Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for Q3 2025 reached $236 million, reflecting a 13% year-over-year increase, with Base sales growth at 8% [5][6] - Operating earnings increased by 13% year-over-year to $46.1 million, with operating margins slightly up to 19.6% from 19.5% [6][8] - Consolidated EPS rose to $1.19, a 10% increase compared to $1.08 in the prior year quarter [8][9] - Record free cash flow of $48.2 million increased by approximately $6 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower cash taxes [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Utility water product line sales increased by 14% year-over-year, or 8% excluding SmartCover, driven by higher ultrasonic meter unit volumes and increased BEACON SaaS sales [5][6] - Flow instrumentation product line sales grew by 4% year-over-year, supported by strength in water-related markets [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a steady demand for its cellular AMI solution and BlueEdge suite, supported by macroeconomic drivers encouraging technology adoption across the water cycle [3][10] - The trade environment remains fluid, but the company has effectively managed tariff and trade-related cost pressures [3][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term growth through its BlueEdge solutions, which are modular and allow customers to adopt technologies at their own pace [10][11] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on long-term trends in the water industry, with a strong cash flow generation capability and a net cash position of approximately $200 million [14] - The company continues to prioritize organic growth, increasing dividends for the 33rd consecutive year, and pursuing strategic acquisitions [14][50] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business despite macroeconomic uncertainties, highlighting ongoing customer enthusiasm for technology adoption [12][13] - The company anticipates a solid close to the year, despite typical seasonal impacts in Q4 due to fewer operating days [12][22] - Management expects to achieve high single-digit average top-line growth over the next five years [12][49] Other Important Information - The company has successfully transitioned certain manufacturing operations to its facility in Racine, Wisconsin, as part of the SmartCover acquisition integration [14] - The company is optimistic about the growth potential of SmartCover, which has shown 25% growth in the quarter [29][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on gross profit margin expectations - Management indicated that the lack of new tariff news and continued strong performance has led to confidence in raising the gross margin range to 39%-42% [17][19] Question: Project timing and customer decision-making - Management clarified that while Q3 may not show sequential growth over Q2, it does not indicate a decline in business, and customers are still moving forward with projects [20][22] Question: SmartCover growth and profitability - Management remains excited about SmartCover's growth potential, expecting it to become EPS accretive in year two post-acquisition [29][33] Question: Pricing strategies amid tariff impacts - Management noted targeted product-specific price increases to mitigate tariff-related costs, with expectations for price realization to catch up to costs [37][39] Question: Water quality performance and customer needs - Management expressed strong traction in water quality offerings and confidence in their current parameters, with no immediate gaps identified [41][42] Question: 2026 growth outlook and capital allocation - Management refrained from providing specific guidance for 2026 but expressed confidence in achieving high single-digit growth over the cycle [46][49] Question: Federal stimulus impact on metering - Management indicated that very little federal stimulus money has been directed toward metering, with macro drivers remaining the primary focus for utilities [53][55]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for Q3 2025 reached $236 million, marking a 13% year-over-year increase, with BASE sales growth at 8% [5][6] - Operating earnings rose 13% year-over-year to $46.1 million, with operating margins slightly up to 19.6% from 19.5% [6][8] - Consolidated EPS increased to $1.19 from $1.08 in the prior year, representing a 10% year-over-year growth [8][9] - Record free cash flow of $48.2 million, up approximately $6 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower cash taxes [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Utility water product line sales increased by 14% year-over-year, or 8% excluding SmartCover, driven by higher ultrasonic meter volumes and increased Beacon SaaS sales [5][6] - Flow instrumentation product line sales grew by 4% year-over-year, supported by strength in water-related markets [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a steady demand for its cellular AMI solution and BlueEdge suite, supported by macroeconomic drivers encouraging technology adoption across the water cycle [3][10] - The trade environment remains fluid, but the company has effectively managed tariff and trade-related cost pressures [3][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on long-term growth through its BlueEdge solutions, which are modular and allow customers to adopt technologies at their own pace [10][11] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on long-term trends in the water industry, with a strong cash flow generation capability and a net cash position of approximately $200 million [14] - The company plans to continue investing in both organic growth and potential acquisitions, while also returning cash to shareholders through increased dividends [14][50] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business despite macroeconomic uncertainties, citing ongoing demand for critical utility water infrastructure [12][13] - The company anticipates a high single-digit average top-line growth rate over the next five years, despite the inherent unevenness in project timing [12][48] Other Important Information - The company has successfully transitioned certain manufacturing operations to its facility in Racine, Wisconsin, as part of the SmartCover acquisition integration [14] - The company has raised its gross margin range from 39% to 42% on a normalized basis, reflecting ongoing structural mix improvements [7][62] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on gross profit margin expectations - Management indicated that the lack of new tariff news and continued strong performance gave them confidence to raise the gross margin range [18][19] Question: Project timing and customer decision-making - Management clarified that they do not expect a decline in business but noted the typical seasonal impacts in Q4 due to fewer operating days [22][24] Question: Growth expectations for SmartCover - Management remains excited about SmartCover's integration and growth potential, with expectations of continued strong performance [29][30] Question: Pricing and tariff impacts - Management discussed targeted price increases to mitigate tariff impacts, with expectations of reaching parity between price and cost moving forward [38][39] Question: Water quality performance and customer needs - Management expressed strong traction in water quality offerings and confidence in their current parameters, with no immediate gaps identified [41][42] Question: 2026 growth outlook - Management refrained from providing specific guidance for 2026 but expressed confidence in achieving high single-digit growth over the cycle [47][49] Question: Federal funding impact on metering - Management noted that very little federal funding has gone toward metering, with macro drivers remaining the primary focus for utilities [53][54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales reached $236 million in Q3 2025, representing a 13% year-over-year increase or 8% base sales growth, with a sequential decline from Q2 [6][11] - Operating earnings increased by 13% year-over-year to $46.1 million, with operating margins slightly up to 19.6% from 19.5% [7] - Consolidated EPS was $1.19, a 10% increase from $1.08 in the prior year quarter [10] - Record free cash flow of $48.2 million increased by approximately $6 million year-over-year [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Utility water product line sales increased by 14% year-over-year, or 8% excluding SmartCover [6] - Flow instrumentation product line sales increased by 4% year-over-year, driven by strength in water-related markets [7] - Base operating earnings, excluding SmartCover, increased by 15% year-over-year to $46.6 million [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross margins expanded to 40.7% from 40.2% in the prior year quarter, benefiting from structural mix improvement and price increases [8] - The company increased its gross margin range from a historical 38%-40% to a new normalized range of 39%-42% [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on the long-term growth of its BlueEdge suite of modular smart water management solutions, which is expected to drive future growth [12][14] - The company plans to continue investing in both organic and inorganic growth, with a net cash position of approximately $200 million [16] - The company remains committed to returning cash to shareholders, having increased its dividend for the thirty-third consecutive year [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the resilience of the business amidst macroeconomic and trade uncertainties, citing strong demand for their products [15] - The company anticipates healthy levels of activity across its opportunity pipeline and expects an average top-line growth rate of high single digits over the next five years [14] - Management noted that federal funding noise has not significantly impacted customer decision-making, as utilities continue to prioritize technology adoption [26] Other Important Information - The company is successfully integrating SmartCover into its operations, with reported growth of approximately 25% in the quarter [31] - The company is optimistic about the growth potential of SmartCover, which is expected to become EPS accretive in year two post-acquisition [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Increase in expected gross profit margin - Management indicated that the increase in gross profit margin was due to a lack of new tariff news and confidence in structural mix benefits [20][21] Question: Project timing and customer decision-making - Management clarified that they did not signal a decline in business but noted the inherent unevenness in project timing [23][24] Question: Smart Cover growth expectations - Management remains excited about Smart Cover's growth potential, which is expected to continue at an outsized level [31] Question: Pricing and tariff impacts - Management discussed targeted product-specific price increases to mitigate tariff impacts, with expectations for price realization to catch up to cost effects [39][40] Question: Water quality performance - Management expressed strong traction in water quality offerings and confidence in their parameter capabilities [42][44] Question: Outlook for 2026 - Management refrained from providing specific guidance for 2026 but expressed confidence in achieving high single-digit growth over the cycle [49][51] Question: Capital allocation and buybacks - Management reiterated their capital allocation priorities, emphasizing organic growth and dividends, while not ruling out buybacks [52][53] Question: Federal stimulus impact - Management noted that very little federal stimulus money has gone toward metering, with macro drivers remaining the same [56] Question: Comparison to 2011 period - Management highlighted significant technological advancements since 2011, making past comparisons less relevant [59]