in its debt obligations.
The Company's debt instruments, consisting of a term loan, a revolving credit facility, and a receivables securitization facility, contain covenants which restrict or prohibit certain actions ("negative covenants"). These restrictions include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to incur debt, restrictions or limitations on certain liens, capital spending limits, the ability to engage in certain merger, acquisition, or divestiture actions, or to increase dividends beyond a specific level. The Company's debt instruments also contain covenants requiring the Company to, among other things, maintain specified financial ratios. Failure to comply with these negative covenants and affirmative covenants could result in an event of default that, if not cured or waived, could restrict the Company's liquidity and have a material adverse effect on the Company's business or prospects. If the Company does not have enough cash to service its debt or fund other liquidity needs, the Company may be required to take actions such as requesting a waiver from lenders, reducing or delaying capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing all or part of the existing debt, or seeking additional equity capital. The Company cannot assure that any of these remedies can be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
Our indebtedness and restrictive debt covenants could materially adversely affect our financial condition, our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, our ability to operate our business, our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry, our ability to meet our obligations under our outstanding indebtedness or could divert our cash flow from operations for debt payments.
Our level of indebtedness could adversely affect us by decreasing our business flexibility. Our credit agreement contains a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These covenants may limit our ability to optimally operate our business. In addition, our credit agreement requires that we meet certain financial tests, specifically, a leverage ratio test. Our increased indebtedness and these restrictive covenants could adversely affect our ability to:
• finance our operations;
• make needed capital expenditures;
• make strategic acquisitions or investments or enter into joint ventures;
• withstand a future downturn in our business, industry or the economy in general;
• engage in business activities, including future opportunities, that may be in our best interest; and
• plan for or react to market conditions or otherwise execute our business strategies.
The covenant restrictions related to our indebtedness could impact our ability to expand our business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As a result of these restrictions, we could be limited as to how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could
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include more restrictive covenants. We cannot provide assurance that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so, that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants. Our failure to comply with the restrictive covenants described above and/or the terms of any future indebtedness from time to time could result in an event of default which, if not cured or waived, could result in our being required to repay these borrowings before their due date and the termination of future funding commitments by our lenders. Historically, we have successfully refinanced our long-term debt to lower interest rates; however, if we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or cannot refinance these borrowings in the future, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. The credit agreement contains cross-default provisions that could result in the acceleration of all of our indebtedness. A breach of the covenants under our credit agreement could result in an event of default under the applicable indebtedness. Such a default may allow the creditors to accelerate the related indebtedness and may result in the acceleration of any other indebtedness to which cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In addition, an event of default under the credit agreement would permit the lenders under the credit agreement to terminate all commitments to extend further credit under that facility. Furthermore, if we were unable to repay amounts due and payable under the credit agreement, those lenders could proceed against the collateral granted to them to secure that indebtedness. In the event our lenders accelerate the repayment of our borrowings, we and our guarantors may not have sufficient assets to repay that indebtedness. Additionally, we may not be able to borrow money from other lenders to enable us to refinance our indebtedness. Increased levels of indebtedness could also create competitive disadvantages for us relative to other companies with lower debt levels.
Our investment in the AVAIL Joint Venture could be materially and adversely affected by our lack of sole decision-making authority over the majority of the strategic and operational decisions of the business, corporate governance matters, and our reliance on our AVAIL Joint Venture partner's financial condition.
On September 30, 2022, we completed a disposition of 60% of the equity of AIS Investment Holdings LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the "AVAIL JV"), which consists of our former AZZ Infrastructure Solutions Segment (excluding AZZ Crowley Tubing) (the "AIS Business"), with Fernweh AIS Acquisition LP, a Delaware limited partnership. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, AZZ no longer has a controlling interest in the AVAIL JV, and therefore the AVAIL JV is operating and will continue to operate independently. As the non-controlling interest holder in the AVAIL JV, our influence on all aspects of the AIS Business will continue to diminish. Accordingly, we might not be able to prevent the AVAIL JV from taking actions adverse to our interests in the AVAIL JV. We cannot exercise sole decision-making authority regarding the AIS Business, including, but not limited to, hiring and retaining employees and executive officers, management of and payments into its multi-employer pension plans, governance issues, entering into new markets or exiting existing markets, making certain acquisitions or dispositions, and other material strategic transactions. Each of these cases could create the potential risk of creating operational issues and/or impasses on decisions at the AVAIL JV-level that are not in our best interest. Additionally, investments in joint ventures or partnerships, such as the AVAIL JV, may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present when a third-party is not involved, including the possibility that joint venture partners may become bankrupt, fail to fund their share of required capital contributions to various parties, or otherwise struggle operationally or financially. Disputes between AZZ Inc, and our joint venture partner could result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expense and distract our executive officers and directors from focusing their time and efforts on AZZ Inc.'s business and could result in subjecting the AIS Business to additional risk.
Any of the foregoing operational risks could materially reduce the expected return of our prior investment in the AVAIL JV and materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and the trading price of our securities.
Adverse changes in the value of assets or obligations associated with our defined benefit pension plan could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
We have a defined benefit pension plan which is frozen with respect to benefits and the addition of participants. The funded status and our ability to satisfy the future obligations of the plan is affected by, among other things, changes in interest rates, returns from plan asset investments, and actuarial assumptions including the life expectancies of the plan's participants. As of February 28, 2026, the plan was underfunded, and we have a net pension benefit obligation liability of $15.1 million on our consolidated balance sheet. Our ability to adequately fund or meet our future obligations with respect to the plan could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
A change in a customer's creditworthiness could result in significant accounts receivable write-offs.
As a normal course of business, we extend credit to certain customers. The amount of credit extended to customers is based upon the due diligence performed, including, but not limited to, the review of the potential customer's financial statements and banking information. The Company may perform various credit checks and evaluate the customer's previous payment history. While we do not believe we have significant concentration of sales with any one customer, we have certain
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larger customers and the extension of credit to these customers could result in a significant amount of credit exposure if there is a sudden or severe change in the customer's creditworthiness. We monitor our outstanding receivables on a regular basis; however, if a customer with large credit exposure is unable to make payment on its outstanding receivables, we could experience a significant write-off of accounts receivable, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
If our goodwill, definite-lived intangible assets or other indefinite-lived intangible assets were to become impaired, our net income and results of operations could be negatively affected.
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair market value of net assets acquired in business combinations. Indefinite-lived intangibles are comprised of certain trade names. We test goodwill and intangible assets with an indefinite life for potential impairment annually in the fourth quarter, and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of the goodwill below its carrying amount. Factors that could indicate that our goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets are impaired include: a decline in our stock price and market capitalization; lower than projected operating results and cash flows; economic downturns or slower growth rates in our industry; market downturns; or major events such as a global pandemic. Our stock price historically has shown volatility and often fluctuates significantly in response to market and other factors. Declines in our stock price, lower operating results and any decline in industry conditions in the future could increase the risk of impairment. The evaluation for impairment includes our estimates of future operating results and cash flows, estimates of allocations of certain assets and cash flows among reporting segments, estimates of future growth rates, and our judgment regarding the applicable discount rates used on estimated operating results and cash flows.
Intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheets are comprised of customer relationships, non-compete agreements, trademarks, technology and certifications. Intangible assets are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by a comparison of their carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we record impairment losses for the excess of their carrying value over the estimated fair value.
Should a review indicate impairment, a write-down of the carrying value of the goodwill or intangible asset would occur, resulting in a non-cash charge, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements, impact our credibility with our shareholders, or impact our relationships with our customers, suppliers or supporting banks.
We are exposed to exchange rate fluctuations in the international markets in which we operate.
We are exposed to risks associated with exchange rate fluctuations related to our operations in Canada. Because our financial statements are denominated in U.S dollars, fluctuations in currency exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar have had and will continue to have an impact on our earnings. A decrease in the value of the Canadian currency relative to the U.S. dollar could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Should we continue to expand geographically, we could experience economic loss and a negative impact on earnings or net assets solely as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
Our operations entail inherent risks that may result in substantial liability. We do not insure against all potential losses and could be seriously harmed by unexpected liabilities.
Our manufacturing processes and services provided to our customers entail inherent risks, including defects. The insurance we carry to mitigate many of these risks may not be adequate to cover future claims or losses. In addition, we are substantially self-insured for workers' compensation, employer's liability, property, general liability and employee group health claims in view of the relatively high per-incident deductibles we absorb under our insurance arrangements for these risks. Further, insurance covering the risks we expect to face or in the amounts we desire may not be available in the future or, if available, the premiums may not be commercially justifiable. If we were to incur substantial liability and such damages were not covered by insurance or were in excess of policy limits, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be negatively impacted.
Tax legislation and administrative initiatives or challenges to our tax positions could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition .
We operate in locations throughout the U.S. and Canada and, as a result, we are subject to the tax laws and regulations of U.S. federal, state, and local governments and the equivalent g overnmental entities in Canada. From time to time, various legislative or administrative initiatives may be proposed that could adversely affect our tax positions. In addition, U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax laws and regulations are extremely complex and subject to varying interpretations. Moreover, economic and political pressures to increase tax revenue in various jurisdictions may make favorably resolving any future tax
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disputes more difficult. There can be no assurance that our tax positions will not be challenged by relevant tax authorities or that we would be successful in any such challenge. Changes to our tax positions resulting from future tax legislation, administrative initiatives or challenges from taxing authorities could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
The insurance coverage that we maintain may not fully cover all operational risks.
We maintain property, business interruption, casualty and cyber/information security insurance but such insurance may not cover all of the risks associated with the hazards of our business and is subject to limitations, including deductibles and maximum liabilities covered. We may incur losses beyond the limits, or outside the coverage, of our insurance policies, including liabilities for environmental remediation. In the future, the types of insurance we obtain and the level of coverage we maintain may be inadequate or we may be unable to continue to maintain our existing insurance or obtain comparable insurance at a reasonable cost.
Interest Rate Risk
An increase in interest rates would increase interest costs on variable-rate debt and could adversely impact the ability to refinance existing debt.
As of February 28, 2026, we have $515.0 million of gross debt outstanding that bears interest at variable rates that reset periodically and are generally based on the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") or Base Rate, as defined in the credit agreement. We utilize interest rate swaps to mitigate the interest rate risk, and we have hedged approximately one-half of our gross debt outstanding with an interest rate swap that expires on June 30, 2027. Approximately one-half of our gross debt outstanding is unhedged. If interest rates increase, so will our interest costs, which could adversely affect cash flow and the ability to pay principal and interest on our debt and the ability to make distributions to shareholders. In addition, rising interest rates could limit our ability to refinance existing debt when it matures. An increase in interest rates could also affect our ability to make new investments on favorable terms or at all.
We may increase our debt or raise additional capital in the future, which could affect our financial condition, may decrease our profitability or could dilute our shareholders.
We may increase our debt or raise additional equity capital in the future, subject to restrictions in our debt agreements, whether in a private offering or pursuant to our effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, which we filed on January 10, 2024. If our cash flow from operations is less than we anticipate, or if our cash requirements are more than we expect, we may require more financing. However, debt or equity financing may not be available on terms acceptable to us, if at all. If we incur additional debt or raise equity through the issuance of additional shares of common stock or other equity-linked securities, the terms of the debt or any shares of common stock or other equity-linked securities issued may give the holders rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of holders of our common stock, particularly in the event of liquidation. The terms of any new debt may also impose additional and more stringent restrictions on our operations than we currently have. If we raise funds through the issuance of additional equity, our current shareholders' ownership in the Company would be diluted. If we are unable to raise additional capital when needed, it could affect our financial flexibility, which could negatively affect our shareholders.
General Risks Factors
The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile.
The market price of our stock may be influenced by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including the following:
• the inability to meet the financial estimates of analysts who follow our common stock;
• investor perceptions of the investment opportunity associated with our Company relative to other investment alternatives;
• strategic actions by us or our competitors;
• announcements by us or our competitors of significant contracts, acquisitions, joint marketing relationships, joint ventures or capital commitments;
• variations in our quarterly operating results and those of our competitors;
• general economic and stock market conditions;
• risks relating to our business and our industry, including those discussed above;
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• changes in conditions or trends in our industry, markets or customers;
• cyber-attacks, terrorist acts or armed hostilities;
• future sales of our common stock or other securities;
• repurchases of our outstanding shares; and
• material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.
These broad market and industry factors may materially reduce the market price of our common stock, regardless of our operating performance.
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MD&A (Item 7)
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
You should read the following discussion together with "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data." This discussion contains forward-looking statements regarding our business and operations; see "Forward-Looking Statements" at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our actual results may differ materially from those we currently anticipate as a result of the factors we describe under "Item 1A. Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations as well as our liquidity and capital resources for fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024 can be found under "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025, filed with the SEC on April 21, 2025, which such discussion is hereby incorporated by reference.
Overview
We are a provider of hot-dip galvanizing and coil coating solutions to a broad range of end-markets in North America. We operate three distinct business segments, the AZZ Metal Coatings segment, the AZZ Precoat Metals segment, and the AZZ Infrastructure Solutions segment, which consists of the Company's 40% investment in the AVAIL JV joint venture. Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is presented for each of our segments, along with corporate costs and other costs not specifically identifiable to a segment. References herein to fiscal years are to the twelve-month periods that end in February of the relevant calendar year. For example, the twelve-month period ended February 28, 2026 is referred to as "fiscal 2026," "fiscal year 2026", "current year" or "current period", and the twelve-month period ended February 28, 2025 is referred to as "fiscal 2025," "fiscal year 2025," "prior year" or "prior year period."
Business Operations Update
Our results for the year ended February 28, 2026 were favorably impacted primarily by the recognition of equity in earnings for the AVAIL JV, which included the gain from AVAIL's sale of the Electrical Products Group and the Welding Services Business, and by the growth in demand for our manufactured solutions in the electrical, construction and industrial end markets .
The equity in earnings from the AVAIL JV was the primary contributor to net income available to common shareholders of $317.3 million for the year ended February 28, 2026. Our operating results for fiscal 2026, including operating results by segment, are described in the summary on the following page, and detailed descriptions can be found below under “Results of Operations.”
Our operations generated $525.4 million of cash in fiscal 2026. The components of our liquidity and descriptions of our cash flows, capital investments, and other utilities, construction and matters impacting our liquidity and capital resources can be found below under "Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Outlook
While it is difficult to predict future North American economic activity and its impact on the demand for our galvanizing and coil coating solutions, as well the impact that political or regulatory developments may have on us, we have noted several factors below that have impacted or may impact our results of operations during the first quarter of fiscal 2027.
• Sales prices in our AZZ Metal Coatings segment are expected to remain consistent with current levels. Fluctuations in product mix, along with competitive market pressures, may impact selling price.
• Sales prices in our AZZ Precoat Metals segment are expected to increase on average from past levels, resulting from passing through higher pricing on specified materials along with increased overall selling prices, although fluctuations in mix may impact the average selling price.
• Demand in our AZZ Metal Coatings and AZZ Precoat Metals segments is expected to follow our typical seasonal patterns.
• Volumes for our AZZ Metal Coatings segment remain at normal seasonal levels, which should support the continued demand for our metal coatings solutions.
• Customer inventories for our AZZ Precoat Metals segment remain at normal seasonal levels, which should support the continued demand for our coil coating solutions.
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Results of Operations
Income before income tax for our operating segments and corporate operations for fiscal 2026 and 2025 was as follows (in thousands):
Year Ended February 28, 2026
Metal Coatings (1)
Precoat Metals
Infrastructure Solutions (2)
Corporate (3)(4)
Total
Sales
Cost of sales
Gross margin
Selling, general and administrative (5)
Operating income (loss)
Interest expense
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries (6)
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) before income tax
See notes on page 23 .
Year Ended February 28, 2025
Metal Coatings
Precoat Metals
Infrastructure Solutions (2)
Corporate (3)(4)
Total
Sales
Cost of sales
Gross margin
Selling, general and administrative (5)
Operating income (loss)
Interest expense
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
Other income (expense)
Income (loss) before income tax
Fiscal year 2026 includes restructuring charges related to the closure of two surface technology facilities in our Metal Coatings segment of $3.8 million. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 21."
Infrastructure Solutions segment includes the equity in earnings from our investment in the AVAIL JV, as well as other expenses related to receivables and liabilities that were retained following the sale of the AIS business. Fiscal year 2025 includes $6.5 million related to legal matters.
Interest expense and Income tax expense are included under the Corporate heading, as these items are not allocated to the segments.
Amortization expense for intangible assets are included in Corporate expenses in "Selling, general and administrative" expense as these expenses are not allocated to the segments. Fiscal year 2025 also includes an accrual related to a legal settlement and accrual related to a non-operating entity of $3.5 million, as well as retirement and other severance expenses of $3.7 million.
Fiscal year 2026 includes stock-based compensation expense recognized upon the adoption of the Executive Retiree LTI Program of $2.2 million, of which $0.4 million and $1.8 million are included in Metal Coatings and Corporate, respectively. Fiscal year 2025 includes an accrual related to a legal settlement and accrual related to a non-operating entity of $3.5 million, as well as retirement and other severance expenses of $3.7 million.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, AVAIL completed the sale of the Electrical Products Group ("EPG"). During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, AVAIL completed the sale of the majority of its Welding Services Business ("WSI"). Equity in earnings for the year ended February 28, 2026 includes $204.5 million, consisting of a net gain related to the sale of the EPG and WSI, partially offset by the recognition of an impairment loss on the AVAIL JV, a prior period adjustment for accounting errors within the Brazil operations of the AVAIL JV, and an adjustment related to a change in AVAIL's transfer pricing policy. For further information, see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 18."
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2026, we recorded sales of $1.65 billion, compared to prior year's sales of $1.58 billion. Of total sales for fiscal 2026, 46.0% were generated from the AZZ Metal Coatings segment and 54.0% of sales were generated from the AZZ Precoat Metals segment. Net income for fiscal 2026 was $317.3 million, compared to $128.8 million
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for fiscal 2025. Net income as a percentage of sales was 19.2% for fiscal 2026 as compared to 8.2% for fiscal 2025. Diluted earnings per common share increased by 486.6%, to $10.50 per share for fiscal 2026, compared to $1.79 per share for fiscal 2025. The increase was primarily due to equity in earnings from the AVAIL JV and the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock in the prior year. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources—AVAIL JV and —Series A Convertible Preferred Stock."
Sales
Sales for the AZZ Metal Coatings segment increased $93.6 million, or 14.1%, to $758.7 million, from the prior year's sales of $665.1 million. The increase in sales was primarily due to $110.4 million resulting from higher volume of steel processed, mainly due to increases in the construction, electrical, industrial, and transportation end markets, and an increase in other sales of $1.8 million. The increase was partially offset by a decrease in average selling price of $18.6 million due to product mix.
Sales for the AZZ Precoat Metals segment decreased $21.3 million, or 2.3%, to $891.4 million, from the prior year's sales of $912.6 million. The decrease in sales was primarily due to a lower volume of coil coated during fiscal 2026 , mainly due to decreases in construction and transportation end markets. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in average selling price due to vendor price increases that were passed through to the customer.
Operating Income
Operating income for the AZZ Metal Coatings segment increased $25.2 million, or 14.1%, for fiscal 2026, to $203.6 million, as compared to $178.5 million for the prior year. The increase is primarily due to net increase in sales as described above, offset by higher cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses. Cost of sales increased $66.8 million, primarily due to higher sales volumes and an increase in zinc, labor, and overhead costs. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense was primarily due to higher employee related costs.
Operating income for the AZZ Precoat Metals segment decreased $9.7 million, or 6.6%, for fiscal 2026, to $138.1 million, as compared to $147.8 million for the prior year. The decrease is primarily due to the decrease in sales as described above, partially offset by a decrease in cost of sales, primarily driven by lower cost of labor and materials (mainly due to lower volume). Selling, general and administrative expense decreased due to lower employee related costs and other indirect costs.
Operating loss for the AZZ Infrastructure solutions segment was $0.1 million compared to an operating loss of $6.7 million for the prior year, an improvement of $6.6 million for fiscal 2026. The operating loss was lower due to the prior year recognition of $1.2 million in litigation fees and the write-off of $5.2 million for a disputed receivable that was retained following the sale of the AIS business. For additional detail, see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 22."
Corporate Expenses
Corporate expenses decreased $6.2 million, to $77.0 million for fiscal 2026, compared to $83.2 million for fiscal 2025. The decrease is primarily due to decreases in salaries and wages, professional fees and legal expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense for fiscal 2026 decreased $25.6 million, to $55.7 million, as compared to $81.3 million in fiscal 2025. The decrease is primarily attributable to a decrease of $235.9 million in our weighted average debt outstanding and a decrease in the weighted average interest rate of 160 basis points. The decrease is offset by lower capitalized interest of $6.1 million in the current year associated with the new coil coating facility in Washington, Missouri, which became operational during the first quarter of fiscal 2026. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Greenfield Aluminum Coil Coating Facility" below for more information.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Entities
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries for the current period increased $193.6 million, to $209.7 million, compared to $16.2 million in the prior year period. The increase is due to a net gain from the sale of the Electrical Products Group and WSI, partially offset by an impairment loss recognized on the AVAIL JV in the second quarter of fiscal 2026, a prior period adjustment for accounting errors within the Brazil operations of the AVAIL JV, and lower earnings following the sale of the Electrical Products Group and WSI. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources—AVAIL JV" below for more information about the AVAIL JV.
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Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other income, net was $1.6 million for fiscal 2026, compared to other expense, net of $0.6 million for fiscal 2025. The increase in income is primarily due to foreign currency gains primarily attributed to our operations in Canada, and increased interest income in the current year.
Income Taxes
The effective tax rate was flat at 24.5% for fiscal 2026 compared to fiscal 2025. In the current year, the effective tax rate was negatively impacted by an increase in state tax expense from our investment in the AVAIL JV, partially offset by higher R&D tax credits related to the construction of the new aluminum coil coating facility in Washington, Missouri. In the prior year, the effective tax rate was negatively impacted by non-deductible items such as compensation limited by IRC Sec. 162(m), meals and entertainment subject to the 50% limitation under IRC Sec. 274(n) and higher state tax expense, net of federal benefit.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We have historically met our cash needs through a combination of cash flows from operating activities along with bank and bond market debt. Our cash requirements generally include working capital needs, capital improvements, quarterly cash dividends, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes. Based on our current financial condition and current operations, we believe that our cash position, cash flows from operating activities and our expectation of continuing availability to draw upon our credit facilities are sufficient to meet our cash flow needs for the foreseeable future.
As of February 28, 2026, our total liquidity of $358.8 million, consisted of $358.1 million of available capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility and Receivables Securitization Facility, and cash and cash equivalents of $0.7 million.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows by category for the periods presented (in thousands):
Year Ended February 28,
Net cash provided by operating activities
Net cash used in investing activities
Net cash used in financing activities
Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2026 increased by $275.5 million, compared to fiscal 2025, primarily due to:
• an increase in cash distributions from the AVAIL JV of $260.7 million, following AVAIL's sale of its EPG and WSI businesses,
• an increase in net income of $188.4 million, primarily due to an increase in equity in earnings from the AVAIL JV,
• an increase in cash flows from deferred income taxes of $24.9 million, primarily due to cash tax savings from the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on July 4, 2025, as well as an increase in book over tax basis related to goodwill and the deductibility of interest expense that had previously been capitalized for tax purposes,
• an increase in cash flows from long-term assets and liabilities of $7.1 million, primarily due to increases in long-term lease liabilities, partially offset by a decrease in pension liability, and
• an increase in non-cash expenses of $4.5 million, primarily due to additional depreciation expense, partly due to the new aluminum coil coating facility in Washington, Missouri and restructuring charges related to two locations in our AZZ Metal Coatings segment, partially offset by a decrease in bad debt expense, due to a write-off of a receivable in the prior year related to the AZZ Infrastructure Solutions segment, and a gain on the sale of property, plant and equipment in the current year, partially offset by
• an increase in non-cash equity in earnings from the AVAIL JV of $193.6 million, primarily due to equity in earnings related to the AVAIL JV's sale of its EPG and WSI businesses, and
• a decrease in cash from working capital of $16.5 million, related to decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses, coupled with increases in accounts receivable, inventories and other receivables, partially offset by decreases in contract assets.
Cash flows used in investing activities for fiscal 2026 decreased by $23.5 million, compared to fiscal 2025, primarily due to:
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• a decrease of $35.1 million in the purchase of property, plant and equipment, primarily due to costs in the prior year associated with the new aluminum coil coating facility in Washington, Missouri, which became operational during fiscal 2026,
• an increase of $4.9 million in proceeds from the sale of property plant and equipment,
• an increase of $13.6 million in proceeds from return of investment from the AVAIL JV, partially offset by
• an increase of $30.1 million in cash used to acquire a facility in Canton, Ohio, in our Metal Coatings segment.
Cash flows used in financing activities for fiscal 2026 increased by $295.4 million, compared to fiscal 2025, primarily due to:
• an increase in net payments on long term debt and finance leases liabilities of $426.7 million,
• an increase in share repurchases of $20.0 million, due to the shares repurchased under the 2020 Authorization in the current year, and
• a decrease in proceeds from issuance of common stock of $307.9 million, due to the April 2024 Secondary Public Offering in the prior year, partially offset by
• a decrease in cash used for redemption of preferred stock of $308.9 million, due to the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock in the prior year, and
• an increase in proceeds from our accounts receivables securitization facility of $150.0 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities for fiscal 2025 increased by $5.4 million, compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to:
• an increase in net income of $27.2 million,
• an increase in non-cash expenses of $11.6 million, primarily due to additional depreciation expense, coupled with an increase in bad debt expense, due to a write-off of a receivable related to the AZZ Infrastructure Solutions segment, and an increase in stock-based compensation expense,
• an increase in cash distributions from the AVAIL JV of $9.5 million, primarily due to a full year of operations for the AVAIL JV,
• an increase in cash flows from deferred income taxes of $3.3 million, partially offset by
• a decrease in cash from working capital of $36.9 million, primarily related to increases in contract assets, inventories and accounts receivable, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
• a decrease in cash flows from long-term assets and liabilities of $8.4 million, and
• an increase in non-cash equity in earnings from the AVAIL JV of $0.8 million.
Cash flows used in investing activities for fiscal 2025 increased by $19.9 million, compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to:
• an increase of $20.8 million in the purchase of property, plant and equipment, primarily due to costs associated with the new aluminum coil coating facility in Washington, Missouri, partially offset by
• an increase of $0.8 million in proceeds from the sale of property plant and equipment.
Cash flows used in financing activities for fiscal 2025 decreased by $9.2 million, compared to fiscal 2024, primarily due to:
• an increase in proceeds from issuance of common stock of $309.1 million, due to the April 2024 Secondary Public Offering,
• a decrease of $8.3 million for the payment of dividends on common and preferred shares, primarily due to the repayment of the Series A Preferred Stock in fiscal 2025, and
• a decrease in net payments on long term debt and finance leases liabilities of $4.4 million, partially offset by
• an increase in cash used for redemption of preferred stock of $308.9 million, due to the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock in the prior year,
• an increase of $3.5 million in income taxes paid related to issuance of common shares under stock-based plans, primarily due to the increase in the Company's stock price.
See "Financing and Capital" section below for additional information.
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Financing and Capital
2022 Credit Agreement and Term Loan B
We have a credit agreement with a syndicate of financial institutions as lenders that was entered into on May 13, 2022 and was subsequently amended on August 17, 2023, December 20, 2023, March 20, 2024, September 24, 2024, February 27, 2025, and August 5, 2025 (collectively referred to herein as the "2022 Credit Agreement").
The 2022 Credit Agreement includes the following significant terms:
i. provides for a senior secured initial term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $1.3 billion (the "Term Loan B"), due May 13, 2029, which is secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company; as of February 28, 2026, the outstanding balance of the Term Loan B was $335.0 million;
ii. provides for a maximum senior secured Revolving Credit Facility in the aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"), due May 13, 2027;
iii. includes a letter of credit sub-facility of up to $100.0 million, which is part of, and not in addition to, the Revolving Credit Facility;
iv. borrowings under the Term Loan B bear an interest rate of Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR") plus 1.75% and the Revolving Credit Facility bears a leverage-based rate with various tiers between 1.75% and 2.75%; as of February 28, 2026 , the interest rate was SOFR plus 1.75%;
v. includes customary affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default; including restrictions on the incurrence of non-ordinary course debt, investment and dividends, subject to various exceptions; and,
vi. includes a maximum quarterly leverage ratio financial covenant, with reporting requirements to our banking group at each quarter-end.
On August 5, 2025, we repriced the Term Loan B. The repricing reduced the margin from SOFR plus 2.50% to SOFR plus 1.75% .
During fiscal 2025, we repriced our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loan B, which amended the 2022 Credit Agreement as follows:
i. On March 20, 2024, we repriced our Term Loan B. The repricing reduced the margin from SOFR plus 3.75% to SOFR plus 3.25%.
ii. On September 24, 2024, we repriced the Term Loan B. The repricing reduced the margin from SOFR plus 3.25% to SOFR plus 2.50%.
iii. On February 27, 2025, we repriced the Revolving Credit Facility, which has a leverage-based rate with various tiers. The repricing reduced the interest rate tiers from SOFR plus 2.75% to 3.50% to SOFR plus 1.75% to 2.75%.
We primarily utilize proceeds from the Revolving Credit Facility to finance timing fluctuations of working capital needs, capital improvements, quarterly cash dividends, acquisitions and other general corporate purposes.
As defined in the 2022 Credit Agreement, quarterly prepayments were due against the outstanding principal of the Term Loan B and were payable on the last business day of each May, August, November and February, beginning August 31, 2022, in a quarterly aggregate principal amount of $3.25 million, with the entire remaining principal amount due on May 13, 2029, the maturity date. Additional prepayments made against the Term Loan B contributed to these required quarterly payments. Due to prepayments made against the Term Loan B since August 31, 2022, the quarterly mandatory principal payment requirement has been met, and the quarterly payments of $3.25 million are no longer required.
Receivables Securitization Facility
On July 10, 2025, we entered into a credit agreement secured by our trade accounts receivable and contract assets (the "Receivables Securitization Facility.") Under this arrangement, we transferred our trade receivables to a special purpose entity ("SPE"), which in turn pledged those receivables as collateral for borrowings under the facility. The transaction does not qualify as a sale under ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing ; as a result, the arrangement is accounted for as a secured borrowing.
Accordingly, the receivables transferred to the SPE will remain on our consolidated balance sheet within trade accounts receivable and contract assets, and the Receivables Securitization Facility is included in "Long-term debt, net." The Receivables Securitization Facility has a limit of $150.0 million and is due July 10, 2028. As of February 28, 2026, the total amount of receivables pledged under the facility was $247.9 million, consisting of $136.5 million in trade accounts receivable and $111.4 million in contract assets, with outstanding borrowings of $130.0 million. The interest rate on the Receivables Securitization Facility is one-month SOFR plus 0.95%.
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We remain exposed to the credit risk associated with the underlying receivables and are responsible for their collection. The Receivables Securitization Facility includes provisions that allow the SPE to take control of the assets only in the event of bankruptcy or violation of servicing the secured accounts receivable. We will monitor these provisions to ensure ongoing compliance and availability under the facility.
The proceeds from the Receivables Securitization Facility were used to pay down the Term Loan B.
The weighted average interest rate for our outstanding debt, including the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loan B, and Receivables Securitization Facility was 5.94% and 7.54% as of February 28, 2026 and 2025, respectively. We are also obligated to pay a leverage-based commitment fee with various tiers between 0.20% and 0.30% per year for unused amounts under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of February 28, 2026, the commitment fee rate was 0.20%.
Our 2022 Credit Agreement requires us to maintain a maximum Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the loan agreement) no greater than 4.5. We are also required to maintain certain covenants under the Receivables Securitization Facility. As of February 28, 2026, we were in compliance with all covenants and other requirements set forth in the 2022 Credit Agreement and the Receivables Securitization Facility.
April 2024 Secondary Public Offering
On April 30, 2024, we completed a secondary public offering in which we sold 4.6 million shares of our common stock at $70.00 per share (the "April 2024 Secondary Public Offering"). We received gross proceeds of $322.0 million, and paid offering expenses of $13.3 million, for net proceeds of $308.7 million. The proceeds from the April 2024 Offering were used to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock.
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
On May 9, 2024, we fully redeemed our 240,000 shares of 6.0% Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for $308.9 million. The payment was calculated as the face value of the Series A Preferred Stock of $240.0 million, multiplied by the Return Factor of 1.4, less dividends paid to date of $27.1 million. The redemption premium of $75.2 million, which was calculated as the difference between the redemption amount and the book value of $233.7 million, was recorded as a deemed dividend, and reduced net income available to common shareholders. The Series A Preferred Stock was redeemed using proceeds from the April 2024 Secondary Public Offering.
Dividends
The Series A Preferred Stock accumulated a 6.0% dividend per annum, or $15.00 per share per quarter. Dividends were payable in cash or in kind, by accreting and increasing the Series A Base Amount ("PIK Dividends"). Dividends were payable on the sum of (i) the aggregate liquidation preference amount of $240.0 million plus (ii) any PIK Dividends. Dividends were accrued daily and paid quarterly in arrears, on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. Following the calendar quarter ending June 30, 2027, we were not able to elect PIK Dividends and dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock were required to be paid in cash. All dividends were paid in cash through May 9, 2024, at which time the Series A Preferred Stock was redeemed. The dividend would have increased annually by one percentage point, beginning with the dividend payable for the calendar quarter ending September 30, 2028. Dividends declared and paid for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2025 was $3.6 million.
Letters of Credit
As of February 28, 2026, w e had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $12.0 million. These standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support insurance deductibles and other collateral requirements.
Interest Rate Swap
We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates on our floating-rate debt by entering into interest rate swap agreements to convert a portion of our variable-rate debt to a fixed rate. On September 27, 2022, we entered into a fixed-rate interest rate swap agreement, which was subsequently amended on October 7, 2022. The 2022 Swap was terminated on June 30, 2025.
Simultaneous to the termination of the 2022 Swap, we entered into a new fixed-rate interest rate swap agreement on June 30, 2025. The 2025 Swap converts the SOFR-based component of the interest rate to 3.759%. As of February 28, 2026, the 2025 Swap resulted in a total fixed rate of 5.509%. The 2025 Swap had an initial notional amount of $290.0 million and a maturity date of June 30, 2027. The objective of the 2025 Swap is to eliminate the variability of cash flows in interest payments attributable to changes in benchmark one-month SOFR interest rates. The hedged risk is the interest rate risk exposure to
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changes in interest payments, attributable to changes in benchmark one-month SOFR interest rates over the interest rate swap term. The changes in cash flows of the interest rate swap are expected to exactly offset changes in cash flows of the variable-rate debt. We designated the 2025 Swap as a cash flow hedge at inception. Cash settlements, in the form of cash payments or cash receipts, of the 2025 Swap are recognized in interest expense.
Other
We plan to contribute $6.1 million to our pension plan during fiscal 2027. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 15" for a discussion of our employee benefit plans.
As of February 28, 2026, we had $515.0 million of debt outstanding, with varying maturities through fiscal 2030. We had approximately $358.1 million of additional credit available as of February 28, 2026.
Capital Commitments—Greenfield Aluminum Coil Coating Facility
We have expanded our coatings capabilities through the construction of a new 25-acre aluminum coil coating facility in Washington, Missouri, which became operational during the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The new greenfield facility is included in the AZZ Precoat Metals segment and is supported by a take-or-pay contract for approximately 75% of the output from the new plant. We expect to spend approximately $122.8 million in capital payments related to the project, of which $113.6 million was paid prior to fiscal 2026 and approximately $7.8 million was paid during fiscal year 2026. The remaining balance of $1.4 million is expected to be paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2027.
AVAIL JV
We account for our 40% interest in the AVAIL JV under the equity method of accounting and include our equity in earnings as part of the AZZ Infrastructure Solutions segment. We record our equity in earnings in the AVAIL JV on a one-month lag.
In May 2025, Avail Infrastructure Solutions ("AVAIL"), in which we have an unconsolidated investment through the AVAIL JV, completed the sale of its electrical enclosures, switchgear, and bus systems businesses (the "Electrical Products Group" or "EPG"). During the first quarter of fiscal 2026, we received a distribution of cash from the AVAIL JV of $273.2 million. We classified the distribution as an operating activity in the statement of cash flows, in accordance with our policy to apply the cumulative earnings approach for the classification of distributions.
Subsequent to AVAIL’s sale of EPG, management identified events and circumstances indicating that the fair value of our investment in the AVAIL JV may have fallen below its carrying value on an other-than-temporary basis. These indicators arose principally from the significant business divestiture by AVAIL and a corresponding reduction in AVAIL's projected future earnings. In response, management performed a recoverability analysis of our investment in the AVAIL JV. Management estimated the fair value of our 40% interest in the AVAIL JV and concluded that the decline in fair value was other-than-temporary. Accordingly, we recorded an impairment charge of $45.9 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2026 to write down the carrying value of our investment in the AVAIL JV.
In December 2025, AVAIL completed the sale of the majority of WSI. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026, we received a cash distribution of $13.6 million from the AVAIL JV. We classify cash flows from distributions using the cumulative earnings method. Cash received is classified as return on investment in operating cash flows to the extent that cumulative earnings exceeds cumulative distributions, less distributions received in prior periods that were deemed returns of investment. During the year ended February 28, 2026, we received $286.8 million in distributions, and $273.2 million were deemed to be return on investment and reflected in cash flows from operating activities, and $13.6 million were deemed to be return of investment and reflected in cash flows from investing activities.
As of February 28, 2026, management believes the carrying value of the investment in the AVAIL JV is recoverable based on AVAIL's current financial position. We will continue to monitor the AVAIL JV for any indicators of impairment, and if further declines in the fair value occur and are deemed other-than-temporary, additional write-downs will be recorded.
During the year ended February 28, 2026, AVAIL recorded a prior period adjustment for accounting errors within the Brazil operations of the AVAIL JV. We recorded our proportionate share of the adjustment during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026. Our share of the adjustment was approximately $9.6 million and is included in “Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures” in our consolidated statement of operations. The adjustment is comprised of $1.2 million related to the full year ended February 28, 2026 and $8.4 million related to prior periods. Management performed an out of period analysis and concluded that the adjustment was not material to any previously issued financial statements or to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended February 28, 2026.
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As of February 28, 2026, our investment in the AVAIL JV was $20.0 million. For the year ended February 28, 2026, we recorded $209.7 million of equity in earnings, which consists of 1) a net gain of $261.8 million from the sale of the EPG and WSI, 2) $3.4 million of equity in earnings from the AVAIL JV's operations for the year ended February 28, 2026, offset by 3) an impairment loss of $45.9 million on the AVAIL JV recognized during the second quarter of fiscal 2026, and 4) an adjustment of $9.6 million related to accounting errors identified within the Brazil operations of the AVAIL JV.
Share Repurchase Program
On November 10, 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program pursuant to which we may repurchase our common stock (the "2020 Authorization"). Repurchases under the 2020 Authorization will be made through open market or private transactions, in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, and could include repurchases pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, which allows stock repurchases when we might otherwise be precluded from doing so.
On January 22, 2026, our Board of Directors authorized a $100 million share repurchase program (the "2026 Share Repurchase Program") pursuant to which we may repurchase our common stock. Repurchases under the 2026 Share Repurchase Program will be made through open market or private transactions, in accordance with applicable federal securities laws, and could include repurchases pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, which allows stock repurchases when we might otherwise be precluded from doing so.
During fiscal 2026, we repurchased 201,416 shares of common stock in the amount of $20.0 million at an average purchase price of $99.28 under the 2020 Share Authorization. As of February 28, 2026, there was $33.2 million remaining to repurchase shares under the 2020 Authorization. During fiscal 2026, we did not repurchase any shares under the 2026 Share Repurchase Program. As of February 28, 2026, there was $100.0 million remaining to repurchase shares under the 2026 Share Repurchase Program. Currently, share repurchases may not exceed 6% of our market capitalization per fiscal year.
Other Exposures
We have exposure to commodity price increases in all three of our operating segments, primarily zinc and natural gas in the AZZ Metal Coatings segment, and natural gas, steel, and aluminum scrap in the AZZ Precoat Metals segment. We attempt to minimize these increases by entering into agreements with our zinc suppliers and such agreements generally include fixed premiums, and by entering into agreements with our natural gas suppliers to fix a portion of our purchase cost. In addition to these measures, we attempt to recover other cost increases through improvements to our manufacturing process, supply chain management, and through increases in prices to match inflationary increases where competitively feasible. We have indirect exposure to copper, aluminum, steel and nickel-based alloys in the AZZ Infrastructure Solutions segment through our 40% investment in the AVAIL JV.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Commitments
As of February 28, 2026, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements as defined under SEC rules. Specifically, there were no off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), or other relationships with unconsolidated entities or other persons that have, or may have, a material effect on the financial condition, changes in financial condition, sales or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources of the Company.
As of February 28, 2026, we had non-cancelable forward contracts to purchase approximately $97.1 million of zinc and $7.3 million of natural gas at various volumes and prices. All such contracts expire in fiscal 2027.
As of February 28, 2026, w e had outstanding letters of credit in the amount of $12.0 million. These standby letters of credit are primarily issued to support insurance deductibles and other collateral requirements.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make judgments, assumptions, and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The SEC defines critical accounting estimates as those made in accordance with U.S. GAAP that involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on a company's financial condition or results of operations. We consider the following accounting estimates to meet this definition because they are dependent on our judgement and assumptions about matters that are inherently uncertain and represent our more critical estimates.
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Impairment of Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination and is not amortized. We test goodwill for potential impairment annually as of December 31, or more frequently, if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more-likely-than-not reduce the reporting unit's fair value below its carrying amount.
If no impairment indicators are present, we may first perform a qualitative assessment of goodwill to determine whether a quantitative assessment is necessary. If we perform a quantitative assessment for the annual goodwill impairment test, then we use the income approach. The income approach uses Level 3 fair value inputs, such as future cash flows and estimated terminal values for our reporting units that are discounted using a market participant perspective to determine the fair value of the reporting unit, which is then compared to the carrying value of that reporting unit to determine if there is impairment. The income approach includes assumptions about revenue growth rates, operating margins and terminal growth rates, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital derived from other publicly traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic standpoint. A significant change in events, circumstances or any of these assumptions could result in an impairment of goodwill. Variables impacting future cash flows include, but are not limited to, the level of customer demand for and response to manufactured solutions we offer to the construction, industrial, consumer, transportation, electrical, and utility markets, changes in economic conditions of these various markets, assumptions about future sales, zinc and natural gas prices, operating costs, margins and the availability of experienced labor and management to implement our growth strategies.
Long-lived assets and Intangible assets
Long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets, are evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually as of December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Impairment is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted cash flows to be generated by those assets. If the undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying amount, we record impairment losses for the excess of their carrying value over the estimated fair value.
We make estimates of projected cash flows when performing our impairment evaluation. These estimates include, but are not limited to, assumptions about future sales, zinc and natural gas prices, operating costs, margins, the use or disposition of the asset, the asset's estimated remaining useful life, and future expenditures necessary to maintain the asset's existing service potential. Due to the significant subjectivity of the assumptions used to test for recoverability, changes in market conditions could result in significant impairment charges in the future, which would impact our net income.
Accruals for Contingent Liabilities
We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the normal course of business. The amounts we may record for estimated claims, such as self-insurance programs, warranty, environmental, legal, and other contingent liabilities, requires us to make judgments regarding the amount of expenses that will ultimately be incurred. We use past history and experience as well as other specific circumstances surrounding these claims in evaluating the amount of liability that should be recorded. Due to the inherent limitations in estimating future events, actual amounts paid or transferred may differ from those estimates.
Business Combinations
Assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of a business acquisition are generally recorded at their fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Determining fair value of identifiable assets, particularly intangibles, and liabilities acquired also requires management judgement and the use of key assumptions and estimates, particularly regarding projected future cash flows and applicable discount rates. These assumptions and estimates are based upon available information that may be subject to further refinement over the purchase accounting period of one year.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See "Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 1" for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements, including the actual and expected dates of adoption and estimated effects on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition, which is incorporated herein by reference.
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Non-GAAP Disclosures
In addition to reporting financial results in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States ("GAAP"), we provide Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share and Adjusted EBITDA (collectively, the "Adjusted Earnings Measures"), which are non-GAAP measures. Management believes that the presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency when comparing operating results across a broad spectrum of companies, which provides a more complete understanding of our financial performance, competitive position, prospects for future capital investment and debt reduction. Management also believes that investors regularly rely on non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share and Adjusted EBITDA to assess operating performance and that such measures may highlight trends in our business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying on financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.
In calculating adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share, management excludes: 1) intangible asset amortization, 2) restructuring charges, 3) certain legal settlements and accruals, 4) retirement and other severance expenses, 5) redemption premium on Series A Preferred Stock, 6) additional stock compensation expense related to the adoption of our executive retiree long-term incentive program, and 7) certain adjustments related to the Company's unconsolidated joint venture from the reported GAAP measure. Management defines Adjusted EBITDA as adjusted net income excluding depreciation, amortization, interest and provision for income taxes. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is used by investors to analyze operating performance and evaluate the Company's ability to incur and service debt, as well as its capacity for making capital expenditures in the future.
Management provides non-GAAP financial measures for informational purposes and to enhance understanding of the Company's GAAP consolidated financial statements. Readers should consider these measures in addition to, but not instead of or superior to, the Company's financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP, and undue reliance should not be placed on these non-GAAP financial measures. Additionally, these non-GAAP financial measures may be determined or calculated differently by other companies, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes.
The following tables provide a reconciliation for the years ended February 28, 2026 and 2025 between the non-GAAP Adjusted Earnings Measures to the most comparable measures, calculated in accordance with GAAP (in thousands, except per share data):
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Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share
Year Ended February 28,
Amount
Per
Diluted Share (1)
Amount
Per
Diluted Share (1)
Net income
Less: Series A Preferred Stock Dividends
Less: Redemption premium on Series A Preferred Stock
Net income available to common shareholders (2)
Impact of Series A Preferred Stock dividends (2)
Net income and diluted earnings per share for Adjusted net income calculation (2)
Adjustments:
Amortization of intangible assets
Restructuring charges (3)
Legal settlement and accrual (4)
Retirement and other severance expense (5)
Redemption premium on Series A Preferred Stock (6)
Executive retiree long-term incentive program (7)
AVAIL JV equity in earnings adjustment (8)
Subtotal
Tax impact (9)
Total adjustments
Adjusted net income and adjusted earnings per share (non-GAAP)
Weighted average shares outstanding—Diluted for Adjusted earnings per share (2)
See notes on page 35 .
Adjusted EBITDA
Year Ended February 28,
Net income
Interest expense
Income tax expense
Depreciation and amortization
Adjustments:
Restructuring charges (3)
Legal settlement and accrual (4)
Retirement and other severance expense (5)
Executive retiree long-term incentive program (7)
AVAIL JV equity in earnings adjustment (8)
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
See notes on page 35 .
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Adjusted EBITDA by Segment
The following table outlines adjusted EBITDA for our reportable segments and corporate operations:
Year Ended February 28, 2026
Metal Coatings
Precoat Metals
Infra-
structure Solutions
Corporate
Total
Net income (loss)
Interest expense
Income tax expense
Depreciation and amortization
Adjustments:
Restructuring charges (3)
Executive retiree long-term incentive program (7)
AVAIL JV equity in earnings adjustment (8)
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
See notes on page 35 .
Year Ended February 28, 2025
Metal Coatings
Precoat Metals
Infra-
structure Solutions
Corporate
Total
Net income (loss)
Interest expense
Income tax expense
Depreciation and amortization
Adjustments:
Legal settlement and accrual (4)
Retirement and other severance expense (5)
Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP)
See notes on page 35 .
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Debt Leverage Ratio Reconciliation
Trailing Twelve Months Ended
February 28, 2026
February 28, 2025
Gross debt
Less: Cash per bank statement
Add: Finance lease liability
Consolidated indebtedness
Net income
Depreciation and amortization
Interest expense
Income tax expense
EBITDA
Cash items (10)
Non-cash items (11)
Equity in earnings, net of distributions
Adjusted EBITDA per Credit Agreement
Net leverage ratio
Earnings per share amounts included in the "Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Earnings Per Share" table above may not sum due to rounding differences.
For the year ended February 28, 2025, diluted earnings per share is based on weighted average shares outstanding of 29,344, as the Series A Preferred Stock that was redeemed May 9, 2024 is anti-dilutive for this calculation. The calculation of adjusted diluted earnings per share is based on weighted average shares outstanding of 30,134, as the Series A Preferred Stock is dilutive to adjusted diluted earnings per share. Adjusted net income for adjusted earnings per share also includes the addback of Series A Preferred Stock dividends for the period noted above. For further information regarding the calculation of earnings per share, see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 14."
Includes restructuring charges related to the closure of two surface technology facilities in our Metal Coatings segment. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 21."
For the year ended February 28, 2025, consists of a $3.5 million legal settlement and accrual related to a non-operating entity, and is classified as "Corporate" in our operating segment disclosure and $6.5 million for the write off of receivable and related legal fees due to the unfavorable resolution of a litigation matter related to the AIS segment that was retained following the sale of the AIS business. See "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 22."
Related to retention and transition of certain executive management employees.
On May 9, 2024, we redeemed AZZ's Series A Preferred Stock. The redemption premium represents the difference between the redemption amount paid and the book value of the Series A Preferred Stock.
During the year ended February 28, 2026, we recognized additional stock-based compensation expense of $2.2 million upon the adoption of the Executive Retiree Long-term Incentive Program. For further information regarding the adoption of the ERP, see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 16."
During fiscal year 2026, AVAIL completed the sale of EPG and WSI. The year ended February 28, 2026 includes the net gain related to the sale of EPG and WSI, partially offset by the recognition of an impairment loss on the AVAIL JV, a prior period adjustment for accounting errors within the Brazil operations for the AVAIL JV and an adjustment related to a change in AVAIL's transfer pricing policy. For further information, see "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data—Note 18."
For the year ended February 28, 2026, the non-GAAP effective tax rate is 24.0% for amortization of intangible assets, restructuring charges, and executive retiree long-term incentive program, and is 25.5% for the AVAIL JV equity in earnings adjustment. For the year ended February 28, 2025, the non-GAAP effective tax rate is 24.0% for all adjustments, except the Redemption premium on Series A Preferred Stock, which is not tax effected.
Cash items include certain legal settlements, accruals, retirement and other severance expenses, and restructuring charges associated with the Metal Coatings segment.
Non-cash items include stock-based compensation expense.
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- Ticker
- AZZ
- CIK
0000008947- Form Type
- 10-K
- Accession Number
0000008947-26-000068- Filed
- Apr 22, 2026
- Period
- Feb 28, 2026 (Q1 26)
- Industry
- Coating, Engraving & Allied Services
External resources
Permalink
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