Sales Performance - Group sales declined by 2%[7] - APG's sales decreased mainly due to an unfavorable customer mix in China and competitive pricing pressures[7] - IPG's sales improved slightly amid mixed regional market and customer dynamics[7] - Asia-Pacific IPG sales declined due to keen price competition and customer program delays[19, 22] - EMEA IPG sales were boosted by new launches and replenishment orders[20] - Americas IPG sales faced softer demand in some product segments, partially offset by increased sales for high-precision piezo motors[20] Automotive Products Group (APG) - APG's sales were negatively impacted by reduced demand for non-domestic car brands in China, partially offset by accelerating sales to domestic car brands[11] - APG faced market-driven pricing adjustments[11] - APG experienced phasing out of certain programs[11] Industry Products Group (IPG) - IPG and its customers faced keen price competition and certain customers delayed programs[22] Joint Ventures - Joint venture agreements signed with Shanghai Mechanical & Electrical Industrial Co, Ltd (SMEIC) on 16 July, 2025[27] - Johnson Electric supplies components to the Shenzhen joint venture, including motors and planetary reducers[27] Exchange Rates - CAD weakened against the USD by 1.2%[33] - CNY weakened against the USD by 1.2%[33] - EUR strengthened against the USD by 5.2%[33]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q3 fiscal 2025, consolidated net sales increased by 4% to $21.5 million compared to Q3 fiscal 2024 [6][15] - Gross margin reached 38.4%, an increase from 38.2% year over year, reflecting a more profitable sales mix [16] - Net income for Q3 fiscal 2025 was $122,000 or $0.01 per diluted share, down from $977,000 or $0.10 per diluted share in Q3 fiscal 2024 [16][17] - Non-GAAP adjusted net income was $228,000 or $0.02 per diluted share compared to $1.1 million or $0.11 per diluted share in the prior year [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Xerus Industrial's net sales increased by 7.1%, while ZERUST Oil and Gas net sales decreased by 5.3%, and Natur Tec net sales declined by 1.2% [6][11] - Natur Tec sales were $5.8 million, representing a 1.2% year-over-year decline but a 16.5% sequential increase from Q2 fiscal 2025 [12] - ZERUST Oil and Gas sales were $1.3 million compared to $1.4 million in the same period last year, with a trailing twelve-month sales increase of 15.4% [10][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Joint venture sales decreased by 12.9% year over year to $2.3 million, attributed to high energy prices and regional economic pressures in Europe [7] - NTSC China net sales increased by 27.4% to $4.5 million, marking the second highest quarterly revenue since transitioning to a wholly owned subsidiary [8][9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on supporting existing customers, expanding global relationships, and scaling in high-growth markets [5] - Continued investments in the oil and gas business are part of the long-term growth strategy, despite higher operating expenses [5][11] - The company is optimistic about the potential recovery in European markets due to government stimulus packages [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects improvements in profitability in Q4 fiscal 2025 and continued progress in fiscal 2026 [6] - The company remains committed to long-term growth opportunities and believes that strategic priorities will drive sustainable growth and profitability [19] Other Important Information - As of May 31, 2025, working capital was $21.7 million, including $6.8 million in cash [18] - The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.01 per common share [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Comments on improved quarter and operational profits - Management acknowledged significant improvement in operational profits from Q2 to Q3, with nearly all business units showing progress [22][23] Question: Cost comparison of new technology in oil and gas - Management confirmed that the new technology is cheaper on the front end compared to traditional methods, with easier installation and better long-term protection [24][28] Question: Incremental spending on sales for oil and gas - The company projected an additional $1.3 million in personnel costs for oil and gas over the past twelve months, translating to about $3.4 million in quarterly expenses [32] Question: Profitability of NTSC China - Management confirmed that NTSC China has been profitable for some time, with significant revenue growth observed [36] Question: Developments in compostable packaging - The company is working on improving the water vapor transmission rate of compostable packaging, with potential applications in food packaging expected to generate revenue in the next two years [41][42]

Core Viewpoint - The U.S. President Trump announced a plan to impose tariffs ranging from 25% to 40% on imports from 14 countries, including Japan and South Korea, starting August 1, which has led to immediate responses from the affected nations and raised new challenges in international trade relations [1][2][4]. Group 1: Responses from Affected Countries - Japan expressed "regret" over the U.S. decision but remains open to negotiations, indicating potential modifications to the tariff letter before the deadline [2][3]. - South Korea vowed to expedite tariff negotiations with the U.S. to resolve trade uncertainties swiftly [3][4]. - Thailand's finance minister expressed shock at the tariff rates but is confident in reducing them to levels similar to other countries [4][5]. - Malaysia and Myanmar are also seeking to engage with the U.S. to negotiate fair trade agreements or lower tariffs [5][6]. Group 2: Specific Country Reactions - South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa challenged the accuracy of the tariff calculations, asserting that there are discrepancies in trade data interpretation between the two nations [6][7]. - Brazil's President Lula criticized the U.S. tariffs as "wrong and irresponsible," emphasizing that other countries could retaliate with equivalent tariffs if the U.S. proceeds [7][8]. Group 3: Broader Implications - Despite various countries actively seeking to resolve the crisis through dialogue, previous efforts have not significantly influenced the final outcomes, leading to increased uncertainty in future trade relations [1][7].

Group 1 - The US-EU trade negotiations have not made significant progress, with discussions expected to continue until the weekend [1] - The EU aims to reach a principle agreement with the US by July 9, and if not, seeks to extend the deadline for tariff increases [1][2] - The focus of the negotiations is on tariff exemptions for goods such as aircraft parts and spirits [1] Group 2 - Core demands between the US and EU are significantly divergent, with the EU willing to make concessions on purchasing US agricultural products, weapons, and LNG, while the US insists on addressing the trade deficit with demands on non-tariff barriers [2] - The US has imposed a 50% tariff on EU steel and aluminum products, a 25% tariff on automobiles, and a 10% baseline tariff on nearly all other goods [3] - The EU has postponed retaliatory tariffs on $210 billion worth of US imports until July 14, and is considering a second set of countermeasures initially estimated at €95 billion, now reduced to €72 billion [3] Group 3 - Goldman Sachs predicts that the most likely outcome of the US-EU trade negotiations will be a limited compromise [4]

Core Viewpoint - The State Administration for Market Regulation has drafted the "Regulations on Quality and Safety Supervision of Key Industrial Products Sold Online (Draft for Public Comments)" to enhance oversight of online sales of key industrial products [1] Group 1: Regulatory Framework - The draft regulations focus on the online sales segment of key industrial products, aiming to integrate government regulation with platform governance [1] - The document consists of six chapters and thirty-five articles, covering general principles, obligations of e-commerce platform operators, obligations of operators within the platform, supervision and management, legal responsibilities, and supplementary provisions [1] Group 2: Objectives and Implementation - The regulations are designed to promote a closed-loop supervision system that combines online and offline monitoring [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenues of $289 million for the first quarter, down 7.8% from $313 million in the same period last year [20] - Adjusted EBITDA margin was 19.3%, with adjusted diluted EPS at $0.73, compared to $0.90 in the prior year [7][23] - Consolidated gross profit was $96 million, or 33.4% of sales, down from $109 million or 34.7% of sales in the prior year [20][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Machine Clothing segment reported revenues of $175 million, a decrease of 5.7% year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 28.4% [9][23] - Engineered Composites segment revenues were $114 million, down 11% from the previous year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.5% [14][24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America experienced a slight decline in deliveries, but strong order flow indicates market strength [9] - Europe showed signs of recovery with good deliveries and strong orders, while Asia faced mixed results with some weakness in China [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on integrating Heimbach and expects to see benefits from this integration accelerate in the second half of the year [6][11] - The strategy includes enhancing operational efficiencies and regionalizing business operations to mitigate tariff impacts [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged uncertainty in the markets but noted that tariffs did not materially impact performance in the first quarter [6] - The company reaffirmed its full-year guidance, expecting stronger performance in the second half of 2025 due to ramping up at AEC and Heimbach synergies [25] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $69 million worth of shares in the first quarter, with $193 million remaining under the current share repurchase authorization [8] - The balance sheet remains strong with a cash balance of over $119 million and $384 million of borrowing capacity [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Status of LEAP program and inventory management - Management indicated that they are monitoring inventory levels and expect to meet Safran's production schedule, with potential upside in the second half of the year [27][41] Question: Opportunities for backlog growth - Management noted that there are new opportunities in space and missile programs, and they are selective about the projects they pursue [28][39] Question: Details on the new contract with Bell - The company has secured a seven-year contract with Bell, taking over complex parts production, which is seen as an opportunity to demonstrate capabilities [36][38] Question: LEAP revenue growth expectations - Management maintained their plan for the year but noted potential for upside as demand from Boeing and Airbus increases [41] Question: Confidence in Machine Clothing segment growth - Management attributed the decline in organic growth to divestitures but expressed confidence in strong backlog and order strength for the upcoming quarters [59]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company generated revenue of $321 million, a decline of less than 1% compared to the previous year, with U.S. revenue down 0.3% and Canadian revenue down 2.5% in local currency [4][12] - Gross margin increased by 60 basis points year-over-year to 34.9%, and operating income improved by 4.6% [5][16] - Operating income from continuing operations was $18.2 million, with an operating margin of 5.7% [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The performance of the company's largest strategic accounts improved, contributing positively to revenue growth as the quarter progressed [4][7] - The Indof business continued to see growth in new order generation, indicating strong performance in project-based segments [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced challenges due to tariffs enacted in April, which disrupted the supply chain and impacted price and demand dynamics [8][10] - Despite these challenges, the company maintained a strong inventory position, which provided flexibility in price cost management [14][31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to broaden its customer base by expanding existing account relationships and accelerating growth initiatives [7] - There is a focus on enhancing performance through account-based marketing and improving the alignment of marketing and sales [7] - The company is actively diversifying its supply chain to mitigate risks associated with tariffs, particularly those affecting imports from China [15][40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to manage through the current environment, emphasizing a customer-centric approach and strong balance sheet [10][19] - The future demand environment remains uncertain due to macroeconomic factors and tariffs, but management is focused on executing effectively [25][63] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly dividend of $0.26 per share, reflecting its strong financial position [20] - Capital expenditures for 2025 are expected to be in the range of $2 million to $3 million, primarily for maintenance-related investments [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of Indof on the quarter - Management noted that Indof saw broader growth across larger customer segments, with no significant pull forward demand observed [24] Question: SD and A expenses sustainability - Management indicated that SD and A expenses were controlled, with a focus on maintaining cost efficiency while allowing for revenue growth [26][27] Question: Future pricing and gross margins amid tariffs - Management acknowledged the fluid situation regarding tariffs and indicated that they are monitoring it closely while managing inventory effectively [28][30] Question: Sourcing shift from China - Management confirmed that the sourcing from China has decreased from previous levels, with ongoing efforts to diversify supply chains [39][40] Question: Growth in strategic accounts - The growth in strategic accounts was attributed to both bringing on new accounts and strong performance from existing ones [47] Question: Potential for acquisitions - Management stated that M&A remains a lever for growth, with the company actively looking for strategic opportunities [65]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total GPC sales for Q1 2025 were $5.9 billion, an increase of 1.4% compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by acquisitions and improving sales in the industrial business [11][27] - Gross margin expanded by 120 basis points to 37.1%, reflecting benefits from acquisitions and strategic pricing initiatives [12][28] - Adjusted EPS for Q1 was $1.75, down 21% year-over-year, impacted by one less selling day, lower pension income, and higher depreciation and interest expenses [26][30] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Global Industrial segment sales were approximately flat at $2.2 billion, with comparable sales decreasing less than 1%, negatively impacted by one less selling day [12][14] - Global Automotive segment sales increased by 2.5%, with comparable sales down 0.8%, also affected by one less selling day [15][16] - Sales from value-added services in the industrial segment were flat to slightly down, indicating a notable improvement compared to the previous year [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the industrial market, growth was observed in pulp and paper, aggregate and cement, and DC and logistics, while sectors like iron and steel, automotive, and oil and gas remained pressured [13] - In the U.S. automotive market, total sales increased approximately 4%, while comparable sales declined about 3% [17] - Canadian sales increased approximately 5% in local currency, with comparable sales up about 4%, showcasing strong performance despite a softer macroeconomic environment [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing customer service and executing strategic initiatives to improve operational efficiency and agility in a dynamic external environment [7][9] - The rollout of the modernized e-commerce platform, NAPA ProLink, aims to improve customer experience and drive sales growth in the B2B segment [10] - The company is committed to leveraging its scale and diversified global presence to navigate market challenges and capitalize on growth opportunities [22][39] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the impact of tariffs, trade, and geopolitical factors on the operating landscape, while expressing confidence in the company's ability to adapt [7][9] - The outlook for 2025 remains unchanged, with expected diluted EPS in the range of $6.95 to $7.45 and adjusted diluted EPS between $7.75 and $8.25 [32][39] - Management highlighted the importance of agility and responsiveness to market conditions, particularly regarding potential tariff impacts and overall economic recovery [36][38] Other Important Information - The company incurred restructuring costs of $55 million in Q1, with an expected benefit of $100 million to $125 million from restructuring efforts when fully annualized in 2026 [30][41] - The company plans to invest approximately $120 million in capital expenditures and $75 million in strategic acquisitions during the quarter [31][43] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss inflation impacts in both motion and automotive businesses? - Inflation was slightly less than a point across both businesses, with SG&A costs increasing around 2% primarily due to salaries and rent [50][51] Question: Are you seeing share gains in Europe automotive? - The company is experiencing outsized growth in NAPA branded products in Europe, with share performance in line with or slightly better than the market [52][54] Question: What is the status of North American auto acquisitions? - The company added approximately 40-45 stores in the quarter and will continue to focus on running great stores while moderating acquisition efforts [58][59] Question: Can you size the cost impact of tariffs on cost of goods? - The complexity of tariffs makes it difficult to quantify the exact impact, but a specific SKU could see a potential cost increase of about 30% due to various tariff permutations [83][84] Question: How are independents navigating the current environment? - There has not been a significant rush to stock up on inventory among independent owners, and the company continues to support them with analytics for inventory management [94][95]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported second quarter sales of $89.3 million, reflecting a 23.2% year-over-year increase [4] - Net income attributable to the company was $900,000 or $0.07 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $900,000 or $0.07 per diluted share in the same quarter of the previous year [13] - Gross profit margin decreased to 24.1% from 28.3% in the prior year, with gross profit increasing by 5% to $21.7 million [14][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Marine and Propulsion segment sales grew 23.9% year-over-year, driven by strong demand for Veth products [5][6] - Land Based Transmission sales increased by 19.8% year-over-year, supported by strong demand in the airport rescue and firefighting transmission business [8] - The Industrial segment saw a significant growth of 44.8% year-over-year, aided by the addition of Casa and a rebound in Lufkin orders [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a decline in Oil and Gas exports, down about 24% year-over-year, accounting for a little under 8% of revenue for the quarter [24] - Sales in Europe increased due to the acquisition of Casa, while North American markets benefited from strength in Veth projects [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on capitalizing on cross-selling opportunities, optimizing shared cost efficiencies, and maintaining strong execution [5] - The integration of Casa is expected to enhance engineering capabilities and market reach, particularly in Europe and North America [11] - The company aims to balance disciplined external investments with internal initiatives to ensure sustained growth and shareholder value creation [18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted a healthy backlog across all end markets and expressed optimism about the continued stabilization of the industrial business [5][10] - The company is committed to disciplined inventory management and optimizing costs to enhance profitability [17] - Management highlighted a renewed level of activity in the Oil and Gas market, although it is still early to draw definitive conclusions [27] Other Important Information - The company reported a cash balance of $15.9 million, which is 20.4% lower than the prior year [16] - Operating cash generation was strong at $4.3 million for the quarter, with EBITDA increasing to $6.3 million, up 13.5% year-over-year [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you quantify how much your Oil and Gas business is this quarter? - The Oil and Gas business accounted for a little under 8% of revenue for the quarter and was down about 24% year-over-year [24] Question: Is the quoting activity primarily from North America or Asia? - Quoting activity is from both North America and Asia, as well as some South American activity [25] Question: Are you seeing a renewed level of activity in the Oil and Gas market? - There has been an increased level of activity and some new potential projects, indicating a renewed level of activity in that market [27] Question: What is your CapEx outlook for the year? - The company is targeting a CapEx range of $12 million to $14 million for the second half of the year [29] Question: Are you still targeting to convert 60% of your EBITDA to free cash flow? - The company aims to convert 60% of EBITDA to free cash flow, with Q2 showing a bounce back in free cash flow above $6.4 million [28] Question: Is there anything new being commercialized this year that will contribute to growth? - The focus remains on the hybrid electric market, with ongoing development and increasing traction, but no specific new products were ready to be discussed [31] Question: Any updates on the electric frac fleet pilot? - The electric frac fleet pilot is stable and ongoing, with no significant news to report for the quarter [34]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported record fiscal Q3 revenue of $194 million, an increase of $19 million or 11% compared to the prior year [4][8] - Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter reached $42 million, reflecting a 14% growth year-over-year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.7%, up 70 basis points from the previous year [4][9] - Adjusted net income was $25 million, with adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.48, representing a 49% increase from $17 million or $1.07 in the prior year [9][15] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Contractor Solutions segment generated $132 million in revenue, accounting for 67% of consolidated revenue, with total growth of 14.5% year-over-year [10] - The Specialized Reliability segment saw a 3% increase in revenue to $34.6 million, with EBITDA growing 26% to $6.6 million and an EBITDA margin improvement of 360 basis points to 19.1% [11][12] - The Engineered Building Solutions segment's revenue increased by 3% to $28.8 million, with a stable book-to-bill ratio of 1:1 [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The HVACR, electrical, and plumbing end markets reported growth, while the architecturally specified building products market experienced a slight decline [10] - The company noted that existing home sales and new home sales have been down, but housing permit numbers have recently increased [58] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on sustainable growth and is actively pursuing accretive acquisitions to enhance its product offerings and market share [5][17] - The acquisition of Waterworks is expected to expand the company's distribution network and product offerings in eco-friendly drain management solutions [5][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed a favorable outlook for the macro environment, despite challenges such as higher interest rates and geopolitical uncertainties [58][62] - The company anticipates continued organic growth in the mid to high single digits, supported by recent acquisitions and market share gains [32][46] Other Important Information - The company ended fiscal Q3 with $214 million in cash and reported cash flow from operations of $12 million, a decrease from $47 million in the same quarter last year due to a tax payment deferral [13][14] - Inventory levels increased strategically to mitigate risks from potential supply chain disruptions [14][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of freight on margins and gross profit - Management acknowledged freight as a significant headwind, with a 4 to 6 month lag affecting costs, but expects pricing adjustments to help offset these increases [21][24] Question: Organic growth components - Organic growth was reported at 1.8%, with management expecting mid to high single-digit growth moving forward, driven by volume and pricing [32][36] Question: Acquisition pipeline and opportunities - Management indicated optimism regarding the acquisition pipeline, noting both small and larger acquisition opportunities are being evaluated [37][38] Question: Overall macro environment and its impact - Management remains favorably inclined towards the macro environment, expecting normal growth despite challenges, and highlighted the importance of acquisitions in driving growth [58][62]