Clorox 10-K 2024-06-30
Filed 2024-08-08. 17 sections, 194K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
| ☑ | Annual report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |||||||
| for the fiscal year ended | June 30, 2024 | |||||||
| OR | ||||||||
| ☐ | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 | |||||||
| for the transition period from to. | ||||||||
| Commission file number: | 1-07151 |

THE CLOROX COMPANY
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 31-0595760 | |||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer | |||||||
| incorporation or organization) | Identification Number) |
1221 Broadway, Oakland, California 94612-1888
| (Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP code) | |||||||||||||||||
| (510) | 271-7000 | ||||||||||||||||
| (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | |||||||||||||||||
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: | |||||||||||||||||
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered | |||||||||||||||
| Common Stock – $1.00 par value | CLX | New York Stock Exchange | |||||||||||||||
| Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: | |||||||||||||||||
| None | |||||||||||||||||
| (Title of class) |
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☑
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,”
“smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ☑ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging Growth Company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10d-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of December 29, 2023 (the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $17.7 billion.
As of July 23, 2024, there were 123,861,545 shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding.
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
Portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Proxy Statement”), to be filed within 120 days after June 30, 2024, are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10 through 14 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
THE CLOROX COMPANY
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024 (this Report), including the exhibits hereto and the information incorporated by reference herein, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), including, among others, statements regarding the expected or potential impact of the Company’s operational disruption stemming from a cyberattack, and any such forward-looking statements involve risks, assumptions and uncertainties. Except for historical information, statements about future volumes, sales, organic sales growth, foreign currencies, costs, cost savings, margins, earnings, earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, foreign currency exchange rates, tax rates, cash flows, plans, objectives, expectations, growth or profitability are forward-looking statements based on management’s estimates, beliefs, assumptions and projections. Words such as “could,” “may,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “targets,” “goals,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “will,” “predicts” and variations on such words, and similar expressions that reflect our current views with respect to future events and operational, economic and financial performance are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed below. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations are described in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this Report, as updated from time to time in the Company’s U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings.
The Company’s forward-looking statements in this Report are based on management’s current views, beliefs, assumptions and expectations regarding future events and speak only as of the date of this Report. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws.
In this Report, unless the context requires otherwise, the terms “the Company,” “Clorox,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to The Clorox Company and its subsidiaries.
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview of Business
The Clorox Company is a leading multinational manufacturer and marketer of consumer and professional products with fiscal year 2024 net sales of $7.1 billion and about 8,000 employees worldwide as of June 30, 2024. The Company has operations in approximately 25 countries or territories and sells its products in more than 100 markets, primarily through mass retailers; grocery outlets; warehouse clubs; dollar stores; home hardware centers; drug, pet and military stores; third-party and owned e-commerce channels; and distributors. Clorox markets some of the most trusted and recognized consumer brand names, including its namesake bleach, cleaning and disinfecting products; Pine-Sol® and Tilex® cleaners; Liquid-Plumr® clog removers; Poett® home care products; Glad® bags and wraps; Fresh Step® cat litter; Kingsford® grilling products; Hidden Valley® dressings, dips, seasonings and sauces; Brita® water-filtration products; Burt’s Bees® natural personal care products; and Natural Vitality®, RenewLife®, NeoCell® and Rainbow Light® vitamins, minerals and supplements. The Company also markets industry-leading products and technologies for professional customers, including those sold under the CloroxPro™ and Clorox Healthcare® brand names. About 80% of the Company’s sales are generated from brands that hold the No. 1 or No. 2 market share positions in their categories. The Company was founded in Oakland, California, in 1913 and is incorporated in Delaware.
The Company's IGNITE strategy accelerates innovation in key areas of the business to drive growth and deliver value for all Company stakeholders. IGNITE focuses on four strategic choices aimed at fueling long-term, profitable growth; innovating consumer experiences; reimagining how the company and its people work; and continuously evolving the product portfolio. In addition, integrated environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals help drive long-term value for the Company and its stakeholders.
Business Performance
Guided by its IGNITE strategy and underpinned by its enduring values, the Company remained focused on making significant investments in its strong brands, strategic digital capabilities and streamlined operating model to drive long-term value creation.
The Company entered fiscal year 2024 having delivered strong execution against its IGNITE goals during the prior fiscal year. In August 2023, a cyberattack created significant disruption to the Company's operations. Together with factors such as continued inflation, a consumer who remains under pressure and economic volatility in certain geographic markets, this created a dynamic operating environment as the Company continued its efforts to drive growth, rebuild margin and deliver transformation.
Despite these headwinds, in fiscal year 2024 the Company has recovered from the cyberattack while advancing its goals to build a stronger, more resilient company. While net sales decreased mainly due to the disruptions caused by the cyberattack, the Company rebuilt gross margin primarily due to the benefit of pricing actions and continued positive returns from its trademark cost savings program. Diluted net earnings per share (EPS) increased 88% compared to the year-ago period, largely driven by a lapping noncash impairment charge in the Better Health Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS) business from the year-ago period, partially offset by the loss relating to the divestiture of the Argentina business, continued investments in the Company's long-term strategic digital capabilities and productivity enhancements and charges relating to implementation of the Company's streamlined operating model.
The Company also launched numerous innovations and new products in fiscal year 2024, including seven new Hidden Valley Ranch flavors, a new lineup of Pine-Sol concentrated multi-surface cleaners, new Scentiva Disinfecting Mist and Toilet Bowl Cleaning Gel, Clorox Toilet Bomb Foaming Toilet Bowl Cleaner, Kingsford High Heat and Low and Slow charcoal briquettes and the Brita Refillable Water Filtration System.
In March of 2024, the Company completed the divestiture of its Argentina business, which consisted of its production plants in Argentina as well as the rights to the Company's brands in Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. The transaction is in support of the Company's IGNITE strategy and the commitment to evolve its portfolio to increase focus on its core business to drive more consistent, profitable growth.
The Company's transformation efforts continued throughout fiscal year 2024. As announced in August 2021, the Company plans to invest in transformative technologies and processes over a five-year period. This investment began in fiscal year 2022, and includes replacement of the Company's enterprise resource planning system and transitioning to a cloud-based platform as well as the implementation of a suite of other digital technologies. The total incremental transformational investment is expected to be $560 to $580 million, compared to the previous estimate of approximately $500 million. The increased estimate includes impacts from delays as a result of the cyberattack. The implementation timeline is unchanged. It is expected that these implementations will generate efficiencies and transform the Company's operations in the areas of supply chain, digital commerce, innovation, brand building and more over the long term.
In fiscal year 2024, the Company completed the implementation of its streamlined operating model to help meet its objectives of driving growth and productivity. The streamlined operating model is expected to enhance the Company's ability to respond more quickly to changing consumer behaviors and innovate faster. The implementation of this new model resulted in the reduction of certain staffing levels and is expected to achieve cost savings of approximately $100 million annually.
Clorox continued to work toward its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals, which are embedded into the IGNITE strategy and throughout the business. The Company prioritizes greenhouse gas emission reductions and reducing plastic and other waste. Clorox continues to invest in talent development initiatives across all levels and functions. Through both funding and employee volunteering, The Clorox Company Foundation extends Clorox’s people-centered impact by promoting well-being and inclusivity within communities. The Foundation works to support communities on important matters including health and safety, education and racial justice.
The Company has been broadly recognized throughout fiscal year 2024 for its integrated ESG efforts. For the second consecutive year, Clorox earned the top ranking on Barron’s 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies list, which considers a number of metrics, including activities in support of sustainability, employee experience, inclusive representation and corporate governance structure. The Company was also recognized by Fortune as One of America's Most Innovative Companies and listed as One of The Most Trustworthy Companies in America by Newsweek. Clorox was also named to Wall Street Journal's 250 Best Managed Companies and Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies and America's Greenest Companies lists.
Clorox also continued its longtime commitment to providing value to shareholders through regular dividends. During fiscal year 2024, the Company paid $595 million in dividends to shareholders. In July 2024, Clorox announced an increase of 2% in its quarterly dividend — the 22nd consecutive year it has done so.
For fiscal year 2025, Clorox will continue to invest in its brands and capabilities to build a stronger, more resilient company that delivers consistent, profitable growth over time.
For additional information on recent business developments, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in Exhibit 99.1, incorporated herein by reference.
Financial Information about Operating Segments and Principal Products
The Company operates through strategic business units (SBUs) which are organized into operating segments. Operating segments are then aggregated into four reportable segments: Health and Wellness, Household, Lifestyle and International.Operating segments not aggregated into a reportable segment are reflected in Corporate and Other. The four reportable segments consist of the following:
-
Health and Wellness consists of cleaning, disinfecting and professional products marketed and sold in the United States. Products within this segment include home care cleaning and disinfecting products and laundry additives, primarily under the Clorox, Clorox2, Pine-Sol, Scentiva, Tilex, Liquid-Plumr and Formula 409 brands; professional cleaning and disinfecting products under the CloroxPro and Clorox Healthcare brands; and professional food service products under the Hidden Valley brand.
-
Household consists of bags and wraps, cat litter and grilling products marketed and sold in the United States. Products within this segment include bags and wraps under the Glad brand; cat litter primarily under the Fresh Step and Scoop Away brands; and grilling products under the Kingsford brand.
-
Lifestyle consists of food, water-filtration and natural personal care products marketed and sold in the United States. Products within this segment include dressings, dips, seasonings and sauces, primarily under the Hidden Valley brand; water-filtration products under the Brita brand; and natural personal care products under the Burt’s Bees brand.
-
International consists of products sold outside the United States. Products within this segment include laundry additives; home care products; bags and wraps; cat litter; water-filtration products; professional cleaning and disinfecting products; natural personal care products; food; grilling products and digestive health products marketed primarily under the Clorox, Glad, Poett, Brita, Burt's Bees, Pine-Sol, Ever Clean, Clorinda, Chux and Fresh Step Brands.
The Company’s products are marketed and sold globally. The following table provides the Company’s global product lines, which were sold in the United States (including products sold in the Professional Products SBU) and internationally, that accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net sales for the fiscal years ended June 30:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||||
| Cleaning products | 43 | % | 42 | % | 42 | % | |||||||||||
| Bags and wraps | 15 | % | 16 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||
| Food products | 11 | % | 11 | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||
| Cat litter products | 10 | % | 10 | % | 9 | % |
Principal Markets and Methods of Distribution
In the United States, most of the Company’s products are nationally advertised and sold to mass retailers, grocery outlets, warehouse clubs, dollar stores, home hardware centers, military stores and other retail outlets primarily through a direct sales force; to grocery stores and grocery wholesalers primarily through a combination of direct sales teams and a network of brokers; and through e-commerce retailers. The Company also sells many of its products through alternative retail channels. Some brands are sold using the direct-to-consumer model. The Company sells institutional, janitorial, food-service and healthcare products through a direct sales force and a network of brokers to distributors and redistributors. Outside the United States, the Company sells products to the retail trade through subsidiaries, licensees, distributors and joint-venture arrangements with local partners.
Sources and Availability of Raw Materials
The Company purchases raw materials from numerous unaffiliated U.S. and international suppliers, some of which are sole source or single-source suppliers. Interruptions in the delivery of these materials could adversely impact the Company. Key raw materials used by the Company include resin, non-woven fabrics for wipes products, sodium hypochlorite, corrugated cardboard, soybean oil, solvent, derivatives of amines and other chemicals and agricultural commodities. Raw materials were generally available during fiscal year 2024 with minimal constraints. While the Company does not expect supply constraints in fiscal year 2025, supply risk may result from external factors outside of the Company's control.
The Company generally utilizes supply contracts to help ensure availability and a number of forward-purchase contracts to help reduce the volatility of the pricing of raw materials needed in its operations. However, the Company is highly exposed to changes in the prices of commodities and transportation used in manufacturing and shipping of its products. For further information regarding the impact of changes in commodity prices, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Exhibit 99.1, “Risk Factors – Volatility and increases in the costs of raw materials,
energy, transportation, labor and other necessary supplies or services have negatively impacted, and may continue to negatively impact, the Company’s net earnings and cash flow” and “Risk Factors – Supply chain issues can result in product shortages or disruptions to the Company’s business” in Item 1.A.
Patents and Trademarks
Most of the Company’s brand name consumer products are protected by registered trademarks. The Company’s brand names and trademarks are highly important to its business, and the Company vigorously protects its trademarks from apparent infringements. Maintenance of brand equity value is critical to the Company’s success. The Company’s patent rights are also material to its business and are asserted, where appropriate, against apparent infringements.
Seasonality
Most sales of the Company’s grilling products occur during the months of March through September each calendar year. The volume and sales of grilling products may be affected by weather conditions.
Customers
Net sales to the Company’s largest customer, Walmart Stores, Inc. and its affiliates, were 25%, 26% and 25% of consolidated net sales for each of the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and occurred across all of the Company’s reportable segments. No other individual customer accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated net sales in any of these fiscal years. The Company’s five largest customers accounted for nearly half of the Company’s consolidated net sales for each of the fiscal years 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Competition
The markets for consumer products are highly competitive. The Company’s products compete with other nationally advertised brands and with “private label” brands within each category. Competition comes from similar and alternative products, some of which are produced and marketed by major multinational or national companies having financial resources greater than those of the Company. In addition, the Company faces competition from retailers, including club stores, grocery stores, drugstores, dollar stores, mass merchandisers, e-commerce retailers and subscription services. Furthermore, heightened competitive activity is expected as inflation continues to increase and consumers experience reduced purchasing power. The Company’s products generally compete on the basis of product performance, brand reputation and recognition, image and price. A newly introduced consumer product (whether improved or newly developed) usually encounters intense competition requiring substantial expenditures for advertising, sales promotion and trade merchandising support. If a product gains consumer acceptance, it typically requires continued advertising and promotional support and ongoing product innovation to maintain its relative market position. For further information regarding the intense competition the Company faces, see “Risk Factors – The Company faces intense competition in its markets, which could lead to reduced net sales, net earnings and cash flow” in Item 1.A.
Environmental Matters
For information regarding noncapital expenditures related to environmental matters, see the discussions below under “Risk Factors – Environmental matters create potential liabilities that could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations” in Item 1.A. No material capital expenditures relating to environmental compliance are presently anticipated.
HUMAN CAPITAL MANAGEMENT
Purpose and Values
The Clorox Company is led by its purpose to champion people to be well and thrive every single day, including employees, consumers and communities served around the world.
Clorox employees are committed to making a meaningful, positive impact through their work and to authentically living the Company’s values: to do the right thing, put people at the center and play to win. These foundational values underpin everything the Company does and are essential to achieving long-term success.
The Company’s purpose and values also are fully embedded in its IGNITE strategy, which accelerates innovation in key areas of the business to drive growth and deliver value for all Company stakeholders. IGNITE focuses on four strategic choices aimed at fueling long-term, profitable growth; innovating consumer experiences; reimagining how the Company and its people work; and continuously evolving the product portfolio. In addition, integrated goals for ESG performance promote healthy lives, a clean world and thriving communities, all supported by strong corporate governance.
Workforce
As of June 30, 2024, the Company employed about 8,000 people worldwide, with 76% in the United States and 24% working outside the United States. Clorox's U.S. workforce includes 47% nonproduction employees and 53% production employees, while the workforce outside the United States includes 62% nonproduction employees and 38% production employees. The number of employees during fiscal year 2024 was impacted by the divestiture of the Company's Argentina business and the implementation of the streamlined operating model.
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Allyship (IDEA)
People are essential to Clorox's efforts to drive growth and deliver value for all stakeholders. One of the ways the Company puts people at the center is through its continued commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and allyship. This work builds a workplace that values diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to create stronger teams, unlock more innovation and – ultimately – contribute to greater success both individually and collectively.
In fiscal year 2024, Clorox continued to make strides on its IDEA journey by prioritizing three focus areas - building teams comprised of diverse backgrounds and perspectives, fostering inclusion and allyship to establish a culture where people can be their best selves, and engaging with the Company's multicultural consumer base through purposeful brands.
Clorox continues to conduct annual pay equity analyses for non-production employees in addition to monitoring pay trends throughout the year. This effort proactively identifies potential discrepancies and helps to ensure each employee is compensated fairly, regardless of race, ethnicity or gender.
More than a dozen employee resource groups (ERGs) help drive inclusion within Clorox and foster belonging, in part through greater understanding of different backgrounds and perspectives. These groups are an important forum for talent recruiting and retention, professional development and open dialog that strengthens the Company’s workplace culture and, through regular volunteer opportunities, the communities employees call home. The ERGs also serve the business by serving as internal focus groups, inspiring product innovations, accelerating product placement plans and deepening knowledge of the Company's multicultural consumer base.
The Company was named by Forbes to its 2023 list of The World’s Top Companies for Women and as One of America’s Best Employers for Diversity.
Workforce diversity*.* As of June 30, 2024, people of color1 represented 42% of Clorox's total U.S. workforce, 24% of U.S. senior executives, 35% of U.S. managers2, 51% of other U.S. nonproduction employees and 44% of U.S. production employees. Women made up 36% of the Company's global workforce, 48% of global senior executives, 50% of global managers, 57% of other global nonproduction employees and 19% of global production employees.
Board and leadership diversity*.* As of June 30, 2024, the Clorox Executive Committee was composed of 54% women, including Chair and Chief Executive Officer Linda Rendle, and 15% people of color. Additionally, 50% of the board are women and 25% are people of color, with the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee (NGCRC) and the Audit Committee chaired by people of color. The Company's NGCRC chair is also a woman.
Hiring and Development
Clorox looks to continuously attract, develop and retain the best talent to deliver against its strategy and commitments, prioritizing career growth and leadership development to establish a strong foundation for long-term success. Company investments include a suite of training and education for people managers to help them become effective coaches and leaders; mentoring programs and initiatives to help build a pipeline of diverse talent; and summer internship, co-op and rotational programs for college hires. In addition, the Company works closely with ERGs and establishes partnerships with external organizations focused on advancing equity and opportunity for the communities they represent. Clorox also conducts a robust talent review and leader succession planning process to ensure a strong pipeline for key roles.
Additionally, supported by its strategic investment in digital transformation and related productivity enhancements, the Company continues to strengthen new ways of working, such as hybrid work experiences as well as implementing new tools and technologies that allow employees to collaborate more effectively, work smarter and make faster, more informed decisions.
1 Management defines people of color (POC) as any race that is not White (Asian, Black, Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or two or more races). Gender and ethnicity information is provided by employees on a voluntary, self-identification basis. To the extent that the employees do not voluntarily report, the data would not be included in the respective calculation.
2 Management defines manager as an employee at Grade 26 through 31 for U.S. employees and Grade 25 through 31 for employees outside of the United States with regards to the Company’s compensation structure. “Senior Executive” is defined as an employee at Grade 32 or Grade EX.
Finally, in order to attract key prospective talent and continue to advance Clorox as an employer of choice, the Company continues to invest in its employer value proposition and career development and talent acquisition strategies.
Employee Engagement and Retention
In support of its efforts to actively listen to its workforce, engage in effective two-way dialog and embrace continuous improvement, Clorox conducts both annual and periodic pulse surveys. The Company surveys its employees to assess their perception of Clorox as a place to work as well as their views of leadership, the Company's IGNITE strategy and related transformation, sense of inclusion and more. In fiscal year 2024, just over 82% of employees said they feel engaged at Clorox, which was consistent with the Company's fiscal year 2023 results and above the 50th percentile for Fortune 500 and industry benchmarks3. Company leadership then uses the engagement survey results to develop and deploy related action plans aimed at addressing employee feedback, strengthening the overall workplace culture and, importantly, retaining top talent.
Employee Safety and Well-Being
As a health and wellness company dedicated to helping people be well and thrive every single day, Clorox takes a holistic approach to caring for its employees, with benefits and programs designed to support physical, mental and financial well-being.
Consistent with its core value of putting people at the center, the Company invests in workplace safety through a combination of education, training and related policies, while operating in compliance with applicable regulations, including Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines in the United States. In fiscal year 2024, the Company’s reportable incident rate (RIR) was 0.47. This was significantly lower than the 3.2 average RIR for goods-producing manufacturing companies in 2022, which is the latest available data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics4.
The Company has continued to prioritize the mental health of its employees, partnering with external vendors to provide free and confidential mental health and lifestyle services as well as other related resources, tools and forums to employees and their families.
The Company also provides parents with support such as paid parental leave, adoption resources, family-forming benefits and subsidized childcare.
To support employees' financial well-being, the Company provides competitive compensation – including short- and long-term incentives – to attract and retain top talent. In addition, Clorox supports its employees' retirement readiness by contributing up to 10% of an employee's annual salary to their 401(k) plan each year and offering third-party financial planning services.
Societal Well-Being
In fiscal year 2024, The Clorox Company Foundation continued to support the Company’s purpose of championing people to be well and thrive every single day by focusing on programs in three key areas: community wellness, disease prevention and disaster relief and preparedness.
Since its inception in 1980, the Foundation has awarded cash grants to nonprofit organizations, schools and colleges across the globe. The Foundation provides cash grants (including matching employee donations) to support communities on important matters including health and safety, education and racial justice. The Company also provides product donations while implementing cause marketing programs to nonprofit organizations in support of causes that are consistent with the Company's brands' purposes. The Company continues to embrace and support employee volunteerism, recognizing the value it brings to the communities it serves and in fostering a culture of giving back. For every hour employees spend volunteering outside of work, they receive $10, allowing them to contribute up to $300 annually to the nonprofit organization of their choice.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Clorox has continued to work toward its ESG goals, which are embedded in the IGNITE strategy and throughout the business. Its IGNITE environmental goals prioritize taking climate action and reducing plastic and other waste by reducing virgin plastic and fiber packaging; increasing recyclable, reusable or compostable packaging; increasing post-consumer recycled plastic in packaging; and reducing waste to landfill in our global facilities and plants.
3 Employee engagement surveys may vary across companies on a year-to-year basis.
4 The Company's fiscal year 2024 RIR of 0.47 means that for every 100 full-time equivalent Clorox employees globally, the Company averaged less than one reportable incident during the past year. The criteria used to determine RIR follows the U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA guidelines and is applied globally. The RIR does not include workers at offices with fewer than 10 employees, but it does include remote workers.
As part of its climate action goals, the Company set science-based targets to reduce scopes 1 and 2, and elements of scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from a 2020 baseline year, which have been approved by the Science Based Targets initiative, and committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To contribute to its scopes 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emission reduction goal, which the Company achieved, the Company has committed to maintain 100% electricity from renewable energy for its U.S. and Canada operations. The Company entered into two virtual power purchase agreements as an integral part of that commitment.
Available Information
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act are available on the Company’s website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. These reports are available at TheCloroxCompany.com under Investors/Financial Information/SEC Filings. Additionally, the Company routinely posts additional important information, including press releases, on its website and recognizes its website as a channel of distribution to reach public investors and as a means of disclosing material non-public information for complying with disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor our website in addition to our SEC filings and public webcasts. These items are available at TheCloroxCompany.com under Investors/Investor News and Events.
Information relating to corporate governance at Clorox, including the Company's Code of Conduct, the Clorox Company Board of Directors Governance Guidelines and Board Committee charters for the Management Development and Compensation Committee, the Audit Committee, and the Nominating, Governance and Corporate Responsibility Committee, is available at TheCloroxCompany.com under Company/Corporate Governance or https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/company/corporate-governance/. The Company will provide any of the foregoing information without charge upon written request to Corporate Communications, The Clorox Company, 1221 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612-1888. The information contained on the Company's website is not included as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report.
Item 1. A. RISK FACTORS
The risks and uncertainties set forth below, as well as other factors described elsewhere in this Report or in other filings by the Company with the SEC, could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to the Company or that are not currently believed by the Company to be material may also harm the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Business and Industry Risks
Unfavorable and uncertain general economic and geopolitical conditions beyond the Company's control could negatively impact its financial results.
Unfavorable general economic factors that are beyond the Company's control have materially adversely affected, and could continue to materially adversely affect, its business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. These factors include, but are not limited to, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, wage pressures, ongoing elevated levels of inflation, recession and economic slowdown, as well as housing markets, consumer credit availability, consumer debt levels, fuel and energy costs (for example, the price of gasoline or alternative energy sources), rising interest rates, tax rates and policy, unemployment trends, the impact of natural disasters, pandemics/epidemics, civil disturbances and terrorist activities, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, conditions affecting the retail environment for the Company's products and other matters that influence consumer demand, spending and preferences that could impact the demand for the Company's products and negatively impact its net sales and results of operations.
In addition, geopolitical instability, including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East and rising tensions between China and Taiwan, actual and potential shifts in U.S. and foreign trade, economic and other policies, including as a result of escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and its trading partners, including China, as well as other global events, have significantly increased global macroeconomic uncertainty and volatility. Sustained macroeconomic uncertainty and volatility and geopolitical instability, including relating to the results of elections, could undermine global consumer confidence and could continue to reduce consumers’ purchasing power, thereby reducing demand for the Company's products, and continue to disrupt global supply chains, impacting the availability and cost of transportation, logistics, raw materials, commodities, labor and packaging. This uncertainty and volatility also make it difficult for the Company, as well as its customers, suppliers, distributors and business partners to anticipate the resulting impacts and to accurately forecast and plan future business activities, which may, in turn, cause customers to limit their purchase orders or affect their ability to pay amounts owed to the Company in a timely manner or at all, or adversely affect its business partners' ability to supply or provide services. These situations are evolving, and there is significant uncertainty as to their full or related impacts on the global economy and geopolitical relations, in general, and on the Company’s business, in particular. These geopolitical conflicts and tensions may also heighten other risks
disclosed in this Report, any of which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations, cash flows and/or financial condition.
The Company has experienced, and expects to continue to experience, the indirect impacts of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, including increases in the cost of raw and packaging materials and commodities (including the price of oil), supply chain and logistics challenges, and it is not possible to predict the broader or longer-term consequences of these conflicts or the sanctions and export controls imposed in response to each conflict. The situation continues to evolve and significant uncertainties regarding the full impact of these conflicts or the related impacts on the global economy and geopolitical relations remain.
Increasing unfavorable macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions have caused, and may also lead to, recession risk, increased credit and collectability risks, higher borrowing costs or reduced availability of capital and credit markets, reduced liquidity, asset impairments, declines in the value of the Company's financial instruments, and failures of counterparties including financial institutions and insurers. If any financial institution party to the Company's credit or other financing arrangements were to declare bankruptcy or become insolvent, they may be unable to perform under their agreements with the Company, which could result in reduced borrowing capacity. In addition, if any parties with which the Company conducts business are unable to access funds pursuant to such instruments or lending arrangements with such a financial institution, such parties’ ability to continue to fund their business and perform their obligations to the Company could be adversely affected. Any of these factors could negatively and materially impact the Company's business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Sales growth objectives may be difficult to achieve, and market and category declines and changes to the Company’s product and geographic mix may adversely impact the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.
A large percentage of the Company’s revenues comes from mature markets that are subject to high levels of competition. During fiscal year 2024, 84% of the Company’s net sales were attributable to U.S. markets, including U.S. territories. The Company’s ability to achieve sales growth depends on its ability to drive growth through innovation, including as part of its IGNITE Strategy, expand into new products and categories, channels and countries, invest in its established brands and enhanced merchandising, grow categories with retailers and capture market share from competitors. The Company has implemented price increases and may implement additional price increases in the future, including to account for increasing costs, which may adversely affect sales volumes. In addition, competitors may or may not take competitive actions, which may lead to sales declines and loss of market share. If the Company is unable to increase market share in existing product lines, develop product innovations, undertake sales, marketing and advertising initiatives that grow its product categories, effectively adopt and leverage existing and emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence or machine learning, and/or develop, acquire or successfully launch new products or brands, it may not achieve its sales growth objectives. Furthermore, a general decline in the markets for certain product categories has had and may in the future have a negative impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, changes to the mix of products that the Company sells, as well as the mix of countries in which its products are sold, may adversely impact the Company’s net sales, profitability and cash flow.
The changing retail environment and changing consumer preferences could adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Company’s sales are largely concentrated in the traditional retail grocery, mass retail outlet, warehouse club and dollar store channels, in addition to e-commerce channels. Alternative retail channels, including hard discounters, subscription services and buying clubs, have become and may continue to be more prevalent and popular than traditional retailers. In addition, a growing number of alternative sales channels and business models, such as niche bran
Showing the first 8K of 94K characters. Open the full section
Item 2. PROPERTIES
The Company owns or leases various manufacturing, distribution, office and research and development facilities, including a leased facility in Pleasanton, CA, which houses the Company’s primary research and development group, as well as other administrative and operational support personnel, and a leased office space in Oakland, CA for its corporate headquarters. Management believes the Company’s facilities are adequate to support the business efficiently.
Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The Company is subject to routine litigation incidental to its business in the United States and in international locations, including various lawsuits and claims relating to issues such as contract disputes, product liability, patents and trademarks, advertising, commercial, administrative, employment, antitrust, securities, consumer class actions and other matters. Although the results of claims and litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, based on management’s analysis, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate disposition of these matters, to the extent not previously provided for or disclosed in the Company’s consolidated financial statements in Exhibit 99.1, will not have a material adverse effect, individually or in the aggregate, on the Company’s consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.
Item 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The names, ages, year first elected and current titles of each of the executive officers of the Company as of August 8, 2024, are set forth below:
| Name | Age | Year First Elected Executive Officer | Title | ||||||||
| Linda Rendle | 46 | 2016 | Chair and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||
| Nina Barton | 50 | 2024 | Executive Vice President - Group President - Care and Connection | ||||||||
| Stacey Grier | 61 | 2019 | Executive Vice President – Executive Chief of Staff | ||||||||
| Angela Hilt | 52 | 2020 | Executive Vice President – Chief Legal Officer | ||||||||
| Chris Hyder | 49 | 2021 | Executive Vice President - Group President - Health and Hygiene | ||||||||
| Kevin B. Jacobsen | 58 | 2018 | Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
| Kirsten Marriner | 51 | 2016 | Executive Vice President – Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer | ||||||||
| Eric Reynolds | 54 | 2015 | Executive Vice President – Chief Operating and Strategy Officer | ||||||||
| Chau Banks | 55 | 2020 | Senior Vice President – Chief Information and Data Officer | ||||||||
| Shanique Bonelli-Moore | 44 | 2022 | Vice President – Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer | ||||||||
| Gina Kelly | 61 | 2024 | Senior Vice President - Chief Customer Officer | ||||||||
| Michael Ott | 55 | 2022 | Senior Vice President – Chief Research and Development Officer | ||||||||
| Eric Schwartz | 52 | 2022 | Senior Vice President – Chief Marketing Officer |
There is no family relationship between any of the above-named persons, or between any of such persons and any of the directors of the Company. See Item 10 of Part III of this Report for additional information.
Linda Rendle is the chair and chief executive officer of the Company, a position she has held since September 2020, having taken on the role of chair in January 2024. Prior to this role, she served as the president of the Company from May 2020 to September 2020. She served as executive vice president – cleaning, international, strategy and operations from July 2019 to May 2020. From January 2019 to July 2019, she served as executive vice president – strategy and operations. From June 2018 to January 2019, she served as executive vice president – cleaning and strategy. She served as senior vice president – general manager, cleaning division of the Company, from August 2016 to June 2018, having taken on responsibility for the professional products division in April 2017. She served as vice president – general manager, home care from October 2014 to August 2016. From April 2012 to October 2014, she served as vice president – sales, cleaning division. From August 2011 to April 2012, she served as director of sales planning – litter, food & charcoal. From January 2010 to August 2011, she served as director of sales – supply chain. Ms. Rendle joined the Company in 2003.
Nina Barton is the executive vice president and group president - care & connection for the Company, a position she has held since July 2024. Prior to joining Clorox, she was the chief executive officer of Vytalogy Wellness LLC (including its predecessor companies Jarrow Formulas Inc. and Natrol LLC) from July 2021 to November 2023, and senior advisor from November 2023 to July 2024. Previously, she was strategic advisor at The Kraft Heinz Company from November 2020 through May 2021; global chief growth officer from September 2019 through November 2020; zone president of Canada and president of digital growth from January 2019 to September 2019; and president, global digital and online growth from October 2017 to September 2019. From July 2015 to October 2017, she served as senior vice president of marketing, innovation and research & development for the U.S. business at The Kraft Heinz Company. From July 2013 through July 2015, she served as vice president, marketing at Kraft Foods Group, Inc., and senior marketing director from February 2011 through July 2013. Earlier in her career, she held a variety of marketing and leadership positions in the consumer products industry, including at Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal and Procter & Gamble.
Stacey Grier is the executive vice president – executive chief of staff for the Company, a position she has held since January 2024. Prior to this role, she served as executive vice president - chief growth and strategy officer from March 2022 to January 2024. From January 2019 to March 2022, she served as senior vice president – chief marketing officer, having taken on additional responsibility for enterprise strategy since September 2020. Prior to this role, she served as vice president - brand engagement and enhanced wellness marketing from October 2018 to January 2019. She served as vice president - brand and marketing strategy from October 2016 through October 2018. Prior to joining the Company, she served as chief strategic officer at DDB Worldwide from April 1996 to June 2016. Ms. Grier joined the Company in 2016.
Angela Hilt is the executive vice president – chief legal officer of the Company, a position she has held since October 2022. She was appointed to senior vice president - chief legal officer in December 2020. Prior to this role, she served as vice president – corporate secretary and deputy general counsel from September 2018 to December 2020, and vice president – corporate secretary and associate general counsel from October 2008 to September 2018. She served as senior corporate counsel from December 2005 to October 2008. Ms. Hilt joined the Company in 2005.
Chris Hyder is the executive vice president and group president – health and hygiene of the Company, a position he has held since October 2022, having taken on the role as executive vice president in May 2024. Prior to this role he served as senior vice president - general manager, cleaning and professional products since September 2021. Previously, he was vice president – general manager, cleaning division since July 2019 and vice president – general manager, homecare from September 2018 to July 2019. From January 2016 through September 2018, he was vice president of marketing – cleaning and general manager – laundry. Mr. Hyder joined the Company in 2003 and subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility.
Kevin B. Jacobsen is the executive vice president – chief financial officer of the Company, a position he has held since January 2019. Prior to this role, he served as senior vice president – chief financial officer from April 2018 to January 2019. He served as vice president – financial planning and analysis, from November 2011 through March 2018. Mr. Jacobsen joined the Company in 1995 and has held a number of senior leadership roles in the Company’s finance department over the years, including serving as the finance leader for the specialty division, head of finance for Brazil operations, the product supply organization and various business units.
Kirsten Marriner is the executive vice president – chief people and corporate affairs officer of the Company, a position she has held since December 2020. She was appointed to executive vice president - chief people officer in January 2019. Prior to this role she served as senior vice president – chief people officer from March 2016 to January 2019. Prior to joining the Company, she served as senior vice president and chief human resources officer at Omnicare, from March 2013 to August 2015. She served in various leadership roles, including as senior vice president, director of talent management and development at Fifth Third Bank, from October 2004 to March 2013. Ms. Marriner joined the Company in 2016.
Eric Reynolds is the executive vice president - chief operating and strategy officer of the Company, a position he has held since September 2020, having taken on additional responsibility for enterprise strategy in January 2024. Prior to this role, he served as executive vice president - household and lifestyle of the Company from July 2019 to September 2020. He served as executive vice president – cleaning and Burt’s Bees from January 2019 to July 2019. From January 2015 to January 2019, he served as senior vice president – chief marketing officer. He served as vice president – general manager, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia from May 2012 to January 2015. From May 2011 to April 2012, he was director, international business development. From June 2008 to April 2011, he was general manager, Caribbean. Mr. Reynolds joined the Company in 1998.
Chau Banks is the senior vice president – chief information and data officer of the Company, a position she has held since June 2020, having taken on responsibility for enterprise analytics since September 2020. Prior to this role, she served as chief technology and digital officer at Revlon Consumer Products Company from January 2018 to June 2020. From September 2013 to November 2017, she was EVP, CIO and channel integration at New York & Company, Inc. (now RetailWinds Inc.). She has held leadership positions at leading global retailers including COACH, Abercrombie & Fitch and LBrands. She previously served as a management consultant at Capgemini and Ernst & Young. She also previously held positions at Energizer and Kimberly-Clark. Ms. Banks joined the Company in 2020.
Shanique Bonelli-Moore is the vice president – chief diversity and social impact officer of the Company, a position she has held since July 2022. Prior to joining Clorox, she was executive director of inclusion at United Talent Agency from January 2019 to June 2022, and director of corporate communications from April 2018 to December 2018. From November 2016 to April 2018, she was senior director of global internal communications and diversity & inclusion lead at BuzzFeed Entertainment. Earlier in her career, she held positions at leading companies including Anheuser-Busch InBev, NBCUniversal and GE where she focused on corporate communication, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
Gina Kelly is the senior vice president - chief customer officer of the Company, a position she has held since June 2024. Prior to this role, she served as vice president - general manager, Walmart and leading-edge retailers from January 2022 to June 2024. She served as vice president - ecommerce and strategic accounts from July 2019 to January 2022. Ms. Kelly joined the Company in 1988 and subsequently held positions of increasing responsibility over the years, including vice president of sales - business development, acting vice president - grocery, natural and pet, senior director - Kroger and the natural channel.
Michael Ott is the senior vice president – chief research & development officer of the Company, a position he has held since June 2022. Previously, he served as interim sustainability officer, a position he held from November 2021 to February 2023, while also serving as vice president, research & development – specialty division, from August 2018 through May 2022. Previously, he was vice president, research & development – cleaning, international, and professional products divisions, from
October 2014 to August 2018. Dr. Ott joined the Company in 1996 as a scientist and has since held positions of increasing responsibility in research & development.
Eric Schwartz is the senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Company, a position he has held since March 2022. Previously, he was senior vice president and general manager – specialty, from July 2019 to March 2022. Prior to joining Clorox, he was chief marketing officer and general manager at Tyson Foods, poultry segment, from January 2017 to February 2019. Earlier in his career, he held positions of increasing responsibility at Tyson Foods and Henkel. Mr. Schwartz rejoined the Company in 2019 after serving as brand manager at the Company from 2000 to 2004.
PART II
Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information
The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange. The ticker symbol is CLX.
Holders
The number of record holders of the Company’s common stock as of July 23, 2024, was 8,435 based on information provided by the Company’s transfer agent.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
See Part III, Item 12 hereof, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
In May 2018, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $2,000 million in shares of common stock on the open market (Open-Market Program), which has no expiration date.
In August 1999, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to reduce or eliminate dilution upon the issuance of common stock pursuant to the Company’s stock compensation plans (the Evergreen Program). In November 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the extension of the Evergreen Program to reduce or eliminate dilution in connection with issuances of common stock pursuant to the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. The Evergreen Program has no expiration date and has no specified limit as to dollar amount and therefore is not included in column [d] below.
The following table sets forth the purchases of the Company’s securities by the Company and any affiliated purchasers within the meaning of Rule 10b-18(a)(3) (17 CFR 240.10b-18(a)(3)) during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024.
| [a] | [b] | [c] | [d] | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Period | Total Number of Shares Purchased | Average Price Paid per Share (1) | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |||||||||||||||||||
| April 1 to 30, 2024 | — | $ | — | — | $993 million | ||||||||||||||||||
| May 1 to 31, 2024 | — | — | — | $993 million | |||||||||||||||||||
| June 1 to 30, 2024 | — | — | — | $993 million | |||||||||||||||||||
| — | $ | — | — |
(1)Average price paid per share in the period includes commission.
Item 6. RESERVED
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
This information appears under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7. A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
This information appears under “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
These statements and data appear in Exhibit 99.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
Item 9. A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and executive vice president – chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and executive vice president – chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Report, were effective such that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including the chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is set forth in Exhibit 99.1, and is incorporated herein by reference. The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young, LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of June 30, 2024. See “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” which appears in Exhibit 99.1.
Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
No change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fourth fiscal quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
On Monday, August 14, 2023, the Company disclosed it had identified unauthorized activity on some of its Information Technology (IT) systems; see Note 3 in the consolidated financial statements in Exhibit 99.1. That activity began on Friday, August 11, 2023 and after becoming aware of it that evening, the Company immediately began taking steps to stop and remediate the activity. The Company also took certain systems offline and engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to support its investigation and recovery efforts. The Company implemented its business continuity plans, including manual ordering and processing procedures at a reduced rate of operations in order to continue servicing its customers. However, the incident resulted in wide-scale disruptions to the Company’s business operations throughout the remainder of the first fiscal quarter of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2024.
During the disruptions caused by the cyberattack, we deployed additional interim controls in response to taking certain systems offline during the period to maintain our internal control over financial reporting.
The Company is in the process of implementing a new enterprise resource planning (ERP) system along with a suite of other digital technologies. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, we will begin implementing the new ERP system. As this implementation occurs during fiscal years 2025 and 2026, the Company will change its processes and procedures which, in turn, could result in changes to its internal control over financial reporting. As such changes occur, the Company will evaluate quarterly whether such changes materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9.B. OTHER INFORMATION
Rule 10b5-1 trading plans
On June 7, 2024, Angela Hilt, EVP – Chief Legal Officer, entered into a trading plan designed to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act. The plan provides for sales of up to 1,733 shares of the Company's common stock. The plan also provides for the sale of up to 25% of shares of restricted stock units and performance units vesting during the duration of the plan, excluding any shares withheld by the Company to satisfy income tax withholding remittance obligations. Ms. Hilt’s plan begins on September 6, 2024 and ends June 6, 2025 or when all of the shares have been sold.
Each trading plan is in accordance with the Company's insider trading policy. Actual sale transactions will be disclosed publicly in filings with the SEC in accordance with applicable securities laws, rules and regulations.
ITEM 9.C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
See “Information about our Executive Officers” in Part I of this Report.
The Company has adopted a Code of Conduct that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, among others. The Code of Conduct is located on the Company’s website at TheCloroxCompany.com under Company/Leadership and Governance/Codes of Conduct or https://www.thecloroxcompany.com/company/policies-and-practices/codes-of-conduct/. The Company intends to satisfy the requirement under Item 5.05 of Form 8-K regarding disclosure of amendments to, or waivers from, provisions of its Code of Conduct by posting such information on the Company’s website. The Company’s website also contains its corporate governance guidelines and the charters of its principal board committees.
Information regarding the Company’s directors and corporate governance set forth in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company has adopted an insider trading policy governing the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of its securities by its directors, officers, employees and independent contractors that the Company believes is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and the exchange listing standards applicable to the Company. It is the Company’s policy to comply with all applicable securities and state laws (including appropriate approvals by the Company’s board of directors or appropriate committee, if required) when engaging in transactions in the Company’s securities.
Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information regarding executive and director compensation, Management Development and Compensation Committee interlocks and insider participation and the report of the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Company’s board of directors set forth in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners, management and directors and securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans set forth in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions and director independence set forth in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services set forth in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)Financial Statements and Schedules:
Consolidated Financial Statements and Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in Exhibit 99.1, incorporated herein by reference.
Reports of Ernst & Young, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 42).
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2024 and 2023.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
(b)Exhibits:
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
| Incorporated by Reference | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exhibit Number | Exhibit Description | Form | File No. | Exhibit | Filing Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 99.1 | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Consolidated Financial Statements, Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting and Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 99.2 | Reconciliation of Economic Profit (Unaudited). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.INS | XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.SCH | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.CAL | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.DEF | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.LAB | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 101.PRE | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101). |
(*) Indicates a management or director contract or compensatory plan or arrangement required to be filed as an exhibit to this report.
Item 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| THE CLOROX COMPANY | ||||||||
| Date: August 8, 2024 | By: | /s/ Linda Rendle | ||||||
| Linda Rendle | ||||||||
| Chair and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| Signature | Title | Date | ||||||||||||
| /s/ A. Banse | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| A. Banse | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ J. Denman | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| J. Denman | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ S. C. Fleischer | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| S. C. Fleischer | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ E. Lee | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| E. Lee | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ A. D. D. Mackay | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| A. D. D. Mackay | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ P. Parker | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| P. Parker | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ S. Plaines | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| S. Plaines | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ M. J. Shattock | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| M. J. Shattock | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ K. Tesija | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| K. Tesija | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ R. J. Weiner | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| R. J. Weiner | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ C. J. Williams | Director | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| C. J. Williams | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ L. Rendle | Chair and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| L. Rendle | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ K. B. Jacobsen | Executive Vice President – Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| K. B. Jacobsen | ||||||||||||||
| /s/ L. Peck | Vice President – Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) | August 8, 2024 | ||||||||||||
| L. Peck |