Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales increased by 2.5% year-over-year to $1.05 billion, with operating margin improving by 120 basis points and diluted earnings per share rising by 21% to $4.98 [4][14][15] - Gross profit margin increased to 30.4%, up 80 basis points from the previous year [14] - Operating income rose to $141 million, with operating margins at 13.5%, reflecting improved infrastructure results [14][15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure sales grew by 6.6% to $808.3 million, driven by a 12.3% increase in utility sales due to pricing and higher volumes [15] - Agriculture sales decreased by 9% year-over-year to $241.3 million, primarily due to lower irrigation equipment volumes and economic pressures in Brazil [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The utility market is experiencing strong demand driven by data center expansion, manufacturing onshoring, and broader electrification, with transmission CapEx expected to grow at a 9% CAGR through 2029 [8][15] - The Asia-Pacific market for lighting and transportation remains pressured, with operational challenges impacting results [9][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on simplifying its business, directing resources to high-return initiatives, and enhancing performance in attractive markets [5][6] - Valmont aims to lead the North American utility market through capacity expansion and operational improvements, with significant investments in brownfield utility expansions [5][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the business, despite near-term macro pressures, and highlighted the importance of disciplined execution and innovation [12][20] - The company raised its full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share expectations to a range of $18.70-$19.50, indicating positive momentum [22] Other Important Information - The company is investing in technology and aftermarket parts, with aftermarket sales growing by 15% year-over-year [20] - A new Chief Accounting Officer has joined the team, bringing extensive experience in large-scale manufacturing [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Infrastructure margins and improvement initiatives - Management highlighted that margin improvements stem from pricing and cost actions, with utility expansions contributing significantly to operating margins [25][26] Question: Capacity additions in utility - Management confirmed that capacity additions are tracking above expectations, with plans to exceed the benchmark of $100 million in additional revenue for every $100 million of capacity [29][30] Question: Utility segment pricing trends - Management indicated that pricing remains strong due to tariff mitigation plans and a healthy bid market, with expectations for continued strength in pricing [63][64] Question: Agriculture margins and bad debt expense - Management acknowledged challenges in agriculture margins due to lower sales and bad debt expense, but expects improvements in future quarters as issues are resolved [66][67]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported net sales of $1.05 billion, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 2.5% [12] - Operating margin improved by 120 basis points to 13.5%, with diluted earnings per share increasing by 21% to $4.98 [4][14] - Gross profit margin rose to 30.4%, an increase of 80 basis points from the previous year [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure sales reached $808.3 million, growing 6.6% year-over-year, with utility sales increasing by 12.3% driven by pricing and higher volumes [14] - Agriculture sales decreased by 9% year-over-year to $241.3 million, primarily due to lower irrigation equipment volumes in North America [15] - Telecommunications sales grew by 37%, supported by a quick turnover strategy and alignment with carrier programs [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The utility market is experiencing strong demand driven by data center expansion, manufacturing onshoring, and broader electrification, with transmission CapEx expected to grow at a 9% CAGR through 2029 [7] - The Asia-Pacific market for lighting and transportation remains pressured, with operational factors impacting results [8] - In agriculture, North American grower sentiment is soft, with the USDA expecting a 2.5% decline in crop receipts for 2025 [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on simplifying its business, directing resources to high-return initiatives, and enhancing performance [5] - Valmont aims to lead the North American utility market through a multi-pronged growth approach, including capacity expansion and operational improvements [5] - The company is investing in technology and aftermarket parts to build a more resilient agriculture business [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term fundamentals of the business, despite near-term macro pressures [11] - The company is raising its full-year adjusted diluted earnings per share expectations to a range of $18.70 to $19.50 [20] - Management highlighted the importance of disciplined resource allocation and continuous improvement in operations [19] Other Important Information - The company plans to consolidate solar revenues into another product line for reporting purposes starting in 2026, as solar revenues are expected to be approximately 2% of total revenues going forward [14] - The company ended the quarter with approximately $226 million in cash, and net debt leverage remains below one times [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Infrastructure margins performance - Management noted that the margin benefits have come from a combination of pricing and cost actions, with utility expansions contributing significantly to operating margins [24][25] Question: Capacity additions in utility - Management confirmed that the business is on track to exceed the benchmark of $100 million additional revenue for every $100 million of capacity added, with ongoing investments planned [26][27] Question: Utility segment pricing contributions - Pricing and volume were identified as relatively equal contributors to the 12.3% growth in utility sales, with pricing actions taken earlier in the year playing a significant role [32] Question: Agriculture business backlog - Management indicated that while the backlog is lower, the market environment remains supportive, and the project pipeline is diverse and strong [41][42] Question: Agriculture margins and bad debt expense - Management expects challenges in agriculture margins to continue in the fourth quarter but anticipates improvements in Q1 as issues are resolved [62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net sales for Q2 2025 were $1,050 million, a 1% increase year-over-year [22] - Adjusted operating income was $141.4 million, or 13.5% of net sales, a 70 basis point decrease from the prior year [24] - GAAP diluted loss per share was $1.53, while adjusted EPS declined slightly to $4.88 [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Infrastructure sales were $765.5 million, similar to last year, with utility sales increasing by 5.4% [25] - Solar sales declined nearly 50%, reflecting lower volumes [25] - Agriculture sales increased by 2.7% to $289.4 million, driven by strong execution in international markets [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The infrastructure backlog approached $1.5 billion, with U.S. CapEx expected to exceed $212 billion in 2025, a 22% increase [10][11] - International agriculture sales increased by 22%, led by strength in the EMEA region [26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has completed a realignment strategy, exiting unprofitable solar segments and focusing on infrastructure and international agriculture [7][19] - Future priorities include accelerating growth, driving efficiency, and advancing innovation [8][34] - The company aims to capture the infrastructure wave, with utility representing about 35% of total revenue [31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in long-term growth drivers such as energy transition and infrastructure investment [6] - The company expects to see revenue and EPS growth starting in Q4 2025, with a strong outlook for 2026 [53][55] - Management highlighted the importance of customer alignment and market demand in driving future growth [88][90] Other Important Information - The company reported nonrecurring charges totaling $138.3 million due to realignment actions, with expected annualized savings of $22 million in 2026 [21] - Operating cash flows reached $167.6 million, with a strong focus on cash and working capital management [27] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the decision to exit the solar business? - Management stated the exit was due to an inability to provide strong returns in a competitive and fragmented market, while maintaining profitable operations in Italy and Brazil [42][44] Question: How does the increased tariff on steel impact your outlook? - Management indicated that steel pricing is stable and they have not seen any impact on demand, with a strong value proposition for their products [47][49] Question: What is the visibility for telecom growth? - Telecom saw over 40% year-over-year growth, driven by increased carrier activity and technology upgrades, with expectations for continued strength into 2026 [67][68] Question: What are the signs of demand in infrastructure? - Management highlighted strong customer alignment and a $1.5 billion backlog as indicators of future demand in the infrastructure sector [90][91] Question: What is the outlook for the lighting and transportation business? - Management acknowledged softer market conditions but expressed confidence in future performance driven by infrastructure needs and execution improvements [94][96]