Core Insights - Greif, Inc. reported a significant decrease in net income for the fiscal first quarter of 2025, down 87.2% to 8.6millionor0.15 per diluted Class A share compared to 67.2millionor1.17 per diluted Class A share in the prior year quarter, primarily due to a non-recurring income tax benefit in the previous year [7][34] - The company is actively managing a period of industrial contraction while transforming its internal processes and portfolio for long-term growth, including plans to divest its Soterra land management holdings [4][23] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 5.9% to 145.1millioncomparedto137.0 million in the prior year quarter, indicating resilience in the new business model despite headwinds [7][41] Financial Highlights - Total net sales for the first quarter of 2025 were 1,265.8million,anincreasefrom1,205.8 million in the same quarter of 2024 [34][42] - Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by 35.3milliontoauseof30.8 million, while adjusted free cash flow decreased by 13.7milliontoauseof61.9 million [7][50] - Total debt increased by 548.4millionto2,840.2 million, primarily due to the acquisition of Ipackchem, leading to an increase in net debt to 2,639.1million[7][8]SegmentPerformance−CustomizedPolymerSolutionssawnetsalesincreaseby67.1 million to 295.1million,primarilyduetocontributionsfromrecentacquisitions[12][42]−DurableMetalSolutionsexperiencedanetsalesdecreaseof28.3 million to 342.2million,impactedbynegativeforeigncurrencytranslationandlowervolumes[14][42]−SustainableFiberSolutionsreportedanetsalesincreaseof32.6 million to 561.4million,drivenbyhighercontainerboardandboxboardprices[17][42]StrategicActions−Thecompanyintendstodivestapproximately176,000acresoftimberlandintheSoutheasternUnitedStates,withproceedsaimedatdebtreduction[7][23]−ClosureoftheA1uncoatedrecycledpaperboardmachineinAustell,GA,andthecontainerboardanduncoatedrecycledpaperboardmillinFitchburg,MA,hasbeenannouncedaspartofcostoptimizationefforts[7][23]−Progressoncostoptimizationprojectshasachieved13.0 million in annual run-rate savings by the end of the first quarter of 2025 [7][23] Company Outlook - The company anticipates continued industrial contraction with no compelling demand inflection identified, providing only low-end guidance based on current trends [23][24] - Fiscal 2025 low-end guidance estimates adjusted EBITDA at 710millionandadjustedfreecashflowat245 million [24][25]