UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM SD
Specialized Disclosure Report
GENTEX CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Michigan | 0-10235 | |||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (Commission File Number) | |||||||
600 North Centennial Street Zeeland, Michigan (Address of principal executive offices) | 49464 (Zip Code) | |||||||
Tricia Bosma
(616) 772-1800
(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:
☒ | Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13p-1) for the reporting period from January 1 to December 31, 2023. | ||||
| ☐ | Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13p-1)for the fiscal year ended ____________. | ||||
Section 1 - Conflict Minerals Disclosure
Item 1.01 Conflict Minerals Disclosure and Report
A Conflict Minerals Report is provided as Exhibit 1.01 to this Form SD and is available at https://ir.gentex.com. The information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form SD or our Conflict Minerals Report and should not be considered part of this Form SD or the Conflict Minerals Report.
Item 1.02 Exhibit
The Conflict Minerals Report required by Item 1.01 is filed as Exhibit 1.01 to this Form SD.
Section 2 - Exhibits
Item 2.01 Exhibits
Exhibit 1.01 - Conflict Minerals Report for the reporting period January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023.
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.
| GENTEX CORPORATION | |||||||||||
| (Registrant) | |||||||||||
| By | /s/ Scott Ryan | May 24, 2024 | |||||||||
| Vice President, General Counsel, and Corporate Secretary | (Date) | ||||||||||
Exhibit 1.01
Conflict Minerals Report
Gentex Corporation has included this Conflict Minerals Report as an exhibit to the Form SD covering calendar year 2023 as required by Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Form SD (collectively, the “Conflict Minerals Rule”).
Unless the context indicates otherwise, the terms "we", "our”, “Gentex”, and “the Company” refer to Gentex Corporation. As used herein, "subject metals" are gold, columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, wolframite and their derivatives limited to tin, tantalum, and tungsten, and without regard to their location of origin. The term "armed groups" has the meaning contained in the Conflict Minerals Rule. The term “covered countries” refers to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its adjoining countries. The term “OECD Guidance” refers to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development's Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
I. Overview and Products:
Gentex designs and manufactures dimmable devices, vision systems, sensors, and advanced electronic products for the global automotive, aerospace, and fire protection industries. Automotive revenues represented approximately 98% of the Company’s total revenue in 2023.
Each of these product categories manufactured in 2023 contained necessary subject metals. The subject metals constitute a small portion of the total materials content in our products. The Company does not source the necessary subject metals directly from mines, smelters, or refiners and believes that we are in most cases many levels downstream from these market participants. For this reason, we rely on the information provided by our direct suppliers along with appropriate due diligence processes. Through the efforts described in this Conflict Minerals Report, we seek to ensure that our sourcing practices are consistent with our guiding principles on responsibly sourcing the subject metals and to encourage responsible minerals sourcing in our supply chain.
Policy
Our guiding principles for subject metals involve (1) responsibly sourcing subject metals, (2) undertaking due diligence in accordance with the OECD Guidance to determine the origin of the subject metals, (3) expecting our suppliers to also do all of the same with their supply chains and (4) complying with the Conflict Minerals Rule’s reporting obligations, consistent with the Gentex Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. These guiding principles are posted on our Company website.
Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry (“RCOI”)
The Company’s RCOI was reasonably designed and performed in good faith to determine whether the subject metals contained in our products originated in the covered countries or were from recycled or scrap sources.
The internal subject metals team used technical expertise, component specifications, and previously gathered data to determine the likely presence of subject metals in components and materials contained in Gentex products. In addition, subject metals data extracted from the automotive industry’s International Materials Data System was used to augment the Company’s knowledge of in-scope components and materials.
All suppliers of components or materials containing or possibly containing subject metals were considered in-scope for our supplier outreach (“relevant suppliers”). We furnished Conflict Minerals Rule information to our relevant suppliers. This information included references to resources, a link to the Gentex Supplier Manual further explaining supplier responsibilities, and communication of their responsibility to gather subject metals information from their supply chains.
The relevant suppliers were asked to electronically report to Gentex using the Responsible Minerals Initiative (“RMI”) Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (“CMRT”). Gentex requested that relevant suppliers increase their focus on providing complete and accurate smelter and refiner information, and conduct outreach and further due diligence when applicable in accord with the OECD Guidance. Responses to the RCOI provided by relevant suppliers were reviewed for smelter information, completeness, and reasonableness. Based on the results of our RCOI, we were required to conduct due diligence. The design of our due diligence program and activities are described below.
Exhibit 1.01
II. Program Design
The Company’s due diligence measures were designed to conform with, in all material respects, the criteria set forth in the OECD Guidance including both the Supplement on Gold and the Supplement on Tin, Tantalum, and Tungsten, specifically as it relates to our position in the supply chain as a downstream purchaser. The OECD Guidance five-step framework establishes a basis for responsible global supply chain management of minerals from conflict-affected and high-risk areas.
III. Due Diligence Measures Performed
Gentex performed the following due diligence measures in respect of the 2023 compliance period.
Step 1: Strong company management system
The subject metals steering team was comprised of the Company’s Vice President of Purchasing and Supply Chain, Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer, and Vice President and General Counsel. The steering team maintained the Company’s guiding principles for responsible sourcing of the subject metals. These principles are available on the Company’s website.
The internal subject metals working group maintained program management responsibility in support of the Company’s guiding principles. This group was led by the supply chain management compliance team that reports to the Vice President and General Counsel and included subject matter experts from functional areas within Gentex. Program management included technical expertise, RCOI execution, risk identification, analysis, mitigation, and reporting.
A mechanism through which stakeholders can report subject metal sourcing concerns in our supply chain continued to be available on the Company’s website.
Records relating to due diligence have been stored electronically.
Step 2: Identification and assessment of risks
The information from the completed CMRTs, provided by our relevant suppliers, was evaluated to identify smelters and refiners known to be sourcing from or possibly sourcing from covered country origins. This was accomplished by comparing our suppliers’ reported smelter and refiner information with the RMI’s country of origin data available to RMI member companies. The RMI’s origin data provided aggregated subject metal origin information for only smelters and refiners that were in conformance with the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (“RMAP”) protocols and current global standards, including mutually recognized programs. We also cross-checked the suppliers’ provided smelter and refiner information with the RMI’s list of smelters and refiners actively pursuing a third-party audit of their due diligence practices. In the cases where a smelter or refiner was not listed as compliant with the RMAP or not actively pursuing compliance, we checked the entity against the information available in the smelter database available to RMI members and, in some cases, against other publicly available information.
Step 3: Risk response strategy
For smelters and refiners with reported or possible covered country origins, we checked their compliance status by cross-checking them against RMI’s list of smelters and refiners in conformance with the RMI’s protocols, the actively pursuing conformance list, and the RMI’s smelter database when applicable. Our risk mitigation strategy includes an escalation process with actions to be taken on identified risks and, when applicable, risk and action monitoring.
A risk assessment report was provided to the Gentex subject metals steering team comprised of senior management and has been maintained electronically.
Step 4: Third-party audits of smelters and refiners
The RMI coordinates and conducts the RMAP which provides independent audits of smelter and refiner facilities’ due diligence activities. Gentex supported the RMAP through our membership in the RMI and as a member of the RMI’s Due Diligence Practices Team.
Step 5: Report on supply chain due diligence
Exhibit 1.01
As required by the Conflict Minerals Rule, Gentex reported supply chain due diligence through filing a Form SD and this Conflict Minerals Report with the SEC, as well as by posting this information on our Company website.
IV. Identified Smelters and Refiners
Gentex’s relevant suppliers identified smelters and refiners that may have processed the necessary subject metals contained in our products in 2023, as described in the table below. Many of our suppliers reported smelter and refiner information at a company level rather than at a product level. In those cases, the information provided to Gentex applied to all the suppliers’ products, not only the products supplied to Gentex. Therefore, the below table may reflect smelters and refiners that did not actually process necessary subject metals contained in our products.
Count of Smelters or Refiners Reported by Gentex Suppliers
| Conformant with RMAP Protocol | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Covered Country Sourced | Non-Covered Country Sourced | Mineral Origin(s) Not Fully Disclosed | Recycled or Scrap Only | Active/ In Communication | Eligible | TOTAL | |||||||||||||||||
| Tin | 10 | 48 | — | 6 | 2 | 19 | 85 | ||||||||||||||||
| Tantalum | 26 | 5 | — | 2 | — | 6 | 39 | ||||||||||||||||
| Tungsten | 7 | 4 | 19 | 2 | — | 17 | 49 | ||||||||||||||||
| Gold | 6 | 6 | 70 | 8 | 2 | 81 | 173 | ||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL | 49 | 63 | 89 | 18 | 4 | 123 | 346 | ||||||||||||||||
The Company notes the following in connection with the information contained in the foregoing table:
•Origin information represents smelters and refiners reported by Gentex suppliers covering 2023 and the latest information released by the RMI as of March 29, 2024.
•The table represents the quantity of smelters or refiners within each category. Some of the conformant smelters and refiners may have sourced from both within the covered countries and from outside the covered countries. Entities meeting this condition were only counted in the table as “Covered Country Sourced”.
•“Conformant” means that a smelter or refiner was listed as in conformance with the RMAP’s protocols, including through mutual recognition.
•“Mineral Origin(s) Not Fully Disclosed” means the country of origin of the subject metals processed by the smelter or refiner was not fully disclosed by the validation party.
•“Active/In Communication” means that the smelter or refiner had committed to undergo an audit through the RMAP or a mutually recognized program or is in communication with interest.
•“Eligible” means the smelter or refiner was not Conformant or Active but had been determined by the RMI as meeting the definition of a smelter or refiner.
V. Origin Information
Gentex does not have sufficient information to conclusively determine countries of origin of the subject metals in its products. As a downstream actor, we rely upon independent facility assessment programs to collect and review the upstream information, such as origin locations of necessary subject metals. Consistent with the role set forth by the OECD Guidance for a downstream actor, our efforts to facilitate upstream origin determinations were focused on support of the RMI.
VI. Future Risk Mitigation Efforts
Gentex has taken or intends to undertake the following additional steps during the next compliance period. These steps are intended to improve the due diligence conducted to further mitigate the risk that the necessary subject metals benefit armed groups:
•Continue to engage with our direct relevant suppliers and use the industry standard for our 2024 supplier outreach.
•Encourage relevant suppliers to continue development and progress of traceability measures.
•Urge relevant suppliers to use Conformant smelters and refiners within their supply chains.
Exhibit 1.01
•Continue to request that our relevant suppliers, directly or indirectly, encourage non-validated subject metal smelters or refiners in their supply chains to pursue conformance with an independent validation program such as the RMAP.
•Provide risk-based feedback to certain suppliers.
Inherent Limitations of Due Diligence
The statements included in this report are based on the activities performed to date and in good faith by Gentex and are based on the infrastructure and information available at the time of this filing. Factors that could affect the accuracy of these statements include, but are not limited to, incomplete supplier data or available smelter data, errors or omissions by suppliers or smelters, evolving definition and confirmation of smelters, incomplete information from industry or other third-party sources, continuing guidance regarding the SEC final rules, and other issues.
Forward Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements contained in this communication that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements give the Company’s current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “future,” “goal,” “guidance,” “hope,” “intend,” "likely", “may,” “opinion,” “optimistic,” “plan,” “poised,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strategy,” “target,” “will,” "work to," and variations of such words and similar expressions. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control, and could cause the Company’s results to differ materially from those described. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: changes in general industry or regional market conditions, including the impact of inflation; changes in consumer and customer preferences for our products (such as cameras replacing mirrors and/or autonomous driving); our ability to be awarded new business; continued uncertainty in pricing negotiations with customers and suppliers; loss of business from increased competition; changes in strategic relationships; customer bankruptcies or divestiture of customer brands; fluctuation in vehicle production schedules (including the impact of customer employee strikes); changes in product mix; raw material and other supply shortages; labor shortages, supply chain constraints and disruptions; our dependence on information systems; higher raw material, fuel, energy and other costs; unfavorable fluctuations in currencies or interest rates in the regions in which we operate; costs or difficulties related to the integration and/or ability to maximize the value of any new or acquired technologies and businesses; changes in regulatory conditions; warranty and recall claims and other litigation and customer reactions thereto; possible adverse results of pending or future litigation or infringement claims; changes in tax laws; import and export duty and tariff rates in or with the countries with which we conduct business; negative impact of any governmental investigations and associated litigation, including securities litigation relating to the conduct of our business; and force majeure events. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.
The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or the rules of the NASDAQ Global Select Market. Accordingly, any forward-looking statement should be read in conjunction with the additional information about risks and uncertainties identified under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s latest Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, which risks and uncertainties include supply chain constraints that have affected, are affecting, and will continue to affect, general economic and industry conditions, customers, suppliers, and the regulatory environment in which the Company operates. Includes content supplied by S&P Global Mobility Light Vehicle Production Forecast of April 16, 2024 (http://www.gentex.com/forecast-disclaimer).