Koppers Holdings(KOP) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated sales for Q1 2025 were $456.5 million, down from$ 497.6 million in the prior year, representing an 8% decrease [7][14] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 was $55.5 million, compared to$ 51.5 million in the prior year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12.2%, up from 10.3% [8][14] - First quarter diluted loss per share was $0.68, compared to diluted earnings per share of$ 0.59 in the prior year, primarily due to restructuring charges [8] - Adjusted earnings per share for the quarter were $0.71, up from$ 0.62 in the prior year [9] - Cash flow used in operations was $22.7 million, including a$ 14 million payment related to the termination of the U.S. pension plan [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The RUPS segment saw sales increase by $10 million or 4%, while the Performance Chemicals (PC) segment sales decreased by$ 29 million or 19.5%, and CMMC sales decreased by $22 million or 18% [14] - RUPS generated adjusted EBITDA of$ 26 million with an 11% margin, while PC delivered adjusted EBITDA of $20 million with a 17% margin [15] - CMMC sales were$ 101 million, down from $122 million in the prior year, but adjusted EBITDA improved to$ 10 million from $4 million due to lower raw material costs [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Performance Chemicals business, there was a 21.5% volume decrease in residential and industrial wood treatment preservatives in the Americas [17] - The average pricing of major products increased by 5% compared to the prior quarter, while average coal tar costs were higher by 6% [18] - Year-over-year, first quarter crosstie procurement was down 19% [16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on improving business performance and margins through cost structure adjustments and resizing the employee base [6] - The acquisition of Brownwood Preserving Company is expected to enhance product offerings and geographic reach [11] - The company aims to maintain a balanced approach to capital allocation, targeting$ 65 million in net capital expenditures for 2025 [19][32] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed concerns about economic uncertainty affecting demand, particularly in the Performance Chemicals segment [23][24] - There is an expectation for a volume pickup in the second half of the year based on market feedback, despite worries about high interest rates [25][46] - The company anticipates consolidated sales of $2 billion to$ 2.2 billion in 2025, with adjusted EBITDA forecasted at $280 million [30][31] Other Important Information - The company was recognized for its sustainability efforts, being named to USA Today's list of America's climate leaders for the third consecutive year [12] - A quarterly cash dividend of$ 0.08 per share was declared, representing a 14% increase over the previous year's dividend [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the utility pole product mix help margins going forward? - The utility pole business historically generates better margin performance, and growth in this area is expected to positively impact margins [38] Question: Are contracts with Class 1s satisfactory? - There is still work to be done on contracts, but the situation has improved [40] Question: What drives the expected growth in the second half of the year? - Feedback from the market indicates a volume pickup, along with increased activity in newer markets [46] Question: How does the company plan to manage costs if sales trend towards the lower end of guidance? - The company has several cost measures in place to maintain EBITDA guidance even with lower sales [57] Question: What are the priority uses of cash flow? - The focus is on share repurchases and deleveraging the balance sheet [68] Question: Are there attractive M&A opportunities due to economic disruption? - The company remains active in discussions for potential acquisitions, particularly in the utility and industrial products business [70] Question: Why not accelerate stock buybacks given the low share price? - There are limitations within credit agreements, but the company intends to be consistent in its share repurchase approach [78]