Restructuring

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring costs, net incurred by reportable business segments for all restructuring activities for the periods indicated are as follows (in millions):


	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2023		2022		2023		2022
Home and Commercial Solutions	$	10	$	1	$	37	$	4
Learning and Development	3		1		14		3
Outdoor and Recreation	—		1		8		3
Corporate	3		—		17		2
	$	16	$	3	$	76	$	12

Accrued restructuring costs activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was as follows (in millions):


	Balance at December 31, 2022		Restructuring Costs, Net		Payments		Foreign Currency and Other		Balance at September 30, 2023
Severance and termination costs	$	7	$	71	$	(57)	$	—	$	21
Contract termination and other costs	—		5		(4)		(1)		—
	$	7	$	76	$	(61)	$	(1)	$	21

Project Phoenix

In January 2023, the Company announced a restructuring and savings initiative (“Project Phoenix”) that is intended to strengthen the Company by leveraging its scale to further reduce complexity, streamlining its operating model and driving operational efficiencies. Project Phoenix is expected to be substantially implemented by the end of 2023 and incorporates a variety of initiatives designed to simplify the organizational structure, streamline the Company’s real estate portfolio, centralize the Company’s supply chain functions, which include manufacturing, distribution, transportation and customer service, transition to a unified One Newell go-to-market model in key international geographies, and otherwise reduce overhead costs. The Company commenced reducing headcount in the first quarter of 2023, with most of these actions expected to be completed by the end of 2023, subject to local law and consultation requirements. The Company currently estimates that it will incur approximately $100 million to $130 million in restructuring and restructuring-related charges in connection with Project Phoenix, substantially all of which are expected to be incurred by the end of 2023. These charges consist primarily of $80 million to $105 million in charges related to severance payments and other termination benefits; $15 million to $20 million in charges associated with office space reductions; and approximately $5 million of other charges, including those associated with employee transition and legal costs. The Company expects approximately $95 million to $120 million of the total aggregate charges will be cash expenditures. All cash payments are expected to be paid within one year of charges incurred.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $10 million and $63 million, respectively, in connection with Project Phoenix.

Network Optimization Project

In May 2023, the Company announced a restructuring and savings initiative that is intended to simplify and streamline its North American distribution network (the “Network Optimization Project”) in order to improve the Company’s cost structure and operating margins while maintaining focus on customer and consumer fulfillment. The Company initiated implementation of the Network Optimization Project during the second quarter of 2023 and expects it to be substantially implemented by the end of fiscal year 2024. The Network Optimization Project incorporates a variety of initiatives, including a reduction in the overall number of distribution centers, an optimization of distribution by location, and completion of select automation investments intended to further streamline the Company’s cost structure and to maximize operating performance. The Company currently estimates that it will incur approximately $37 million to $49 million in restructuring and restructuring-related charges associated with execution of the Network Optimization Project and expects that the costs incurred will be substantially complete by the end of 2024. This estimate of charges consists primarily of $8 million to $11 million related to cash severance payments and other termination benefits and approximately $29 million to $38 million associated with industrial site reductions. The Company expects approximately $35 million to $44 million of the total aggregate charges will be cash expenditures.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded restructuring charges of $3 million and $5 million, respectively, in connection with the project.

Other Restructuring and Restructuring-Related Charges

The Company regularly incurs other restructuring and restructuring-related costs in connection with various discrete initiatives, including certain costs associated with Project Ovid, the multi-year, customer centric supply chain initiative to transform the Company’s go-to-market capabilities in the U.S., improve customer service levels and drive operational efficiencies and costs associated with the optimization of manufacturing sites. Restructuring-related costs are recorded in cost of products sold and selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations based on the nature of the underlying costs incurred. During the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded other restructuring charges of $3 million for both periods, and $8 million and $12 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.