Myers Industries, Inc.
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FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLOSURE
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As a public corporation (NYSE: MYE) the Myers Industries’ Web Site and the information we are incorporating by reference contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws, including information regarding the Company’s 2008 financial outlook, future plans, objectives, business prospects and anticipated financial performance. You can identify these statements by the fact that they include words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” or variations of these words, or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts and represent only our current expectations regarding such matters. These statements inherently involve a wide range of known and unknown uncertainties. The Company’s actual actions and results could differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. Specific factors that could cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those set forth below and other important factors disclosed previously and from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Given these factors, as well as other variables that may affect our operating results, you should not rely on forward-looking statements, assume that past financial performance will be a reliable indicator of future performance, nor use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods. We expressly disclaim any obligation or intention to provide updates to the forward-looking statements and the estimates and assumptions associated with them.

Risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the applicable statements include, but are not limited to:

Any significant increase in the cost of raw materials or disruption in the availability of raw materials could adversely affect our performance.
Our ability to manage our cost structure can be adversely affected by movements in commodity and other raw material prices. Our primary raw materials include plastic resins, colorants and natural and synthetic rubbers. Plastic resins in particular are subject to substantial price fluctuations, including those arising from supply shortages and changes in the price of natural gas, crude oil and other petrochemical intermediates from which resins are produced, as well as other factors. Over the past several years, we have at times experienced rapidly increasing resin prices. For instance, the price of resin increased significantly during 2005 and remained at historically elevated levels during 2006 as a result of the impact of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita which caused a significant increase in energy costs. While 2007 saw some early decline in resin costs, followed by increases in the last half of the year, if rapid increases in resin prices occur, our revenue and profitability maybe materially and adversely affected, both in the short-term as we attempt to pass through changes in the price of resin to customers and in the long-term if our customers seek product substitution.

We attempt to reduce our exposure to increases by working with suppliers, evaluating new suppliers, improving material efficiencies and adjusting prices. Market conditions, however, may limit our ability to raise selling prices to offset increases in our raw material input costs. If we are unsuccessful in developing ways to mitigate raw material cost increases, we may not be able to improve productivity or realize our ongoing cost reduction programs sufficiently to help offset the impact of these increased raw material costs. As a result, higher raw material costs could result in declining margins and operating results.

Changes in raw material availability may also occur due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters such as floods, tornados and hurricanes. Our specific molding technologies and/or product specifications can limit our ability to locate alternative supplies to produce certain products.

We incur inherent risks associated with our strategic growth initiatives.
Our growth initiatives under our Strategic Business Evolution plan include: internal growth driven by strong brands and new product innovation; development of new, high-growth markets and expansion in existing niche markets; strengthened customer relationships through value-added initiatives and key product partnerships; investments in new technology and processes to reinforce market strength and capabilities in key business groups; consolidation and rationalization activities to further reduce costs and improve productivity within our manufacturing and distribution footprint; an opportunistic and disciplined approach to strategic, bolt-on acquisitions to accelerate growth in our market positions; and potential divestitures of businesses with non-strategic products or markets.

While this is a continuous process, all of these activities and initiatives have inherent risks and there remain significant challenges and uncertainties, including economic and general business conditions that could limit our ability to achieve anticipated benefits associated with announced strategic initiatives and affect our financial results. We may not achieve any or all of these goals and are unable to predict whether these initiatives will produce significant revenues or profits.

We may not realize the improved operating results that we anticipate from past acquisitions or from acquisitions we may make in the future and we may experience difficulties in integrating the acquired businesses or may inherit significant liabilities related to such businesses.
We explore opportunities to acquire businesses that we believe are related to our core competencies from time to time, some of which may be material to us. For example, in the first quarter of 2007, we acquired ITML and certain product lines from SASNA. We expect such acquisitions will produce operating results consistent with our other operations; however, we may be unable to achieve the benefits expected to be realized from our acquisitions. In addition, we may incur additional costs and our management’s attention may be diverted because of unforeseen expenses, difficulties, complications, delays and other risks inherent in acquiring businesses, including the following:

• we may have difficulty integrating the acquired businesses as planned, which may include integration of systems of internal controls over financial reporting and other financial and administrative functions;

• acquisitions may divert management’s attention from our existing operations;

• we may have difficulty in competing successfully for available acquisition candidates, completing future acquisitions or accurately estimating the financial effect of any businesses we acquire;

• we may have delays in realizing the benefits of our strategies for an acquired business;

• we may not be able to retain key employees necessary to continue the operations of an acquired business;

• acquisition costs may be met with cash or debt, increasing the risk that we will be unable to satisfy current financial obligations;

• we may acquire businesses that are less profitable or have lower profit margins than our historical profit margins; and

• acquired companies may have unknown liabilities that could require us to spend significant amounts of additional capital.

Our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected by a downturn in the general markets or the general economic environment.
We operate in a wide range of geographies, primarily North America, Central America and South America. Worldwide and regional economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the economic conditions of the broader markets and in our individual niche markets, could have an adverse affect on one or more of our operating segments.

We operate in a very competitive business environment.
Each of our segments participates in markets that are highly competitive. Many of our competitors sell their products at prices lower than ours and we compete primarily on the basis of product quality, product performance, value, supply chain competency and customer relationships. Our competitive success also depends on our ability to maintain strong brands and the belief that customers will need our products and services to meet their growth requirements. The development and maintenance of such brands requires continuous investment in brand building, marketing initiatives and advertising. The competition that we face in all of our markets — which varies depending on the particular business segment, product lines and customers —may prevent us from achieving sales, product pricing and income goals, which could affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The results of operations for our Lawn and Garden Segment are influenced by weather conditions.
Demand for our Lawn and Garden Segment products is influenced by weather, particularly weekend weather during the peak gardening season. Additionally, product demand in this segment is strongest in the first and fourth quarters and weakest in the third quarter, as our customers (in particular greenhouses and nurseries) order our products in advance of the growing season. As a result, our business, financial results, cash flow and our ability to service our debt could be adversely affected by certain weather patterns such as unseasonably cool or warm temperatures, hurricanes, water shortages or floods.

Our operations depend on our ability to maintain continuous, uninterrupted production at our manufacturing facilities, which are subject to physical and other risks that could disrupt production.
We are subject to inherent risks in our diverse manufacturing and distribution activities, including, but not limited to: product quality, safety, licensing requirements and other regulatory issues, environmental events, loss or impairment of key manufacturing or distribution sites, disruptions in logistics and transportation services, labor disputes and industrial accidents. While we maintain insurance covering our manufacturing and production facilities, including business interruption insurance, a catastrophic loss of the use of all or a portion of our facilities due to accident, fire, explosion, or natural disaster, whether short or long-term, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Unexpected failures of our equipment and machinery may also result in production delays, revenue loss and significant repair costs, as well as injuries to our employees. Any interruption in production capability may require us to make large capital expenditures to remedy the situation, which could have a negative impact on our profitability and cash flows. Our business interruption insurance may not be sufficient to offset the lost revenues or increased costs that we may experience during a disruption of our operations. A temporary or long-term business disruption could result in a permanent loss of customers. If this were to occur, our future sales levels and therefore our profitability, could be materially adversely affected.

We derive a portion of our revenues from direct and indirect sales outside the United States and are subject to the risks of doing business in foreign countries.
We currently operate manufacturing, sales and service facilities outside of the United States, particularly in Canada and Brazil. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2007, international net sales accounted for approximately 13% of our total net sales from continuing operations. Accordingly, we are subject to risks associated with operations in foreign countries, including:

• fluctuations in currency exchange rates;

• limitations on the remittance of dividends and other payments by foreign subsidiaries;

• limitations on foreign investment;

• additional costs of compliance with local regulations; and

• in certain countries, higher rates of inflation than in the United States.

In addition, our operations outside the United States are subject to the risk of new and different legal and regulatory requirements in local jurisdictions, potential difficulties in staffing and managing local operations and potentially adverse tax consequences. The costs related to our international operations could adversely affect our operations and financial results in the future.

We are a supplier to North American automotive original equipment manufacturers, a highly cyclical industry dependent on the overall strength of consumer demand for cars and light trucks.
Approximately 5%of our total net sales from continuing operations for the year ended December 31, 2007, were made to North American automotive original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”), both domestics and transplants. The OEM supplier industry is highly cyclical and, in large part, dependent upon the overall strength of consumer demand for light trucks and passenger cars. There can be no assurance that the automotive industry for which the Company supplies parts will not experience downturns in the future. A decrease in overall consumer demand for light trucks or passenger cars could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our future performance depends in part on our ability to develop and market new products if there are changes in technology, regulatory requirements or competitive processes.
Changes in technology, regulatory requirements and competitive processes may render certain products obsolete or less attractive. Our performance in the future will depend in part on our ability to develop and market new products that will gain customer acceptance and loyalty, as well as our ability to adapt our product offerings and control our costs to meet changing market conditions. Our operating performance would be adversely affected if we were to incur delays in developing new products or if such products did not gain market acceptance. There can be no assurance that existing or future products will be sufficiently successful to enable us to effectively compete in our markets or, should new product offerings meet with significant customer acceptance, that one or more current or future competitors will not introduce products that render our products noncompetitive.

We may not be successful in protecting our intellectual property rights, including our unpatented proprietary know-how and trade secrets, or in avoiding claims that we infringed on the intellectual property rights of others.
In addition to relying on patent and trademark rights, we rely on unpatented proprietary know-how and trade secrets and employ various methods, including confidentiality agreements with employees and consultants, to protect our know-how and trade secrets. However, these methods and our patents and trademarks may not afford complete protection and there can be no assurance that others will not independently develop the know-how and trade secrets or develop better production methods than us. Further, we may not be able to deter current and former employees, contractors and other parties from breaching confidentiality agreements and misappropriating proprietary information and it is possible that third parties may copy or otherwise obtain and use our information and proprietary technology without authorization or otherwise infringe on our intellectual property rights. Additionally, in the future we may license patents, trademarks, trade secrets and similar proprietary rights to third parties. While we attempt to ensure that our intellectual property and similar proprietary rights are protected when entering into
business relationships, third parties may take actions that could materially and adversely affect our rights or the value of our intellectual property, similar proprietary rights or reputation. In the future, we may also rely on litigation to enforce our intellectual property rights and contractual rights and, if not successful, we may not be able to protect the value of our intellectual property. Furthermore, no assurance can be given that we will not be subject to claims asserting the infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties seeking damages, the payment of royalties or licensing fees and/or injunctions against the sale of our products. Any litigation could be protracted and costly and could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations regardless of its outcome.

If we are unable to meet future capital requirements, our business may be adversely affected.
As we grow our business, we may have to incur significant capital expenditures. We may make capital investments to, among other things, upgrade our facilities, purchase leased facilities and equipment and enhance our production processes. We cannot assure you that we will have, or be able to obtain, adequate funds to make all necessary capital expenditures when required, or that the amount of future capital expenditures will not be materially in excess of our anticipated or current expenditures. If we are unable to make necessary capital expenditures, we may not have the capability to support our customer demands, which, in turn, could reduce our sales and profitability and impair our ability to satisfy our customers’ expectations. In addition, even if we are able to invest sufficient resources, these investments may not generate net sales that exceed our expenses, generate any net sales at all or result in any commercially acceptable products.

Future claims, litigation and regulatory actions could adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to conduct our business.
While we strive to ensure that our products comply with applicable government regulatory standards and internal requirements and that our products perform effectively and safely, customers from time to time could claim that our products do not meet contractual requirements, and users could be harmed by use or misuse of our products. This could give rise to breach of contract, warranty or recall claims, or claims for negligence, product liability, strict liability, personal injury or property damage. Product liability insurance coverage may not be available or adequate in all circumstances. In addition, claims may arise related to patent infringement, environmental liabilities, distributor terminations, commercial contracts, antitrust or competition law, employment law and employee benefits issues and other regulatory matters. While we have in place processes and policies to mitigate these risks and to investigate and address such claims as they arise, we cannot predict the costs to defend or resolve such claims.

Current and future environmental and other governmental laws and requirements could adversely affect our financial condition and our ability to conduct our business.
Our operations are subject to federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations that impose limitations on the discharge of pollutants into the air and water and establish standards for the handling, use, treatment, storage and disposal of, or exposure to, hazardous wastes and other materials and require clean up of contaminated sites. Some of these laws and regulations require us to obtain permits, which contain terms and conditions that impose limitations on our ability to emit and discharge hazardous materials into the environment and periodically may be subject to modification, renewal and revocation by issuing authorities. Fines, penalties and other civil or criminal sanctions may be imposed for non-compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations and the failure to have or to comply with the terms and conditions of required permits. Certain environmental laws in the United States, such as the federal Superfund law and similar state laws, impose liability for the cost of investigation or remediation of contaminated sites upon the current or, in some cases, the former site owners or operators (or their predecessor entities) and upon parties who arranged for the disposal of wastes or transported or sent those wastes to an off-site facility for treatment or disposal, regardless of when the release of hazardous substances occurred or the lawfulness of the activities giving rise to the release. Such liability can be imposed without regard to fault and, under certain circumstances, can be joint and several, resulting in one party being held responsible for the entire obligation.

While we have not been required historically to make significant capital expenditures in order to comply with applicable environmental laws and regulations, we cannot predict with any certainty our future capital expenditure requirements because of continually changing compliance standards and environmental technology. Furthermore, violations or contaminated sites that we do not know about, including contamination caused by prior owners and operators of such sites, or at sites formerly owned or operated by us or our predecessors in connection with discontinued operations, could result in additional compliance or remediation costs or other liabilities, which could be material.

We have limited insurance coverage for potential environmental liabilities associated with historic and current operations and we do not anticipate increasing such coverage in the future. We may also assume significant environmental liabilities in acquisitions. Such costs or liabilities could adversely affect our financial situation and our ability to conduct our business.

Environmental regulations specific to plastic products and containers could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business.
Federal, state, local and foreign governments could enact laws or regulations concerning environmental matters that increase the cost of producing, or otherwise adversely affect the demand for, plastic products. Legislation that would prohibit, tax or restrict the sale or use of certain types of plastic and other containers, and would require diversion of solid wastes such as packaging materials from disposal in landfills, has been or may be introduced in the U.S. Congress, in state legislatures and other legislative bodies. While container legislation has been adopted in a few jurisdictions, similar legislation has been defeated in public referenda in several states, local elections and many state and local legislative sessions. There can be no assurance that future legislation or regulation would not have a material adverse effect on us. Furthermore, a decline in consumer preference for plastic products due to environmental considerations could have a negative effect on our business.

Our insurance coverage may be inadequate to protect against potential hazardous incidents to our business.
We maintain property, business interruption, product liability and casualty insurance coverage, but such insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential claims, including losses resulting from war risks, terrorist acts or product liability claims relating to products we manufacture. Consistent with market conditions in the insurance industry, premiums and deductibles for some of our insurance policies have been increasing and may continue to increase in the future. In some instances, some types of insurance may become available only for reduced amounts of coverage, if at all. In addition, there can be no assurance that our insurers would not challenge coverage for certain claims. If we were to incur a significant liability for which we were not fully insured or that our insurers disputed, it could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Our business operations could be significantly disrupted if members of our senior management team were to leave.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our senior management team. Our senior management team has extensive manufacturing, finance and engineering experience, and we believe that the depth of our management team is instrumental to our continued success. The loss of any of our key executive officers in the future could significantly impede our ability to successfully implement our business strategy, financial plans, expansion of services, marketing and other objectives.

Unforeseen future events may negatively impact our economic condition.
Future events may occur that would adversely affect the reported value of our assets. Such events may include, but are not limited to, strategic decisions made in response to changes in economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on our customer base, or a material adverse change in our relationship with significant customers.

Equity Ownership Concentration
Mary S. Myers, widow of the Company’s co-founder Louis S. Myers, and Stephen E. Myers, former Chief Executive Officer of the Company, beneficially owned approximately 10.9% and 8.5%, respectively, of the Company’s outstanding common shares as of February 15, 2008, and combined have sufficient voting power to influence actions requiring the approval of our shareholders.

Legal & Regulatory Actions
Changes in laws and regulations and approvals and decisions of courts, regulators, and governmental bodies on any legal claims known or unknown, could have an adverse affect on the Company’s financial results.

    
   
Myers Industries, Inc.
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