Core Insights - The company experienced slight shortfalls in Q3 results primarily due to slowdowns in field and industrial services, alongside higher-than-expected employee healthcare costs, but remains optimistic about growth in waste collection and disposal assets [1][18][26] - Year-on-year growth was driven by increased waste volumes, pricing gains, and productivity improvements, with a consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin increase of 100 basis points to 20.7% [2][18] - The company reported total revenue of $1.55 billion in Q3, with adjusted EBITDA rising 6% to $320 million, reflecting effective pricing and cost-saving strategies [18][19] Financial Performance - Q3 revenue increased by 3% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA up 7%, driven by waste volumes and pricing, despite a decline in industrial and field services [4][19] - The adjusted EBITDA margin for Environmental Services grew for the fourteenth consecutive quarter, reflecting strong operational performance [4][19] - Net income grew modestly year-over-year, delivering earnings per share of $2.21, with cash and short-term marketable securities totaling $850 million [20][21] Segment Performance - The Environmental Services segment saw a 12% growth in Technical Services, with landfill volumes up 40% year-over-year and incineration utilization at 92% [4][5] - Safety Kleen Environmental Services reported an 8% increase in revenue, driven by pricing gains and growth in core service offerings [5][19] - Field services revenue declined by 11% due to the absence of medium to large response projects, while industrial services also faced a 4% revenue decline [6][7][19] Strategic Initiatives - The company is focused on margin growth and has implemented productivity and cost-saving initiatives, which are expected to benefit from improving macroeconomic conditions [1][2][19] - A successful PFAS incineration study in partnership with the EPA is anticipated to generate $100 million to $120 million in revenue this year, representing a 20% to 25% increase from the previous year [8][9] - Plans to construct a new state-of-the-art process plant are underway, with an expected total spend of $210 million to $220 million, projected to generate annual EBITDA of $30 million to $40 million [12][13] Capital Allocation and Future Outlook - The company is evaluating both bolt-on transactions and larger acquisitions, with a potential investment of over $500 million in internal projects over the next several years [14][15] - Share repurchases totaled $50 million in Q3, with a remaining authorization of approximately $380 million [24][25] - The company anticipates a strong finish to the year, with expectations for continued growth in waste projects and a positive economic outlook despite recent challenges [16][26][28]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q3 increased to $1.55 billion, reflecting growth in environmental services and a diversified customer base [20][21] - Adjusted EBITDA rose 6% to $320 million, with a consolidated Adjusted EBITDA margin expanding to 20.7%, driven by pricing initiatives and cost reduction efforts [20][21] - Net income grew modestly year over year, delivering earnings per share of $2.21 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental Services (ES) segment revenue increased by 3%, with Adjusted EBITDA margin growing for the 14th consecutive quarter [6][7] - Technical services within ES saw a 12% revenue growth, while landfill volumes increased by 40% year over year [7][8] - Safety-Kleen Sustainable Solutions (SKSS) segment delivered over $40 million in EBITDA, marking its strongest quarter in a year despite pricing headwinds [13][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Incineration utilization was high at 92%, with demand remaining strong due to diverse end markets [7] - Field services revenue declined by 11% due to the absence of medium to large response projects, while industrial services revenue decreased by 4% [8][9] - PFAS-related sales are expected to generate $100 million-$120 million in revenue this year, up 20%-25% from the previous year [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on margin growth through pricing gains, productivity improvements, and cost-saving strategies [4][5] - Plans to construct a new processing plant (SDA unit) with an expected total spend of $210 million-$220 million, anticipated to generate annual EBITDA of $30 million-$40 million [15][16] - The company is actively evaluating M&A opportunities while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation [16][82] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about future growth despite current macroeconomic challenges, anticipating a recovery in industrial services and field services as economic conditions improve [18][28] - The project pipeline remains substantial, with growing PFAS opportunities expected to contribute meaningfully to future activity [18][28] - Management expects to achieve profitability targets for SKSS in 2025, indicating stabilization in that segment [19][27] Other Important Information - The company reported record cash flows in Q3, ending with cash and short-term marketable securities of $850 million, providing substantial flexibility for capital allocation [22][23] - SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 12.2%, reflecting higher healthcare costs and professional fees [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were the main factors behind the $15 million guidance reduction? - The reduction was primarily due to shortfalls in industrial services ($7 million) and field services ($4 million), along with elevated healthcare costs impacting the entire company [34][35] Question: What is the outlook for EBITDA growth in 2026? - Management targets a 5% EBITDA growth for next year, driven by cost-cutting initiatives and volume growth in waste businesses [39] Question: What is the company's M&A outlook? - The company is considering both larger and smaller deals, remaining prudent and disciplined in its approach to M&A [40][42] Question: Can you clarify the expected performance of the SKSS segment? - Management is confident in achieving the $140 million EBITDA target for SKSS, with a few million on either side as a potential range [73][74] Question: What is the current state of the incinerator pricing? - Incineration pricing is expected to grow at mid-single digits, consistent with prior quarters, while technical services saw double-digit growth [77][78]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q3 increased to $1.55 billion, reflecting growth in environmental services and a diversified customer base [20][21] - Adjusted EBITDA rose 6% to $320 million, with a consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin expanding to 20.7%, driven by pricing initiatives and cost reduction efforts [20][21] - Net income grew modestly year over year, delivering earnings per share of $2.21 [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental Services (ES) segment revenue increased by 3%, with adjusted EBITDA margin growing for the 14th consecutive quarter [5][6] - Technical services within ES saw a 12% revenue growth, while Safety-Kleen Environmental services rose 8% [8][20] - Field services revenue declined by 11% due to the absence of medium to large response projects [8][9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Incineration utilization was high at 92%, with landfill volumes up 40% from a year ago [7][20] - PFAS-related sales are expected to generate $100 to $120 million in revenue this year, up 20% to 25% from the previous year [10][11] - The company anticipates that spending constraints in industrial services will loosen as economic conditions improve [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on margin growth and productivity enhancements, with plans for significant internal investments exceeding $500 million over the next several years [16][17] - A new state-of-the-art processing plant (SDA unit) is planned, expected to generate annual EBITDA of $30 million to $40 million upon completion [15] - The company remains active in evaluating M&A opportunities while maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation [16][80] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about future growth, citing strong momentum in waste collection and disposal assets despite current macroeconomic challenges [5][18] - The company expects to navigate current economic turbulence and anticipates a recovery in industrial services and field services in the coming quarters [29] - Management highlighted the importance of ongoing cost management and operational efficiency to mitigate rising healthcare costs [33][40] Other Important Information - The company reported a record level of free cash flow in Q3, with cash and short-term marketable securities totaling $850 million [24][25] - SG&A expenses as a percentage of revenue increased to 12.2%, reflecting higher healthcare costs and professional fees [22] - The company has raised its full-year adjusted free cash flow guidance to a midpoint of $475 million, representing over 30% growth from 2024 [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What were the main factors behind the $15 million guidance reduction? - The reduction was primarily due to shortfalls in industrial services ($7 million) and field services ($4 million), along with elevated healthcare costs impacting the overall company by about $6 million [33][34] Question: What is the outlook for EBITDA growth in 2026? - Management expects to target a 5% EBITDA growth based on cost-cutting initiatives and volume growth in waste businesses, despite not anticipating a rebound in industrial turnarounds until spring [41][42] Question: What is the company's M&A outlook? - The company is actively looking at both larger and smaller deals, maintaining a disciplined approach to ensure good returns on shareholder investments [44][80] Question: What is the expected range for SKSS EBITDA this year? - Management expressed high confidence in achieving the $140 million EBITDA mark for SKSS, with a potential range of a few million on either side [72][73] Question: How does the SDA unit investment relate to M&A strategy? - The SDA unit investment does not reflect a change in M&A appetite; it has been a planned investment for years, and the company remains open to various capital allocation opportunities [79][80]

Q3 2025 Performance Highlights - Revenue reached $1.55 billion, driven by growth in the Environmental Services (ES) segment[8] - Net income was $118.8 million, resulting in earnings per share (EPS) of $2.21[8] - Adjusted EBITDA was $320.2 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin increase of 100 basis points to 20.7%[8] - Adjusted free cash flow reached a record $230.6 million[8] Environmental Services (ES) Segment - ES segment revenue increased to $1.3313 billion in Q3 2025, a 3% increase compared to $1.2972 billion in Q3 2024[10] - ES adjusted EBITDA increased to $357.2 million in Q3 2025, a 7% increase compared to $332.5 million in Q3 2024[10] - Adjusted EBITDA margin for ES increased by 120 bps due to pricing, network efficiency, and productivity gains[13] - SK Environmental Services revenue grew by 8% due to pricing and volume growth[13] Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions (SKSS) Segment - SKSS revenue decreased by 6% to $218.0 million in Q3 2025 from $232.1 million in Q3 2024, reflecting market pricing and lower volumes[18] - SKSS adjusted EBITDA was relatively flat at $40.9 million in Q3 2025 compared to $41.2 million in Q3 2024, but the margin increased by 100 bps[18, 21] - The company gathered 64 million gallons of waste oil, compared to 69 million gallons in Q3 2024[21] Capital Allocation and Future Investments - The company plans to build a Solvent De-Asphalting (SDA) Unit with a total project spend of $210 million to $220 million[24] - The SDA unit is expected to contribute $30 million to $40 million in annual EBITDA[24] - $12 million has been spent YTD on the SDA unit, with an anticipated total of $30 million in 2025[24] Full-Year 2025 Guidance - The company projects net income between $379 million and $400 million[35] - Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be between $1.155 billion and $1.175 billion[35] - Net cash from operating activities is expected to range from $795 million to $865 million[35] - Adjusted free cash flow is projected to be between $455 million and $495 million[35]