UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM SD
SPECIALIZED DISCLOSURE REPORT
STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P. | ||||||||
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) | ||||||||
Delaware | 001-35493 | 13-3727655 | ||||||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||||||
590 Madison Avenue, 32nd Floor, New York, New York | 10022 | |||||||
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |||||||
Jason Wong, Chief Financial Officer, (212) 520-2300 | ||
(Name and telephone number, including area code, of the person to contact in connection with this report.) | ||
Check the appropriate box to indicate the rule pursuant to which this form is being filed, and provide the period to which the information in this form applies:
þ Rule 13-p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13p-1) for the reporting period from January 1 to December 31, 2020.
Section 1 - Conflict Minerals Disclosure
Item 1.01 Conflict Minerals Disclosure and Report
Conflict Minerals Disclosure
Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (the "Company") has filed a Conflict Minerals Report for the calendar year ended December 31, 2020 as an exhibit to this specialized disclosure report (Exhibit 1.01). The Conflict Minerals Report is publicly available on the Company's website at www.steelpartners.com. The website (and information accessible through it) is not incorporated into this specialized disclosure report.
Item 1.02 Exhibit
As specified in Section 2 of Form SD, the Company is hereby filing its Conflict Minerals Report as Exhibit 1.01 to this Form SD.
Section 2 - Exhibits
Item 2.01 Exhibits
Exhibit 1.01 - Conflict Minerals Report
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the duly authorized undersigned.
STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P. | ||||||||
By: Steel Partners Holdings GP Inc. Its General Partner | ||||||||
Dated: June 1, 2021 | By: | /s/ Jason Wong | ||||||
Name: | Jason Wong | |||||||
Title: | Chief Financial Officer | |||||||
Exhibit 1.01
STEEL PARTNERS HOLDINGS L.P.
CONFLICT MINERALS REPORT
(For the Calendar Year Ended December 31, 2020)
Introduction
Steel Partners Holdings L.P. (“SPLP” or the “Company”) is a diversified global holding company that engages, through subsidiaries and affiliates, in multiple businesses. Its consolidated subsidiaries operate through the following segments: Diversified Industrial, Energy, Financial Services, and Corporate and Other.
This Conflict Minerals Report is submitted pursuant to Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Rule 13p-1 requires disclosure of certain information when a company manufactures or contracts to manufacture products (“Covered Products”) for which the minerals specified in the Rule are necessary to the functionality or production of those products. The specified minerals are gold, columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite and wolframite, including their derivatives, which are limited to tantalum, tin and tungsten (collectively, the “Conflict Minerals”), that originated in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) and certain adjoining countries (collectively with the DRC, the “Covered Countries”).
SPLP has reviewed the activities of its consolidated subsidiaries and concludes that this Conflict Minerals Report should address the activities of its Diversified Industrial segment. Based on its review, the Company does not believe the products manufactured or contracted to be manufactured by SPLP's remaining consolidated subsidiaries contain Conflict Minerals potentially necessary to the production or functionality of its subsidiaries' products.
The Diversified Industrial segment is composed of manufacturers of engineered niche industrial products. As of December 31, 2020, the Diversified Industrial segment consisted of the Products listed below under “Product Description.” With these products, the Diversified Industrial segment serves a diverse customer base, including the construction, electrical, electronics, transportation, power control, utility, medical, oil and gas exploration, aerospace and defense, food, telecom and datacom, industrial, architectural and entertainment industries.
Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry
The Company conducted a reasonable country of origin inquiry (“RCOI”) for its operations as of December 31, 2020. The Company supports the Responsible Minerals Initiative (“RMI”) and uses the RMI’s Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (“CMRT”) as part of its RCOI process.
The Company reviewed its product portfolio and determined that some of the products in its Diversified Industrial segment contain or may contain Conflict Minerals potentially necessary to the production or functionality of the product in question. The Company does not purchase any Conflict Minerals directly from any Covered Country. As such, the Company relies on the direct suppliers of its Diversified Industrial segment to provide information on the origin of any Conflict Minerals contained in any components and materials supplied to its operating subsidiaries, including sources of Conflict Minerals that are supplied to them from lower tier suppliers.
As part of the foregoing, the Company’s products and suppliers were assessed in order to identify Conflict Minerals scope and risk. The Company, in good faith, determined that it was not practical to conduct a survey of all suppliers in its supply chain. Rather, the Company determined that a reasonable approach was to conduct a survey of direct suppliers if the components and materials supplied by those firms suggested they were likely to contain Conflict Minerals or had been confirmed to contain Conflict Minerals.
The Company estimates that it identified approximately 550 direct suppliers (“In-Scope Suppliers”) for inclusion in the 2020 RCOI. The Company surveyed the In-Scope Suppliers and reviewed submitted CMRTs against established criteria to determine if further follow-up was required. The Company sent additional requests to those In-Scope Suppliers who did not complete the CMRT after the initial request or whose CMRT was determined to be
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incomplete. As necessary, the Company provided guidance to those In-Scope Suppliers who were unfamiliar with the CMRT. After completing its procedural escalations steps, the Company received completed responses from approximately 440 of the In-Scope Suppliers surveyed (an estimated response rate of approximately 80%).
From the approximate 440 responses received, the In-Scope Suppliers identified approximately 560 smelters or refiners. Of the 560 smelters or refiners, approximately 360 (or approximately 64%) were identified as conformant smelters/refiners (as determined by the RMI and defined below).
Due Diligence
Design of Due Diligence Framework
The Company has designed its Conflict Minerals due diligence process to substantially be in accordance with the five-step framework for risk-based due diligence in the mineral supply chain set forth in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
| Step | Actions Taken | ||||
| Establish strong company management systems. | The Company has established its Conflict Minerals Policy, which is publicly available on the Company’s website at www.steelpartners.com/investor-information/. The Company has established a corporate, cross-functional working team to manage its conflict mineral due diligence process. This team is responsible for the Company’s Conflict Minerals Policy, its implementation and monitoring, and providing support and instruction on the conflict minerals due diligence measures that are required to be implemented for each of the Company’s operating subsidiaries. The Company has established a process and management system for tracking conflict minerals due diligence and previously engaged a third-party consulting firm with subject matter expertise to assist the Company with this process. The Company’s conflict minerals program is monitored by, and subject to reporting to, its senior management, as well as the Company's Audit Committee. The Company has established a grievance mechanism whereby individuals can contact the Company with any concerns related to possible violations of the Conflict Minerals Policy. Please see “Other Items” below. | ||||
| Identify and assess risk in the supply chain. | Please see “Due Diligence Measures Performed” below. The Company has developed a process for all its operating subsidiaries to provide support with evaluating risk in their individual supply chains. Risk is assessed based on suppliers’ answers provided in the CMRT. Where applicable and appropriate, the Company uses industry validation schemes to identify compliant smelters and refiners for use in its supply chain. | ||||
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| Design and implement a strategy to respond to identified risks. | The Company reports information gathered and the actual and potential risks identified from its conflict minerals due diligence to senior management. The Company adheres to its Conflict Minerals Policy and communicates with its direct suppliers the Company’s supply chain due diligence expectations with respect to Conflict Minerals. | ||||
| Carry out independent third-party audit of supply chain due diligence at identified points in the supply chain. | Neither the Company, nor any of its consolidated subsidiaries, typically has a direct relationship with mines, smelters or refiners of Conflict Minerals and thus does not perform or direct audits of these entities. The Company does track the mines, smelters and refiners that have been identified by its consolidated subsidiaries’ direct suppliers as part of the RMI and will take appropriate action as necessary based on the Company’s Conflict Minerals Policy. The Company relies upon industry efforts to influence smelters and refiners to undergo audits and become certified through the RMAP. | ||||
| Report on supply chain due diligence. | Per its Conflict Minerals Policy, the Company has submitted and complied with its obligations under Form SD, including, but not limited to, the filing of this Conflict Minerals Report as required. This Conflict Minerals Report is publicly available on the Company’s website at www.steelpartners.com/investor-information/. | ||||
Due Diligence Measures Performed
The Company estimates that it identified approximately 550 In-Scope Suppliers for inclusion in the 2020 RCOI. The Company surveyed the In-Scope Suppliers. The Company reviewed submitted CMRTs against established criteria to determine if further follow-up was required. The Company sent additional requests to those In-Scope Suppliers who did not complete the CMRT after the initial request or whose CMRT was determined to be incomplete. As necessary, the Company provided guidance to those In-Scope Suppliers who were unfamiliar with the CMRT. After completing its procedural escalations steps, the Company received completed responses from approximately 440 of the In-Scope Suppliers surveyed (an estimated response rate of approximately 80%).
From the approximately 440 responses received, the In-Scope Suppliers identified approximately 560 smelters or refiners. Of the approximately 560 smelters or refiners, the Company identified approximately 360 (or approximately 64%) as conformant smelters/refiners (as determined by the RMI). A smelter or refiner is considered “conformant” if the audited smelter or refiner (i) completes an independent third-party audit, (ii) adheres to the RMAP’s assessment protocols by disclosing to auditors the identities and locations of the mines from which it sources Conflict Minerals, (iii) has been found by its independent third-party auditor to possess the systems and processes to support responsible sourcing of Conflict Minerals and can provide evidence to support its sourcing activities and (iv) maintains good standing in the program, through a continual validation process. The RMI’s “conformant” list includes the names, locations and links to conflict minerals policies of all smelters and refiners deemed compliant with the RMAP’s assessment protocols. Smelters and refiners with a “re-audit in progress” are still considered to be “conformant.”
Because the Company’s direct suppliers surveyed were unable to specifically identify all the smelters or refiners in their supply chain, the Company does not know: (i) the mine or location of origin of all of the necessary Conflict Minerals that are or may be contained in its products; (ii) the country of origin of all of the necessary Conflict Minerals that are or may be contained in its products; or (iii) all of the facilities used to process the necessary Conflict Minerals that are or may be contained in its products.
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Independent Private Sector Audit
No independent private sector audit of this Conflict Minerals Report was required or performed for the calendar year ended December 31, 2020.
Risk Mitigation and Future Due Diligence Measures
The Company intends to monitor RMI and other industry and regulatory initiatives related to Conflict Minerals and, on an as needed basis, engage third-party experts to assist the Company with its conflict minerals due diligence procedures.
The Company, through its consolidated subsidiaries, expects to refine its standard operating procedures in an attempt to ensure that its subsidiaries’ new suppliers and products are evaluated as “Conflict Free” prior to formal contract acceptance and new production introduction.
The Company, through its consolidated subsidiaries, expects to have its subsidiaries review their contracts with their suppliers and working to include, on a go-forward basis, a Conflict Minerals “flow down” clause in new or renewed supplier contracts.
The Company, through its consolidated subsidiaries, expects to engage its direct suppliers and direct them to training resources in an attempt to increase direct supplier response rates and improve the content of the direct supplier survey responses.
The Company uses a risk-based approach to narrow its in-scope suppliers and improve its overall supplier response rate.
The Company intends to continue carefully reviewing the activities of its consolidated subsidiaries to determine whether additional reporting may be required in the future.
Product Descriptions
The Company’s diverse product offerings are manufactured in North America, Europe and Asia and marketed throughout the world. As of December 31, 2020, the operating units in the Company’s Diversified Industrial segment encompassed the following businesses: Joining Materials, Tubing, Building Materials, Performance Materials, Electrical Products, Kasco Blades and Route Repair Services (“Kasco”), and Metallized Films and Packaging.
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| Business Segment | General Product Description | ||||
Joining Materials | Brazing alloys Brazing fluxes Brazing and soldering pastes | ||||
Tubing | Stainless steel tubing Welded carbon steel tubing | ||||
| Building Materials | Roof and deck fasteners Roof insulation adhesives Roof drains, vents and flashing Roof pipe supports Roof repair tape Roof mounting systems Edge metal systems Engineered metal nailers Roof and decking productivity tools | ||||
| Performance Materials | Fiberglass fabrics Fiberglass reinforcing mesh Aramid fabrics Quartz fabrics | ||||
Electrical Products | Power electronic equipment Motion control equipment Power protection equipment Power quality electromagnetic equipment Custom gears Custom gearboxes Electric motors, starters and generators | ||||
Kasco | Meat grinder plates and knives Meat cutting blades Bakery and bread slicing blades Wood cutting blades and saws Cutlery Blade sharpeners Butcher supplies Meat seasonings | ||||
Metallized Films and Packaging | Coated films Laminated films Metalized films | ||||
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Other Items
SPLP’s Conflict Minerals Policy is publicly available at www.steelpartners.com/investor-information/. The Company has established a grievance mechanism whereby individuals can contact the Company with any concerns related to possible violations of the Conflict Minerals Policy via one of the following channels:
•By logging concerns at www.steelpartners.ethicspoint.com
•By calling, toll free:
i.In the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico: 1-877-254-1690
ii.All other jurisdictions: visit www.steelpartners.ethicspoint.com for dialing instructions from your country.
Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information provided in this Conflict Minerals Report may contain statements relating to current expectations and plans that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally relate to the Company’s plans, objectives and expectations for future plans and events and are based upon its management’s current estimates. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and may not prove to be accurate. These risks and uncertainties include those associated with the progress of industry and other supply chain transparency and smelter or refiner validation programs for Conflict Minerals (including the possibility of inaccurate information, fraud and other irregularities), inadequate supplier education and knowledge, limitations on the ability or willingness of suppliers to provide more accurate, complete and detailed information, limitations on the Company’s ability to verify the accuracy or completeness of any supply chain information provided by suppliers and other factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” as described in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 13, 2021 and other documents subsequently filed with or furnished to the SEC. These forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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