Company Overview - Century Aluminum Company (NASDAQ:CENX) plans to restart over 50,000MT of idled production at its Mt. Holly, SC smelter with an investment of approximately $50 million [1] - The company is the largest producer of primary aluminum in the United States and operates production facilities in Iceland, the Netherlands, and Jamaica [5] Production and Economic Impact - The restart will create over 100 new jobs and boost U.S. domestic aluminum production by almost 10 percent [1] - The Mt. Holly smelter, when operating at full capacity, has an economic impact of over $890 million annually in South Carolina, with an average wage of $100,000 for jobs directly supported by Century Aluminum [3] Government and Regulatory Support - The restart is facilitated by President Trump's application of Section 232 tariffs, which recently increased tariffs on aluminum imports to 50% [2] - The South Carolina Public Service Authority (Santee Cooper) has cooperated with Century Aluminum to extend the current power supply contract through 2031, which is essential for the restart [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q2 2025 were $289 million, with non-GAAP revenues at $281 million after excluding $8 million from discontinued operations [22] - Non-GAAP gross margin increased to 13.1% from 7.8% in Q1 2025, driven by higher revenue and increased utilization of operational cost structure [23][24] - Non-GAAP operating loss for Q2 was $48.3 million, an improvement from a loss of $72.4 million in Q1 [26] - Non-GAAP net loss was $47.7 million in Q2, compared to $66.1 million in Q1, with net loss per share improving to $0.81 from $1.14 [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. revenues amounted to $185 million, representing 66% of non-GAAP revenues, while Europe contributed $65 million (23%) and international markets $31 million (11%) [22] - The company recorded a one-time expense of $18 million related to the disposition of its tracker business and a $37 million write-down of the Stella II facility [25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. residential market is expected to see a shift towards the TPO model, which is anticipated to accelerate in 2026 [12] - In Europe, the company has seen initial market share gains in Q2, although overall share remains below historical levels [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to maximize opportunities from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which supports onshoring manufacturing to the U.S. and extends storage tax credits [6][7] - The focus is on ramping up U.S. manufacturing, with production facilities in Texas, Florida, and Utah [19] - The NexSys platform is on track for initial volume by the end of the year, aimed at enhancing product offerings and market competitiveness [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving positive free cash flow for the full year 2025, despite challenges from tariffs [10][27] - The company anticipates a decline in residential demand in 2026 due to the elimination of the 25D credit, but expects this to be partially offset by the TPO shift [9][74] - Management highlighted the importance of domestic content and compliance with FiOQ requirements to capture market share [12][44] Other Important Information - The company has approximately $812 million in cash and investments, with a net cash position of about $470 million [27] - Inventory levels decreased by $108 million to $529 million, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of reduction [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sustainability of revenue in Q2 and Q3 - Management indicated that Q3 guidance does not include significant pull forward of demand related to 25D or safe harbor, reflecting ongoing business recovery [35] Question: Gross margin expectations beyond Q3 - Management noted that higher revenue will drive better utilization of fixed costs, contributing to improved margins [38] Question: Safe harbor opportunities in C&I business - Management refrained from providing specifics on safe harbor deals but acknowledged strong demand in the C&I segment [44] Question: Revenue growth expectations in Europe and the U.S. - Management expects strong performance in the U.S. market, while the European market may remain weak [53] Question: Pricing strategy in Europe - Management stated that pricing is not currently a barrier to growth, and they are prepared to respond to market conditions as needed [97] Question: Battery sourcing strategy and margin targets - Management emphasized a focus on quality and reliability in battery sourcing, with ongoing efforts to improve cost structures [100] Question: Warranty impact on margins - Management noted improvements in product quality, which should positively affect warranty-related costs over time [105]