Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, Graphic Packaging reported sales of $2.1 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $365 million, and margins of 17.2%, which were significantly below expectations due to weaker volumes and input cost inflation [7][30][31] - Adjusted EPS for the quarter was $0.51, reflecting the challenging operating environment [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas business experienced a volume decline of approximately 1%, while the international business saw a growth of about 3% [10][30] - Innovation sales growth was reported at $44 million for the quarter, indicating a positive contribution from new product categories [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Overall sales were flat year-over-year, with food representing approximately 38% of packaging sales, showing uneven results across product categories [17] - Beverage packaging sales, which account for about 25% of overall sales, saw a decline after two years of strong performance, attributed to slowing beer consumption trends [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning from Vision 2025 to Vision 2030, focusing on reinvestment and returning capital to shareholders, with a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization approved by the Board [9][36] - The Waco recycled paperboard investment is on track for a fourth-quarter startup, expected to generate substantial cash flow in the coming years [8][36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumer confidence has significantly declined in the U.S. and other markets, leading to a stretched consumer base and reduced spending [10][24] - The company has adjusted its guidance for 2025, now expecting a volume decline of 2% as a base case, reflecting the challenging backdrop for CPG and QSR customers [34][35] Other Important Information - Input cost inflation was significant in Q1 2025, with expectations for continued inflation in the coming quarters [31][34] - The company plans to implement a $40 price increase on recycled and unbleached paperboard grades effective May 15, 2025, to help recover margins [11][31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Trends in volume and affordability issues - Management acknowledged that affordability is a key issue affecting volumes, with consumers buying fewer items due to economic pressures [46][48] Question: Guidance assumptions for price-cost dynamics - The company expects to see a positive price contribution late in 2025, with efforts to recover inflation costs rolling into 2026 [52][95] Question: Supply-demand balance and potential industry actions - Management indicated that they will take rolling market-related downtime to align supply with demand, and noted recent closures by competitors that could help balance the market [58][60] Question: Revised guidance implications - The lower guidance reflects a combination of inflation impacts and volume declines, with a focus on matching supply and demand [84][92] Question: Long-term cash flow trajectory - Management remains confident in the long-term cash flow trajectory, expecting a significant reduction in CapEx in the coming years [100]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, Graphic Packaging reported sales of $2.1 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $365 million, and margins of 17.2%, with adjusted EPS at $0.51, all significantly below expectations due to weaker volumes and input cost inflation [5][27][28] - Adjusted EBITDA was impacted by a $34 million headwind from price, volume, and mix, while input cost inflation amounted to $21 million [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas business experienced a volume decline of approximately 1%, while the non-integrated international business saw a volume increase of about 3% [27] - Innovation sales growth was reported at $44 million for the quarter, driven by new contributions in various product categories [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Volumes in the Americas were disappointing, down about 1%, while international markets showed slight growth but began to pull back due to economic uncertainty [8][9] - The food market represented approximately 38% of packaging sales, with mixed results across product categories, while beverage sales, accounting for about 25% of overall packaging sales, saw its first decline after two years of strong performance [14][16] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is transitioning from Vision 2025 to Vision 2030, focusing on reinvestment and returning capital to stockholders, with a new $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization approved by the Board [7][34] - The Waco recycled paperboard investment is on track for a fourth-quarter startup, with expectations of generating substantial excess cash over the next several years [5][8] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that consumer confidence has significantly declined, impacting volumes across markets, and a 2% volume decline is now the base case for 2025 [22][32] - Input cost inflation is expected to continue, with price increases announced to help recover margins [29][30] Other Important Information - The company plans to maintain capital spending in the $700 million range for 2025, with expectations of generating innovation sales growth of at least 2% [33][34] - The company is committed to improving its environmental footprint and enhancing its competitive advantage through innovation [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Trends in volume decline and affordability issues - Management acknowledged that affordability is a key factor affecting volumes, with customers experiencing volume declines of approximately 3% to 4% [45][46] Question: Guidance assumptions for price-cost dynamics - Management expects to see a positive price contribution late in 2025, with efforts to recover inflation through pricing actions [52][53] Question: Supply-demand balance and potential industry actions - Management indicated that they will take rolling market-related downtime to match supply with demand, and noted recent closures by competitors that could help balance the market [61][62] Question: Revised guidance and EBITDA margin expectations - Management clarified that the revised guidance reflects a temporary impact from inflation, with a path back to previous margin levels expected through pricing recovery and the Waco project [94][95]

Financial Performance & Guidance - Net sales for Q1 2025 were $2.12 billion, a decrease of 6% year-over-year compared to $2.259 billion in Q1 2024[39] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $365 million, down from $443 million in Q1 2024, with Adjusted EBITDA Margin decreasing by 240bps to 172%[39] - Adjusted EPS for Q1 2025 was $051, compared to $066 in Q1 2024[39] - The company revised its 2025 Net Sales guidance to $82 billion to $85 billion and Adjusted EBITDA guidance to $14 billion to $16 billion[44] - Capital spending for 2025 is projected to be approximately $700 million[46, 53] Strategic Initiatives & Market Dynamics - Volume increased by 1% year-over-year, with America's down 1% and International up 3%, while price decreased by 1% year-over-year[5] - Innovation Sales Growth reached $44 million in Q1 2025, with a solid pipeline visibility to at least 2% Innovation Sales Growth in 2025[5] - The company announced a new $15 billion share repurchase authorization, bringing the total available authorization to $1865 billion[5] - The Waco, Texas recycled paperboard investment is moving toward completion with a Q4 2025 startup, while the Middletown, Ohio facility closure was announced[5] Future Outlook - The company aims for low-single-digit annual sales growth, mid-single-digit annual Adjusted EBITDA growth, and high-single-digit annual Adjusted EPS growth[47] - Graphic Packaging anticipates generating over $5 billion in cash flow between 2024 and 2030, with approximately $800 million to $1 billion in cash flow expected in 2025[49]