Two - step distribution

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Boise Cascade(BCC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-05-06 14:32
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated first quarter sales were $1.5 billion, down 7% from Q1 2024 [7] - Net income was $40.3 million or $1.06 per share, compared to $104.1 million or $2.61 per share in the prior year quarter [7] - Wood Products sales were $415.8 million, down 11% year-over-year [9] - Wood Products segment EBITDA decreased to $40.2 million from $95.6 million in the previous year [9] - BMD sales were $1.4 billion, down 7% from Q1 2024, with segment EBITDA of $62.8 million compared to $83.6 million [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Wood Products segment saw lower EWP and plywood sales prices and volumes, with a significant impact from the Oakdale outage [9] - BMD's gross margin was 14.7%, a decline of 40 basis points year-over-year [10] - LVL and I joists volumes were down 3%, better than the 6% decline in single-family housing starts [10] - Plywood sales volume was 363 million feet, down from 372 million feet in Q1 2024 [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. housing starts decreased 26% year-over-year, impacting demand [7] - Daily sales pace in BMD improved in April, approximately 13% higher than Q1 2025 [15] - Weather significantly influenced sales activity, with January and February below $21.5 million daily, rebounding in March [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on strategic investments and capital returns to shareholders, supported by a strong balance sheet [8] - Continued emphasis on two-step distribution model to support customer inventory management [26] - Ongoing modernization projects at Oakdale are expected to enhance EWP production capabilities [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed uncertainty regarding 2025 end market demand, with forecasts ranging from flat to mid-single digit declines [21] - Long-term demand drivers remain strong, characterized by housing undersupply and aging housing stock [22] - The company remains agile and prepared to respond to economic changes while focusing on customer service [22] Other Important Information - Capital expenditures in Q1 were $53 million, with a range of $220 million to $240 million expected for 2025 [17] - The company repurchased $71 million of common stock in the first four months of 2025 [19] - The Oakdale facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of Q2 2025 [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on general line side of the business and inventory positions - Management noted that customers are relying on two-step distribution for inventory management and new product introductions [26] Question: Update on Oakdale project and ramp-up - The Oakdale facility is expected to shift veneer back into EWP production as it comes back online [29] Question: Capital allocation priorities and M&A pipeline - Management indicated a quiet M&A pipeline but remains open to opportunities while focusing on organic growth and share repurchases [30] Question: EWP pricing expectations for Q2 - Management expects low single-digit sequential pricing declines, with competitive pressures remaining [40] Question: Competitive pressures in EWP - Competitive challenges are primarily from existing EWP producers rather than dimensional lumber or open web trusses [52] Question: Impact of recent transactions in the industry - Management emphasized the importance of executing at a high level amidst ongoing industry consolidation [82]