Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted earnings per share for Q4 2025 was $1.40, exceeding the high end of guidance [6] - Total sales in Q4 increased by 3.5% year-over-year, with organic revenue growth of more than 1% driven by higher pricing and volume growth in the industrial motion segment [6][7] - Free cash flow reached $141 million in Q4, allowing the company to return $36 million to shareholders and reduce debt by over $100 million [7][8] - The company ended the year with a net leverage of 2 times, indicating a strong balance sheet [8] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - Engineered bearings sales were $714 million in Q4, up 0.9% from last year, with organic sales down 1% due to lower volumes [15] - Industrial motion sales were $397 million in Q4, up 8.4% year-over-year, with organic sales increasing by 5.6% driven by higher demand across most sectors [16] - Adjusted EBITDA for engineered bearings was $115 million (16.1% of sales), down from $122 million (17.2% of sales) last year, impacted by unfavorable mix and tariff costs [16] - Adjusted EBITDA for industrial motion reflected solid operational execution, with margins improving due to higher volumes and pricing [17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Americas, sales were flat, with growth in North America offset by lower revenue in Latin America [12] - Asia Pacific saw a 4% increase in sales, driven by growth in India, while revenue in China declined [12] - EMEA also experienced a 4% increase, led by growth in the industrial motion segment [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on strategic initiatives, including the 80/20 portfolio work, to exit underperforming businesses and prioritize actions that impact margins and growth [9] - New strategic leadership appointments have been made to align the organization with primary growth drivers and enhance customer service [10] - The company aims to leverage strengths in automation and electrification as key growth areas, with a focus on aligning the portfolio with macro trends [81][94] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism about improving customer demand and order activity in 2026, with expectations for organic sales growth of 2% [8][38] - The company anticipates adjusted EPS to increase by around 8% at the midpoint of the guidance range for 2026 [8][19] - Management acknowledged macroeconomic uncertainties but emphasized the importance of executing strategic initiatives to drive performance [9][23] Other Important Information - The company plans to host an Investor Day on May 20, 2026, to provide further insights into its strategy and performance [5] - The company expects to generate around $350 million in free cash flow for the full year 2026, with a conversion rate of approximately 105% on GAAP net income [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: How did orders progress through Q4 and into January? - Management noted that Q4 went better than expected, with a strong order book and steady pacing of orders throughout the quarter, despite a weak December last year [30][31] Question: Can you provide more color on segment contribution to the full year guide? - Management indicated that the difference in performance between engineered bearings and industrial motion was largely due to mix issues, with expectations for improved margins year-on-year [35][36] Question: What are the expectations for volume growth in 2026? - Management expects volumes to be slightly lower in Q1 due to a challenging comparison from the previous year, with pricing expected to offset some of the volume decline [50] Question: Will there be significant revenue exits as part of the 80/20 process? - Management clarified that they do not intend to shrink significantly but will focus on simplifying operations and reallocating resources for growth [64][65] Question: What is the outlook for M&A activity? - Management stated that M&A remains a priority, with plans to clarify the strategy at the upcoming Investor Day [97]