TE Connectivity 10-K 2024-09-27

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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

001-33260

(Commission File Number)

TE CONNECTIVITY PLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

*Issued by Tyco Electronics Group S.A., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of TE Connectivity plc

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

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 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:

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 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 common shares of TE Connectivity Ltd., the predecessor of the registrant, held by non-affiliates was $44.5 billion as of March 29, 2024, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. Directors and executive officers of the registrant are considered affiliates for purposes of this calculation but should not necessarily be deemed affiliates for any other purpose.

The number of ordinary shares outstanding as of November 7, 2024 was 299,162,134.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the registrant’s 2025 annual general meeting of shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.

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TE CONNECTIVITY PLC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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None.

Cybersecurity Risk Management and Strategy

Our cybersecurity risk management strategy and processes are designed to identify, assess, and manage risks to the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our information technology environment, systems, and information. The cybersecurity risk management process is managed centrally and is led by our global chief information security officer

(“CISO”) who reports to our global chief information officer. Our cybersecurity program takes a risk-based approach and is integrated with our global enterprise risk management program. Our cybersecurity risk strategy is aligned with cyber/information security frameworks and industry standards, including the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework.

Our cybersecurity program includes the following risk management practices:

To date, we do not believe that any risks from cybersecurity threats, nor any previous cybersecurity incidents, have materially affected our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. However, the sophistication of cyber threats continues to increase, and the preventative actions we have taken and continue to take to reduce the risk of cyber incidents and protect our systems and information may not successfully protect against future cyber incidents, which could materially affect our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For additional information on certain risks associated with cybersecurity, refer to the risk factors related to cybersecurity and information technology systems in “Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Cybersecurity Program Governance

Our cybersecurity program is governed by the information security committee (“ISC”), composed of our leaders from information technology, enterprise risk, legal, compliance, strategy, human resources, finance, internal audit, and various business units. On a quarterly basis, the CISO reports to the ISC on topics such as risk mitigation project status, audit results, security metrics, cyber incidents investigated and impact, if any, and significant changes that contribute toward protecting the enterprise from cybersecurity threats.

Our CISO has over 20 years of experience in information security leadership roles and over 8 years as our CISO. Nearly half of our board of directors have completed cybersecurity program trainings or have cybersecurity and information security industry experience.

Cybersecurity incidents are evaluated by a cross-functional management team based on defined quantitative and qualitative criteria and communicated to leadership. We have cybersecurity and information technology third-party consultants to assist in performing forensic and technical analyses and advising leadership as needed.

The cybersecurity committee of our board of directors has oversight responsibility for cybersecurity risks. The CISO provides updates at least twice a year to the cybersecurity committee regarding matters related to information technology and cybersecurity risks including the state of our cybersecurity programs, emerging cybersecurity developments and threats, and our strategy to mitigate cybersecurity risk. Additionally, the full board of directors receives updates on our cybersecurity program twice a year as part of the enterprise risk management meetings.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

During fiscal 2024, our principal executive office was located in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. In connection with our change in place of incorporation, Galway, Ireland became the new location of our principal executive office in fiscal 2025. As of fiscal year end 2024, we owned approximately 17 million square feet and leased approximately 10 million square feet of aggregate floor space, used primarily for manufacturing, warehousing, and office space. We believe our facilities are suitable for the conduct of our business and adequate for our current needs.

We manufacture our products in over 25 countries worldwide. Our manufacturing sites focus on various aspects of our manufacturing processes, including our primary processes of stamping, plating, molding, extrusion, beaming, and assembly. We consider the productive capacity of our manufacturing facilities sufficient. As of fiscal year end 2024, our principal centers of manufacturing output by segment and geographic region were as follows:

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, including product liability matters, employment disputes, disputes on agreements, other commercial disputes, environmental matters, antitrust claims, and tax matters, including non-income tax matters such as value added tax, sales and use tax, real estate tax, and transfer tax. In addition, we operate in an industry susceptible to significant patent legal claims. At any given time in the normal course of business, we are involved as either a plaintiff or defendant in a number of patent infringement actions. If infringement of a third party’s patent were to be determined against us, we might be required to make significant royalty or other payments or might be subject to an injunction or other limitation on our ability to manufacture or sell one or more products. If a patent owned by or licensed to us were determined to be invalid or unenforceable, we might be required to reduce the value of the patent on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and to record a corresponding charge, which could be significant in amount.

Management believes that these legal proceedings and claims likely will be resolved over an extended period of time. Although it is not feasible to predict the outcome of these proceedings, based upon our experience, current information, and applicable law, we do not expect that the outcome of these proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

Not applicable.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information and Holders

Our shares are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TEL.” As of November 8, 2024, there were 15,324 shareholders of record.

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our shares against the cumulative return on the S&P 500 Index and the Dow Jones U.S. Electrical Components & Equipment Index. The graph assumes the investment of $100 in our shares and in each index at fiscal year end 2019 and assumes the reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. The graph shows the cumulative total return for the last five fiscal years. The comparisons in the graph are based upon historical data and are not indicative of, nor intended to forecast, future returns.

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Dividends

At the Annual General Meeting on March 13, 2024, shareholders approved a dividend payment of $2.60 per share, payable in four equal quarterly installments of $0.65 per share. The third and fourth installments are expected to occur in our first and second quarters of fiscal 2025.

As a result of our change in place of incorporation, beginning in our third quarter of fiscal 2025, future dividends on our ordinary shares, if any, will be declared on a quarterly basis by our board of directors as provided by Irish law. Shareholder approval is no longer required. In exercising their discretion to approve such dividends, our board of directors will consider our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, future business prospects, statutory requirements of applicable law, contractual restrictions, restrictions imposed by Irish law, and other factors that they may deem relevant.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information about our purchases of our common shares during the quarter ended September 27, 2024:

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. The following discussion may contain forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates, and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those factors discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report, particularly in “Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Information.”

Our Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in U.S. dollars, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“GAAP”).

Discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023 is presented below. Discussion of our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 can be found in “Part II. Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2023.

The following discussion includes organic net sales growth (decline) which is a non-GAAP financial measure. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” for additional information regarding this measure.

Change in Place of Incorporation

During fiscal 2024, our board of directors and shareholders approved a change in our jurisdiction of incorporation from Switzerland to Ireland. In connection with the change, we entered into a merger agreement with our wholly-owned subsidiary, TE Connectivity plc, a public limited company incorporated under Irish law. Under the merger agreement, we were merged with and into TE Connectivity plc, which was the surviving entity, in order to effect our change in jurisdiction of incorporation from Switzerland to Ireland. The merger and change in jurisdiction of incorporation were completed on September 30, 2024. Our shareholders received one ordinary share of TE Connectivity plc for each common share of TE Connectivity Ltd. held immediately prior to the merger. Effective for fiscal 2025, we are organized under the laws of Ireland. We do not anticipate any material changes in our operations or financial results as a result of the merger and change in place of incorporation. See Notes 1 and 21 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the change in place of incorporation**.**

Overview

We are a global industrial technology leader creating a safer, sustainable, productive, and connected future. Our broad range of connectivity and sensor solutions enable the distribution of power, signal, and data to advance next-generation transportation, renewable energy, automated factories, data centers, medical technology, and more.

Summary of Fiscal 2024 Performance

Economic Conditions

Our business and operating results have been and will continue to be affected by worldwide economic conditions. The global economy has been impacted in recent years by supply chain disruptions and inflationary cost pressures. We are monitoring the current environment and its potential effects on our customers and the end markets we serve.

In recent years, we have experienced inflationary cost pressures including increased costs for transportation, energy, and raw materials. However, we have been able to mitigate increased costs and supply chain disruptions through productivity and/or price increases. Also, we have taken and continue to focus on actions to manage costs, including restructuring and other cost reduction initiatives such as reducing discretionary spending and travel. Additionally, we are managing our capital resources and monitoring capital availability to ensure that we have sufficient resources to fund our future capital needs. See further discussion in “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

We continue to monitor military conflicts in certain parts of the world as well as escalating tensions in surrounding countries and associated sanctions. These did not have a significant impact on our business, financial condition, or results of operations during fiscal 2024 and 2023.

Outlook

In the first quarter of fiscal 2025, we expect our net sales to be approximately $3.9 billion as compared to $3.8 billion in the first quarter of fiscal 2024. As discussed below, we will have a new segment structure effective for fiscal 2025. Under the new structure, net sales increases in the Industrial Solutions segment are expected to be partially offset by sales declines in the Transportation Solutions segment. We expect diluted earnings per share from continuing operations to be approximately $1.64 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 2025. This outlook reflects the positive impact of foreign currency exchange rates on net sales and earnings per share of approximately $32 million and $0.04 per share, respectively, in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2024. Also, this outlook is based on foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices that are consistent with current levels.

Acquisitions

During the first quarter of fiscal 2024, we acquired approximately 98.7% of the outstanding shares of Schaffner Holding AG (“Schaffner”), a leader in electromagnetic solutions based in Switzerland, for CHF 505.00 per share in cash for a purchase price of CHF 294 million (equivalent to $339 million), net of cash acquired. The acquired business has been reported as part of our Industrial Solutions segment from the date of acquisition. During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we completed a squeeze-out of the remaining minority shareholders for $5 million and the Schaffner shares were delisted from the SIX Swiss Exchange.

We acquired one business for a cash purchase price of $110 million, net of cash acquired, during fiscal 2023. The acquired business has been reported as part of our Industrial Solutions segment from the date of acquisition.

See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding acquisitions.

Divestitures

During fiscal 2024, we sold one business for net cash proceeds of $59 million. In connection with the divestiture, we recorded a pre-tax gain on sale of $10 million. Addit

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None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of September 27, 2024. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 27, 2024.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 27, 2024.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.

Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, has issued an attestation report on our internal control over financial reporting as of September 27, 2024, which is included in this Annual Report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended September 27, 2024, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Rule 10b5-1 Trading Arrangements

In the quarter ended September 27, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Exchange Act) adopted or terminated a plan for the purchase or sale of our securities intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement for the purchase or sale of our securities, within the meaning of Item 408 of Regulation S-K.

Not Applicable.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Information concerning directors, executive officers, and corporate governance may be found under the captions “Agenda Item No. 1—Election of Directors,” “Nominees for Election,” “Corporate Governance,” “The Board of Directors and Board Committees,” and “Executive Officers” in our definitive proxy statement for our 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the “2025 Proxy Statement”), which will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the close of our fiscal year. Such information is incorporated herein by reference. The information in the 2025 Proxy Statement under the caption “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” is incorporated herein by reference.

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a guide to ethical conduct, which applies to all employees, officers, and directors. Our Guide to Ethical Conduct meets the requirements of a “code of ethics” as defined by Item 406 of Regulation S-K and applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Accounting Officer, as well as all other employees and directors. Our Guide to Ethical Conduct also meets the requirements of a code of business conduct and ethics under the listing standards of the NYSE. Our Guide to Ethical Conduct is posted on our website at www.te.com under the heading “Corporate Responsibility—Disclosures.” We also will provide a copy of our Guide to Ethical Conduct to shareholders upon request. We intend to disclose any amendments to our Guide to Ethical Conduct, as well as any waivers for executive officers or directors, on our website.

Insider Trading Policies and Procedures

We have adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and/or other dispositions of our securities by directors, officers, and employees, or by us, that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules, and regulations, and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Copies of such policies and procedures can be found in Exhibits 19.1 and 19.2.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information concerning executive compensation may be found under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Management Development and Compensation Committee Report,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation,” “Executive Officer Compensation,” and “Compensation of Non-Employee Directors” in our 2025 Proxy Statement. Such information is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information in our 2025 Proxy Statement under the caption “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” is incorporated herein by reference.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

The following table provides information as of fiscal year end 2024 with respect to shares issuable under our equity compensation plans:

The information in our 2025 Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance,” “The Board of Directors and Board Committees,” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information in our 2025 Proxy Statement under the caption “Agenda Item No. 2—Ratification of Auditors” is incorporated herein by reference.

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PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)1.Financial Statements. See “Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”

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None.

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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.

Date: November 12, 2024

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.

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TE CONNECTIVITY LTD.

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of TE Connectivity plc

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TE Connectivity Ltd. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), shareholders’ equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended September 27, 2024, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of September 27, 2024 and September 29, 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 27, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of September 27, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated November 12, 2024, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also i

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