Biggest changeChanges in our product mix may result from marketing activities to existing customers and needs communicated to us from existing and prospective customers. If customers begin to require more lower-margin products from us, our business, results of operations and financial condition may suffer. Customer credit risks could result in losses.
Biggest changeIf customers begin to require more lower-margin products from us, our business, results of operations and financial condition may suffer. Customer credit risks could result in losses. The concentration of our customers in the energy industry may impact our overall exposure to credit risk as customers may be similarly affected by prolonged changes in economic and industry conditions.
Even when acquisitions are completed, integration of acquired entities can involve significant difficulties, such as: • failure to achieve cost savings or other financial or operating objectives with respect to an acquisition; • complications and issues resulting from the integration/conversion of ERP systems; • strain on the operational and managerial controls and procedures of our business, and the need to modify systems or to add management resources; 13 • difficulties in the integration and retention of customers or personnel and the integration and effective deployment of operations or technologies; • amortization of acquired assets, which would reduce future reported earnings; • possible adverse short-term effects on our cash flows or operating results; • diversion of management’s attention from the ongoing operations of our business; • integrating personnel with different organizational cultures; • coordinating sales and marketing functions; • failure to obtain and retain key personnel of an acquired business; and • assumption of known or unknown material liabilities or regulatory non-compliance issues.
Even when acquisitions are completed, integration of acquired entities can involve significant difficulties, such as: • failure to achieve cost savings or other financial or operating objectives with respect to an acquisition; • complications and issues resulting from the integration/conversion of ERP systems; • strain on the operational and managerial controls and procedures of our business, and the need to modify systems or to add management resources; • difficulties in the integration and retention of customers or personnel and the integration and effective deployment of operations or technologies; • amortization of acquired assets, which would reduce future reported earnings; • possible adverse short-term effects on our cash flows or operating results; • diversion of management’s attention from the ongoing operations of our business; • integrating personnel with different organizational cultures; • coordinating sales and marketing functions; • failure to obtain and retain key personnel of an acquired business; and • assumption of known or unknown material liabilities or regulatory non-compliance issues.
Examples of risks inherent in conducting business in markets outside of the U.S. and Canada include: • changes in the political and economic conditions in the countries in which we operate, including civil uprisings and terrorist acts; • unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; • changes in tariffs; • the adoption of foreign or domestic laws limiting exports to or imports from certain foreign countries; • fluctuations in currency exchange rates and the value of the U.S. dollar; • restrictions on repatriation of earnings; • expropriation of property without fair compensation; • governmental actions that result in the deprivation of contract or proprietary rights; and • the acceptance of business practices which are not consistent with or are antithetical to prevailing business practices we are accustomed to in North America including export compliance and anti-bribery practices and governmental sanctions.
Examples of risks inherent in conducting business in markets outside of the U.S. and Canada include: • changes in the political and economic conditions in the countries in which we operate, including civil uprisings and terrorist acts; • unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; • changes in tariffs; • the adoption of foreign or domestic laws limiting exports to or imports from certain foreign countries; • fluctuations in currency exchange rates and the value of the U.S. dollar; 19 • restrictions on repatriation of earnings; • expropriation of property without fair compensation; • governmental actions that result in the deprivation of contract or proprietary rights; and • the acceptance of business practices which are not consistent with or are antithetical to prevailing business practices we are accustomed to in North America including export compliance and anti-bribery practices and governmental sanctions.
These include provisions: • providing our Board of Directors with the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval; • prohibiting stockholders from taking action by written consent; • restricting the ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting; • providing that the number of directors will be filled by the Board of Directors and vacancies on the Board of Directors, including those resulting from an enlargement of the Board of Directors, will be filled by the Board of Directors; • requiring cause and an affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock to remove directors; • requiring the affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock to amend certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws; and • establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of Directors or for stockholder proposals.
These include provisions: • providing our Board of Directors with the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval; • prohibiting stockholders from taking action by written consent; • restricting the ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting; • providing that the number of directors will be filled by the Board of Directors and vacancies on the Board of Directors, including those resulting from an enlargement of the Board of Directors, will be filled by the Board of Directors; • requiring cause and an affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock to remove directors; 21 • requiring the affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock to amend certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws; and • establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of Directors or for stockholder proposals.
Many factors affect the supply of and demand for energy and, therefore, influence oil and natural gas prices, including: • the level of domestic and worldwide oil and natural gas production and inventories; • the level of drilling activity and the availability of attractive oil and natural gas field prospects, which governmental actions may affect, such as regulatory actions or legislation, or other restrictions on drilling, including those related to environmental concerns (e.g., a temporary moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico following a rig accident or oil spill); • the discovery rate of new oil and natural gas reserves and the expected cost of developing new reserves; • the actual cost of finding and producing oil and natural gas; • depletion rates; • domestic and worldwide refinery over capacity or under capacity and utilization rates; • the availability of transportation infrastructure and refining capacity; • increases in the cost of products that the oil and gas industry uses, such as those that we provide, which may result from increases in the cost of raw materials such as steel; • shifts in end-customer preferences toward fuel efficiency and the use of natural gas; • the economic or political attractiveness of alternative fuels, such as coal, hydrocarbon, battery power, wind, solar energy and biomass-based fuels; • increases in oil and natural gas prices or historically high oil and natural gas prices, which could lower demand for oil and natural gas products; • worldwide economic activity including growth in non-Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, including China and India; • increased interest rates and the cost of capital; • national government policies, including government policies that could nationalize or expropriate oil and natural gas, E&P, refining or transportation assets; • the ability of OPEC and non-OPEC countries to set and maintain production levels and prices for oil; • the level of production by non-OPEC countries; • the impact of armed hostilities, or the threat or perception of armed hostilities, including the conflict in Ukraine; • public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 and emergence of any new virus strains that result in the return of lockdowns or other government restrictions; • environmental regulation; • import duties and tariffs; • technological advances; • global weather conditions and natural disasters; • currency fluctuations; and • tax policies.
Many factors affect the supply of and demand for energy and, therefore, influence oil and natural gas prices, including: • the level of domestic and worldwide oil and natural gas production and inventories; • the level of drilling activity and the availability of attractive oil and natural gas field prospects, which governmental actions may affect, such as regulatory actions or legislation, or other restrictions on drilling, including those related to environmental concerns (e.g., a temporary moratorium on deepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico following a rig accident or oil spill); • the discovery rate of new oil and natural gas reserves and the expected cost of developing new reserves; • the actual cost of finding and producing oil and natural gas; • depletion rates; • domestic and worldwide refinery over capacity or under capacity and utilization rates; • the availability of transportation infrastructure and refining capacity; • increases in the cost of products that the oil and gas industry uses, such as those that we provide, which may result from increases in the cost of raw materials such as steel; • shifts in end-customer preferences toward fuel efficiency and the use of natural gas; • the economic or political attractiveness of alternative fuels, such as coal, hydrocarbon, battery power, wind, solar energy and biomass-based fuels; • increases in oil and natural gas prices or historically high oil and natural gas prices, which could lower demand for oil and natural gas products; • worldwide economic activity including growth in non-Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, including China and India; • increased interest rates and the cost of capital; • national government policies, including government policies that could nationalize or expropriate oil and natural gas, E&P, refining or transportation assets; • the ability of OPEC and non-OPEC countries to set and maintain production levels and prices for oil; • the level of production by non-OPEC countries; • the impact of armed hostilities, or the threat or perception of armed hostilities, including the conflicts in Ukraine and in Israel; • public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 and emergence of any new virus strains that result in the return of lockdowns or other government restrictions; • environmental regulation; • import duties and tariffs; • technological advances; • global weather conditions and natural disasters; • currency fluctuations; and • tax policies.
We face the following risks with respect to our insurance coverage: • we may not be able to continue to obtain insurance on commercially reasonable terms; • we may incur losses from interruption of our business that exceed our insurance coverage; 18 • we may be faced with types of liabilities that will not be covered by our insurance; • our insurance carriers may not be able to meet their obligations under the policies; or • the dollar amount of any liabilities may exceed our policy limits.
We face the following risks with respect to our insurance coverage: • we may not be able to continue to obtain insurance on commercially reasonable terms; • we may incur losses from interruption of our business that exceed our insurance coverage; • we may be faced with types of liabilities that will not be covered by our insurance; • our insurance carriers may not be able to meet their obligations under the policies; or • the dollar amount of any liabilities may exceed our policy limits.
Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and potentially have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. 15 We have goodwill recorded on our balance sheet. If our goodwill becomes impaired, we may be required to recognize charges that would reduce our income.
Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and potentially have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations. We have goodwill recorded on our balance sheet. If our goodwill becomes impaired, we may be required to recognize charges that would reduce our income.
As a result of doing business in foreign countries and with foreign partners, we are exposed to a heightened risk of violating anti-corruption and trade control laws and sanctions regulations. 19 The FCPA prohibits us from providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of obtaining or retaining business or securing any improper business advantage.
As a result of doing business in foreign countries and with foreign partners, we are exposed to a heightened risk of violating anti-corruption and trade control laws and sanctions regulations. The FCPA prohibits us from providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of obtaining or retaining business or securing any improper business advantage.
We may require more capital in the future to: • fund our operations (including, but not limited to, working capital requirements such as inventory); • finance investments in equipment and infrastructure needed to maintain and expand our distribution capabilities; 12 • enhance and expand the range of products we offer; and • respond to potential strategic opportunities, such as investments, acquisitions and international expansion.
We may require more capital in the future to: • fund our operations (including, but not limited to, working capital requirements such as inventory); • finance investments in equipment and infrastructure needed to maintain and expand our distribution capabilities; • enhance and expand the range of products we offer; and • respond to potential strategic opportunities, such as investments, acquisitions and international expansion.
We have experienced in the past, and we will likely experience in the future, significant fluctuations in operating results based on these changes. 11 General economic and geopolitical conditions may adversely affect our business. U.S. and global general economic conditions affect many aspects of our business, including demand for the products we distribute and the pricing and availability of supplies.
We have experienced in the past, and we will likely experience in the future, significant fluctuations in operating results based on these changes. General economic and geopolitical conditions may adversely affect our business. U.S. and global general economic conditions affect many aspects of our business, including demand for the products we distribute and the pricing and availability of supplies.
Stock markets in general have also experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations could negatively affect the trading price of our common stock. 20 Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future.
Stock markets in general have also experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations could negatively affect the trading price of our common stock. Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future.
Such a loss would require us to rely more heavily on our other existing suppliers or develop relationships with new suppliers, which may cause us to pay higher prices for products due to, among other things, a loss of volume discount benefits currently obtained from our major suppliers.
Such a loss would require us to rely more heavily on our other existing suppliers or develop relationships with new suppliers, which may 16 cause us to pay higher prices for products due to, among other things, a loss of volume discount benefits currently obtained from our major suppliers.
We may be unsuccessful in attracting, hiring, training and retaining qualified personnel. Interruptions in the proper functioning of our information systems could disrupt operations and cause increases in costs or decreases in revenues. The proper functioning of our information systems is critical to the successful operation of our business.
We may be unsuccessful in attracting, hiring, training and retaining qualified personnel. 14 Interruptions in the proper functioning of our information systems could disrupt operations and cause increases in costs or decreases in revenues. The proper functioning of our information systems is critical to the successful operation of our business.
The willingness of oil and gas operators to make capital and operating expenditures to explore for and produce oil and natural gas and the willingness of oilfield service companies to invest in capital and operating equipment will continue to be influenced by numerous factors over which we have no control, including: • the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and certain non-OPEC countries, to maintain price stability through voluntary production limits, the level of production by other non-OPEC countries, such as the United States, and worldwide demand for oil and gas; • the level of production from known reserves; • the cost of exploring for and producing oil and gas; • limits on access to capital and investor demands for capital discipline; • the level of drilling activity and drilling rig day rates; • worldwide economic activity; • national government political requirements; • changes in governmental regulations; • the impact of public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic including any new virus strains that result in the return of lockdowns or other government restrictions, on worldwide demand for oil and gas; • the development of alternate energy sources; and • environmental regulations.
The willingness of oil and gas operators to make capital and operating expenditures to explore for and produce oil and natural gas and the willingness of oilfield service companies to invest in capital and operating equipment will continue to be influenced by numerous factors over which we have no control, including: • the ability of the members of the OPEC and certain non-OPEC countries, to maintain price stability through voluntary production limits, the level of production by other non-OPEC countries, such as the United States, and worldwide demand for oil and gas; • the level of production from known reserves; • the cost of exploring for and producing oil and gas; • limits on access to capital and investor demands for capital discipline; • the level of drilling activity and drilling rig day rates; • worldwide economic activity; • national government political requirements; • changes in governmental regulations; • the impact of public health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic including any new virus strains that result in the return of lockdowns or other government restrictions, on worldwide demand for oil and gas; • the development of alternate energy sources; and • environmental regulations.
In addition, there could be additional trade actions or rate increases imposed by the U.S. and these could also result in additional retaliatory actions by the U.S.’ trade partners.
In addition, there could be additional 17 trade actions or rate increases imposed by the U.S. and these could also result in additional retaliatory actions by the U.S.’ trade partners.
Over the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected our business, and the emergence of any new virus strains that result in the return of broad-based lockdowns, vaccine mandates or other government interventions, could further adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
Over the last four years, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected our business, and the emergence of any new virus strains that result in the return of broad-based lockdowns, vaccine mandates or other government interventions, could further adversely affect our operations and financial condition.
As of December 31, 2022, we had $116 million of goodwill recorded on our balance sheet. Under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., goodwill is not amortized, but must be reviewed for possible impairment annually, or more often in certain circumstances where events indicate that the asset values are not recoverable.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $139 million of goodwill recorded on our balance sheet. Under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., goodwill is not amortized, but must be reviewed for possible impairment annually, or more often in certain circumstances where events indicate that the asset values are not recoverable.
Over the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility in the financial markets.
Over the last four years, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected the global economy, disrupted global supply chains and created significant volatility in the financial markets.
Our business may be materially adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from the conflict in Ukraine or any other geopolitical tensions. The extent and duration of the military action, sanctions, trade controls and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
Our business may be materially adversely affected by any negative impact on the global economy and capital markets resulting from military conflicts or other geopolitical tensions. The extent and duration of military conflicts, sanctions, trade controls and resulting market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be substantial.
However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of our company and our stockholders. 21 ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVE D STAFF COMMENTS None.
However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent an acquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of our company and our stockholders. 22 ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None.
In addition, we are subject to customer audit clauses in many of our multi-year contracts. If we are not able to provide the proper documentation or support for invoices per the contract terms, we may be subject to negotiated settlements with our major customers. Changes in our customer and product mix could cause our product margin to fluctuate.
In addition, we are subject to customer audit clauses in many of our multi-year contracts. If we are not able to provide the proper documentation or support for invoices per the contract terms, we may be subject to negotiated settlements with our major customers.
In addition, certain foreign jurisdictions and government-owned petroleum companies located in some of the countries in which we operate have adopted policies or regulations which may give local nationals in these countries competitive advantages. Competition in our industry could lead to lower revenues and earnings.
In addition, certain foreign jurisdictions and government-owned petroleum companies located in some of the countries in which we operate have adopted policies or regulations which may give local nationals in these countries competitive advantages.
Given the large dollar amounts and volume of our purchases from suppliers, a change in payment terms may have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to make payments to our suppliers and, consequently, may have a material adverse effect on us. 16 Price reductions by suppliers of products that we sell could cause the value of our inventory to decline.
Given the large dollar amounts and volume of our purchases from suppliers, a change in payment terms may have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and our ability to make payments to our suppliers and, consequently, may have a material adverse effect on us.
Our security measures may be undermined due to the actions of outside parties, employee error, internal or external malfeasance, or otherwise, and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our data systems and misappropriate business and personal information. Our systems are subject to repeated attempts by third parties to access information or to disrupt our systems.
Our security measures may be undermined due to the rapid evolution and increased adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies, actions of outside parties, employee error, internal or external malfeasance, or otherwise, and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our data systems and misappropriate business and personal information.
While tariffs and other retaliatory trade measures imposed by other countries on U.S. goods have not yet had a significant impact on our business or results of operations, we cannot predict further developments, and such existing or future tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. 17 Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters We are subject to strict environmental, health and safety laws and regulations that may lead to significant liabilities and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
While tariffs and other retaliatory trade measures imposed by other countries on U.S. goods have not yet had a significant impact on our business or results of operations, we cannot predict further developments, and such existing or future tariffs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
In addition, various state and municipal governments, universities and other investors maintain prohibitions or restrictions on investments in companies that do business with sanctioned countries, persons and entities, which could adversely affect the market for our common stock and other securities.
In addition, various state and municipal governments, universities and other investors maintain prohibitions or restrictions on investments in companies that do business with sanctioned countries, persons and entities, which could adversely affect the market for our common stock and other securities. 20 Compliance with and changes in laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate could have a significant financial impact and effect how and where we conduct our operations.
We may be unable to successfully execute or effectively integrate acquisitions. One of our key operating strategies is to selectively pursue acquisitions, including large scale acquisitions, to continue to grow and increase profitability.
One of our key operating strategies is to selectively pursue acquisitions, including large scale acquisitions, to continue to grow and increase profitability.
As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, both internal and those we have outsourced. Our four primary risks that could directly result from the occurrence of a cyber incident include operational interruption, damage to our Company’s image, financial loss and private data exposure.
Our four primary risks that could directly result from the occurrence of a cyber incident include operational interruption, damage to our Company’s image, financial loss and private data exposure.
If customers were to purchase the products that we sell directly from manufacturers, or if manufacturers sought to increase their efforts to sell directly to end users, we could experience a significant decrease in profitability.
Historically, users of pipes, valves and fittings and related products have purchased certain amounts of these products through distributors and not directly from manufacturers. If customers were to purchase the products that we sell directly from manufacturers, or if manufacturers sought to increase their efforts to sell directly to end-users, we could experience a significant decrease in profitability.
From time to time, we may experience changes in our customer mix or in our product mix. Changes in our customer mix may result from geographic expansion, daily selling activities within current geographic markets and targeted selling activities to new customer segments.
Changes in our customer mix may result from business acquisitions, geographic expansion, daily selling activities within current geographic markets and targeted selling activities to new customer segments. Changes in our product mix may result from business acquisitions, marketing activities to existing customers and needs communicated to us from existing and prospective customers.
Certain of these competitors may have greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us, and may be in a better competitive position. The following competitive actions can each adversely affect our revenues and earnings: • price changes; • vendors with better terms; • consolidation in the industry; • investments in technology and fulfillment; and • improvements in availability and delivery.
The following competitive actions can each adversely affect our revenues and earnings: • price changes; • vendors with better terms; • consolidation in the industry; • investments in technology and fulfillment; and • improvements in availability and delivery.
Oil and natural gas prices have been and are expected to remain volatile. U.S. rig count increased from 588 rigs on January 7, 2022 to 779 rigs on December 30, 2022. U.S. rig count averaged 721 rigs in 2022. U.S. rig count at January 20, 2023 was 771 rigs.
Oil and natural gas prices have been and are expected to remain volatile. U.S. rig count decreased from 772 rigs on January 6, 2023 to 622 rigs on December 29, 2023. U.S. rig count averaged 689 rigs in 2023. U.S. rig count at January 19, 2024 was 620 rigs.
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and do not generally require collateral in support of our trade receivables. While we maintain reserves for expected credit losses, we cannot assure these reserves will be sufficient to meet write-offs of uncollectible receivables or that our losses from such receivables will be consistent with our expectations.
While we maintain reserves for expected credit losses, we cannot assure these reserves will be sufficient to meet write-offs of uncollectible receivables or that our losses from such receivables will be consistent with our expectations. 13 We may be unable to successfully execute or effectively integrate acquisitions.
Such disruptions or misappropriations and the resulting repercussions, including reputational damage and legal claims or proceedings, may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock.
Such disruptions or misappropriations and the resulting repercussions, including reputational damage and legal claims or proceedings, may adversely affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock. 15 Privacy concerns relating to our personal and business information being potentially breached could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users or customers from using our products and services.
We may be unable to compete successfully with other companies in our industry. We sell products in very competitive markets. In some cases, we compete with large companies with substantial resources. In other cases, we compete with smaller regional companies that may increasingly be willing to provide similar products at lower prices.
In some cases, we compete with large companies with substantial resources. In other cases, we compete with smaller regional companies that may increasingly be willing to provide similar products at lower prices. Certain of these competitors may have greater financial, technical and marketing resources than us, and may be in a better competitive position.
We maintain information systems controls designed to protect against, among other things, unauthorized program changes and unauthorized access to data on our information systems.
We maintain information systems controls designed to protect against, among other things, unauthorized program changes and unauthorized access to data on our information systems. If our information systems controls do not function properly, we face increased risks of unexpected errors and unreliable financial data or theft of proprietary Company information.
Increasing volatility in financial markets may cause these factors to change with a greater degree of frequency or increase in magnitude. In addition, worldwide economic conditions could have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results, financial condition and cash flows.
Increasing volatility in financial markets may cause these factors to change with a greater degree of frequency or increase in magnitude.
It is impossible to predict accurately the effect that changes in these laws and regulations, or their interpretation or enforcement, may have on us. Existing or future laws, regulations, court orders or other public- or private-sector initiatives to limit greenhouse gas emissions or relating to climate change may reduce demand for our products and services.
It is impossible to predict accurately the effect that changes in these laws and regulations, or their interpretation or enforcement, may have on us.
Privacy concerns relating to our personal and business information being potentially breached could damage our reputation and deter current and potential users or customers from using our products and services. We have security measures and controls to protect personal and business information and continue to make investments to secure access to our information technology network.
We have security measures and controls to protect personal and business information and continue to make investments to secure access to our information technology network.
If our information systems controls do not function properly, we face increased risks of unexpected errors and unreliable financial data or theft of proprietary Company information. 14 The loss of third-party transportation providers upon whom we depend, or conditions negatively affecting the transportation industry, could increase our costs or cause a disruption in our operations.
The loss of third-party transportation providers upon whom we depend, or conditions negatively affecting the transportation industry, could increase our costs or cause a disruption in our operations. We depend upon third-party transportation providers for delivery of products to our customers.
We are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been significantly impacted by geopolitical instability due to the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
In addition, worldwide economic conditions could have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results, financial condition and cash flows. 1 We are currently operating in a period of economic uncertainty and capital markets disruption, which has been significantly impacted by geopolitical instability due to, among other things, ongoing military conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and in Israel.
Demand for the products we distribute could decrease if the manufacturers of those products were to sell a substantial amount of goods directly to end users in the sectors we serve. Historically, users of pipes, valves and fittings and related products have purchased certain amounts of these products through distributors and not directly from manufacturers.
Competition in our industry could lead to lower revenues and earnings. 12 Demand for our sales of the products we distribute could decrease if the manufacturers of those products were to instead sell a substantial amount of goods directly to our customers in the sectors we serve.
The price for West Texas Intermediate crude was $76.87 per barrel at January 3, 2023, $75.99 per barrel on January 3, 2022 and $47.47 per barrel on January 4, 2021. This type of volatility has historically caused oil and natural gas companies to change their strategies and expenditure levels from year to year.
The price for West Texas Intermediate crude was $70.62 per barrel at January 2, 2024, $76.87 per barrel on January 3, 2023 and $75.99 per barrel on January 4, 2022.
The concentration of our customers in the energy industry may impact our overall exposure to credit risk as customers may be similarly affected by prolonged changes in economic and industry conditions. Further, laws in some jurisdictions in which we operate could make collection difficult or time consuming.
Further, laws in some jurisdictions in which we operate could make collection difficult or time consuming. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and do not generally require collateral in support of our trade receivables.