Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales decreased by 5% to $4.2 billion, driven by lower organic sales and commodity deflation, partially offset by growth from acquisitions [20][21] - Gross profit was $1.3 billion, a decrease of 11% compared to the prior year, with a gross margin of 30.7%, down 20 basis points [23] - Adjusted EBITDA was $506 million, down 24%, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 12%, down 300 basis points from the prior year [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Multifamily sales declined by 23%, while single-family sales decreased by 9%, attributed to lower starts activity and value per start [21] - Repair and remodel increased by 3%, driven by strength in the Mid Atlantic and South Central regions [21] - The company invested over $35 million in value-added solutions, including opening a new millwork location in Florida and upgrading plants in seven states [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Single-family starts are expected to decrease through year-end due to builders managing construction pace amid affordability concerns [10] - Multifamily remains muted due to higher input and financing costs, but it is still considered an appealing and profitable business [11] - The company anticipates a headwind to sales of $400 million to $500 million in multifamily and a headwind to EBITDA of less than $200 million [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on three key areas: customer service, operational excellence, and disciplined capital allocation [6][7] - Investments in technology, including the implementation of a single ERP system, are expected to unlock growth and efficiency opportunities [7] - The company remains committed to pursuing higher return opportunities through acquisitions, despite a slower M&A environment [12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the challenging market environment but emphasizes the importance of operational discipline and customer service [5][10] - The company expects net sales for 2025 to be in the range of $14.8 billion to $15.6 billion, with adjusted EBITDA forecasted between $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion [28][29] - Management remains confident in the company's ability to drive long-term growth by executing its strategy and maintaining financial flexibility [29] Other Important Information - The company completed a $750 million offering of senior unsecured notes to pay down the balance on its ABL [26] - The company has a net debt to adjusted EBITDA ratio of approximately 2.3x and a fixed charge coverage ratio of roughly 6x [26] - The company has repurchased 3.3 million shares at an average price of $118.27 per share, with $500 million remaining on its share repurchase authorization [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company strengthening its competitive position in a disappointing starts environment? - Management highlighted improvements in on-time and in-full performance, aligning closely with builders to enhance affordability and efficiency through technology [34][35] Question: What drove the sequential improvement in gross margins in Q2? - Management noted better-than-expected performance in multifamily and repair and remodel sectors contributed to the margin outperformance [40][41] Question: Can you discuss the impact of Canadian lumber tariffs on your outlook? - Management has factored in the duties into their guidance, expecting minimal impact on financial results in 2025 due to lead times on existing orders [62][64] Question: How does the company plan to balance market share and margin? - Management emphasized maintaining a fair return while being prepared to walk away from business that does not meet margin expectations [91][92] Question: What is the status of the ERP rollout and associated costs? - The ERP project went live on July 1, with expected cash expenses of $140 million in 2025, but no changes to the projection at this time [108][110]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net loss of $72.9 million or a loss of $1.14 per share for Q1 2025, compared to a net loss of $51.4 million or $0.81 per share in Q1 2024 [23][24] - Revenue for the quarter was $601.5 million, up 0.7% year over year [24] - Adjusted EBITDA excluding restructuring charges was a loss of $24.2 million, compared to a negative $21.5 million in Q1 last year [25] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a record 100% utilization rate across its nine operating plants, demonstrating strong asset performance [25] - The anticipated decline in SG&A run rate is from $118 million in 2024 to an estimated $93 million annualized by year-end [7][26] - The company achieved $30 million in annualized cost savings and an additional $15 million from a new ethanol marketing partnership [6][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. ethanol exports are expected to surpass last year's record of nearly 2 billion gallons in 2025 [17] - Ethanol margins have strengthened heading into Q2 and Q3, supported by firmer corn oil fundamentals and anticipated increases in renewable volume obligations [17][19] - Current ethanol inventory levels are at 25 million barrels, with expectations to drop towards 23 million as the driving season begins [82] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on returning to sustained profitability through disciplined execution and operational excellence [4][5] - A strategic marketing partnership with EcoEnergy aims to enhance scale and optimize transportation and marketing economics [19][69] - The company is pausing its clean sugar technology initiative to maximize profitability from existing operations while addressing wastewater management challenges [15][108] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving positive EBITDA for the remainder of the year, driven by cost reductions and improved market conditions [34][78] - The carbon strategy remains on track, with construction of carbon compression infrastructure advancing as planned [30][31] - The company is actively engaged in monetizing its carbon credits and expects to provide updates in future calls [31][34] Other Important Information - The company has executed a $30 million line of credit to enhance liquidity and support ongoing operations [28][72] - Capital expenditures in Q1 were $16.7 million, with expectations for the remainder of 2025 to be around $20 million [29] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on hedging practices and risk management - Management confirmed the reestablishment of hedging practices to manage risk effectively, utilizing analytics and market opportunities [39][41] Question: Status of CEO search - The CEO search is ongoing, with a focus on candidates who can align with the company's strategic direction [44] Question: Impact of carbon capture construction timeline - Construction is on track for early Q4 startup, with no anticipated delays [48] Question: Tariff impacts on product exports - Currently, there have been no adverse impacts from tariffs, and the company is optimistic about potential new market opportunities [49][50] Question: Profit contribution from corn oil and protein platforms - Corn oil prices have improved, and the company expects continued support for margins from this segment [86][89] Question: Details on non-core asset sales - The company is focused on exiting non-core assets to streamline operations and improve focus on core business [77][78]

Financial Performance and Key Metrics - The company achieved over $2 billion in annual sales for the first time, with a year-over-year net sales growth of 4.1% [8][10] - Consolidated net sales for Q4 2024 were $534 million, an 8% increase year-over-year, driven by strong customer demand [13][30] - Adjusted operating margin for Q4 was 17.5%, expanding 210 basis points compared to the same period last year [14][33] - Adjusted diluted EPS increased by 40% to $2.20 for the quarter [15][33] - Free cash flow for Q4 was $63 million, allowing for $54 million in debt repayment [15][41] Business Segment Performance - Light Duty segment saw net sales increase by 11% year-over-year, with a segment profit margin of 20.1%, up 350 basis points [35][36] - Heavy Duty segment experienced an 8% decline in net sales due to ongoing market challenges, with plans for new product development to capture market share when conditions improve [37][28] - Specialty Vehicles segment reported a 5% increase in net sales, driven by new product initiatives and an expanded dealer network [39][28] Market Data and Key Metrics - Vehicle miles traveled increased year-over-year, contributing to strong POS growth in the Light Duty segment [26] - The Heavy Duty market remains soft, with delayed repairs impacting sales performance [78][81] - Specialty Vehicle market showed signs of stabilization, but inflation and high interest rates continue to affect new machine acquisition [96] Company Strategy and Industry Competition - The company emphasizes innovation as a core strategy, focusing on new product development and operational excellence [16][20] - Plans to diversify and optimize the supply chain to enhance flexibility and reduce country-specific concentration [23] - The acquisition pipeline remains robust, with expectations for improved M&A activity as trade uncertainties clear [24][69] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the operational model and strategic growth opportunities for 2025, despite uncertainties around tariffs and macroeconomic factors [46][48] - The company expects net sales growth of 3% to 5% in 2025, with light duty driving solid sales growth [48][49] - Heavy Duty segment is expected to see flattish sales growth, while Specialty Vehicle is projected to experience modest growth [49] Other Important Information - The company has a new $500 million stock repurchase plan effective January 1, 2025, expiring in December 2027 [42][94] - The balance sheet remains strong, with net debt reduced to $426 million and total liquidity at $642 million [43][44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on tariff exposure related to China - Management indicated that approximately 30% of purchases will come from the U.S. in 2025, with 30% to 40% from China, making the current tariff situation manageable [61][60] Question: Early signs in the heavy-duty market and channel expansion - Management noted that the heavy-duty market is stabilizing, with a focus on new product launches and productivity initiatives [64][65] Question: Heavy-duty market performance drivers - Delayed repairs are impacting the heavy-duty market, with expectations for a robust ramp-up once the market inflects [78][81] Question: M&A pipeline opportunities - The M&A pipeline is robust across all segments, but activity has slowed due to trade uncertainties [69] Question: Capital allocation priorities - The company prioritizes debt management, internal investments, and then M&A, with share buybacks being opportunistic [93][94] Question: Specialty Vehicle market dynamics - The Specialty Vehicle market is down overall, but the company has focused on non-discretionary repair parts and channel expansion to outperform [97][96] Question: Margin profile of complex electronics - Complex electronics within the light vehicle segment have a strong margin profile, typically outperforming the overall business [108] Question: Inflation rate and pricing outlook - Management anticipates a low single-digit inflation rate in the absence of tariffs, with general inflation affecting costs [111]