Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gates reported third-quarter total sales of $856 million, translating to core growth of 1.7% year-over-year, with total revenues growing by 3% due to favorable foreign currency effects [9][10] - Adjusted EBITDA was $196 million, with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.9%, representing a record margin for the third quarter and an increase of 90 basis points year-over-year [10][11] - Adjusted earnings per share increased by approximately 18% year-over-year to $0.39, driven by operating performance and a lower tax rate [11][12] - The net leverage ratio improved to 2.0 turns, a reduction of 0.4 turns compared to the previous year [7][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the power transmission segment, revenues were $533 million with core growth of 2.3%, driven by personal mobility growth exceeding 20% [11][12] - The fluid power segment generated $322 million in sales, with core growth just under 1%, impacted by mid-teens decline in commercial on-highway sales [12][13] - Automotive replacement sales grew in the low single digits, while OEM sales were flat, reflecting mixed performance across different channels [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American core sales were flat, with a low double-digit decline in industrial OEM sales due to demand weakness in agriculture and commercial on-highway [14][15] - EMEA saw core sales growth of 2.6%, with personal mobility growing almost 75% [15][16] - East Asia and India posted approximately 5% core growth, while South America experienced low to mid-single-digit declines [15][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on restructuring plans, including closing multiple factories and implementing an ERP system conversion expected to be completed by mid-2026 [18][19] - The board approved a new $300 million share repurchase authorization, indicating a commitment to returning value to shareholders while maintaining flexibility for potential acquisitions [7][24] - The company anticipates achieving an Adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 24% by the end of 2026, driven by ongoing cost optimization and strategic initiatives [22][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while macro-industrial demand remains subdued, they are optimistic about stability and potential improvement in demand across most end markets by 2026 [9][23] - The company is experiencing uneven end market performance, with expectations for a gradual recovery in industrial demand [8][9] - Management expressed confidence in the growth potential of personal mobility and data center opportunities, projecting a compound annual growth rate of around 30% for personal mobility from 2025 to 2028 [36][38] Other Important Information - The company has updated its 2025 guidance, raising the adjusted EPS midpoint to $1.50 per share while slightly lowering the core sales growth outlook [7][17] - Free cash flow was reported at $73 million, representing a 73% conversion to adjusted net income, impacted by increased restructuring cash outflows [16][17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on margin targets and restructuring costs - Management confirmed that the 24% margin target for 2027 serves as a foundational floor, with expectations for growth in 2026 [29][30] - Additional costs related to restructuring and ERP implementation were discussed, with expectations for improved efficiencies post-implementation [32][33] Question: Growth visibility in personal mobility and data center markets - Management expressed optimism about personal mobility growth, projecting a 30% compound annual growth rate over the next three years [36][38] - The company is seeing increased design activity in liquid cooling for data centers, indicating strong future demand [38] Question: Impact of tariffs and volume expectations - Management noted a 30-40 basis point dilution in gross margins due to tariffs, but emphasized that the overall impact on EBITDA remains manageable [51][52] - There is cautious optimism regarding stabilization in agricultural markets and potential recovery in 2026 [53][54] Question: Insights on regional growth and market conditions - North America faces challenges in agriculture, while EMEA and Asia are showing positive growth trends, particularly in automotive replacement [85][88] - Management highlighted the potential for growth in South America and India as economic conditions improve [86][88]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total sales for the second quarter were $884 million, representing a 0.6% decline on a core basis [8] - Adjusted EBITDA was $199 million with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.5%, a decrease of 30 basis points [10] - Adjusted earnings per share increased by approximately 8% to $0.39 [10] - Free cash flow grew year over year to $74 million, representing 73% conversion to adjusted net income [20] - Net leverage ratio declined to 2.2 times, improving by 0.1 times compared to the prior year [21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Power Transmission segment, revenues were $550 million, with high single-digit growth in industrial OEM sales offset by a decline in automotive OEM sales [11] - The Fluid Power segment reported sales of $334 million, translating to a 2.5% decrease on a core basis, with mixed end market dynamics [12] - Personal mobility grew 18% in the quarter, while the industrial replacement channel realized positive core growth for the first time since Q1 2023 [9][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America core sales declined 1.3%, primarily affected by lower OEM demand [15] - EMEA core sales fell just over 1%, with OEM sales down mid single digits [16] - East Asia and India posted approximately 4% core growth, with growth across all industrial end markets [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on executing well in an uncertain macro environment and is preparing for an anticipated acceleration in core growth over the mid-term [29] - Investments in commercial front-end and innovation are aimed at capitalizing on strategic growth opportunities [11][28] - The company anticipates that investments in new belts and sprockets will bring belt drives closer to cost parity with chains, unlocking potential market growth [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the recovery of personal mobility and anticipates growth to inflect higher in the second half of the year [29] - The company is seeing stability in agricultural markets and expects further opportunities in the industrial off-road market [29] - Management highlighted the importance of improving gross margins through material cost savings and productivity [30] Other Important Information - The company updated its 2025 guidance, raising the adjusted EBITDA midpoint to $780 million and adjusted EPS midpoint to $1.48 [7][22] - The anticipated annualized impact of tariffs is approximately $50 million, with plans to cover 85% to 90% of the projected impact through pricing and operational actions [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Confidence in growth pivot in Q3 - Management indicated that order rates have been as anticipated, with improvements in industrial replacement and personal mobility driving confidence in growth rates [36][38] Question: Data center market opportunity - Management expressed a more bullish view on the data center market, anticipating significant revenue growth driven by liquid cooling adoption [40] Question: Auto OE softness and selective participation - Management confirmed that the softness is primarily due to lower production, particularly in Europe, and emphasized their strategy of selective participation in the auto OE market [46][47] Question: Chain to belt conversion cost parity - Management noted that they are making meaningful progress towards cost parity between belt drives and chain drives, which is expected to accelerate market adoption [50][51] Question: Industrial recovery signs - Management highlighted stability in agricultural markets and improvements in industrial replacement order rates, while noting ongoing challenges in construction and on-highway markets [58][59] Question: Buyback and free cash flow confidence - Management confirmed a balanced approach to capital deployment, focusing on debt reduction while also considering stock buybacks due to undervaluation [62][63] Question: EBITDA margin outlook - Management confirmed expectations of high operating leverage in the second half of the year, with continued focus on core growth and enterprise initiatives [70][71]