Subsequent Event

3 Months Ended

Feb. 29, 2020

Subsequent Events [Abstract]

Subsequent Event

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

During the three months ended February 29, 2020, the effects of a new coronavirus (“COVID-19”) and related actions to attempt to control its spread negatively impacted operating results of our China business in our Asia/Pacific region. The impact of COVID-19 on our consolidated operating results for the three months ended February 29, 2020 was limited, in all material respects, to our operations in China where the Chinese government mandated numerous measures, including closures of businesses, limitations on movements of individuals and goods, and the imposition of other restrictive measures, in its efforts to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the country.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization designated COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Governments around the world have mandated, and continue to introduce, orders to slow the transmission of the virus, including but not limited to shelter-in-place orders, quarantines, significant restrictions on travel, as well as work restrictions that prohibit many employees

from going to work. Uncertainty with respect to the economic effects of the pandemic has introduced significant volatility in the financial markets.

To the extent that COVID-19 continues or worsens, governments may impose additional restrictions or additional governments may impose restrictions. The result of COVID-19 and those restrictions could result in a number of adverse impacts to our business, including but not limited to additional disruption to the economy and consumers’ willingness and ability to spend, temporary or permanent closures by businesses that consume our products, such as foodservice restaurants, additional work restrictions, and supply chains being interrupted, slowed, or rendered inoperable. As a result, it may be challenging to obtain and process raw materials to support our business needs, and individuals could become ill, quarantined, or otherwise unable to work and/or travel due to health reasons or governmental restrictions. Also, governments may impose other laws, regulations or taxes which could adversely impact our business, financial condition or results of operations. Further, if our customers’ businesses are similarly affected, they might delay or reduce purchases from us. The potential effects of COVID-19 also could impact us in a number of other ways including, but not limited to, reductions to our profitability, laws and regulations affecting our business, fluctuations in foreign currency markets, the availability of future borrowings, the cost of borrowings, valuation of our pension assets and obligations, credit risks of our customers and counterparties, and potential impairment of the carrying value of goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Given the evolving health, economic, social, and governmental environments, the potential impact that COVID-19 could have on our business remains uncertain.