Textron 10-K 2024-12-28
Filed 2025-02-06. 24 sections, 363K 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 December 28, 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 1-5480
Textron Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 05-0315468 | |||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |||||||
| 40 Westminster Street, Providence, RI | 02903 | |||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip code) |
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (401) 421-2800
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 — par value $0.125 | TXT | New York Stock Exchange |
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. xYes ¨ 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 x 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. x 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). x Yes ¨No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See 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 | x | 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. ☒ Yes ¨ No
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 at June 29, 2024 was approximately $16.0 billion based on the New York Stock Exchange closing price for such shares on that date. The registrant has no non-voting common equity.
At February 1, 2025, 182,572,762 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.
| Documents Incorporated by Reference |
Part III of this Report incorporates information from certain portions of the registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement for its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April 23, 2025.
Textron Inc.
Index to Annual Report on Form 10-K
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 28, 2024
PART I
Item 1. Business
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative products and services around the world. References to “Textron Inc.,” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, unless otherwise indicated, refer to Textron Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
We conduct our business through six operating segments: Textron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems, Industrial and Textron eAviation, which represent our manufacturing businesses, and Finance, which represents our captive finance business. Our segments include numerous separately incorporated subsidiaries. Total revenues for 2024 were $13.7 billion and are presented below by segment and customer type.


The following description of our business and operating segments should be read in conjunction with Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Textron Aviation Segment
Textron Aviation is a leader in general aviation. Textron Aviation manufactures, sells and services Cessna and Beechcraft aircraft, and services the Hawker brand of business jets. The segment has two principal product lines: aircraft and aftermarket parts and services. Aircraft includes sales of business jets, turboprop aircraft, military trainer and defense aircraft and piston engine aircraft. Aftermarket parts and services includes commercial parts sales and maintenance, inspection and repair services, and advanced flight training devices.
Textron Aviation's business jets include the Cessna Citation M2 Gen2, Citation CJ3+, Citation CJ4 Gen2, Citation XLS Gen2, Citation Latitude and the Citation Longitude. In October 2024, Textron Aviation introduced its next generation of light jets, the Citation M2 Gen3, CJ3 Gen3 and CJ4 Gen3, which will include the revolutionary Garmin Emergency Autoland technology. Currently under development, the CJ3 Gen2 is expected to enter into service in 2025, the CJ4 Gen3 is expected to enter into service in 2026, and the M2 Gen3 and CJ3 Gen3 are expected to enter into service in 2027. In addition, Textron Aviation is developing the Citation Ascend, a high-performance midsize business jet, which is continuing to progress through the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) certification process and is expected to enter into service in 2025.
Textron Aviation’s turboprop aircraft include the Beechcraft King Air 260, King Air 360ER and King Air 360, and the Cessna Caravan, Grand Caravan EX and SkyCourier. The Beechcraft Denali, a high-performance single engine turboprop aircraft under development, continues toward FAA certification. The Denali will be powered by an engine expected to be up to 20% more efficient than similarly sized engines.
Textron Aviation’s military trainer and defense aircraft include the Beechcraft T-6 trainer, which has been used to train pilots from more than 40 countries, and the AT-6 light attack military aircraft. Textron Aviation’s piston engine aircraft include the Cessna Skyhawk, Skylane, Turbo Skylane, Turbo Stationair HD and the Beechcraft Baron G58 and Bonanza G36.
Textron Aviation markets its products worldwide through its own sales force, as well as through a network of authorized independent sales representatives. With a product lineup ranging from introductory training aircraft through super mid-size business jets, Textron Aviation’s diverse customer base includes fractional aircraft businesses, charter and fleet operators, corporate aviation, individual buyers, training schools, airlines, and special mission, military and government operators.
In support of its family of aircraft, Textron Aviation operates a global network of more than 20 service centers. In addition, more than 300 authorized independent service centers are located throughout the world. Textron Aviation-owned service centers provide customers with 24-hour service and maintenance. Textron Aviation also provides its customers with around-the-clock parts support and offers a mobile support program with over 80 mobile service units.
Bell Segment
Bell is a leading supplier of military and commercial helicopters, tiltrotor aircraft, and related spare parts and services in the world. Tiltrotor aircraft are designed to provide the benefits of both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Bell supplies advanced military helicopters and provides parts and support services to the U.S. Government and to military customers outside the United States. Bell’s primary U.S. Government programs are for the development of a next generation tiltrotor aircraft for the U.S. Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program and the production and support of the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft and H-1 helicopters. Under the U.S. Government-sponsored foreign military sales program, Bell offers the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft and H-1 helicopter products for sale to other countries.
The FLRAA development contract was awarded to Bell in December 2022. In 2024, the U.S. Army announced approval of Milestone B for the FLRAA program, establishing FLRAA as a program of record and transitioning the program to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. This phase includes continued digital modeling, detailed hardware and software design, and fabrication of hardware, as Bell proceeds to critical design review and the first prototype flight planned for 2026.
Through its commercial business, Bell is a leading supplier of commercially certified helicopters and support to corporate, private, law enforcement, utility, public safety and emergency medical helicopter operators, and U.S. and foreign governments. Bell produces a variety of commercial aircraft types, including light single- and twin-engine helicopters and medium twin-engine helicopters, along with other related products. The commercial helicopters currently offered by Bell include the 429, 407GXi, 412EPX and 505 Jet Ranger X. Bell’s super medium commercial helicopter, the 525 Relentless, continues toward FAA certification.
For both its military programs and its commercial products, Bell provides post-sale support and service for an installed base of approximately 13,000 helicopters. Bell operates a global network of eight Company-operated service centers and four global parts distribution centers. In addition, approximately 85 independent service centers are located in about 35 countries. Collectively, these service sites offer a complete range of logistics support, including parts, support equipment, technical data, training devices, pilot and maintenance training, component repair and overhaul, engine repair and overhaul, aircraft modifications, aircraft customizing, accessory manufacturing, contractor maintenance, field service and product support engineering.
Textron Systems Segment
The businesses in our Textron Systems segment develop, manufacture and integrate a variety of products and services for U.S. and international military, government and commercial customers to support defense, homeland security, aerospace, infrastructure protection and other customer missions. Product and service offerings of this segment include electronic systems and solutions, advanced marine craft, piston aircraft engines, live military air-to-air and air-to-ship training, weapons and related components, unmanned aircraft systems and both manned and unmanned armored and specialty vehicles.
Notable products currently developed and produced by the Textron Systems segment include the Ship-to-Shore Connector, the U.S. Navy's next generation of Landing Craft Air Cushion vehicles; a family of test and simulation products; the Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System, a multi-mission capable unmanned aircraft system for commercial and military operations; and piston aircraft engines under the Lycoming brand. Notable service offerings of the segment include fee-for-service programs, using unmanned aircraft systems, and live military air-to-air and air-to-ship training and support services for U.S. Navy, Marine and Air Force personnel provided by Airborne Tactical Advantage Company.
Industrial Segment
Our Industrial segment designs and manufactures a variety of products within the Kautex and Textron Specialized Vehicles businesses.
Kautex is a leader in designing and manufacturing plastic fuel systems for automobiles and light trucks, including blow-molded solutions for conventional plastic fuel tanks and pressurized plastic fuel tanks for hybrid vehicle applications. Kautex also develops and manufactures clear-vision systems for automotive safety and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Our cleaning systems are comprised of nozzles, reservoirs, inlets and pumps to support onboard cleaning for windscreens, headlamps and ADAS cameras and sensors. In addition, Kautex produces plastic tanks for selective catalytic reduction systems used to reduce emissions from diesel engines, and other fuel system components. Kautex also offers lightweight, composite Pentatonic battery systems, which include enclosures, underbody protection and thermal management systems, for use in electric vehicles, from hybrid to full battery-powered.
Kautex’s business model is focused on developing and maintaining long-term customer relationships with leading global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Kautex, which is headquartered in Bonn, Germany, operates over 30 plants in 13 countries in close proximity to its customers, along with 9 engineering/research and development locations around the world.
Our Textron Specialized Vehicles businesses manufacture and sell products under our E-Z-GO, Arctic Cat, TUG Technologies, Douglas Equipment, Premier, Safeaero, Ransomes, Jacobsen and Cushman brands. These businesses design, manufacture and sell golf cars; off-road utility vehicles; powersports products; light transportation vehicles; aviation ground support equipment; professional turf-maintenance equipment; and specialized turf-care vehicles. A significant portion of the products sold by these businesses are powered with lithium batteries, greatly reducing the products’ impact on the environment.
The diversified customer base for Textron Specialized Vehicles includes golf courses and resorts, government agencies and municipalities, consumers, outdoor enthusiasts, and commercial and industrial users such as factories, warehouses, airlines, planned communities, hunting preserves, educational and corporate campuses, sporting venues and landscaping professionals. Sales are made through a network of independent distributors and dealers worldwide and the Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's retail outlets, which sell our powersports products under the Tracker Off Road brand, as well as factory direct resources. In addition, we also manufacture powersports products for OEMs for resale to customers under the OEM’s branding.
Textron eAviation Segment
Our Textron eAviation segment is focused on research and development initiatives related to sustainable aviation solutions and includes Pipistrel, a manufacturer of light aircraft. Pipistrel offers a family of light aircraft and gliders with both electric and combustion engines, including the Velis Electro, which is the world’s first, and currently only, electric aircraft to receive full type certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and from the UK Civil Aviation Authority. In 2024, the FAA granted a light-sport aircraft airworthiness exemption for the Pipistrel Velis Electro, allowing flight training in an electric aircraft within the United States.
The Textron eAviation segment is also developing both hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft, including Pipistrel's Nuuva V300, a long-range, large-capacity hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, and an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Nuuva V300's first hover flight is expected in 2025 and initial testing on the Nexus, a full-scale technology demonstrator eVTOL, is expected to begin in 2025.
Finance Segment
Our Finance segment, or the Finance group, is a commercial finance business that consists of Textron Financial Corporation (TFC) and its consolidated subsidiaries. The Finance segment provides financing primarily to purchasers of new and pre-owned Textron Aviation aircraft and Bell helicopters. A substantial number of the originations in our finance receivable portfolio are cross-border transactions for aircraft sold outside of the U.S. In 2024 and 2023, our Finance group made payments of $109 million and $160 million, respectively, to finance the Manufacturing group's sale of Textron-manufactured products to third parties.
Backlog
Backlog represents amounts allocated to contracts that we expect to recognize as revenue in future periods when we perform under the contracts. Backlog excludes unexercised contract options and potential orders under ordering-type contracts, such as Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contracts.
Our backlog at the end of 2024 and 2023 is summarized below:
| (In millions) | December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Textron Aviation | $ | 7,845 | $ | 7,169 | ||||
| Bell | 7,469 | 4,780 | ||||||
| Textron Systems | 2,594 | 1,950 | ||||||
| Total backlog | $ | 17,908 | $ | 13,899 |
U.S. Government Contracts and Other Governmental Regulation
Our operations, products and services are subject to various government regulations, including regulations related to U.S. government business, international regulation of aviation products and services, and environmental regulations.
Contracts with the U.S. Government, including contracts under the U.S. Government-sponsored foreign military sales program, generated approximately 25% of our consolidated revenues in 2024, primarily in our Bell and Textron Systems segments. We must comply with and are affected by laws and regulations relating to the formation, administration and performance of U.S. Government contracts. These laws and regulations, among other things, require certification and disclosure of all cost and pricing
data in connection with contract negotiation; define allowable and unallowable costs and otherwise govern our right to reimbursement under certain cost-based U.S. Government contracts; and safeguard and restrict the use and dissemination of classified and covered defense information and the export of certain products and technical data. New laws, regulations or procurement requirements, or changes to current ones, can significantly increase our costs, reducing our profitability.
Our contracts with the U.S. Government generally may be terminated by the U.S. Government for convenience or if we default in whole or in part by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract. If the U.S. Government terminates a contract for convenience, we normally will be entitled to payment for the cost of contract work performed before the effective date of termination, including, if applicable, reasonable profit on such work, as well as reasonable termination costs. If, however, the U.S. Government terminates a contract for default, generally: (a) we will be paid the contract price for completed supplies delivered and accepted and services rendered, an agreed-upon amount for manufacturing materials delivered and accepted and for the protection and preservation of property, and an amount for partially completed products accepted by the U.S. Government; (b) the U.S. Government may not be liable for our costs with respect to unaccepted items and may be entitled to repayment of advance payments and progress payments related to the terminated portions of the contract; (c) the U.S. Government may not be liable for assets we own and utilize to provide services under the “fee-for-service” contracts; and (d) we may be liable for excess costs incurred by the U.S. Government in procuring undelivered items from another source. See the Aerospace and Defense Industry section in Item 1A. Risk Factors for additional information related to regulation of U.S. Government business.
Our commercial aircraft manufacturing businesses are regulated by the FAA in the U.S. and by similar aviation regulatory governing authorities internationally, including, the European Aviation Safety Agency. Maintenance facilities and aftermarket services must also comply with FAA and international regulations. These regulations address production and quality systems, airworthiness and installation approvals, repair procedures and continuing operational safety. For an aircraft to be manufactured and sold, the model must receive a type certificate from the appropriate aviation authority, and each aircraft must receive a certificate of airworthiness. Aircraft outfitting and completions also require approval by the appropriate aviation authority. See the Strategic Risks section in Item 1A. Risk Factors for additional information with respect to risks related to obtaining certification of new aircraft products.
Our operations are subject to numerous laws and regulations designed to protect the environment. For additional information regarding environmental matters, see Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, and the Business and Operational Risks and Risks Related to Regulatory, Legal and Other Matters sections in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Based on current information and the applicable laws and regulations currently in effect, compliance with government regulations, including environmental regulations, has not had, and we do not expect it to have, a material effect on our capital expenditures, earnings or competitive position. However, laws and regulations may be changed or adopted that impose additional compliance requirements which could necessitate capital expenditures or otherwise increase our costs of doing business, reducing our profitability and negatively impacting our operating results.
Human Capital Resources
At December 28, 2024, we employed approximately 34,000 employees worldwide, with approximately 80% located in the U.S. and the remainder located outside of the U.S. Approximately 7,400, or 28%, of our U.S. employees, most of whom work for our Bell and Textron Aviation segments, are represented by unions under collective bargaining agreements, and certain of our non-U.S. employees are represented by organized works councils. From time to time, our collective bargaining agreements expire. Historically, we have been successful in negotiating renewals to expiring agreements without any material disruption of operating activities; however, on September 21, 2024, Textron Aviation’s largest union rejected a proposed new contract and initiated a strike. The strike impacted approximately 5,000 of Textron Aviation’s employees at its manufacturing, parts and distribution and service center facilities in Wichita, Kansas. On October 20, 2024, Textron Aviation and the union reached an agreement and a new five-year labor contract was ratified.
Our success is highly dependent upon our ability to hire, train and retain a workforce with the skills necessary for our businesses to develop and manufacture the products desired by our customers. We need highly skilled personnel in multiple areas including, among others, engineering, manufacturing, information technology, cybersecurity, flight operations, business development and strategy and management. In order to attract and retain highly skilled employees, we offer comprehensive compensation and benefit programs, career opportunities and an engaging, inclusive environment where employees are treated with dignity and respect.
Health and Safety
The health and safety of our employees, contractors and communities is a priority, and we strive to provide our employees with healthy working conditions and safe facilities. To maintain and enhance the safety of our employees, we promote a workplace safety culture of continuous improvement, shared responsibility, and individual accountability. We use an annual goal setting
process to drive injury rate improvements, and the injury rate reduction goal is a performance metric that is tracked and reported to senior leadership and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
Talent and Career Development
Our talent development programs are designed to prepare our employees at all levels to take on new career and growth opportunities at Textron. Leadership, professional and functional training courses are tailored for employees at each stage of their careers and include a mix of enterprise-wide and business unit-specific programs. Textron University, an internal corporate function, provides (i) facilitated face-to-face professional and leadership development programs, (ii) web-based general and specialized functional and technical courses and (iii) an online portal to access advanced skills technical training, manage recertification of existing qualifications and other career planning tools and resources.
The current and future talent needs of each of our businesses are assessed annually through a formal talent review process which enables us to develop leadership succession plans and provide our employees with potential new career opportunities. In addition, leaders from functional areas within each business belong to enterprise-wide councils that conduct annual talent reviews. These processes enable us to fill talent needs by matching employees who are ready to assume significant leadership roles with opportunities that best fit their career path, which may be in other businesses within the enterprise.
We believe by employing highly talented employees who feel valued, respected and are able to contribute fully, we will improve performance, innovation, collaboration and talent retention, all of which contributes to stronger business results and reinforces our reputation as leaders in our industries and communities.
For discussion of certain risks relating to human capital management, see the Risks Related to Human Capital section in Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Patents and Trademarks
We own, or are licensed under, numerous patents throughout the world relating to products, services and methods of manufacturing. Patents developed while under contract with the U.S. Government may be subject to use by the U.S. Government. We also own or license active trademark registrations and pending trademark applications in the U.S. and in various foreign countries or regions, as well as trade names and service marks. While our intellectual property rights in the aggregate are important to the operation of our business, we do not believe that any existing patent, license, trademark or other intellectual property right is of such importance that its loss or termination would have a material adverse effect on our business taken as a whole.
Information about our Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information concerning our executive officers as of February 6, 2025.
| Name | Age | Current Position with Textron Inc. | ||||||
| Scott C. Donnelly | 63 | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
| Frank T. Connor | 65 | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | ||||||
| Julie G. Duffy | 59 | Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer | ||||||
| E. Robert Lupone | 65 | Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer |
Mr. Donnelly joined Textron in June 2008 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer and was promoted to President and Chief Operating Officer in January 2009. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in October 2009 and became Chief Executive Officer of Textron in December 2009. In July 2010, Mr. Donnelly was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors effective September 1, 2010. Previously, Mr. Donnelly was the President and CEO of General Electric Company’s Aviation business unit, a position he had held since July 2005. GE’s Aviation business unit is a leading maker of commercial and military jet engines and components, as well as integrated digital, electric power and mechanical systems for aircraft. Prior to July 2005, Mr. Donnelly served as Senior Vice President of GE Global Research, one of the world’s largest and most diversified industrial research organizations with facilities in the U.S., India, China and Germany and held various other management positions since joining General Electric in 1989.
Mr. Connor joined Textron in August 2009 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Mr. Connor was head of Telecom Investment Banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co. from 2003 to 2008. Prior to that position, he served as Chief Operating Officer of Telecom, Technology and Media Investment Banking at Goldman, Sachs & Co. from 1998 to 2003. Mr. Connor joined the Corporate Finance Department of Goldman, Sachs & Co. in 1986 and became a Vice President in 1990 and a Managing Director in 1996.
On October 23, 2024, we announced that Mr. Connor will be retiring effective February 28, 2025. David Rosenberg, currently our Vice President – Investor Relations, has been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer to succeed Mr. Connor, effective March 1, 2025. Mr. Rosenberg, 48, has more than 24 years of experience in the aviation industry. Prior to his role as Vice President – Investor Relations, he served as Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer of Textron Aviation from 2018 through 2023, having previously held leadership positions in finance at Textron Aviation. Following Textron’s acquisition of Beechcraft in 2014, as Textron Aviation’s Vice President, Integration & Strategy, Mr. Rosenberg led the successful merger and integration of Beechcraft and Textron’s Cessna Aircraft business, which created today’s Textron Aviation segment. Prior to Textron’s acquisition of Beechcraft, Mr. Rosenberg held a series of leadership positions in financial planning, business management, strategic planning and operations with Beechcraft and its predecessor companies.
Ms. Duffy was named Executive Vice President, Human Resources in July 2017 and Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer in April 2022. Ms. Duffy joined Textron in 1997 as a member of the corporate legal team and has since held positions of increasing responsibility within the Company’s legal function, previously serving as Vice President and Deputy General Counsel – Litigation, a position she had held since 2011. In that role she was responsible for managing the corporate litigation staff with primary oversight of litigation throughout Textron. She has also played an active role in developing, implementing and standardizing human resources policies across the Company and served as the senior legal advisor on employment and benefits issues.
Mr. Lupone joined Textron in February 2012 as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer. Previously, he was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Siemens Corporation (U.S.) since 1999 and General Counsel of Siemens AG for the Americas since 2008. Prior to joining Siemens in 1992, Mr. Lupone was Vice President and General Counsel of Price Communications Corporation.
Available Information
We make available free of charge on our Internet Web site (www.textron.com) our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and other oral and written statements made by us from time to time are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, which may describe strategies, goals, outlook or other non-historical matters, or project revenues, income, returns or other financial measures, often include words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “estimate,” “guidance,” “project,” “target,” “potential,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “likely” or “may” and similar expressions intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. In addition to those factors described herein under “Risk Factors,” among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from past and projected future results are the following:
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Interruptions in the U.S. Government’s ability to fund its activities and/or pay its obligations;
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Changing priorities or reductions in the U.S. Government defense budget, including those related to military operations in foreign countries;
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Our ability to perform as anticipated and to control costs under contracts with the U.S. Government;
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The U.S. Government’s ability to unilaterally modify or terminate its contracts with us for the U.S. Government’s convenience or for our failure to perform, to change applicable procurement and accounting policies, or, under certain circumstances, to withhold payment or suspend or debar us as a contractor eligible to receive future contract awards;
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Changes in foreign military funding priorities or budget constraints and determinations, or changes in government regulations or policies on the export and import of military and commercial products;
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Volatility in the global economy or changes in worldwide political conditions that adversely impact demand for our products;
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Volatility in interest rates or foreign exchange rates and inflationary pressures;
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Risks related to our international business, including establishing and maintaining facilities in locations around the world and relying on joint venture partners, subcontractors, suppliers, representatives, consultants and other business partners in connection with international business, including in emerging market countries;
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Our Finance segment’s ability to maintain portfolio credit quality or to realize full value of receivables;
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Performance issues with key suppliers or subcontractors;
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Legislative or regulatory actions, both domestic and foreign, impacting our operations or demand for our products;
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Our ability to control costs and successfully implement various cost-reduction activities;
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The efficacy of research and development investments to develop new products or unanticipated expenses in connection with the launching of significant new products or programs;
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The timing of our new product launches or certifications of our new aircraft products;
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Our ability to keep pace with our competitors in the introduction of new products and upgrades with features and technologies desired by our customers;
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Pension plan assumptions and future contributions;
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Demand softness or volatility in the markets in which we do business;
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Cybersecurity threats, including the potential misappropriation of assets or sensitive information, corruption of data or operational disruption;
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Difficulty or unanticipated expenses in connection with integrating acquired businesses;
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The risk that acquisitions do not perform as planned, including, for example, the risk that acquired businesses will not achieve revenue and profit projections;
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The impact of changes in tax legislation;
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The risk of disruptions to our business and the business of our suppliers, customers and other business partners due to unexpected events, such as pandemics, natural disasters, acts of war, strikes, terrorism, social unrest or other societal, geopolitical or macroeconomic conditions;
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Risks related to changing U.S. and foreign trade policies, including increased trade restrictions or tariffs; and
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The ability of our businesses to hire, train and retain the highly skilled personnel necessary for our businesses to succeed.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business, financial condition and results of operations are subject to various risks, including those discussed below, which may affect the value of our securities. The risks discussed below are those that we believe currently are the most significant to our business.
Aerospace and Defense Industry Risks
Demand for our aircraft products is cyclical and lower demand adversely affects our financial results.
Demand for business jets, turbo props and commercial helicopters has been cyclical and difficult to forecast. From time to time, the demand for our aircraft products has been adversely impacted by unexpected events and may be impacted by such events in the future. Therefore, future demand for these products could be significantly and unexpectedly less than anticipated and/or less than previous period deliveries. Similarly, there is uncertainty as to when or whether our existing commercial backlog for aircraft products will convert to revenues as the conversion depends on production capacity, customer needs and credit availability, among other factors. Changes in economic conditions have in the past caused, and in the future may cause, customers to request that firm orders be rescheduled, deferred or cancelled. Reduced demand for our aircraft products or delays or cancellations of orders previously has had and, in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
We have customer concentration with the U.S. Government; reduction in U.S. Government defense spending can adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
During 2024, we derived approximately 25% of our revenues from sales to a variety of U.S. Government entities. Our revenues from the U.S. Government largely result from contracts awarded to us under various U.S. Government defense-related programs. Considerable uncertainty exists regarding how future budget and program decisions will develop. We cannot predict the impact on existing, follow-on or future programs from changes in the threat environment, defense spending levels, government priorities, political leadership, procurement practices, inflation and other macroeconomic trends, military strategy, or broader societal changes. Significant changes in national and international priorities for defense spending could affect the funding, or the timing of funding, of our programs, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
The funding of U.S. Government defense programs is subject to congressional appropriation decisions and the U.S. Government budget process which includes enacting relevant legislation, such as appropriations bills and accords on the debt ceiling. Although multiple-year contracts may be planned in connection with major procurements, Congress generally appropriates funds on a fiscal year basis even though a program may continue for several years. Consequently, programs often are only partially funded initially, and additional funds are committed only as Congress makes further appropriations. Further uncertainty with respect to ongoing programs could also result in the event that the U.S. Government finances its operations through temporary funding measures such as “continuing resolutions” rather than full-year appropriations or if a government shutdown were to occur and were to continue for an extended period of time. If we incur costs in advance or in excess of funds committed on a contract, we are at risk for non-reimbursement of those costs until additional funds are appropriated. The reduction, termination or delay in the timing of funding for U.S. Government programs for which we currently provide or propose to provide products or services from time to time has resulted and, in the future, may result in a loss of anticipated revenues. A loss of such revenues could materially
and adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, because our U.S. Government contracts generally require us to continue to perform even if the U.S. Government is unable to make timely payments, we may need to finance our continued performance for the impacted contracts from our other resources on an interim basis. An extended delay in the timely payment by the U.S. Government could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.
U.S. Government contracts can be terminated at any time and may contain other unfavorable provisions.
The U.S. Government typically can terminate or modify any of its contracts with us either for its convenience or if we default by failing to perform under the terms of the applicable contract. In the event of termination for the U.S. Government’s convenience, contractors are generally protected by provisions covering reimbursement for costs incurred on the contracts and profit on those costs but not the anticipated profit that would have been earned had the contract been completed. A termination arising out of our default for failure to perform could expose us to liability, including but not limited to, all costs incurred under the contract plus potential liability for re-procurement costs in excess of the total original contract amount, less the value of work performed and accepted by the customer under the contract. Such an event could also have an adverse effect on our ability to compete for future contracts and orders. If any of our contracts are terminated by the U.S. Government whether for convenience or default, our backlog would be reduced by the expected value of the remaining work under such contracts. We also enter into “fee for service” contracts with the U.S. Government where we retain ownership of, and consequently the risk of loss on, aircraft and equipment supplied to perform under these contracts. Termination of these contracts could materially and adversely impact our results of operations. On contracts for which we are teamed with others and are not the prime contractor, the U.S. Government could terminate a prime contract under which we are a subcontractor, irrespective of the quality of our products and services as a subcontractor. In addition, in the event that the U.S. Government is unable to make timely payments, failure to continue contract performance places the contractor at risk of termination for default. Any such event could have a material adverse effect on our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition.
As a U.S. Government contractor, we are subject to procurement rules and regulations; our failure to comply with these rules and regulations could adversely affect our business.
We must comply with and are affected by laws and regulations relating to the formation, administration and performance of U.S. Government contracts. These laws and regulations, among other things, require certification and disclosure of all cost and pricing data in connection with contract negotiation, define allowable and unallowable costs and otherwise govern our right to reimbursement under certain cost-based U.S. Government contracts, and safeguard and restrict the use and dissemination of classified information, covered defense information, and the exportation of certain products and technical data. New laws, regulations or procurement requirements or changes to current ones (including, for example, regulations related to cybersecurity) can significantly increase our costs, reducing our profitability. Our failure to comply with procurement regulations and requirements could allow the U.S. Government to suspend or debar us from receiving new contracts for a period of time, reduce the value of existing contracts, issue modifications to a contract, withhold cash on contract payments, and control and potentially prohibit the export of our products, services and associated materials, any of which could negatively impact our results of operations, financial condition or liquidity. A number of our U.S. Government contracts contain provisions that require us to make disclosure to the Inspector General of the agency that is our customer if we have credible evidence that we have violated U.S. criminal laws involving fraud, conflict of interest, or bribery; the U.S. civil False Claims Act; or received a significant overpayment under a U.S. Government contract. Failure to properly and timely make disclosures under these provisions may result in a termination for default or cause, suspension and/or debarment, and potential fines.
As a U.S. Government contractor, our businesses and systems are subject to audit and review by the Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA).
We operate in a highly regulated environment and are routinely audited and reviewed by the U.S. Government and its agencies such as the DCAA and DCMA. These agencies review our performance under contracts, our cost structure and our compliance with laws and regulations applicable to U.S. Government contractors. The systems that are subject to review include, but are not limited to, our accounting, estimating, material management and accounting, earned value management, purchasing and government property systems. If an audit uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil and criminal penalties and administrative sanctions that may include the termination of our contracts, forfeiture or reduction of profits, suspension or reduction of payments, fines, and, under certain circumstances, suspension or debarment from future contracts for a period of time. Whether or not illegal activities are alleged, the U.S. Government also has the ability to decrease or withhold certain payments when it deems systems subject to its review to be inadequate. These laws and regulations affect how we conduct business with our government customers and, in some instances, impose added costs on our business.
Our profitability and cash flow varies depending on the mix of our government contracts and our ability to control costs**.**
Under fixed-price contracts, generally we receive a fixed price irrespective of the actual costs we incur, and, consequently, we absorb any costs in excess of the fixed price. Changes in underlying assumptions, circumstances or estimates used in developing the pricing for such contracts can adversely affect our results of operations. Additionally, fixed-price contracts generally require progress payments rather than performance-based payments which can delay our ability to recover a significant amount of costs
incurred on a contract and thus affect the timing of our cash flows. Under fixed-price incentive contracts, we share with the U.S. Government cost underrun savings, which are derived from total cost being less than target costs; we also share in cost overruns, which occur when total costs exceed target costs up to a negotiated cost ceiling; however, we are solely responsible for costs above the ceiling. Under time and materials contracts, we are paid for labor at negotiated hourly billing rates and for certain expenses. Under cost-reimbursement contracts that are subject to a contract-ceiling amount, we are reimbursed for allowable costs and paid a fee, which may be fixed or performance-based; however, if our costs exceed the contract ceiling or are not allowable under the provisions of the contract or applicable regulations, we may not be able to obtain reimbursement for all such costs. Due to the nature of our work under government contracts, we sometimes experience unforeseen technological or schedule difficulties and cost overruns due to inflation, labor shortages, supply chain challenges, bid protests, and/or other factors. Under each type of contract, if we are unable to control costs or if our initial cost estimates are incorrect, our cash flows, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. Cost overruns also may adversely affect our ability to sustain existing programs and obtain future contract awards.
The market for U.S. Government defense business is highly competitive, and the competitive bidding process increases pricing pressure and cost which may affect our ability to win new contracts for major government programs.
Our defense businesses operate in highly competitive markets in which they participate in rigorous, increasingly competitive bidding processes against other defense companies for U.S. government business. The U.S. Government relies upon competitive contract award types, including indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity, other transaction agreements and multi-award contracts, which often create increased pricing pressure and increase our cost by requiring that we submit multiple bids or share in costs. In addition, multi-award contracts increase our cost as they require that we make sustained efforts to compete for task orders and delivery orders under the contract. Further, the competitive bidding process is costly, in some instances requires significant research and development and/or engineering efforts to participate and demands employee and managerial time to prepare bids and proposals for contracts that may not be awarded to us or may be split among competitors.
Despite our best efforts, the U.S. Government customer sometimes chooses competitor's offerings over our offerings and there can be no assurance that our businesses will be selected for government programs with significant long-term revenues. Even if we are successful in obtaining an award, we have in the past and may in the future encounter bid protests from unsuccessful bidders on new program awards. Bid protests could result in significant expenses associated with justifying the selection or due to potential program delays and could result in contract modifications that alter schedule or scope or even cause the loss of the contract award. Even when a bid protest does not result in the loss of a contract award, the resolution could postpone commencement of contract activity, resulting in additional cost and delay in the recognition of revenue and profit. If we are unable to continue to compete successfully against our current or future competitors, do not win government programs with significant long-term revenues or do not prevail in bid protests, we may experience declines in future revenues and profitability, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
Strategic Risks
Developing new products and technologies entails significant risks and uncertainties.
To continue to grow our revenues and segment profit, we must successfully develop new products and technologies or modify our existing products and technologies for our current and future markets. Our future performance depends, in part, on our ability to identify emerging technological trends and customer requirements and to develop and maintain competitive products and services. Delays or cost overruns in the development and acceptance of new products or certification of new aircraft and other products occur from time to time and could adversely affect our results of operations. These delays or cost overruns could be caused by unanticipated technological hurdles, production changes to meet customer demands, unanticipated difficulties in obtaining required regulatory certifications of new aircraft or other products, or failure on the part of our suppliers to deliver components as agreed. We also could be adversely affected if our research and development efforts are less successful than expected or if these efforts require significantly more funding to achieve our goals than anticipated. In particular, the success of Textron eAviation depends in large part, on our ability to develop and certify new electric and hybrid electric aircraft products in order to achieve our long-term strategy of offering a family of sustainable aircraft for urban air mobility, general aviation, cargo and special mission roles. In addition, new products and technologies could generate unanticipated safety or other concerns resulting in expanded product liability risks, potential product recalls and other regulatory issues that could have an adverse impact on us. Furthermore, because of the lengthy research and development cycle involved in bringing certain of our products to market, we cannot predict the economic conditions that will exist when any new product is complete, and the market for our product offerings does not always develop or continue to expand as we anticipate.
A reduction in capital spending in the aerospace or defense industries could have a significant effect on the demand for new products and technologies under development, which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, our investments in equipment or technology that we believe will enable us to obtain future contracts for our U.S. Government or other customers may not result in contracts or revenues sufficient to offset such investment. We cannot be sure that our competitors will not develop competing technologies which gain superior market acceptance compared to our
products. A significant failure in our new product development efforts, a substantial change to schedule, a material change in an anticipated market or the failure of our products or services to achieve customer acceptance relative to our competitors’ products or services, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.
We have made and may continue to make acquisitions that increase the risks of our business.
We enter into acquisitions with the intention of expanding our business and enhancing shareholder value. Acquisitions involve risks and uncertainties that, in some cases, have resulted, and, in the future, could result in our not achieving expected benefits. Such risks include difficulties in integrating newly acquired businesses and operations in an efficient and cost-effective manner; challenges in achieving expected strategic objectives, cost savings and other benefits; the risk that the acquired businesses’ markets do not evolve as anticipated and that the acquired businesses’ products and technologies do not prove to be those needed to be successful in those markets; the risk that our due diligence reviews of the acquired business do not identify or adequately assess all of the material issues which impact valuation of the business or result in costs or liabilities in excess of what we anticipated; the risk that we pay a purchase price that exceeds what the future results of operations would have merited; the risk that the acquired business may have significant internal control deficiencies or exposure to regulatory sanctions; and the potential loss of key customers, suppliers and employees of the acquired businesses.
Business and Operational Risks
Risks arising from uncertainty in global macroeconomic conditions may harm our business.
We are sensitive to global macroeconomic conditions. Negative macroeconomic factors may have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition, as well as on our distributors, customers, subcontractors and suppliers, and on activity in many of the industries and markets we serve. We cannot predict changes in worldwide or regional economic or political conditions and government policies as such factors are highly volatile and beyond our control. If current macroeconomic pressures, including from inflation and labor and supply chain challenges, continue or if global macroeconomic conditions deteriorate and remain at depressed levels for extended periods, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. In addition, changes in laws or policies governing the terms of foreign trade, and in particular increased trade restrictions, tariffs or taxes on imports from countries where we manufacture or sell our products or from where we import products or raw materials (either directly or through our suppliers) could adversely impact our competitive position, business operations and financial results.
Our business could be negatively impacted by cybersecurity threats and other disruptions.
Our information technology (IT) and related systems are critical to the efficient operation of our business and essential to our ability to perform day to day processes. We routinely face persistent security threats, including threats to our IT infrastructure and unlawful attempts to gain access to our confidential, classified or otherwise proprietary information via phishing/malware campaigns and other cyberattack methods, as well as threats to the physical security of our facilities and employees. The threats we face vary from those common to most industries, to attacks by more advanced and persistent, highly organized adversaries, including nation state actors, which target us for the national security information in our possession, for our role in developing advanced technology systems or with the goal of committing fraudulent activity. Our customers, suppliers and subcontractors are likewise targeted, and attack methods continue to evolve. Some cyberattacks depend on human error or manipulation, including phishing attacks or schemes that use social engineering or artificial intelligence to gain access to systems or carry out disbursement of funds or other frauds. Developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning provide threat actors with the capability to use more sophisticated means to attack our systems and may exacerbate cybersecurity risk.
While we have experienced cybersecurity attacks, such attacks have not resulted in a material information security breach and we have not suffered any material losses relating to such attacks. Due to the evolving nature of security threats, the possibility of future material incidents cannot be completely mitigated, and we may not always be successful in timely detecting, reporting or responding to cyber incidents. Future attacks or breaches of data security, whether of our systems, the systems of our customers, suppliers, subcontractors or other business partners, or the systems of our service providers or other third parties who may have access to our data for business purposes, could disrupt our operations, cause the loss of business information or compromise confidential information, exposing us to liability or regulatory action. Such an incident also could require significant management attention and resources, increase costs that may not be covered by insurance, and result in reputational damage, potentially adversely affecting our competitiveness and our results of operations. Products and services that we provide to our customers may themselves be subject to cyberthreats which may not be detected or effectively mitigated, resulting in potential losses that could adversely affect us and our customers. In addition, our customers, including the U.S. Government, are increasingly requiring cybersecurity protections and mandating cybersecurity standards in our products, and we may incur additional costs to comply with such demands. For information on our cybersecurity governance, risk management and strategy, see Item 1C. Cybersecurity.
Challenges faced by our subcontractors or suppliers could materially and adversely affect our performance.
We rely on other companies to provide raw materials, major components and subsystems for our products. Subcontractors also perform services that we provide to our customers in certain circumstances. We depend on these suppliers and subcontractors to meet our contractual obligations to our customers and conduct our operations. Our ability to meet our obligations to our customers could be adversely affected if suppliers or subcontractors do not provide the agreed-upon supplies or perform the agreed-upon services in compliance with customer requirements and in a timely and cost-effective manner. Likewise, the quality of our products could be adversely impacted if companies to whom we delegate manufacture of major components or subsystems for our products, or from whom we acquire such items, do not provide components or subsystems which meet required specifications and perform to our and our customers’ expectations. Our businesses are experiencing and may continue to experience manufacturing inefficiencies and production delays as a result of shortages and delays of critical components for our products and other issues related to our direct or indirect suppliers. Suppliers may be unable to quickly recover from natural disasters, acts of war, and other events beyond their control and may be subject to additional risks such as material or labor shortages, inflationary conditions or other financial problems that limit their ability to conduct their operations, resulting in their inability to perform as anticipated. As a result, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, cost increases for certain materials and components which, along with increased energy and shipping costs and other inflationary pressures, have negatively impacted, and may continue to negatively impact, our profitability. The risk of these adverse effects would likely be greater in circumstances where we rely on only one or two subcontractors or suppliers for a particular raw material, product or service. In particular, in the aircraft industry, most vendor parts are certified by the regulatory agencies as part of the overall Type Certificate for the aircraft being produced by the manufacturer. If a vendor does not or cannot supply its parts, then the manufacturer’s production line may be stopped until the manufacturer can design, manufacture and certify a similar part itself or identify and certify another similar vendor’s part, resulting in significant delays in the completion of aircraft. Such events may adversely affect our financial results, damage our reputation and relationships with our customers, and result in regulatory actions and/or litigation.
We are subject to risks of doing business globally that could adversely impact our business.
During 2024, we derived approximately 29% of our revenues from international business, including U.S. exports. Conducting business internationally exposes us to additional risks than if we conducted our business solely within the U.S. We maintain manufacturing facilities, service centers, supply centers and other facilities worldwide, including in various emerging market countries. Risks related to international operations include import, export, economic sanctions and other trade restrictions; changing U.S. and foreign procurement policies and practices; changes in international trade policies, including higher tariffs on imported goods and materials and renegotiation of free trade agreements; potential retaliatory tariffs imposed by foreign countries against U.S. goods; impacts on our non-U.S. suppliers and customers due to acts of war or terrorism occurring internationally; restrictions on technology transfer; difficulties in protecting intellectual property; increasing complexity of employment and environmental, health and safety regulations; foreign investment laws; exchange controls; repatriation of earnings or cash settlement challenges; compliance with increasingly rigorous data privacy and protection laws; competition from foreign and multinational firms with home country advantages; economic and government instability; acts of industrial espionage, acts of war and terrorism and related safety concerns. The impact of any one or more of these or other factors could adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.
Additionally, some international government customers require contractors to agree to specific in-country purchases, technology transfers, manufacturing agreements or financial support arrangements, known as offsets, as a condition for a contract award. These contracts generally extend over several years and may include penalties if we fail to perform in accordance with the offset requirements which are often subjective. We also are exposed to risks associated with using foreign representatives and consultants for international sales and operations and teaming with international subcontractors and suppliers in connection with international programs. In many foreign countries, particularly in those with developing economies, it is common to engage in business practices that are prohibited by laws and regulations applicable to us, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Although we maintain policies and procedures designed to facilitate compliance with these laws, a violation of such laws by any of our international representatives, consultants, joint ventures, business partners, subcontractors or suppliers, even if prohibited by our policies, could have an adverse effect on our business and reputation.
Natural disasters or other events outside of our control have disrupted and may in the future disrupt our operations, adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, and may not be fully covered by insurance.
Natural disasters, including hurricanes, fires, tornados, floods and other forms of severe weather, the intensity and frequency of which are being exacerbated by climate change, along with other impacts of climate change, such as rising sea waters, as well as other events outside of our control including public health crises, pandemics, power outages and industrial accidents, have in the past and could in the future disrupt our operations and adversely affect our business. Any of these events could result in physical damage to and/or complete or partial closure of one or more of our facilities and temporary or long-term disruption of our operations or the operations of our suppliers by causing business interruptions or by impacting the availability and cost of materials needed for manufacturing or otherwise impacting our ability to deliver products and services to our customers. Existing insurance arrangements may not provide full protection for the costs that may arise from such events. The occurrence of any of
these events could materially increase our costs and expenses and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Financial Risks
If our Finance segment has difficulty collecting on its finance receivables, our financial performance could be adversely affected.
The financial performance of our Finance segment depends on the quality of loans, leases and other assets in its portfolio. Portfolio quality can be adversely affected by several factors, including finance receivable underwriting procedures, collateral value, geographic or industry concentrations, and the effect of general economic conditions. In addition, a substantial number of the originations in our finance receivable portfolio are cross-border transactions for aircraft sold outside of the U.S. Cross-border transactions present additional challenges and risks in the event of borrower default, which can result in difficulty or delay in collecting on the related finance receivables. If our Finance segment has difficulty successfully collecting on its finance receivable portfolio, our cash flow, results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We periodically need to obtain financing and such financing may not be available to us on satisfactory terms, if at all.
We periodically need to obtain financing in order to meet our debt obligations as they come due, to support our operations and/or to make acquisitions. Our access to the debt capital markets and the cost of borrowings are affected by a number of factors including market conditions and the strength of our credit ratings. If we cannot obtain adequate sources of credit on favorable terms, or at all, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Unanticipated changes in our tax rates or exposure to additional income tax liabilities could affect our profitability.
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and various non-U.S. jurisdictions, and our domestic and international tax liabilities are subject to the location of income among these different jurisdictions. Our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in the amount of earnings indefinitely reinvested offshore, changes to unrecognized tax benefits or changes in tax laws, which could affect our profitability. In particular, the carrying value of deferred tax assets is dependent on our ability to generate future taxable income, as well as changes to applicable statutory tax rates. In addition, the amount of income taxes we pay is subject to audits in various jurisdictions, and a material assessment by a tax authority could affect our profitability.
Risks Related to Regulatory, Legal and Other Matters
We are subject to increasing compliance risks that could adversely affect our operating results.
As a global business, we are subject to laws and regulations in the U.S. and other countries in which we operate. International sales and global operations require importing and exporting goods, software and technology, some of which have military applications subjecting them to more stringent import-export controls across international borders on a regular basis. For example, we sometimes initially must obtain licenses and authorizations from various U.S. Government agencies before we are permitted to sell certain of our aerospace and defense products outside the U.S., and we are not always successful in obtaining these licenses or authorizations in a timely manner. Both U.S. and foreign laws and regulations applicable to us have been increasing in scope and complexity. For example, both U.S. and foreign governments and government agencies regulate the aviation industry, and they have previously and may in the future impose new regulations for additional aircraft security or other requirements or restrictions. New or changing laws and regulations or related interpretation and policies could increase our costs of doing business, affect how we conduct our operations, adversely impact demand for our products, and/or limit our ability to sell our products and services. Compliance with laws and regulations of increasing scope and complexity is even more challenging in our business environment in which reducing our operating costs is often necessary to remain competitive. In addition, a violation of U.S. and/or foreign laws by one of our employees or business partners could subject us or our employees to civil or criminal penalties, including material monetary fines, or other adverse actions, such as denial of import or export privileges and/or debarment as a government contractor which could damage our reputation and have an adverse effect on our business.
Certain of our products are subject to laws regulating consumer products and could be subject to repurchase or recall as a result of safety issues.
As a distributor of consumer products in the U.S., certain of our products are subject to the Consumer Product Safety Act, which empowers the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to exclude from the market products that are found to be unsafe or hazardous. Under certain circumstances, the CPSC has in the past and could require in the future us to repair, replace or refund the purchase price of one or more of our products, or potentially even discontinue entire product lines. We also may voluntarily take such action and, from time to time, have done so, but within strictures recommended by the CPSC. The CPSC also can impose fines or penalties on a manufacturer for non-compliance with its requirements. Furthermore, failure to timely notify the CPSC of a potential safety hazard can result in significant fines being assessed against us. Any repurchases or recalls of our products or an imposition of fines or penalties could be costly to us and could damage the reputation or the value of our brands. Additionally, laws regulating certain consumer products exist in some states, as well as in other countries in which we sell our products, and more restrictive laws and regulations could be adopted in the future.
Increased regulation and stakeholder expectations related to global climate change could negatively affect our operating results.
Increased worldwide public awareness and concern regarding global climate change has resulted and is likely to continue to result in more legislative and regulatory efforts, in the U.S., the European Union and in other jurisdictions in which we operate, in an effort to address the negative impacts of climate change. Recently enacted laws and regulations include, and future such laws and regulations may include, more prescriptive required reporting on environmental metrics, climate change related risks and associated financial and other impacts, as well as increased oversight of and reporting on our supply chain and other compliance requirements. We expect that compliance with such laws and regulations will require additional internal and external resources. Stricter limits on greenhouse gas emissions generated by our facilities or by our products that produce carbon emissions, carbon pricing mechanisms and/or energy taxes could also be imposed. Compliance with stricter limits may necessitate larger investment in product development and manufacturing equipment and/or facilities, as well as sourcing from new suppliers and/or higher costs from existing suppliers. These increased regulatory requirements are expected to increase our direct and indirect costs and could negatively impact our business, results of operations, financial condition and competitive position. Our failure to adequately comply with such laws and regulations could jeopardize our ability to receive contract awards from the U.S. government and other customers.
Moreover, our investors, customers, employees and other stakeholders increasingly expect us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions generated by our operations by implementing more efficient manufacturing technologies and increasing the amount of renewable energy used within our facilities. While we are engaged in efforts to transition to a lower carbon economy by reducing the emissions generated by our operations and increasing our use of renewable energy, these efforts take time and resources and may increase our energy acquisition and other costs and require capital investment. In addition, our stakeholders expect us to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the use of our products, including by developing and incorporating sustainable technologies into our products. We expect that most of our businesses will require significant research and development investment to succeed in developing the new technologies and products that will enable us to significantly reduce such emissions from the use of our products and successfully compete in a lower carbon economy. We may not realize the anticipated benefits of our investments and actions for a variety of reasons, including technological challenges, evolving government and customer requirements and our ability to anticipate them and develop the desired technologies and products on a timely basis. Our competitors may develop these technologies and products before we do and they may be deemed by our customers to be superior to technologies and products we may develop, and they may otherwise gain industry acceptance in advance of, or instead of, our products. In addition, as we and our competitors develop increasingly sustainable technologies, demand for our existing offerings may decrease or become nonexistent.
We are subject to legal proceedings and other claims.
We are subject to legal proceedings and other claims arising out of the conduct of our business, including proceedings and claims relating to commercial and financial transactions; government contracts; alleged lack of compliance with applicable laws and regulations; disputes with suppliers, production partners or other third parties; product liability; patent and trademark infringement; employment disputes; and environmental, safety and health matters. Due to the nature of our manufacturing business, we are regularly subject to liability claims arising from accidents involving our products, including claims for serious personal injuries or death caused by weather or by pilot, driver or user error. In the case of litigation matters for which reserves have not been established because the loss is not deemed probable, it is reasonably possible that such claims could be decided against us and could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that are not presently estimable. In addition, we cannot be certain that our reserves are adequate and that our insurance coverage will be sufficient to cover one or more substantial claims. Furthermore, we may not be able to obtain insurance coverage at acceptable levels and costs in the future. Litigation is inherently unpredictable, and we could incur judgments, receive adverse arbitration awards or enter into settlements for current or future claims that could adversely affect our results of operations in any particular period.
Intellectual property infringement claims of others and the inability to protect our intellectual property rights could harm our business and our customers.
Intellectual property infringement claims are, from time to time, asserted by third parties against us or our customers. Any related indemnification payments or legal costs we are obliged to pay on behalf of our businesses, our customers or other third parties can be costly. Infringement claims also have resulted in legal restrictions on our businesses engaging in sales of allegedly infringing products. If such a restriction were imposed upon a material product line, our business and results of operations could be adversely impacted. In addition, we own the rights to many patents, trademarks, brand names, trade names and trade secrets that are important to our business. Our inability to enforce these intellectual property rights could have an adverse effect on our results of operations. Additionally, our intellectual property could be at risk due to cybersecurity threats.
Risks Related to Human Capital
Our success is highly dependent on our ability to hire, train and retain a qualified workforce.
Our success is highly dependent upon our ability to hire, train and retain a workforce with the skills necessary for our businesses to develop and manufacture the products desired by our customers. We need highly skilled personnel in multiple areas including, among others, engineering, manufacturing, information technology, cybersecurity, flight operations, business development and strategy and management. Because many of our businesses experience cyclical market demand, they face challenges in maintaining their workforce at levels aligned with market demand which in the past has necessitated workforce reductions at some of our businesses as demand decreased. Conversely, our businesses sometimes need to increase the size of their workforce in order to keep pace with production needs due to increased customer demand. Furthermore, for our defense businesses the uncertainty of being awarded follow-on contracts and the related timing can also present difficulties in matching workforce size with contract needs. Such challenges in aligning the size of our businesses’ workforces with current or future business needs have resulted and may, in the future result in increased costs, production delays or other adverse impacts on our business and results of operations.
In addition, from time to time we face challenges that may impact employee retention, such as workforce reductions and facility consolidations and closures, and some of our most experienced employees are retirement-eligible which may adversely impact retention. To the extent that we lose experienced personnel through retirement or otherwise, it is critical for us to develop other employees, hire new qualified employees and successfully manage the transfer of critical knowledge. Competition for skilled employees is intense, and we may incur higher labor, recruiting and/or training costs in order to attract and retain employees with the requisite skills. We may not be successful in hiring or retaining such employees which could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
The increasing costs of certain employee and retiree benefits could adversely affect our results.
Our results of operations and cash flows may be adversely impacted by increasing costs and funding requirements related to our employee benefit plans. The obligation for our defined benefit pension plans is driven by, among other things, our assumptions of the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets and the discount rate used for future payment obligations. Additionally, as part of our annual evaluation of these plans, significant changes in our assumptions, due to changes in economic, legislative and/or demographic experience or circumstances, or changes in our actual investment returns could negatively impact the funded status of our plans requiring us to substantially increase our pension liability with a resulting decrease in shareholders’ equity. Also, changes in pension legislation and regulations could increase the cost associated with our defined benefit pension plans.
Our business could be adversely affected by strikes or work stoppages and other labor issues.
Approximately 7,400, or 28%, of our U.S. employees are represented by labor unions under various collective bargaining agreements with varying durations and expiration dates, and many of our non-U.S. employees are represented by organized councils. From time to time, our collective bargaining agreements expire and are subject to renegotiation at that time. We may not be able to negotiate successor collective bargaining agreements upon expiration without experiencing labor disputes, including strikes or work stoppages, or we may be unable to renegotiate such contracts on favorable terms. For example, on September 21, 2024, Textron Aviation’s largest union rejected a proposed new contract and engaged in a strike that had an adverse effect on Textron Aviation's ability to meet its production and delivery schedules, and negatively impacted revenues and segment profit in 2024. If we experience any extended interruption of operations at any of our facilities as a result of labor disputes, strikes or other work stoppages, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, the workforces of many of our suppliers and customers are represented by labor unions. Work stoppages or strikes at the plants of our key suppliers could disrupt our manufacturing processes; similar actions at the plants of our customers could result in delayed or canceled orders for our products. Any of these events could adversely affect our results of operations.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 1C. Cybersecurity
Overview
Our centrally defined cybersecurity policies and processes are based on industry best practices and are revisited regularly to ensure their appropriateness based on risk, threats and current technological capabilities. We use a multi-layered approach to security with processes and tools aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework. We monitor compliance with these policies and processes through frequent internal audits and a set of robust metrics that assist in protection of our environment. As a U.S. defense contractor, we are required to comply with extensive regulations, including requirements imposed by the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement related to adequately safeguarding controlled unclassified information (CUI) and reporting cybersecurity incidents to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). We will also be
required to achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification which will certify our compliance with the federally mandated CUI program.
We maintain Information Systems Incident Management Standards applicable to all our businesses that are intended to ensure information security events and weaknesses associated with information systems are communicated and acted on in a timely manner. Our disclosure controls and procedures address cybersecurity and include processes intended to ensure that security breaches are reported to appropriate personnel and, if warranted, analyzed for potential disclosure. While we have experienced cybersecurity attacks, such attacks to date have not materially affected the Company or our business strategy, results of operations, or financial condition. For more information regarding the risks we face from cybersecurity threats, see Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Governance
Board Oversight of Cybersecurity Matters
Oversight of information security matters is conducted by our full Board of Directors. The Board annually receives a comprehensive presentation on information security and controls from our Chief Information Officer (CIO) and, as may be necessary for specific topics, follow up occurs at additional meetings during the course of the year.
Management of Cybersecurity Risks
Textron Information Services is led by our CIO who has held positions of increasing responsibility within our corporate, Bell and Textron Systems IT organizations since 2008, including leading the IT organizations at both segments in maintaining compliance with the DoD information security requirements, as well as with our enterprise information security policies and standards. He previously led strategic IT projects and teams responsible for delivering global IT solutions for several large U.S. based companies.
Our corporate information security organization, led by our Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), who reports to our CIO, is responsible for our overall information security strategy, policy, security engineering, operations and cyber threat detection and response. Our CISO has more than 20 years of experience in the field of information security and holds multiple cybersecurity certifications including the designation of Certified Information Systems Security Professional.
Risk Management
Cybersecurity related risks have been identified as material business risks, and identifying, assessing and managing these risks is integrated into our Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) process, which is designed to identify, assess and guide in managing material risks throughout Textron at both the business segment and enterprise levels. We maintain cyber risk/network protection mitigation plans through our ERM process to assist in management of these risks. Our full Board oversees our ERM process through discussions at our Board of Directors’ Annual Strategic Business and Risk Review and at an annual dedicated ERM Review. In addition, high risk areas, including cybersecurity matters, are reviewed and discussed with the full Board or other Board Committees, as appropriate. The Audit Committee, as reflected in its charter, has been designated to assist the Board in its oversight of our ERM process, including with respect to cybersecurity risk.
We maintain a detailed Cybersecurity Incident Response Plan that guides our incident response process. Upon the occurrence of a cybersecurity event, the cyber incident response team will follow a predefined process, documenting each step taken, to analyze and validate the event, and, if a cybersecurity incident is suspected to have occurred, quickly perform an initial analysis to determine the incident’s scope. The team will prioritize the response to each incident based on its estimate of the business impact caused by the incident and the estimated efforts required to recover from the incident. Notification of the incident is made to various stakeholders, including senior management and, if appropriate based upon the incident severity assessment, our Board. The team will also conduct incident containment, eradication and recovery, and post incident activity.
Strategy
Our Security Culture
We protect our information assets and manage risk by promoting a culture that communicates security risks, designs secure IT systems and operates according to approved processes to reduce the likelihood and impact of security incidents. We achieve this objective by:
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Designing, implementing and maintaining solutions with appropriate security controls.
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Sustaining solutions with required patching and vulnerability remediation.
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Creating and executing controls in support of policy as well as regulatory compliance.
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Ensuring that our policies, processes, practices and technologies proactively protect, shield, defend and remediate cyber threats.
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Delivering quality communications and annual training to stakeholders on cyber awareness and computing hygiene.
We believe that the conduct of our employees is critical to the success of our information security. Through our security awareness program, we keep our employees apprised of threats, risks and the part that they play in protecting both themselves and the company. We conduct periodic compliance training for our employees regarding the protection of sensitive information, which includes mandatory annual cyber safety training for all users with access to our computer network intended to reduce the likelihood of success of cyberattacks which target our employees. We also conduct regular phishing simulations to increase employee awareness on how to spot phishing attempts, and what to do if they suspect an email to be a phishing attack.
We execute penetration testing against our technical environment and processes, and continuously monitor our network and systems for signs of intrusion. We also retain consultants to enhance our penetration testing program with current trends and methodologies utilized against other companies, ensuring we are proactively reducing risk from emerging threats. In addition, we conduct tabletop exercises to prepare for responding to potential cybersecurity events.
We have a rigorous process, including a formal IT risk assessment, to assess our service providers prior to allowing our information to be processed, stored or transmitted by third parties, and we include standardized contractual requirements in each contract where appropriate. We validate our service providers’ security via questionnaires, open-source intelligence and, where appropriate, SOC1 reports on financially significant third-party service providers. Our process also includes regular monitoring of risk related to third parties on a periodic basis or when services or product purchases expand beyond their original scope or intended use.
Protections against insider threat is a critical component of our security strategy, particularly within our defense business units. Our insider threat detection processes are designed to identify and evaluate potential insider threats so that appropriate mitigation can be implemented.
Collaboration with our industry partners and government customers contributes to the protection of Textron’s computing environment as well as our military stakeholders. Textron is engaged with various industry groups such as Aerospace Industries Association, National Defense Information Sharing & Analysis Center and our Defense Industrial Base colleagues to ensure that we are aware of and are addressing the latest adversarial threats. Additionally, we share cyber best practices with industry peers to help to make the industry more secure.
Item 2. Properties
On December 28, 2024, we operated a total of 56 plants located throughout the U.S. and 44 plants outside the U.S. We own 60 plants and lease the remainder for a total manufacturing space of approximately 23.6 million square feet. We consider the productive capacity of the plants operated by each of our business segments to be adequate. We also own or lease offices, warehouses, training and service centers and other space at various locations. In general, our facilities are in good condition, are considered to be adequate for the uses to which they are being put and are substantially in regular use.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
We are subject to actual and threatened legal proceedings and other claims arising out of the conduct of our business, including proceedings and claims relating to commercial and financial transactions; government contracts; alleged lack of compliance with applicable laws and regulations; disputes with suppliers, production partners or other third parties; product liability; patent and trademark infringement; employment disputes; and environmental, health and safety matters. Some of these legal proceedings and claims seek damages, fines or penalties in substantial amounts or remediation of environmental contamination. As a government contractor, we are subject to audits, reviews and investigations to determine whether our operations are being conducted in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. Under federal government procurement regulations, certain claims brought by the U.S. Government could result in our suspension or debarment from U.S. Government contracting for a period of time. On the basis of information presently available, we do not believe that existing proceedings and claims will have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The principal market on which our common stock is traded is the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "TXT." At December 28, 2024, there were approximately 4,800 record holders of Textron common stock.
Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
The following provides information about our fourth quarter 2024 repurchases of equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended:
| Period (shares in thousands) | **Total Number of Shares Purchased *** | Average Price Paid per Share (excluding commissions) | **Total Number of Shares Purchased as part of Publicly Announced Plan *** | Maximum Number of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Plan | ||||||||||
| September 29, 2024 – November 2, 2024 | 500 | $ | 82.32 | 500 | 17,881 | |||||||||
| November 3, 2024 – November 30, 2024 | 1,475 | 84.88 | 1,475 | 16,406 | ||||||||||
| December 1, 2024 – December 28, 2024 | 820 | 80.60 | 820 | 15,586 | ||||||||||
| Total | 2,795 | $ | 83.17 | 2,795 |
** These shares were purchased pursuant to a plan authorizing the repurchases of up to 35 million shares of Textron common stock that was approved on July 24, 2023 by our Board of Directors. This share repurchase program has no expiration date.*
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the total return on a cumulative basis at the end of each year of $100 invested in our common stock on December 31, 2019 with the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Stock Index, the S&P 500 Aerospace & Defense (A&D) Index and the S&P 500 Industrials Index, all of which include Textron. The values calculated assume dividend reinvestment.

| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | |||||||||||||||
| Textron Inc. | $ | 100.00 | $ | 108.62 | $ | 173.72 | $ | 159.50 | $ | 181.37 | $ | 174.29 | ||||||||
| S&P 500 | 100.00 | 118.40 | 152.39 | 124.79 | 157.59 | 199.99 | ||||||||||||||
| S&P 500 A&D | 100.00 | 83.94 | 95.03 | 111.54 | 119.09 | 138.18 | ||||||||||||||
| S&P 500 Industrials | 100.00 | 111.06 | 134.52 | 127.15 | 150.20 | 178.38 |
Item 6. [Reserved]
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
In 2024, our operating results were adversely impacted by a strike at the Textron Aviation segment. On September 21, 2024, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 70, Local Lodge 774 called a strike against Textron Aviation. On October 20, 2024, an agreement was reached on a new five-year labor contract. As a result, our revenues and profit were unfavorably impacted in the second half of 2024 due to delayed aircraft deliveries and manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the labor disruption and the recovery of operating activities. At the Industrial segment, we experienced lower revenues and profit in 2024, largely resulting from a decline in demand in our end markets for Textron Specialized Vehicles products. We are in the process of conducting a strategic review of our powersports product line, as discussed in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 62.
At our Bell segment, the ramp up of the FLRAA program contributed to a 14% growth in its revenues for the year. In August, the U.S. Army announced approval of Milestone B for the FLRAA program, establishing it as a program of record and transitioning it to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. In the second half of the year, Bell was awarded contracts totaling approximately $3.0 billion for this phase of the program that contributed to a total company backlog increase of $4.0 billion, 29%, to $17.9 billion at the end of 2024. This backlog increase included growth of $676 million at the Textron Aviation segment, reflecting steady customer demand supported by new products, and $644 million at the Textron Systems segment, which included new contract awards for the Ship-to-Shore Connector program.
Financial highlights for 2024 also include:
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Generated $1.0 billion of net cash from operating activities from our manufacturing businesses.
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Invested $491 million in research and development projects and $364 million in capital expenditures.
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Returned $1.1 billion to our shareholders through the repurchase of 12.9 million shares of our common stock.
For an overview of our business segments, including a discussion of our major products and services, refer to Item 1. Business. A discussion of our financial condition and operating results for 2024 compared with 2023 is provided below, while a discussion of 2023 compared with 2022 can be found in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 30, 2023.
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standard Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires a public entity to disclose, on an annual and interim basis, significant segment expenses and other segment items that are regularly provided to the Chief Operating Decision Maker. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. We adopted ASU 2023-07 in the fourth quarter of 2024 and have recast management’s discussion and analysis of the results of operations of our company to include a discussion of the additional expense categories. In connection with the adoption of this standard, research and development costs previously included within Cost of products sold are now reported on a separate line in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Prior period amounts have been recast to conform to the new presentation.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related Notes included in Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Consolidated Results of Operations
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 13,702 | $ | 13,683 | $ | 12,869 | —% | 6% | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 11,200 | 10,835 | 10,199 | 3% | 6% | ||||||||||||
| Gross margin as a percentage of Manufacturing revenues | 18.0% | 20.5% | 20.4% | ||||||||||||||
| Research and development costs | 491 | 570 | 601 | (14)% | (5)% | ||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expense | 1,156 | 1,225 | 1,186 | (6)% | 3% | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 97 | 77 | 107 | 26% | (28)% | ||||||||||||
| Special charges | 78 | 126 | — | (38)% | 100% | ||||||||||||
| Non-service components of pension and postretirement income, net | 263 | 237 | 240 | 11% | (1)% | ||||||||||||
Revenues
Revenues increased $19 million in 2024, compared with 2023, largely due to the following factors:
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Higher Bell revenues of $432 million, largely reflecting higher military aircraft and support revenues of $347 million, primarily due to higher volume on the FLRAA program, partially offset by lower volume on the V-22 program.
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Lower Industrial revenues of $326 million, due to lower revenues of $263 million at Textron Specialized Vehicles, principally in the powersports and personal transportation vehicles product lines due to reduced demand in their end markets, and lower revenues of $63 million at Kautex.
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Lower Textron Aviation revenues of $89 million, reflecting lower volume and mix of $270 million, principally a result of the strike discussed in the Segment Analysis section below, partially offset by higher pricing of $181 million in both the aircraft and aftermarket parts and services product lines.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes cost of products and services sold for the Manufacturing group. In 2024, cost of sales increased $365 million, 3%, compared with 2023. The increase in cost was largely due to a $299 million impact from inflation and higher LIFO inventory provision and a $38 million inventory valuation charge to write down inventory to its net realizable value at Textron Specialized Vehicles as discussed in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 62.
Consolidated gross margin as a percentage of Manufacturing revenues decreased 250 basis points in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to lower gross margin at the Bell segment, largely due to the mix of contracts discussed above, and at the Textron Aviation segment, reflecting the mix of aircraft sold and manufacturing inefficiencies, largely due to the strike. In addition, higher LIFO inventory provision and the inventory valuation charge noted above accounted for 80 basis points of the decrease.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs decreased $79 million, 14%, in 2024, compared with 2023, largely reflecting the winddown of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft Program at the Bell segment, partially offset by a $17 million increase at the Textron eAviation segment, largely due to development efforts on hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft.
Selling and Administrative Expense
Selling and administrative expense decreased $69 million, 6%, in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily reflecting lower compensation expense, which included lower shared-based and incentive compensation and savings from restructuring activities.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net includes interest expense for both the Finance and Manufacturing borrowing groups, with interest on intercompany borrowings eliminated, and interest income earned on cash and equivalents for the Manufacturing borrowing group. In 2024, interest expense, net increased $20 million, 26%, compared with 2023, primarily due to an increase in the weighted-average interest rate of our debt and $7 million in lower interest income. For 2024, 2023 and 2022, gross interest expense totaled $146 million, $133 million and $129 million, respectively.
Special Charges
Special charges of $78 million and $126 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, include restructuring activities and asset impairment charges as described in Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 62.
Non-service Components of Pension and Postretirement Income, Net
Non-service components of pension and postretirement income, net increased by $26 million, 11%, in 2024, compared with 2023. The increase is based on our annual valuation at the end of 2023 and is primarily driven by the impact of actual pension asset returns that exceeded our expected return on plan assets.
Income Taxes
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
| Effective tax rate | 12.5% | 15.2% | 15.2% |
In 2024, the effective tax rate of 12.5% was lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21%, largely due to the favorable impact of research and development credits and the effective settlement of certain tax positions in the fourth quarter of 2024, which is discussed in Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 63. In 2023, the effective tax rate of 15.2% was lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21%, largely due to the favorable impact of research and development credits and tax deductions for foreign-derived intangible income.
For a full reconciliation of our effective tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate, see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 63.
Segment Analysis
We operate in, and report financial information for, the following six operating segments: Textron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems, Industrial, Textron eAviation and Finance. Segment profit is an important measure used for evaluating performance and for decision-making purposes. Segment profit for the manufacturing segments excludes the non-service components of pension and postretirement income, net; LIFO inventory provision; intangible asset amortization; interest expense, net for Manufacturing group; certain corporate expenses; gains/losses on major business dispositions; special charges and the inventory valuation charge to write down production-related powersports inventory. The operating costs used to derive segment profit for our manufacturing segments includes cost of sales, research and development costs and selling and administrative expense. The cost of sales discussed in this Segment Analysis section excludes the LIFO inventory provision, intangible asset amortization and the inventory valuation charge discussed above that are reported within Cost of products sold or Cost of services sold on the Consolidated Statement of Operations. The measurement for the Finance segment includes interest income and expense along with intercompany interest income and expense.
In our discussion of comparative results for the Manufacturing group, material changes in revenues and segment profit for our commercial businesses typically are expressed in terms of product line revenues, including volume and mix and pricing; foreign exchange; acquisitions and dispositions; inflation; manufacturing efficiency; and changes in research and development costs and selling and administrative expense. For revenues, volume and mix represents changes in revenues from increases or decreases in the number of units delivered or services provided and the composition of products and/or services sold. For segment profit, volume and mix represents a change due to the number of units delivered or services provided and the composition of products and/or services sold at different profit margins. Pricing represents changes in unit pricing. Foreign exchange is the change resulting from translating foreign-denominated amounts into U.S. dollars at exchange rates that are different from the prior period. Revenues generated by acquired businesses are reflected in Acquisitions for a twelve-month period, while reductions in revenues and segment profit from the sale of businesses are reflected as Dispositions. Inflation represents higher material, wages, benefits, pension service cost or other costs. Manufacturing efficiency includes changes in material, labor and overhead variances to standards, typically due to scrap rates, labor efficiency or inefficiencies, facility usage and other manufacturing productivity inputs.
Approximately 25% of our 2024 revenues were derived from contracts with the U.S. Government, including those under the U.S. Government-sponsored foreign military sales program. For our segments that contract with the U.S. Government, material changes in revenues related to these contracts are expressed in terms of volume. Changes in segment profit for these contracts are typically expressed in terms of volume and mix and contract performance, which includes cumulative catch-up adjustments associated with a) revisions to the transaction price that may reflect contract modifications or changes in assumptions related to award fees and other variable consideration or b) changes in the total estimated costs at completion due to improved or deteriorated operating performance.
Textron Aviation
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Aircraft | $ | 3,374 | $ | 3,577 | $ | 3,387 | (6)% | 6% | |||||||||
| Aftermarket parts and services | 1,910 | 1,796 | 1,686 | 6% | 7% | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 5,284 | 5,373 | 5,073 | (2)% | 6% | ||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 4,102 | 4,116 | 3,905 | —% | 5% | ||||||||||||
| Research and development costs | 208 | 199 | 191 | 5% | 4% | ||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expense | 408 | 409 | 417 | —% | (2)% | ||||||||||||
| Segment profit | $ | 566 | $ | 649 | $ | 560 | (13)% | 16% | |||||||||
| Profit margin | 10.7% | 12.1% | 11.0% | ||||||||||||||
| Backlog | $ | 7,845 | $ | 7,169 | $ | 6,387 | 9% | 12% |
Textron Aviation’s revenues decreased $89 million, 2%, in 2024, compared with 2023, reflecting lower volume and mix of $270 million, which was principally a result of the strike discussed below, partially offset by higher pricing of $181 million. Aircraft revenues decreased $203 million, 6%, due to lower volume and mix, largely from Citation jet and commercial turboprop deliveries, partially offset by higher pricing. We delivered 151 Citation jets and 127 commercial turboprops in 2024, compared with 168 Citation jets and 153 commercial turboprops in 2023. Aftermarket parts and services revenues increased $114 million, 6%, due to higher pricing and volume.
On September 21, 2024, the IAM District 70, Local Lodge 774 called a strike against Textron Aviation. The strike impacted approximately 5,000 of Textron Aviation’s employees at the manufacturing, parts and distribution and service center facilities in Wichita. On October 20, 2024, Textron Aviation and the IAM reached an agreement on a new five-year labor contract. The strike had a significant adverse impact on Textron Aviation’s ability to meet its production and delivery schedules in the third quarter and continuing into the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result, our revenues and profit were unfavorably impacted in the second half of 2024 by delayed aircraft deliveries and manufacturing inefficiencies associated with the labor disruption and the recovery of operating activities.
Textron Aviation’s cost of sales decreased $14 million in 2024, compared with 2023. The impact of lower volume and mix on our cost of sales was offset by $127 million of inflation and $43 million in manufacturing inefficiencies, largely reflecting idle facilities costs resulting from the strike discussed above.
Textron Aviation’s segment profit decreased $83 million, 13%, in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to lower volume and mix and the manufacturing inefficiencies discussed above, partially offset by higher pricing, net of inflation.
Textron Aviation’s backlog increased $676 million, 9%, in 2024, reflecting orders in excess of deliveries.
Bell
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Military aircraft and support programs | $ | 2,048 | $ | 1,701 | $ | 1,740 | 20% | (2)% | |||||||||
| Commercial helicopters, parts and services | 1,531 | 1,446 | 1,351 | 6% | 7% | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 3,579 | 3,147 | 3,091 | 14% | 2% | ||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 2,899 | 2,392 | 2,316 | 21% | 3% | ||||||||||||
| Research and development costs | 97 | 192 | 266 | (49)% | (28)% | ||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expense | 213 | 243 | 227 | (12)% | 7% | ||||||||||||
| Segment profit | $ | 370 | $ | 320 | $ | 282 | 16% | 13% | |||||||||
| Profit margin | 10.3% | 10.2% | 9.1% | ||||||||||||||
| Backlog | $ | 7,469 | $ | 4,780 | $ | 4,781 | 56% | —% |
Bell’s military aircraft and support programs include a development contract for the U.S. Army's FLRAA program, as well as production, upgrade, and support contracts for the V-22 tiltrotor aircraft and H-1 helicopters. The FLRAA program represents an increasing portion of Bell’s revenues as development activities have ramped. In August 2024, the U.S. Army announced approval of Milestone B for the FLRAA program, establishing it as a program of record and transitioning it to the Engineering and Manufacturing Development phase. In the second half of 2024, Bell was awarded contracts totaling approximately $3.0 billion for this phase of the program.
Bell’s military and support programs revenues increased $347 million, 20%, in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to higher volume on the FLRAA program, partially offset by lower volume on the V-22 program. Commercial helicopters, parts and services increased $85 million, 6%. We delivered 172 commercial helicopters in 2024, compared with 171 commercial helicopters in 2023.
Bell's cost of sales increased $507 million, 21%, in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to the higher volume and mix discussed above.
Bell's research and development costs decreased $95 million, 49%, in 2024, compared with 2023, largely due to the winddown of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft Program.
Selling and administrative expense decreased at Bell by $30 million, 12%, in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to a gain on a legal settlement recorded in the first quarter of 2024 and lower bid and proposal costs.
Bell’s segment profit increased $50 million, 16%, in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily due to lower research and development costs, as described above, partially offset by an unfavorable impact from mix as volume increased on lower margin FLRAA development activities while volume decreased on higher margin V-22 program revenues.
Backlog increased $2.7 billion, 56%, at Bell due to orders in excess of revenues recognized and deliveries, largely related to the FLRAA program discussed above.
Textron Systems
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 1,241 | $ | 1,235 | $ | 1,172 | —% | 5% | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 929 | 925 | 878 | —% | 5% | ||||||||||||
| Research and development costs | 51 | 53 | 53 | (4)% | —% | ||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expense | 107 | 110 | 109 | (3)% | 1% | ||||||||||||
| Segment profit | $ | 154 | $ | 147 | $ | 132 | 5% | 11% | |||||||||
| Profit margin | 12.4% | 11.9% | 11.3% | ||||||||||||||
| Backlog | $ | 2,594 | $ | 1,950 | $ | 2,098 | 33% | (7)% |
Textron Systems revenues and segment profit increased $6 million and $7 million, respectively, in 2024, compared with 2023. The impact on volume related to the cancellation of the Shadow program in the first quarter of 2024 was largely offset by higher volume on the Ship-to-Shore Connector program.
Textron Systems’ backlog increased $644 million, 33%, in 2024, compared with 2023, reflecting orders in excess of revenues recognized and deliveries, which included new contract awards for the Ship-to-Shore Connector program.
Industrial
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||
| Kautex | $ | 1,891 | $ | 1,954 | $ | 1,771 | (3)% | 10% | |||||||||
| Textron Specialized Vehicles | 1,624 | 1,887 | 1,694 | (14)% | 11% | ||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 3,515 | 3,841 | 3,465 | (8)% | 11% | ||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | 2,993 | 3,221 | 2,959 | (7)% | 9% | ||||||||||||
| Research and development costs | 72 | 80 | 71 | (10)% | 13% | ||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expense | 299 | 312 | 280 | (4)% | 11% | ||||||||||||
| Segment profit | $ | 151 | $ | 228 | $ | 155 | (34)% | 47% | |||||||||
| Profit margin | 4.3% | 5.9% | 4.5% |
Industrial segment revenues decreased $326 million, 8%, in 2024, compared with 2023, largely due to lower volume and mix. Textron Specialized Vehicles' revenues decreased $263 million, 14%, reflecting lower volume, principally in the powersports and personal transportation vehicles products due to reduced demand in their end markets. Kautex revenues decreased $63 million, 3%, largely due to lower volume.
Industrial's cost of sales decreased $228 million, 7%, in 2024 compared with 2023, primarily reflecting the impact of lower volume and mix.
Segment profit for the Industrial segment decreased $77 million, 34%, in 2024, compared with 2023, largely due to a $105 million impact from lower volume and mix, partially offset by $22 million in manufacturing efficiencies and $21 million in lower selling and administrative expense and research and development costs, largely due to cost reduction activities.
Textron eAviation
| % Change | |||||||||||||||||
| (Dollars in millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 33 | $ | 32 | $ | 16 | 3% | 100% | |||||||||
| Cost of sales | 29 | 35 | 18 | (17)% | 94% | ||||||||||||
| Research and development costs | 63 | 46 | 20 | 37% | 130% | ||||||||||||
| Selling and administrative expense | 17 | 14 | 2 | 21% | 600% | ||||||||||||
| Segment loss | $ | (76) | $ | (63) | $ | (24) | 21% | 163% | |||||||||
Textron eAviation segment revenues increased $1 million, 3%, in 2024, compared with 2023. Research and development costs increased $17 million, 37%, largely due to the ramp up of development efforts on hybrid and electric propulsion aircraft. Segment loss increased $13 million in 2024, compared with 2023, primarily reflecting the higher research and development costs.
Finance
| (In millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 50 | $ | 55 | $ | 52 | |||||
| Selling and administrative expense | (4) | (6) | 8 | ||||||||
| Interest expense, net | 19 | 15 | 13 | ||||||||
| Segment profit | $ | 35 | $ | 46 | $ | 31 |
Finance segment revenues decreased $5 million and segment profit decreased $11 million in 2024, compared with 2023. Selling and administrative expense included recoveries of $10 million and $18 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in segment profit was primarily due to $8 million in lower recoveries of credit losses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our financings are conducted through two separate borrowing groups. The Manufacturing group consists of Textron consolidated with its majority-owned subsidiaries that operate in the Textron Aviation, Bell, Textron Systems, Industrial and Textron eAviation segments. The Finance group, which also is the Finance segment, consists of Textron Financial Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries. We designed this framework to enhance our borrowing power by separating the Finance group. Our Manufacturing group operations include the development, production and delivery of tangible products and services, while our Finance group provides financial services. Due to the fundamental differences between each borrowing group’s activities, investors, rating agencies and analysts use different measures to evaluate each group’s performance. To support those evaluations, we present balance sheet and cash flow information for each borrowing group within the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Assessment of Liquidity and Significant Future Cash Requirements
Key information that is utilized in assessing our liquidity is summarized below:
| (Dollars in millions) | December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | ||||||
| Manufacturing group | ||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | 1,386 | $ | 2,121 | ||||
| Debt | 3,247 | 3,526 | ||||||
| Shareholders’ equity | 7,204 | 6,987 | ||||||
| Capital (debt plus shareholders’ equity) | 10,451 | 10,513 | ||||||
| Net debt (net of cash and equivalents) to capital | 21% | 17% | ||||||
| Debt to capital | 31% | 34% | ||||||
| Finance group | ||||||||
| Cash and equivalents | $ | 55 | $ | 60 | ||||
| Debt | 341 | 348 |
We believe that our calculations of debt to capital and net debt to capital are useful measures as they provide a summary indication of the level of debt financing (i.e., leverage) that is in place to support our capital structure, as well as to provide an indication of our capacity to add further leverage.
We expect to have sufficient cash to meet our needs based on our existing cash balances, the cash we expect to generate from our manufacturing operations and the availability of our existing credit facility. In addition to our manufacturing operating cash requirements, future material cash outlays include our contractual combined debt and interest payments for the Manufacturing group of $473 million in 2025, $457 million in 2026, $444 million in 2027 and $2.5 billion thereafter, and for the Finance group of $46 million in 2025, $20 million in 2026, $69 million in 2027 and $507 million thereafter.
For the Manufacturing group, we also have purchase obligations that require material future cash outlays totaling $2.7 billion in 2025, $501 million in 2026 and $355 million thereafter. Purchase obligations include undiscounted amounts committed under contracts or purchase orders for goods and services with defined terms as to price, quantity and delivery dates, as well as property, plant and equipment. Approximately 28% of our purchase obligations represent purchase orders issued for goods and services to be delivered under firm contracts with the U.S. Government for which we have full recourse under customary contract termination clauses.
Credit Facilities and Other Sources of Capital
Textron has a senior unsecured revolving credit facility for an aggregate principal amount of $1.0 billion, of which $100 million is available for the issuance of letters of credit. We may elect to increase the aggregate amount of commitments under the facility to up to $1.3 billion by designating an additional lender or by an existing lender agreeing to increase its commitment. The facility expires in October 2027 and provides for two one-year extensions at our option with the consent of lenders representing a majority of the commitments under the facility. At December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, there were no amounts borrowed against the facility and there were $9 million of outstanding letters of credit issued under the facility.
We also maintain an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that allows us to issue an unlimited amount of public debt and other securities. On March 1, 2024, we repaid our $350 million 4.30% Notes due March 2024.
Manufacturing Group Cash Flows
Cash flows from continuing operations for the Manufacturing group as presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are summarized below:
| (In millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 1,008 | $ | 1,270 | $ | 1,461 | |||||
| Investing activities | (288) | (345) | (511) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (1,438) | (776) | (875) |
Cash flows from operating activities were $1.0 billion in 2024, compared with $1.3 billion in 2023. The $262 million decrease in cash flows was largely due to changes in working capital and lower earnings, partially offset by $157 million in lower net tax payments. Net income tax payments were $181 million and $338 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Pension contributions were $44 million and $45 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In 2024 and 2023, investing cash flows included capital expenditures of $364 million and $402 million, respectively, partially offset by net proceeds from corporate-owned life insurance policies of $85 million and $40 million, respectively.
Cash flows used by financing activities in 2024 included $1.1 billion of cash paid to repurchase an aggregate of 12.9 million shares of our common stock under the 2023 share repurchase plan described below and payments on long-term debt of $361 million. In 2023, cash flows used by financing activities included $1.2 billion of cash paid to repurchase an aggregate of 16.2 million shares of our common stock, partially offset by $348 million of net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt.
In July 2023, Textron's Board of Directors approved a program for the repurchase of up to 35 million shares of our common stock. This share repurchase program allows us to continue our practice of repurchasing shares to offset the impact of dilution from stock-based compensation and benefit plans and for opportunistic capital management purposes. The repurchase program has no expiration date and there were 15.6 million shares remaining under the program at December 28, 2024.
Dividend payments to shareholders totaled $12 million and $16 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Due to the timing of our fiscal year-end, we made three dividend payments in 2024, compared with four dividend payments in 2023.
Finance Group Cash Flows
The cash flows from continuing operations for the Finance group as presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are summarized below:
| (In millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 8 | $ | 14 | $ | (7) | |||||
| Investing activities | 3 | 11 | 100 | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (16) | (37) | (216) |
The Finance group’s cash flows from investing activities primarily included collections on finance receivables totaling $133 million and $169 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, partially offset by finance receivable originations of $130 million and $160 million, respectively. Cash flows used in financing activities included payments on long-term and nonrecourse debt of $16 million and $37 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Consolidated Cash Flows
The consolidated cash flows from continuing operations, after elimination of activity between the borrowing groups, are summarized below:
| (In millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 1,015 | $ | 1,267 | $ | 1,490 | |||||
| Investing activities | (284) | (317) | (447) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (1,454) | (813) | (1,091) |
Consolidated cash flows from operating activities were $1.0 billion in 2024, compared with $1.3 billion in 2023. The decrease of $252 million in cash flows was largely due to changes in working capital and lower earnings, partially offset by $161 million in lower net tax payments. Net income tax payments were $191 million and $352 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Pension contributions were $44 million and $45 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In 2024 and 2023, investing cash flows included capital expenditures of $364 million and $402 million, respectively, partially offset by net proceeds from corporate-owned life insurance policies of $85 million and $40 million, respectively.
Cash flows used by financing activities in 2024 included $1.1 billion of share repurchases and payments on long-term debt of $377 million. In 2023, cash flows used by financing activities included $1.2 billion of share repurchases, partially offset by $348 million of net proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt.
Captive Financing and Other Intercompany Transactions
The Finance group provides financing primarily to purchasers of new and pre-owned Textron Aviation aircraft and Bell helicopters manufactured by our Manufacturing group, otherwise known as captive financing. In the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, cash received from customers is reflected as operating activities when received from third parties. However, in the cash flow information provided for the separate borrowing groups, cash flows related to captive financing activities are reflected based on the operations of each group. For example, when product is sold by our Manufacturing group to a customer and is financed by the Finance group, the origination of the finance receivable is recorded within investing activities as a cash outflow in the Finance group’s statement of cash flows. Meanwhile, in the Manufacturing group’s statement of cash flows, the cash received from the Finance group on the customer’s behalf is recorded within operating cash flows as a cash inflow. Although cash is transferred between the two borrowing groups, there is no cash transaction reported in the consolidated cash flows at the time of the original financing. These captive financing activities, along with all significant intercompany transactions, are reclassified or eliminated from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Reclassification adjustments included in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows on page 36 are summarized below:
| (In millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Reclassification adjustments from investing activities to operating activities: | |||||||||||
| Finance receivable originations for Manufacturing group inventory sales | $ | (109) | $ | (160) | $ | (92) | |||||
| Cash received from customers | 108 | 143 | 127 | ||||||||
| Other | — | — | 1 | ||||||||
| Total reclassification adjustments from investing activities to operating activities | $ | (1) | $ | (17) | $ | 36 | |||||
Under a Support Agreement between Textron and TFC, Textron is required to maintain a controlling interest in TFC. The agreement, as amended in December 2015, also requires Textron to ensure that TFC maintains fixed charge coverage of no less than 125% and consolidated shareholders' equity of no less than $125 million. There were no cash contributions required to be paid to TFC in 2024 and 2023 to maintain compliance with the support agreement.
Critical Accounting Estimates
To prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, we must make complex and subjective judgments in the selection and application of accounting policies. The accounting policies that we believe are most critical to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations are listed below. We believe these policies require our most difficult, subjective and complex judgments in estimating the effect of inherent uncertainties. This section should be read in conjunction with Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements on page 38, which includes other significant accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
A substantial portion of our revenues is related to long-term contracts with the U.S. Government, including those under the U.S. Government-sponsored foreign military sales program, for the design, development, manufacture or modification of aerospace and defense products as well as related services. We generally use the cost-to-cost method to measure progress for these contracts because it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer that occurs as we incur costs on our contracts. Under this measure, the extent of progress towards completion is measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date to the estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation, and revenue is recorded proportionally as costs are incurred.
Due to the number of years it may take to complete these contracts and the scope and nature of the work required to be performed on the contracts, the estimation of total transaction price and costs at completion is complicated and subject to many variables and, accordingly, is subject to change. In estimating total costs at completion, we are required to make numerous assumptions related to the complexity of design and related development work to be performed; engineering requirements; product performance; subcontractor performance; availability and cost of materials; labor productivity, availability and cost; overhead and capital costs; manufacturing efficiencies; the length of time to complete the contract (to estimate increases in wages and prices for materials); and costs of satisfying offset obligations, among other variables. Our cost estimation process is based on the professional knowledge and experience of engineers and program managers along with finance professionals. We review and update our cost projections quarterly or more frequently when circumstances significantly change. When our estimate of the total costs to be incurred on a contract exceeds the estimated total transaction price, a provision for the entire loss is recorded in the period in which the loss is determined.
At the outset of each contract, we estimate an initial profit booking rate considering the risks surrounding our ability to achieve the technical requirements (e.g., a newly developed product versus a mature product), schedule (e.g., the number and type of milestone events), and costs by contract requirements in the initial estimated costs at completion. Profit booking rates may increase during the performance of the contract if we successfully retire risks surrounding the technical, schedule and cost aspects of the contract. Conversely, the profit booking rate may decrease if we are not successful in retiring the risks; and, as a result, our estimated costs at completion increase. All estimates are subject to change during the performance of the contract and, therefore, may affect the profit booking rate.
Changes in our estimate of the total expected cost or in the transaction price for a contract typically impact our profit booking rate. We utilize the cumulative catch-up method of accounting to recognize the impact of these changes on our profit booking rate for a contract. Under this method, the inception-to-date impact of a profit adjustment on a contract is recognized in the period the adjustment is identified. The impact of our cumulative catch-up adjustments on segment profit recognized in prior periods is presented below:
| (In millions) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
| Gross favorable | $ | 122 | $ | 106 | $ | 101 | |||||
| Gross unfavorable | (91) | (62) | (117) | ||||||||
| Net adjustments | $ | 31 | $ | 44 | $ | (16) |
Due to the significance of judgment in the estimation process described above, it is likely that materially different revenues and/or cost of sales amounts could be recorded if we used different assumptions or if the underlying circumstances were to change. Our earnings could be reduced by a material amount resulting in a charge to earnings if (a) total estimated contract costs are significantly higher than expected due to changes in customer specifications prior to contract amendment, (b) total estimated contract costs are significantly higher than previously estimated due to cost overruns or inflation, (c) there is a change in engineering efforts required during the development stage of the contract or (d) we are unable to meet contract milestones.
Goodwill
We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment of a reporting unit. We calculate the fair value of each reporting unit using discounted cash flows. These cash flows incorporate assumptions for revenue growth rates and operating margins that are based on our strategic plans and long-range planning forecasts, which include our best estimates of current and forecasted market conditions, cost structure and anticipated net cost reductions. The long-term revenue growth rate we use to determine the terminal value of the business is based on our assessment of its minimum expected terminal growth rate, as well as its past historical growth and broader economic considerations such as gross domestic product, inflation and the maturity of the markets we serve. The discount rates utilized in this analysis are based on each reporting unit’s weighted average cost of capital, which takes into account the relative weights of each component of capital structure (equity and debt) and represents the expected cost of new capital, adjusted as appropriate to consider the risk inherent in future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. We believe this approach yields a discount rate that is consistent with an implied rate of return that an independent investor or market participant would require for an investment in a company having similar risks and business characteristics to the reporting unit being assessed.
Based on our annual impairment review, the fair value calculated using the estimates discussed above exceeded the carrying value by an adequate amount for each reporting group. Accordingly, we do not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that any units might fail the impairment test in the foreseeable future.
Retirement Benefits
We sponsor funded and unfunded domestic and international pension plans for certain of our employees. Beginning on January 1, 2010, we initiated actions to commence the closure of the pension plans to new entrants. We provide employees hired subsequent to these closures with defined contribution benefits. Our pension benefit obligations are calculated based on actuarial valuations. Key assumptions used in determining these obligations and related expenses or benefits include the expected long-term rates of return on plan assets and discount rates. We also make assumptions regarding employee demographic factors such as retirement patterns, mortality, turnover and rate of compensation increases. We evaluate and update these assumptions annually.
To determine the weighted-average expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, we consider the current and expected asset allocation, as well as historical and expected returns on each plan asset class. A lower expected rate of return on plan assets will decrease pension income. For 2024 and 2023, the assumed expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used in calculating pension income was 7.16% and 7.14%, respectively. For 2024, the assumed rate of return for our domestic plans, which represent approximately 90% of our total pension assets, was 7.25%. Net periodic benefit income is sensitive to changes in the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets.
The discount rate enables us to state expected future benefit payments as a present value on the measurement date, reflecting the current rate at which the pension liabilities could be effectively settled. This rate should be in line with rates for high-quality fixed income investments available for the period to maturity of the pension benefits, which fluctuate as long-term interest rates change. A lower discount rate increases the present value of the benefit obligations and generally decreases pension income. In 2024, the weighted-average discount rate used in calculating pension income was 5.19%, compared with 5.51% in 2023. For our domestic plans, the assumed discount rate was 5.25% in 2024, compared with 5.55% in 2023. A change of 50 basis-points higher or lower, with all other assumptions held constant, in this weighted-average discount rate in 2024 would have changed our pension income for our domestic plans by approximately $10 million.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Our financial results are affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates in the various countries in which our products are manufactured and/or sold. For our manufacturing operations, we manage our foreign currency transaction exposures by entering into foreign currency exchange contracts. These contracts generally are used to fix the local currency cost of purchased goods or services or selling prices denominated in currencies other than the functional currency. The notional amount of outstanding foreign currency exchange contracts was $464 million and $478 million at December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, respectively. We also may hedge exposures to certain of our foreign currency assets and earnings by funding those asset positions with debt in the same foreign currency so the exposures are naturally offset.
Interest Rate Risk
Our financial results are affected by changes in interest rates. As part of managing this risk, we seek to achieve a prudent balance between floating- and fixed-rate exposures. We continually monitor our mix of these exposures and adjust the mix, as necessary. For our Finance group, we generally limit our risk to changes in interest rates with a strategy of matching floating-rate assets with floating-rate liabilities. This strategy includes the use of interest rate swap agreements. We had interest rate swap agreements with a total notional amount of $289 million at December 28, 2024 and $210 million at December 30, 2023, which effectively converted certain floating-rate debt to a fixed-rate equivalent.
Quantitative Risk Measures
In the normal course of business, we enter into financial instruments for purposes other than trading. The financial instruments that are subject to market risk include finance receivables (excluding leases), debt (excluding finance lease obligations) and foreign currency exchange contracts. To quantify the market risk inherent in these financial instruments, we utilize a sensitivity analysis that includes a hypothetical change in fair value assuming a 10% decrease in interest rates and a 10% strengthening in foreign exchange rates against the U.S. dollar. The fair value of these financial instruments is estimated using discounted cash flow analysis and indicative market pricing as reported by leading financial news and data providers.
At the end of each year, the table below provides the carrying and fair values of these financial instruments along with the sensitivity of fair value to the hypothetical changes discussed above. This sensitivity analysis is most likely not indicative of actual results in the future.
| December 28, 2024 | December 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | Carrying Value* | Fair Value* | Sensitivity of Fair Value to a 10% Change | Carrying Value* | Fair Value* | Sensitivity of Fair Value to a 10% Change | ||||||||||||||
| Manufacturing group | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange risk | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Foreign currency exchange contracts | $ | (14) | $ | (14) | $ | 31 | $ | 1 | $ | 1 | $ | 30 | ||||||||
| Interest rate risk | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Debt | (3,164) | (2,989) | (49) | (3,520) | (3,342) | (54) | ||||||||||||||
| Finance group | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest rate risk | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Finance receivables | 439 | 454 | 9 | 417 | 423 | 9 | ||||||||||||||
| Debt | (341) | (311) | — | (348) | (293) | (1) |
** The value represents an asset or (liability).*
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Our Consolidated Financial Statements and the related report of our independent registered public accounting firm thereon are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K on the pages indicated below:
All other schedules are omitted either because they are not applicable or not required or because the required information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
For each of the years in the three-year period ended December 28, 2024
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
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Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 28, 2024. The evaluation was performed with the participation of senior management of each business segment and key Corporate functions, under the supervision of our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Based on this evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were operating and effective as of December 28, 2024.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for Textron Inc. as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Our internal control structure is designed to provide reasonable assurance, at appropriate cost, that assets are safeguarded and that transactions are properly executed and recorded. The internal control structure includes, among other things, established policies and procedures, an internal audit function, the selection and training of qualified personnel as well as management oversight.
With the participation of our management, we performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on our evaluation under the 2013 Framework, we have concluded that Textron Inc. maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2024.
The independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP (PCAOB ID: 42), has audited the Consolidated Financial Statements of Textron Inc. and has issued an attestation report on Textron’s internal controls over financial reporting as of December 28, 2024, as stated in its report, which is included herein.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Textron Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited Textron Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework), (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Textron, Inc. (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2024, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Consolidated Balance Sheets of the Company as of December 28, 2024 and December 30, 2023, and the related Consolidated Statements of Operations, Comprehensive Income, Shareholders' Equity and Cash Flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 28, 2024, and the related notes and the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 8 of the Company and our report dated February 6, 2025 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. 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 audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
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 the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 6, 2025
Item 9B. Other Information
(a)As previously announced, Mr. Frank Connor will retire effective February 28, 2025 after having served as our CFO for fifteen years. During his tenure Mr. Connor has made significant contributions across Textron to drive financial and operational excellence. As part of his 2025 duties, Mr. Connor will oversee the completion of the Company’s post year-end financial reporting and related activities and will effect an orderly transition of the CFO role to Mr. Rosenberg and other succession planning within the finance organization. On February 5, 2025, the Organization and Compensation Committee approved Mr. Connor’s 2025 compensation to be set at $1,000,000, taking into account Mr. Connor’s expected duties through his retirement. Mr. Connor’s 2024 total target compensation was $6,300,000.”
(b)None of our directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or adopted or terminated a “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K) during the quarter ended December 28, 2024.
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
The information appearing under “ELECTION OF DIRECTORS – Nominees for Director,” "SECURITY OWNERSHIP – Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Board Committees – Audit Committee,” “– Corporate Governance Guidelines and Policies,” “– Code of Ethics,” and “– Insider Trading Policies and Procedures,” in the Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Information regarding our executive officers is contained in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information appearing under “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Compensation of Directors,” “COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT,” “COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS” and “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” in the Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information appearing under “SECURITY OWNERSHIP” and “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION – Equity Compensation Plan Information” in the Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence
The information appearing under “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Director Independence” and “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION – Transactions with Related Persons” in the Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The information appearing under “RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM – Fees to Independent Auditors” in the Proxy Statement for our 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
PART IV
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
Financial Statements and Schedules — See Index on Page 31.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not applicable.
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirement of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Annual Report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on this 6th day of February 2025.
| TEXTRON INC. | ||||||||
| Registrant | ||||||||
| By: | /s/ Frank T. Connor | |||||||
| Frank T. Connor Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been signed below on this 6th day of February 2025 by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated:
| Name | Title | ||||||||||
| /s/ Scott C. Donnelly | |||||||||||
| Scott C. Donnelly | Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| Richard F. Ambrose | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| Kathleen M. Bader | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| R. Kerry Clark | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| Michael X. Garrett | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| Deborah Lee James | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| Thomas A. Kennedy | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| Lionel L. Nowell III | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| James L. Ziemer | Director | ||||||||||
| * | |||||||||||
| Maria T. Zuber | Director | ||||||||||
| /s/ Frank T. Connor | |||||||||||
| Frank T. Connor | Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) | ||||||||||
| /s/ Mark S. Bamford | |||||||||||
| Mark S. Bamford | Vice President and Corporate Controller (principal accounting officer) | ||||||||||
| *By: | /s/ Jayne M. Donegan | ||||||||||
| Jayne M. Donegan, Attorney-in-fact |