Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
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Item 1A. RISK FACTORS
For a complete discussion of the Company's risk factors, you should carefully review the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.
The following risk factors have been added or updated because of developments during the fiscal 2022 interim period. These risks could affect our business, financial position, or results of operations or could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
Net sales and profitability of our Dental segment are highly dependent on our relationships with a limited number of large distributors.
The distribution network in the U.S. dental industry is concentrated, with relatively few distributors of consumable products accounting for a significant share of the sales volume to dentists. Historically, the top three customers of Cantel's Dental segment accounted for more than 40.0% of its revenues. The loss of a significant amount of business from any of these Customers would have a material adverse effect on our Dental segment. In addition, because our Dental segment products are primarily sold through third-party distributors and not directly to end users, we cannot control the amount and timing of resources that our distributors devote to our products. There can be no assurance that there will not be a loss or reduction in business from one or more of our major customers. In addition, we cannot assure that revenues from Customers that have accounted for significant revenues in the past, either individually or as a group, will reach or exceed historical levels in any future period.
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition.
The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the response to the pandemic by governmental and other actors, has disrupted our operations. In fiscal 2021, we experienced temporary mandatory and voluntary facility closures in certain jurisdictions in which we operate and less demand for certain of our products and services as a result of deferrals of certain medical procedures, and other factors, which we believe was exacerbated by the impact of stay-at-home orders. Additionally, the COVID-19 outbreak and other factors have caused and continue to cause temporary disruptions in our supply chain and labor scarcity resulting in material and labor cost inflation.
Long-term facility closures or other restrictions could materially adversely affect our ability to adequately staff, supply or otherwise maintain our operations. Such restrictions also may have a substantial impact on our Customers and our sales cycles. The COVID-19 pandemic may put pressure on overall spending for our products and services, and may cause our Customers to modify spending priorities or delay or abandon purchasing decisions. Moreover, because a large number of our employees have been working from home, we may be subject to increased vulnerability to cyber and other information technology risks. We have modified, and may further modify, our business practices in response to the risks and negative impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there can be no assurance that these measures will be temporary or successful.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. We cannot accurately forecast at this time its ultimate duration, severity and disruption to our business, Customers, and supply chain, and the related financial impact to us. Should such disruption continue for an extended period, the adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition could be more severe. Additionally, weak economic conditions, the pace for economic recovery, and rising inflation, could result in variability in demand for our products and services and higher operating costs. Furthermore, future public health crises are possible and could involve some or all of the risks discussed above.
Current economic and political conditions make tax rules in any jurisdiction subject to significant change.
The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017. Guidance continues to be issued clarifying the application of this legislation and new proposed legislation known as Build Back Better is under consideration within both houses of U.S. Congress. Significant business and international provisions have been proposed in various versions of the framework of the bill that could increase our total tax expense. We cannot predict the overall impact that the additional guidance and proposed changes may have on our business. Some jurisdictions have raised tax rates and it is reasonable to expect that other global taxing authorities will be reviewing current legislation for potential modifications in reaction to the implementation of U.S. tax legislation, current economic conditions, and COVID-19 response costs.
In addition, further changes in the tax laws of other jurisdictions could arise, including as a result of the base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) project undertaken by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The OECD, which represents a coalition of member countries, has issued recommendations that, in some cases, would make substantial changes to numerous long-standing tax positions and principles. These contemplated changes, to the extent adopted
by OECD members and/or other countries, could increase tax uncertainty and may adversely impact our provision for income taxes.
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
On May 7, 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program resulting in a share repurchase authorization of approximately $79.0 million (net of taxes, fees and commissions). On July 30, 2019, our Board of Directors approved an increase in the May 7, 2019 authorization of an additional amount of $300.0 million (net of taxes, fees and commissions). As of September 30, 2021, there was approximately $333.9 million (net of taxes, fees and commissions) of remaining availability under the Board authorized share repurchase program. The share repurchase program has no specified expiration date.
Under the authorization, the Company may repurchase its shares from time to time through open market purchases, including 10b5-1 plans. Any share repurchases may be activated, suspended or discontinued at any time. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, share repurchases were suspended on April 9, 2020.
During the first six months of fiscal 2022, we obtained 130,678 of our ordinary shares in the aggregate amount of $24.8 million in connection with share based compensation award programs.
The following table summarizes the ordinary shares repurchase activity during the second quarter of fiscal 2022 under our ordinary share repurchase program:
| (a) Total Number of Shares Purchased | (b) Average Price Paid Per Share | (c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans | (d) Maximum Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans at Period End (in thousands) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| July 1-31 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 333,932 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| August 1-31 | — | — | — | 333,932 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| September 1-30 | — | $ | — | — | $ | 333,932 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | — | — | — | 333,932 |
(1) Does not include 7 shares purchased during the quarter at an average price of $213.96 per share by the STERIS Corporation 401(k) Plan on behalf of an executive officer of the Company who may be deemed to be an affiliated purchaser.
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