Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales rose 8% to $687 million, with organic sales increasing 2% year-over-year, reflecting solid sequential improvement in the Americas and continued strength in EMEA and APAC [3][4] - Adjusted EBITDA increased 7% to $133 million, with a slight reduction in adjusted EBITDA margin by about 20 basis points due to the impact of the EWM acquisition [4][11] - Free cash flow conversion exceeded 100% this quarter, driven by strong team performance [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the Americas, total sales increased with mid-single-digit growth in the U.S., while equipment and automation also grew mid-single digits [7][11] - EMEA and APAC delivered volume growth of 4%, supported by strong execution in high-growth markets and high single-digit growth in equipment and automation [8][12] - The EWM acquisition contributed approximately 2 points of growth and roughly $1 million in adjusted EBITDA within Q3 results [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The U.S. market showed mid-single-digit growth, while Mexico remained stable and South America performed in line with expectations [7][11] - EMEA sales grew 14% year-over-year to $395 million, driven by growth in Asia, India, and the Middle East [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is raising its full-year guidance, expecting total sales of $2.71 billion to $2.73 billion, reflecting around 1% organic growth and contributions from the EWM acquisition [14] - The strategy includes a shift towards equipment and gas control, aiming for EBITDA margins of 22% or more by 2028 [16] - The company is committed to integrating AI into its EBX initiatives to enhance productivity and performance [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to execute its strategy and deliver long-term shareholder value, highlighting a robust pipeline of productivity and transformational projects [4][16] - The management noted that the fourth quarter started positively, with expectations for improved core growth compared to Q3 [53] Other Important Information - The company completed four acquisitions this year, including EWM, which enhances its equipment and automation portfolios [16] - The company is focused on reducing net leverage to one to two times and positioning for accelerated M&A activity in 2026 [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Sequential improvement in Americas and concerns about deferred automation shipments - Management indicated there was some catch-up but emphasized good execution and stability in Mexico, with positive momentum in the U.S. market [22][23] Question: Strategic fit of EWM and year-one deal model - Management highlighted strong gross margins for EWM and the importance of investing in growth initiatives to drive sales [24][25][26] Question: EBITDA margin decline in the Americas - Management expected the decline and attributed it to investments in sales initiatives and tariff impacts, with confidence in margin expansion for 2026 [30][31] Question: Margin improvement expectations for 2026 - Management outlined three factors for margin improvement: pricing adjustments, tariff-based movements, and ongoing restructuring initiatives [36][37] Question: EMEA and APAC segment performance - Management noted strong orders in high-growth markets and significant share gains in Europe, with expectations for continued momentum [40][41] Question: EWM's legacy distribution and integration - Management described the distribution as complementary, with opportunities to leverage EWM's product lines through ESAB's global network [44][45] Question: Fourth quarter performance expectations - Management indicated a positive start to Q4, expecting core growth to improve from Q3 levels [52][53]