EMC 2011 Annual Report Download - page 12

Table of Contents
Although we have a relatively small water footprint, with our primary usage in general building operations such as drinking, cooling, and sanitation, we
have taken a conscientious approach to conserving this important resource. In our owned and operated facilities, we minimize water use and control
wastewater streams, and our manufacturing facilities produce no industrial wastewater. In 2011, we conducted our first water footprint analysis and opened a
new data center that receives 40% of its water from rainwater capture.
We are advancing social sustainability efforts in our workforce and our communities by building an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the
diversity of the global marketplace and that can continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers, strengthening educational systems, particularly in
the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math education, and holding ourselves and our suppliers to high standards in protecting human rights.
We regularly report on our sustainability performance and challenges to stakeholders. In 2011, we published our sustainability report using the Global
Reporting Initiative framework and our carbon disclosure and water footprint via the Carbon Disclosure Project. We held our second multi-stakeholder forum
on sustainability issues to broaden and deepen our dialogue with external stakeholders and to help improve our performance and reporting in 2012. EMC is
proud to be listed in the 2011 Dow Jones Sustainability Index for North America and to be recognized by the Carbon Disclosure Project for the quality of our
reporting.
Available Information
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to reports filed pursuant to
Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are made available free of charge on or through our website at www.emc.com as
soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The SEC also maintains a
website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. Copies of our (i) Corporate
Governance Guidelines, (ii) charters for the Audit Committee, Leadership and Compensation Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee,
Mergers and Acquisitions Committee and Finance Committee and (iii) Business Conduct Guidelines (code of business conduct and ethics) are available at
www.emc.com/about/governance. Copies will be provided to any shareholder upon request. Please go to www.emc.com/ir to submit an electronic request, or
send a written request to EMC Investor Relations, 176 South Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748. None of the information posted on our website is incorporated by
reference into this Annual Report.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The risk factors that appear below could materially affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. The risks and uncertainties
described below are not the only risks and uncertainties facing us. Our business is also subject to general risks and uncertainties that affect many other
companies.
Our business could be materially adversely affected as a result of general economic and market conditions.
We are subject to the effects of general global economic and market conditions. If these conditions remain challenging or deteriorate, our business,
results of operations or financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Possible consequences from uncertainty or further deterioration due to the
recent global macroeconomic downturn on our business, including insolvency of key suppliers resulting in product delays, inability of customers to obtain
credit to finance purchases of our products, customer insolvencies, increased risk that customers may delay payments, fail to pay or default on credit extended
to them, and counterparty failures negatively impacting our treasury operations, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial
condition.
Our business could be materially adversely affected as a result of a lessening demand in the information technology market.
Our revenue and profitability depend on the overall demand for our products and services. Delays or reductions in IT spending, domestically or
internationally, could materially adversely affect demand for our products and services which could result in decreased revenues or earnings.
Our customers operate in a variety of markets. Any adverse effects to such markets could materially adversely affect demand for our products and
services which could result in decreased revenues or earnings.
Competitive pricing, sales volume, mix and component costs could materially adversely affect our revenues, gross margins and earnings.
Our gross margins are impacted by a variety of factors, including competitive pricing, component and product design costs as well as the volume and
relative mixture of product and services revenues. Increased component costs, increased pricing pressures,
11