Cover and table of contents

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Cover and table of contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-K

(Mark One)

☒ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021

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: 001-08089

dhr-20211231_g1.jpg

DANAHER CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware59-1995548
(State of Incorporation)(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
2200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Suite 800W20037-1701
Washington,DC
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 202-828-0850

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, $0.01 par valueDHRNew York Stock Exchange
4.75% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, without par valueDHR.PRANew York Stock Exchange
5.00% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, without par valueDHR.PRBNew York Stock Exchange
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2022DHR/22ANew York Stock Exchange
1.700% Senior Notes due 2024DHR 24New York Stock Exchange
0.200% Senior Notes due 2026DHR/26New York Stock Exchange
2.100% Senior Notes due 2026DHR 26New York Stock Exchange
1.200% Senior Notes due 2027DHR/27New York Stock Exchange
0.450% Senior Notes due 2028DHR/28New York Stock Exchange
2.500% Senior Notes due 2030DHR 30New York Stock Exchange
0.750% Senior Notes due 2031DHR/31New York Stock Exchange
1.350% Senior Notes due 2039DHR/39New York Stock Exchange
1.800% Senior Notes due 2049DHR/49New 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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 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.

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. ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes ☐ No ☒

As of February 4, 2022, the number of shares of Registrant’s common stock outstanding was 715,352,586. The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant on July 2, 2021 was $173.7 billion, based upon the closing price of the Registrant’s common stock as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange on such date.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III incorporates certain information by reference from the Registrant’s proxy statement for its 2022 annual meeting of shareholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after Registrant’s fiscal year-end. With the exception of the sections of the 2022 Proxy Statement specifically incorporated herein by reference, the 2022 Proxy Statement is not deemed to be filed as part of this Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE
INFORMATION RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS1
PART I
Item 1.Business3
Item 1A.Risk Factors16
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments34
Item 2.Properties34
Item 3.Legal Proceedings34
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures34
Information About Our Executive Officers35
PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities36
Item 6.Not Applicable36
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations37
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk56
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data57
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure111
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures111
Item 9B.Other Information111
Item 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections111
PART III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance111
Item 11.Executive Compensation112
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters112
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence112
Item 14.Principal Accountant Fees and Services112
PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules113
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary113

In this Annual Report, the terms “Danaher” or the “Company” refer to Danaher Corporation, Danaher Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries or the consolidated subsidiaries of Danaher Corporation, as the context requires. Unless otherwise indicated, all financial data in this Annual Report refer to continuing operations only.

INFORMATION RELATING TO FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements included or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report, in other documents we file with or furnish to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), in our press releases, webcasts, conference calls, materials delivered to shareholders and other communications, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. All statements other than historical factual information are forward-looking statements, including without limitation statements regarding: projections of revenue, expenses, profit, profit margins, pricing, tax rates, tax provisions, cash flows, pension and benefit obligations and funding requirements, our liquidity position or other projected financial measures; management’s plans and strategies for future operations, including statements relating to anticipated operating performance, cost reductions, restructuring activities, new product and service developments, competitive strengths or market position, acquisitions and the integration thereof, divestitures, spin-offs, split-offs or other distributions, strategic opportunities, securities offerings, stock repurchases, dividends and executive compensation; growth, declines and other trends in markets we sell into; new or modified laws, regulations and accounting pronouncements; future regulatory approvals and the timing and conditionality thereof; outstanding claims, legal proceedings, tax audits and assessments and other contingent liabilities; future foreign currency exchange rates and fluctuations in those rates; the potential or anticipated direct or indirect impact of COVID-19 on our business, results of operations and/or financial condition; general economic and capital markets conditions; the anticipated timing of any of the foregoing; assumptions underlying any of the foregoing; and any other statements that address events or developments that Danaher intends or believes will or may occur in the future. Terminology such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “could,” “intend,” “will,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “target,” “may,” “possible,” “potential,” “forecast” and “positioned” and similar references to future periods are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements are accompanied by such words. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks and uncertainties set forth below and under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in this Annual Report.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from the results, developments and business decisions contemplated by our forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of the report, document, press release, webcast, call, materials or other communication in which they are made. Except to the extent required by applicable law, we do not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events and developments or otherwise.

Below is a summary of material risks and uncertainties we face, which are discussed more fully in “Item 1A. Risk Factors”:

Business and Strategic Risks

  • The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely impacted, and continues to pose risks to, certain elements of our business and our financial statements, the nature and extent of which are highly uncertain and unpredictable.

  • Conditions in the global economy, the particular markets we serve and the financial markets can adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • We face intense competition and if we are unable to compete effectively, we may experience decreased demand and market share. Even if we compete effectively, we may be required to reduce the prices we charge.

  • Our growth depends on the timely development and commercialization, and customer acceptance, of new and enhanced products and services based on technological innovation. Our growth can also suffer if the markets into which we sell our products and services decline, do not grow as anticipated or experience cyclicality.

  • The health care industry and related industries that we serve have undergone, and are in the process of undergoing, significant changes in an effort to reduce (and increase the predictability of) costs, which can adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • Non-U.S. economic, political, legal, compliance, social and business factors (including the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union (“EU”)) can negatively affect our business and financial statements.

  • Collaborative partners and other third-parties we rely on for development, supply and marketing of certain products, potential products and technologies could fail to perform sufficiently.

Acquisitions, Divestitures and Investment Risks

  • Any inability to consummate acquisitions at our historical rate and appropriate prices, and to make appropriate investments that support our long-term strategy, could negatively impact our business. Our acquisition of businesses, investments, joint ventures and other strategic relationships could also negatively impact our business and financial statements and our indemnification rights may not fully protect us from liabilities related thereto.

  • Divestitures or other dispositions could negatively impact our business, and contingent liabilities from businesses that we or our predecessors have disposed could adversely affect our business and financial statements. For example, we could incur significant liability if any of the split-off or spin-off transactions we have consummated is determined to be a taxable transaction or otherwise pursuant to our indemnification obligations with respect to such transactions.

Operational Risks

  • Significant disruptions in, or breaches in security of, our information technology systems or data; other losses or disruptions due to catastrophe; and labor disputes can all adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • Defects and unanticipated use or inadequate disclosure with respect to our products or services, or allegations thereof, can adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • If we encounter problems manufacturing products, fail to adjust our manufacturing capacity or related purchases to reflect changing conditions, or suffer disruptions due to sole or limited sources of supply or due to limited availability of labor, our business and financial statements may suffer. Adverse changes with respect to key distributors and other channel partners can also adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • Climate change, or legal or regulatory measures to address climate change, may negatively affect us.

  • Our success depends on our ability to recruit, retain and motivate talented employees representing diverse backgrounds, experiences and skill sets.

  • Our restructuring actions can have long-term adverse effects on our business and financial statements.

Intellectual Property Risks

  • Any inability to adequately protect or avoid third-party infringement of our intellectual property, and third-party claims we are infringing intellectual property rights, can adversely affect our business and financial statements.

Financial and Tax Risks

  • Our outstanding debt has increased significantly as a result of acquisitions, and we may incur additional debt in the future. Our existing and future indebtedness may limit our operations and our use of our cash flow and negatively impact our credit ratings; and any failure to comply with the covenants that apply to our indebtedness could adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • Our business and financial statements can be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rates, changes in our tax rates (including as a result of changes in tax laws) or income tax liabilities/assessments, the outcome of tax audits, financial market risks related to our defined benefit pension plans, recognition of impairment charges for our goodwill or other intangible assets, and fluctuations in the cost and availability of commodities.

Legal, Regulatory, Compliance and Reputational Risks

  • Our businesses are subject to extensive regulation (including applicable to the healthcare industry). Failure to comply with those regulations (including by our employees, agents or business partners) or significant developments or changes in U.S. laws or policies can adversely affect our business and financial statements. Changes in governmental regulations can also reduce demand for our offerings or increase our expenses.

  • With respect to the regulated medical devices we offer, certain modifications to such products may require new regulatory clearance (such as 510(k) clearances) or other marketing authorizations and may require us to recall or cease marketing such products; off-label marketing of such products could result in penalties; and clinical trials we conduct with respect to such products or potential products may have results that are unexpected or are perceived unfavorably by the market, all of which could adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • We are subject to or otherwise responsible for a variety of litigation and other legal and regulatory proceedings in the course of our business that can adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • Our operations, products and services also expose us to the risk of environmental, health and safety liabilities, costs and violations that could adversely affect our business and financial statements.

  • Our By-law exclusive forum provisions could limit our stockholders’ ability to choose their preferred judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.

PART I

Next: Item 1. BUSINESS