<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-26-247644.txt : 20260529
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-26-247644.hdr.sgml : 20260529
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20260529142428
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-26-247644
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	SD
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
<RULE>
<RULE-NAME>13p-1
<ITEM>
<ITEM-NUMBER>1.01
<ITEM-PERIOD>20251231
</ITEM>
<ITEM>
<ITEM-NUMBER>1.02
<ITEM-PERIOD>20251231
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</RULE>
FILED AS OF DATE:		20260529
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20260529

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BENCHMARK ELECTRONICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000863436
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS [3672]
		ORGANIZATION NAME:           	04 Manufacturing
		EIN:				742211011
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TX
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		SD
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10560
		FILM NUMBER:		261042499

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		56 SOUTH ROCKFORD DRIVE
		CITY:			TEMPE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85281
		BUSINESS PHONE:		623-300-7000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		56 SOUTH ROCKFORD DRIVE
		CITY:			TEMPE
		STATE:			AZ
		ZIP:			85281
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>SD
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>bhe_sd_conflict_mineral_.htm
<DESCRIPTION>SD
<TEXT>
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     <td style="padding-top:0in;padding-left:0in;vertical-align:middle;padding-bottom:0in;padding-right:0in;"><p style="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">1-10560</font></p></td>
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   </table><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="margin-left:2.32%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">56 S. Rockford Dr., Tempe, Arizona 85288 USA</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="margin-left:2.32%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:8pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Stephen J. Beaver (623) 300-7056</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer and Secretary</font></p><p style="text-indent:-87.875%;padding-left:46.6%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:0.37%;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:8pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">(Name and telephone number, including area code, of the person to contact in connection with this report.)</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:12pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">________________________</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="margin-left:0.92%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Check the appropriate box to indicate the rule pursuant to which this form is being submitted, and provide the period to which the information in this form applies:</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:'Segoe UI Symbol',sans-serif;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#9746;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">  Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13p-1) for the reporting period from January 1 to December 31, 2025.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <hr style="margin-inline-start:auto;margin-inline-end:auto;page-break-after:always;">
  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Section 1 &#x2013; Conflict Minerals Disclosure</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Item 1.01 Conflict Minerals Disclosure and Report</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0.5pt;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">A Conflict Minerals Report is provided as an exhibit to this Form SD.  The Company&#x2019;s Form SD is publicly posted on its website at https://ir.bench.com/Investor-Relations.  The content of any referenced website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered part of this Form SD.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Item 1.02 Exhibit</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0.5pt;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0.5pt;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">The Conflict Minerals Report described in Item 1.01 is filed as Exhibit 1.01 to this Form SD.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Section 2 &#x2013; Exhibits</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Item 2.01 Exhibits</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0.5pt;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0.5pt;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><a href="bhe-ex1_01.htm"><font style="color:#0000ff;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline solid;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Exhibit 1.01 &#x2013; Conflict Minerals Report for the calendar year ended December 31, 2025.</font></a></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
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  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">SIGNATURES</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the duly authorized undersigned.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p>
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     <td style="padding-top:0in;padding-left:0.075in;vertical-align:top;padding-bottom:0in;padding-right:0.075in;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></td>
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     <td style="padding-top:0in;padding-left:0.075in;vertical-align:top;padding-bottom:0in;padding-right:0.075in;text-align:left;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">By: </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;text-decoration:underline solid;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">/s/ Bryan R. Schumaker</font></p></td>
     <td style="padding-top:0in;padding-left:0.075in;vertical-align:top;padding-bottom:0in;padding-right:0.075in;text-align:right;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Date: May 29, 2026</font></p></td>
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  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:right;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Exhibit 1.01</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Conflict Minerals Report</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Benchmark</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d; or &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Company</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) has included this Conflict Minerals Report (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">CMR</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) as an exhibit to its Form SD as provided for in Rule 13p-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Form SD (collectively, the &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Conflict Minerals Rule</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;), including:</font></p><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Release No. 34-67716 issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">SEC</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) August 22, 2012 (the &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Final Release</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;), </font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Frequently Asked Questions regarding Conflict Minerals issued by the Staff of the SEC on May 30, 2013 and April 7, 2014;</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Statement issued April 29, 2014 by the SEC&#x2019;s Director of the Division of Corporation Finance;</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Statements issued April 7, 2017 by the SEC&#x2019;s Acting Chairman and the SEC&#x2019;s Division of Corporation Finance (the &#34;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Updated Statement</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#34;); and</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Guidance issued by the SEC and its Staff from time to time concerning the Conflict Minerals Rule </font></div></div><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:6pt;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">(collectively the &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Interim Guidance</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;).</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:6pt;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">In Nat'l Ass'n of Mfrs. v. SEC</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;vertical-align:super;font-size:6.7pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">1</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held that requiring companies to describe their products as having &#34;not been found to be 'DRC conflict free'&#34; violates the First Amendment. On April 3, 2017, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia entered final judgment setting aside those portions of Rule 13p-1 and Form SD, and remanding to the Commission.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">In the Updated Statement, the Division of Corporation Finance stated that, in light of the uncertainty regarding the rule and related judicial and administrative developments, it would not recommend enforcement action against companies that comply only with Items 1.01(a) and (b) of Form SD, including companies that would otherwise be subject to Item 1.01(c). Items 1.01(a) and (b) require, among other things, a brief description of the issuer's reasonable country of origin inquiry and its results. Item 1.01(c) requires a company to conduct due diligence, file a Conflict Minerals Report as an exhibit, and, in certain circumstances, obtain an independent private sector audit.  Notwithstanding this relief, the Company voluntarily provides this CMR, including the due diligence information described herein, to promote supply chain transparency and responsible sourcing of conflict minerals.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Unless otherwise defined herein, terms used in this Report have the same meaning found in the Conflict Minerals Rule, the Final Release and the Interim Guidance. The date of filing of this CMR is May 29, 2026.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">References in this CMR to Benchmark, the Company or use of the words &#x201c;we&#x201d;, &#x201c;our&#x201d; and &#x201c;us&#x201d; include Benchmark&#x2019;s subsidiaries unless otherwise noted. As used herein, &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Conflict Minerals</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d; or &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">3TG</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d; are columbite-tantalite (coltan), cassiterite, gold, wolframite and the derivatives tantalum, tin and tungsten, without regard to the location of origin.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Forward-Looking Statements</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are identified as any statement that does not relate strictly to historical or current facts and may include words such as &#x201c;anticipate,&#x201d; &#x201c;believe,&#x201d; &#x201c;intend,&#x201d; &#x201c;plan,&#x201d; &#x201c;project,&#x201d; &#x201c;forecast,&#x201d; &#x201c;strategy,&#x201d; &#x201c;position,&#x201d; &#x201c;continue,&#x201d; &#x201c;estimate,&#x201d; &#x201c;expect,&#x201d; &#x201c;may,&#x201d; &#x201c;will,&#x201d; &#x201c;could,&#x201d; &#x201c;predict,&#x201d; and similar expressions of the negative or other variations thereof. Although we believe these statements are based upon and derived from reasonable assumptions, they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are beyond our ability to control or predict, relating to operations, markets and the business environment generally, including but not limited to, (1) whether our direct and indirect suppliers implement appropriate traceability and other compliance measures on a timely basis or at all, (2) whether smelters and refiners and other market participants responsibly source 3TG, and (3) political and regulatory developments, whether in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, its adjoining countries, the United States or elsewhere. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes, including the future results of our operations, may vary materially from those indicated. Undue reliance</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p></div>
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  <p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;vertical-align:super;font-size:6.7pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">1</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> See 748 F.3d 359 (D.C. Cir. 2014), aff'd on reh'g, 800 F.3d 518 (D.C. Cir. 2015).</font></p>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Page </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">1</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p></div>
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  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:right;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">should not be placed on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based upon information available to us as of the date of this document, and we assume no obligation to update them.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Applicability of the Conflict Minerals Rule to Our Company</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">The Company is a Texas corporation that provides design engineering and advanced manufacturing services that include both electronic manufacturing services (EMS) and precision metal machining (PMM) services.  We support customers throughout their product lifecycle starting from initial product concept through volume production, including the ability to manage direct order fulfillment and provide aftermarket services.  We are a trusted partner to our European and US based national and multi-national original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).  Served markets include: advanced computing and communication (AC&amp;C), aerospace and defense (A&amp;D), industrial, medical, and semiconductor capital equipment (semi-cap). The Company has manufacturing operations located in the United States and Mexico (the Americas), Asia and Europe.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We contract to manufacture products on behalf of our customers containing necessary Conflict Minerals. We primarily purchase component parts used in our manufacturing services through direct suppliers or authorized distributors from around the world. These component parts are typically finished goods or manufactured materials.  We generally do not procure raw ore or unrefined Conflict Minerals, and therefore we do not have direct relationships with mines or smelters of Conflict Minerals found in our customers&#x2019; products.  These mines or smelters are several distribution levels removed from us in the supply chain; therefore, we must rely on the many direct suppliers, supply-chain intermediaries and industry initiatives for information on these mines or smelters. Further, our OEM customers typically specify the components and materials required to manufacture their products, as well as the particular component and material suppliers.  As a result, we typically have little or no control over the selection of these components, materials and suppliers.  In these cases, we must rely on our customers and their selected suppliers for Conflict Minerals information.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">This CMR relates to products: (i) for which Conflict Minerals are necessary to the functionality or production of that product; (ii) that were contracted to be manufactured by the Company; and (iii) for which the manufacture was completed during calendar year 2025. These products, which are referred to in this CMR collectively as the &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Covered Products</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">,&#x201d; primarily consist of printed circuit board assemblies (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">PCBAs</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) using both traditional surface mount technologies (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">SMT</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) and microelectronics, subsystem assembly, system builds and integration.  System builds and integration often involve building a finished assembly that includes PCBAs, complex subsystem assemblies, mechatronics, displays, optics, and other components.  These final products are predominantly shipped to our customers for integration into higher level assemblies and/or resale to their ultimate customers.  A small portion of these final products may be configured to order and delivered directly to our customers&#x2019; end-customer across all the industries we serve.  Manufacturing services also include PMM services comprised of precision metal machining, advanced metal joining, assembly and functional testing primarily for the semi-cap market (serving semiconductor capital equipment customers) and A&amp;D markets.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Conflict Minerals Policy</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Benchmark&#x2019;s Conflict Minerals Policy is as follows:</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Conflict Minerals</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d; refers to certain minerals commonly referred to as &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">3TG</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d; (Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten, and Gold) or other derivatives. The US Congress voiced concerns that the exploitation and trade of Conflict Minerals by armed groups helped to finance conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">DRC</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) and adjoining countries and contributed to an emergency humanitarian crisis. To address these concerns, the United States Congress enacted Section 1502(b) of the Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Bill and Consumer Protection Act in July 2010, and in 2012 the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission adopted &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Rule 13p-1</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d; under the Securities Exchange Act (collectively the &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Conflict Minerals Law</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;). The Conflict Minerals Law identifies the DRC and adjoining countries as &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Covered Countries,</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d; and further requires US public companies to disclose annually certain information concerning Conflict Minerals contained in products they manufacture or contract to manufacture, to the extent that Conflict Minerals are necessary to the functionality or production of the products.</font></p><p style="margin-left:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Page </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">2</font></p></div>
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  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:right;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Benchmark Electronics, Inc. (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Benchmark</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) supports the Conflict Minerals Law and efforts to avoid sourcing Conflict Minerals that directly or indirectly finance armed groups in the DRC and in adjoining countries. Consistent with the Conflict Minerals Law and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance concerning Conflict Minerals, Benchmark has adopted the Responsible Minerals Initiative (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">RMI</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) Due Diligence reporting process and seeks to obtain Conflict Minerals content declarations from its suppliers on the Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">CMRT</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) published by the RMI, thereby promoting supply chain transparency. Benchmark does not directly source 3TG from mines, smelters, or refiners and, in most cases, is several tiers removed from these supply chain participants. Benchmark therefore expects our suppliers to:</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">utilize responsible sourcing practices consistent with the Benchmark Conflict Minerals policy and work to remove high-risk smelters from their supply chains.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">preferentially source 3TG from smelters and refiners validated as conflict free and that do not directly or indirectly benefit, or finance, armed groups in any Covered Country.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">fully comply with the Conflict Minerals Law and provide all requested conflict minerals (3TG) declarations.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">have a credible, robust conflict minerals program, which should include a written conflict minerals policy, communication of requirements to suppliers, 3TG data collection utilizing the CMRT, a professional analysis and risk assessment with corrective action on the basis of the CMRTs collected from suppliers.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">pass these requirements through their supply chain and determine the 3TG sources (smelters or refiners &#x2013; SORs).</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">&#x2022;</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">for suppliers representing the top 90% of our global corporate materials spend (our annual corporate sample), provide their most recent RMI CMRT, completed accurately in the latest version with robust comments where appropriate, during our active yearly conflict minerals data collection campaign.</font></div></div><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Any suppliers not willing to comply with these requirements shall be reviewed by global procurement with regard to future business and sourcing decisions. This Conflict Minerals Policy encourages suppliers to respect and protect human rights throughout the world.</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">A copy of this Conflict Minerals Policy is available on our public website.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:left;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">For products manufactured during the reporting year, we performed a Reasonable Country of Origin Inquiry (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">RCOI</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) on our necessary Conflict Minerals.  This RCOI was reasonably designed to determine whether any of such Conflict Minerals originated in the Covered Countries and whether any of such Conflict Minerals may be from recycled or scrap sources.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Our RCOI utilized a risk-based approach to solicit Conflict Minerals information from 610 suppliers, targeting 90% of our global component and materials procurement expenditures during the reporting year.  We requested Conflict Minerals information from these suppliers via the Responsible Minerals Initiative (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">RMI</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) Conflict Minerals Reporting Template (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">CMRT</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;). We reviewed and analyzed all CMRTs received, including some with missing or incomplete information, errors, or containing inaccuracies or implausible information. We made multiple contact attempts with non-responsive suppliers, as well as requests for revised responses where appropriate. We ultimately received 437 responses, which is approximately 72% of our targeted supplier group (representing approximately 72% of our reporting year component and materials procurement expenditures). These suppliers provide &#x201c;company-level&#x201d; CMRT responses that include Conflict Minerals information for all supplier products sold during the reporting year, even though we purchased only a limited subset of such supplier&#x2019;s products. We also utilized a third-party software provider to assist us in the data collection effort, review, verification and follow-up contacts.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">As a result of the Company&#x2019;s RCOI, 69% of responding suppliers reported that Conflict Minerals were either not present, not sourced from Covered Countries, sourced from smelters or refiners certified by RMI or listed by other organizations as conflict free, or sourced from smelters or refiners that were not deemed by the RMI to be at a high risk of supporting armed groups or human rights abuses in the Covered Countries. Although a number of responding suppliers dealt with non-certified smelters known to source Conflict Minerals from the Covered Countries, we cannot</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p></div>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Page </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">3</font></p></div>
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  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:right;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">determine with certainty whether such Conflict Minerals were actually incorporated into our products or whether they directly or indirectly financed or benefitted armed groups in the Covered Countries.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Based on our RCOI, we determined that 271 of the suppliers sourced only from outside of the DRC and its adjoining countries or from recycled or scrap sources or RMI-certified conflict free smelters. Our determination was based on information provided by the collected supplier CMRTs, by the RMI to its members or by our software provider.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">In addition to the RCOI, the Company also exercised due diligence on the source and chain of custody of its necessary Conflict Minerals where the Company, based on its RCOI, had reason to believe that such Conflict Minerals may have originated in the Covered Countries and may not be from recycled or scrap sources.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Due Diligence Program Design</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Design Framework</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">The Company&#x2019;s due diligence measures were designed to conform to the framework in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development&#x2019;s (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">OECD</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas: Third Edition (2016) and accompanying Supplements (the &#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">OECD Guidance</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;).</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="text-indent:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Five-Step Framework for Risk-Based Due Diligence in the Mineral Supply Chain</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">The OECD Guidance identifies five due diligence steps:</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="text-indent:7.143%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:6.667%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 1: Establish Strong Company Management Systems</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="text-indent:7.143%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:6.667%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 2: Identify and Assess Risks in the Supply Chain</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="text-indent:7.143%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:6.667%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 3: Design and Implement a Strategy to Respond to Identified Risks</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="text-indent:7.143%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:6.667%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 4: Carry out Independent Third-Party Audit of Smelter/Refiner&#x2019;s Due Diligence Practices</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="text-indent:7.143%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;margin-right:6.667%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 5: Report Annually on Supply Chain Due Diligence</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;"> </font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">It is important to note that the OECD Guidance was written for both &#x201c;upstream&#x201d; (the mineral supply chain from the mine to smelters/refiners) and &#x201c;downstream&#x201d; (minerals supply chain from smelters/refiners to retailers) companies in the supply chain. As Benchmark is a downstream company in the supply chain, its due diligence practices are tailored accordingly. The headings below conform to the headings used in the OECD Guidance for each of the five steps.</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 1: Establish Strong Company Management Systems</font></p><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:0;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">a)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We established a Conflict Minerals Policy, as set forth earlier in this CMR. The Conflict Minerals Policy is posted on our website at https://www.bench.com/sustainability.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">b)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We established a Conflict Minerals steering committee charged with overseeing our compliance with the Conflict Minerals Rule and our responsible sourcing of 3TG. The following functional areas are represented on our steering committee: Corporate Legal, Procurement, Engineering and Global Quality. We also utilize specialist outside legal counsel to assist us with selected aspects of our compliance.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">c)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We implemented a system of controls and transparency over the mineral supply chain by utilizing information and methodology from the RMI Responsible Minerals Assurance Process (&#x201c;</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-style:italic;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">RMAP</font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#x201d;) and CMRT in the chain-of-custody, traceability system, and in the identification of upstream actors in the supply chain. </font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">d)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We utilize the CMRT developed by the RMI to identify smelters and refiners in our supply chain. The CMRT requires suppliers to provide information concerning the usage and source of 3TG in their components, parts and products, as well as information concerning their related compliance efforts. </font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">e)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We have standard Terms and Conditions of Procurement that, among other things, require our suppliers of goods to (i) identify whether such goods contain 3TG; (ii) determine whether any such minerals originated in Covered Countries; and (iii) perform appropriate due diligence on its supply chain in support of Company&#x2019;s obligations under the Conflict Minerals Rule. In addition, supplier shall, as soon as reasonably </font></div></div></div>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Page </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">4</font></p></div>
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  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:right;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;visibility:hidden;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;"></font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">practicable following the completion of the calendar year, provide a completed CMRT. If requested, supplier will promptly provide information or representations that Company reasonably believes are required to meet Company&#x2019;s conflict minerals compliance obligations under the Conflict Minerals Rule.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">f)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We implemented mechanisms for employees, suppliers and other interested parties to report violations of our Conflict Minerals Policy. Violations can be reported through the global compliance helpline which is available at https://ir.bench.com/Corporate-Governance.</font></div></div><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 2: Identify and Assess Risks in the Supply Chain</font></p><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:0;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">a)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We request that suppliers complete the CMRT, in some cases at the &#x201c;product level,&#x201d; and we expect our direct suppliers to survey their suppliers. We have follow-up procedures for suppliers that do not respond to the request within the specified time frame. These procedures include follow up by email and/or phone.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">b)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We review the responses received from suppliers for completeness, accuracy, consistency and other items that we have determined to be potential &#x201c;red flags&#x201d; that would trigger further follow up and/or review.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">c)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We follow up with suppliers that submit an incomplete response or a response that we determine contains inaccuracies, inconsistencies or red flags, or that otherwise provide a CMRT determined not to be suitable by us, in each case requesting the supplier to submit a revised CMRT or provide us with additional information. We follow up with other suppliers where determined to be appropriate by us.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">d)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We maintain these records for a minimum of five years.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">e)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Smelter and refiner information provided by suppliers is reviewed against the Smelter Look-up tab of the CMRT and the lists of Conformant and Active smelters and refiners and country-of-origin information published by the RMI. The information provided by suppliers is not necessarily limited to smelters or refiners that were part of our direct supply chain and does not correspond specifically to products/components supplied to the Company.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">f)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">If a smelter or refiner identified by a supplier is not listed as Conformant, we consult publicly available information or attempt to contact the smelter or refiner to attempt to determine whether that smelter or refiner obtained 3TG from sources that directly or indirectly financed or benefitted armed groups in the DRC or an adjoining country.</font></div></div><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 3: Design and Implement a Strategy to Respond to Identified Risks</font></p><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:0;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">a)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Our 3TG compliance team reports the findings of its supply chain risk assessment to senior leadership and our Chief Financial Officer on a periodic basis and upon completion of the assessment.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">b)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We have a risk management plan.  Risk mitigation actions under our plan include follow-up with the supplier, escalations within the supplier, escalation to the customer, training sessions or putting the supplier on a &#x201c;no buy&#x201d; list.  Our risk management plan provides for increasing levels of escalation to specified internal personnel and to our customer if we are required to source from the supplier by the customer.  Our risk mitigation plan allows for a flexible response that is commensurate with the risks identified.</font></div></div><div class="item-list-element-wrapper" style="margin-left:4.528%;display:flex;margin-top:6pt;justify-content:flex-start;align-items:baseline;margin-bottom:0;min-width:4.537%;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:4.7521786492374725%;word-break:keep-all;display:inline-flex;justify-content:flex-start;">c)</font><div style="display:inline;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">In addition, to the extent that identified smelters and refiners are not Conformant, we seek to exercise leverage over these smelters and refiners to become Conformant through our participation in and support of the RMI.  We also utilize information provided by the RMI to its members to monitor smelter and refiner improvement.</font></div></div><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 4: Carry out Independent Third-Party Audit of Smelter/Refiner&#x2019;s Due Diligence Practices</font></p><p style="margin-left:9.067%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">In connection with our due diligence, we utilize and rely on information made available by the RMI concerning independent third-party audits of smelters and refiners to assess smelter and refiner due diligence and to determine whether the smelter or refiner is Conformant. We believe that our utilization of RMI data is the most effective method of satisfying this step of the OECD Guidance.</font></p><p style="margin-left:6.667%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Page </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">5</font></p></div>
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  <div style="padding-top:0.5in;z-index:2;min-height:1in;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:right;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">&#160;</font></p></div>
  <div class="main-content-container" style="z-index:5;position:relative;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:12pt;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-weight:bold;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Step 5: Report Annually on Supply Chain Due Diligence</font></p><p style="margin-left:9.067%;font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:justify;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">We report on our supply chain due diligence through our Form SD filings, and the related CMRs, as well as by posting that information on our website.</font></p></div>
  <div style="z-index:2;flex-direction:column;display:flex;padding-bottom:0.5in;min-height:1in;justify-content:flex-end;position:relative;box-sizing:border-box;"><p style="font-size:10pt;margin-top:0;font-family:Times New Roman;margin-bottom:0;text-align:center;margin-left:0;margin-right:0;"><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">Page </font><font style="color:#000000;white-space:pre-wrap;font-size:10pt;font-family:Times New Roman;font-kerning:none;min-width:fit-content;">6</font></p></div>
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