Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total net sales grew 34% to $1.3 billion, including $345 million from acquired AZEK sales, while organic sales declined 1% [22] - Adjusted EBITDA was $330 million, with a 25.5% adjusted EBITDA margin [22] - Adjusted net income was $154 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.26 [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Siding and Trim segment, net sales increased 10%, including $89 million from AZEK, while organic net sales declined 3% due to lower volumes [23][24] - Deck Rail and Accessories saw net sales increase by 6% on a pro forma basis, with adjusted EBITDA of $79 million and a 30.7% adjusted EBITDA margin [25] - Australia and New Zealand net sales declined 10% due to a 20% decline in volumes, partially offset by a 14% rise in average selling price [26] - Europe experienced an 18% increase in net sales, driven by strong Fiber Gypsum volume and average net sales price [27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America accounted for 80% of net sales, with new construction representing approximately 40% of revenue and Repair and Remodel at 60% [9][10] - The company expects mid-single-digit organic net sales declines for the full year, with challenges in the Siding and Trim segment [10][28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on profitable growth, disciplined execution, and material conversion from wood and inferior materials to composite alternatives and Fiber Cement [7] - The integration with AZEK is on track, with a focus on cost synergies and expanding market reach [18][19] - The company aims to drive material conversion and sharpen execution across the business [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that market conditions have stabilized, leading to a modest increase in full-year guidance despite ongoing challenges [8] - The company is optimistic about long-term cash generation and expects to generate at least $200 million in free cash flow for the year [30] - Management emphasized the importance of contractor conversion and the potential for growth in the Repair and Remodel market [12][66] Other Important Information - The company appointed Nigel Steen as Chair of the Board and Ryan Lada as the new Chief Financial Officer [4][6] - The company has surpassed its first-year cost synergy goal and is targeting $125 million in total cost synergies [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Trends in Siding and Trim, particularly with builder customers in the South - Management noted that the deterioration in market conditions has been less severe than previously expected, with some regions showing more stability [36][39] Question: Competitive environment in decking and railing - Management indicated that they have not seen a need to change their strategy and continue to focus on customer value [42][46] Question: Pricing expectations in decking - Management confirmed that they will continue to take inflationary pricing in the marketplace and do not foresee changes [52] Question: Future plans for railing product introductions - Management highlighted the recent launch of Advantage Rail and the strategy to provide a complete portfolio to dealer partners [55][58] Question: Organic strategy and challenges in the Northeast - Management identified the need to decrease the price differential versus inferior substrates as a key opportunity for growth [63][66] Question: Cost synergies and timing - Management reported that they have achieved significant G&A cost synergies and are focused on ensuring no disruption to the base business [77][78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's net sales decreased by 2% in the second quarter, but were in line with the prior year when excluding the Kichler divestiture and currency impacts [13][22] - Gross margins increased by 10 basis points to 37.7%, while operating profit grew by $14 million to $413 million, resulting in an operating profit margin increase of 100 basis points to 20.1% [13][24] - Earnings per share (EPS) grew by 8% to $1.3 per share [13][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Plumbing sales increased by 4% in local currency, with North American Plumbing sales up by 5% driven by favorable pricing and volume [14][25] - International plumbing sales increased by 1% in local currency, with operating profit for the segment at $276 million and an operating margin of 21% [15][25] - Decorative Architectural segment sales decreased by 12%, with total paint sales down mid-single digits due to lower volume [15][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global repair and remodel market is anticipated to decline by low single digits, with the company expecting to outperform the market [19][33] - The company expects its sales to be roughly flat, excluding the impacts of divestiture and currency, with lower volumes offset by pricing [19][33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to strengthen its portfolio of brands and enhance consumer experiences while driving profitable growth [8][20] - The focus is on leveraging digital strategies, including e-commerce and digital marketing, to accelerate top-line growth [83] - The company is committed to maintaining cost discipline while investing in future growth opportunities [30][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the dynamic geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, emphasizing the need for mitigation actions against tariffs and commodity cost increases [12][17] - The company anticipates some uncertainty in near-term market conditions but remains optimistic about structural factors supporting long-term growth [20][34] - Management expects headwinds in the second half of the year, particularly related to tariff costs and commodity inflation [35] Other Important Information - The company plans to allocate approximately $450 million towards share repurchases or acquisitions in 2025, with a focus on bolt-on acquisitions [38][41] - The balance sheet remains strong, with gross debt to EBITDA at two times and $1.3 billion in liquidity [28][29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Allocation of $450 million to repurchases and acquisitions - Management indicated that acquisitions would be bolt-on in nature, focusing on core areas, with the majority of the allocation expected for share repurchases [38][41] Question: Sustainability of propane growth - The propane business has grown significantly, and management believes there is still room for growth, particularly through partnerships with The Home Depot [42][43] Question: Pre-buy activity in plumbing - Some pre-buy activity was noted in plumbing, primarily related to tariff price increases, but overall channel inventories remain healthy [48][50] Question: DIY paint consumption trends - Management highlighted that existing home sales, which are at a three-decade low, are a major driver of softness in the DIY market [54][56] Question: Performance of plumbing brands - Upper premium and luxury brands are performing well, while mid-tier brands are experiencing some trade-down [61][63] Question: Mitigation actions against tariffs - Management is employing pricing, cost reductions, and sourcing changes to mitigate tariff impacts, with a focus on reducing exposure to China [74][104] Question: Working capital dynamics - Working capital is impacted by tariffs and inflation, with a focus on maintaining lean inventory while managing tariff-related costs [118][119]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the second quarter, net sales decreased by 2%, but were in line with the prior year when excluding the Kichler divestiture and currency impacts [11][19] - Gross margins increased by 10 basis points to 37.7% [11][20] - Operating profit grew by $14 million to $413 million, with an operating profit margin increase of 100 basis points to 20.1% [11][20] - Earnings per share grew by 8% to $1.3 per share [11][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Plumbing sales increased by 4% in local currency, with North American Plumbing sales up by 5% driven by favorable pricing and volume [12][22] - International plumbing sales increased by 1% in local currency, with operating profit for the segment at $276 million and an operating margin of 21% [12][22] - Decorative Architectural segment sales decreased by 12%, or 4% excluding the Kichler divestiture, with overall paint sales down mid-single digits [13][24] - Pro paint sales increased mid-single digits, while DIY paint sales decreased high single digits [14][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The global repair and remodel market is anticipated to decline by low single digits in 2025 [16][30] - The company expects its sales in 2025 to decrease by low single digits, impacted by the Kichler divestiture, with currency having a favorable impact of approximately 1% [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The new CEO plans to engage with stakeholders to strengthen the brand portfolio and drive profitable growth [6][18] - The company aims to leverage digital strategies, including e-commerce and digital marketing, to accelerate top-line growth while maintaining strong margins [80] - The focus remains on achieving additional growth and benefiting from the structural factors of the housing market, such as aging housing stock and high home equity levels [17][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the dynamic geopolitical and macroeconomic environment, which has impacted sales and margins [10][15] - The company anticipates continued pressure on DIY paint sales due to low existing home turnover and macroeconomic conditions [14][24] - Despite near-term uncertainties, the long-term outlook for repair and remodel activity remains strong [17][18] Other Important Information - The company has a strong balance sheet with gross debt to EBITDA at two times and $1.3 billion in liquidity [25] - The company returned $167 million to shareholders in the second quarter through dividends and share repurchases [26] - The company plans to invest approximately $175 million in capital expenditures and anticipates deploying at least $450 million towards share repurchases or acquisitions in 2025 [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Allocation of $450 million to repurchases and acquisitions - Management indicated that acquisitions would be bolt-on in nature, focusing on core areas, with the majority of the $450 million likely allocated to share repurchases [34][36][38] Question: Sustainability of propane growth - The propane business has grown significantly, and management believes there is still room for growth, particularly through partnerships with The Home Depot [39][40] Question: Pre-buy activity in plumbing - Some pre-buy activity was noted in plumbing due to anticipated price increases, but overall channel inventories remain healthy [44][46] Question: DIY paint consumption trends - Management highlighted that existing home sales, which are at a three-decade low, are a major driver of softness in DIY paint sales [51][52] Question: Brand performance in plumbing - Upper premium and luxury brands are performing well, while mid-tier brands are experiencing some trade-down [58][60] Question: Mitigation actions against tariffs - Management is implementing cost reductions, pricing actions, and sourcing changes to mitigate tariff impacts, with a focus on reducing exposure to China [71][100] Question: Future tariff impacts - Management stated it is premature to estimate the impact of potential future tariffs, but they are focused on providing guidance based on currently enacted tariffs [84][86] Question: Working capital dynamics - The increase in working capital is largely driven by tariffs and material cost inflation, with a focus on lean inventory management [112][114]