Materion (MTRN) - 2023 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics - EBITDA excluding special items was $3.8 million, or 14.7% of value-added sales, with a year-over-year decline driven by volume decrease, partially offset by positive price mix and cost improvement initiatives [1] - Adjusted EBITDA for the year was$ 217.7 million, or 19.3% of value-added sales, up 11% from the prior year, with margin expansion of 170 basis points [140] - Adjusted earnings per share for the year were $5.64, up 7% compared to the prior year, despite a$ 0.40 interest expense headwind [98] - Net debt position at the end of the quarter was approximately $413 million, with$ 180 million of available capacity on the company's credit facility [35] Business Segment Performance - Electronic Materials: Value-added sales were $77.7 million, down 21% compared to the prior year due to significant weakness in the semiconductor market [21] - **Performance Materials**: Value-added sales were$ 186 million, up 5% compared to the prior year, driven by strength in aerospace and defense [146] - Precision Optics: Value-added sales were $26 million, down 6% compared to the prior year, mainly due to reduced PCR filter demand and softening in the consumer electronics market [139] Market Performance - **Semiconductor Market**: Experienced significant weakness, with three consecutive quarters of year-on-year declines, but order patterns are showing signs of stabilization [7][99] - **Aerospace and Defense**: Sales grew nearly 70% year-over-year, representing the 11th consecutive quarter of growth, driven by organic wins in space and defense [131] - **Industrial Market**: Remained challenged, with a significant inventory correction expected to carry through the year, particularly in non-residential construction [114][124] Strategic Initiatives and Industry Competition - The company is positioning itself as a trusted partner in high-growth markets, with new R&D partnerships driving innovation in key end markets [8] - Investments in atomic layer deposition (ALD) materials for advanced memory and AI applications are expected to support future growth [116][101] - The company secured a record$ 60 million in new defense orders in 2023, strengthening relationships with key partners [29] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects semiconductor market weakness to persist through the first half of 2024, with a gradual recovery starting in the second half [99] - The company anticipates mid-single-digit growth for the full year, skewed towards the back half, driven by recovery in the semiconductor market and strength in aerospace and defense [23][148] - Management remains confident in achieving a 20% EBITDA margin on a more consistent basis in 2024 [24] Other Important Information - The company completed facility upgrades to support a $15 million customer-funded investment for critical materials in power generation, with shipments ahead of schedule [11] - A new$ 4 million award from a government agency was announced to fund additive manufacturing for advanced materials in aerospace, defense, and energy markets [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Outlook for the semiconductor market and recovery timing - The semiconductor market is expected to bottom out in Q1 2024, with a slight recovery in Q2 and a more robust recovery in Q3 and Q4 [64][65] Question: Margin progression in the electronic materials business - Q4 margins were impacted by one-time items and unfavorable mix, but the company expects positive margin progression in 2024, with a return to Q2 and Q3 2023 levels [84] Question: Aerospace and defense market strength - The aerospace and defense market is expected to remain strong in 2024, with growth driven by commercial aerospace, defense, and the emerging space market [125] Question: Industrial market outlook - The industrial market is expected to remain challenged in 2024, with a significant inventory correction in non-residential construction impacting demand [124][195] Question: Share repurchase strategy - The company has an $8 million share repurchase authorization but is currently focused on organic growth investments rather than share buybacks [199] Question: Long-term growth opportunities in the semiconductor market - The company is well-positioned for long-term growth in the semiconductor market, with investments in ALD materials and advanced memory applications supporting future demand [101][143]