9. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

Our business and the companies with which we do business are subject to risks and uncertainties caused by factors beyond our control. Such factors include economic pressures related to inflation, rising interest rates, economic weakness or recession, as well as geopolitical conflict and public health, rising costs of raw materials, tightening labor markets, and pandemics. These and other similar conditions and events have in the past and could in the future disrupt our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition.