Clean Harbors (NYSE:CLH) 2025 Conference Summary Industry Overview - **Company**: Clean Harbors - **Industry**: Environmental Services Key Points and Arguments Margin Expansion - Clean Harbors has expanded margins by approximately 480 basis points since 2019 and about 800 basis points over the last eight years, driven by: - Increased volumes from strategic partnerships, such as with 3M, and growth in underlying verticals [6][7] - Focus on pricing during high inflation periods while maintaining service quality [7] - Environmental services margins are projected to finish the year just over 26%, with a long-term goal of reaching 30% and above [8] Volume and Pricing Drivers - Major drivers for margin improvement include: - Continued volume growth and pricing strategies [10] - Tailwinds from reshoring, infrastructure build-out, and PFAS opportunities [10][11] Incineration Business - The new Kimball Incinerator is expected to generate $10 million in EBITDA this year, with a target of $40 million run rate by 2027 [12][14] - The facility has exceeded throughput goals, with expectations of $25 million to $30 million EBITDA in 2026 [14] - The incineration market remains strong, with high utilization rates expected to continue [18] Captive Incinerator Opportunities - There are currently 41 active captive incinerators, with a trend of companies moving waste to commercial incinerators like Clean Harbors [19][21] - Clean Harbors aims to attract more waste from these captive facilities, similar to the arrangement with 3M [23] Industrial Services Segment - The industrial services business is valued at approximately $1.3 billion, with 50% of revenue from day-to-day maintenance and 20% from turnaround services [28][30] - Turnaround work has slowed due to deferred shutdowns, but improvements are expected in 2026 [31][32] PFAS Opportunity - PFAS revenues are currently around $100 million, growing at 20% [38] - The company is expanding its PFAS solutions, including water treatment and disposal, with significant contracts like the one at Pearl Harbor expected to generate $110 million over three years [41][42] - Regulatory developments are anticipated to create further opportunities in PFAS destruction [45] M&A and Capital Allocation - Clean Harbors has allocated nearly $2 billion toward M&A over the past five years, focusing on synergies and operational efficiencies [50][51] - The company is currently prioritizing high-return organic investments and share buybacks due to higher valuations in the M&A space [53][55] - Plans for $500 million in internal investments include enhancing throughput and developing regional hubs [56][57] Safety-Kleen Segment - The Safety-Kleen segment has shown consistent growth, with a business model that supports all Clean Harbors facilities [60][62] - The segment has been resilient despite market pressures, with a focus on subscription-based services and efficient route management [62][63] Additional Important Insights - Clean Harbors is well-positioned to leverage its capabilities in the growing PFAS market and capitalize on regulatory changes [49][50] - The company maintains a competitive edge through continuous improvement and high service levels, despite increasing competition in the environmental services sector [59]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved a consolidated revenue growth of 9% year-over-year, driven by a 50 basis point sequential acceleration in pricing to 6.3% and a 100 basis point increase in volume [13][15] - Adjusted EBITDA margin reached 31.6%, the highest in the company's history, with underlying solid waste margins expanding by 250 basis points [15][9] - Adjusted free cash flow was reported at $181 million, exceeding expectations due to strong operational performance [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced near double-digit top-line growth, attributed to successful pricing strategies and volume performance [7] - MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) volumes increased, offsetting declines in construction-oriented activity and special waste volumes [8][15] - The company deployed nearly $650 million into acquisitions year-to-date, with an active M&A pipeline expected to contribute to growth [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Volumes grew by 5% in Canada, while the U.S. saw a 0.9% decline, influenced by lower construction and special waste volumes [15][56] - The company noted broader economic uncertainty impacting market activity levels, particularly in construction and industrial sectors [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining a strong M&A pipeline and executing share buybacks, with a belief that current share prices are undervalued [11][42] - The management expressed confidence in the company's operating plan and growth trajectory, with expectations for continued margin expansion and revenue growth [18][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged challenges from commodity prices and economic uncertainty but remained optimistic about future performance and growth opportunities [8][10] - The company plans to provide detailed guidance for 2026 in February, with expectations for continued growth driven by M&A and EPR contributions [17][18] Other Important Information - The company completed a recapitalization of GIP, valuing it at $4.25 billion, which returned approximately $585 million to shareholders [10][11] - The company repurchased $350 million of shares in Q3 and nearly $2.8 billion year-to-date, indicating a strong commitment to returning capital to shareholders [12][11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you walk us through the guidance update and the factors influencing it? - Management explained that the guidance increase reflects strong pricing actions and volume performance, offset by commodity-related headwinds [20][21] Question: What is the status of the EPR ramp and its contributions? - Management noted that EPR has outperformed expectations, contributing significantly to revenue, with further benefits anticipated in 2026 [25][26] Question: How do you view the organic growth trends in Canada versus the U.S.? - Management indicated that Canada experienced higher organic growth due to EPR contributions, while the U.S. faced challenges from lower special waste volumes [53][54] Question: What are the expectations for cost inflation next year? - Management anticipates cost inflation starting with a 4%, driven by labor and other operational costs [73][72] Question: How is the company addressing pricing strategies moving forward? - Management is focused on moving away from CPI-related pricing indices to better reflect operational costs, with expectations for pricing to remain above internal cost inflation [70][78]

Core Insights - Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH) reported disappointing third-quarter 2025 results, with earnings and revenues falling short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate, leading to a 15.2% decline in stock price since the results were released on October 29 [1][9]. Financial Performance - CLH's earnings per share were $2.21, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.8%, but showing a 4.3% increase year-over-year. Total revenues reached $1.5 billion, missing estimates by 1.7% but increasing 1.3% year-over-year [2]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $320.2 million, a 6.1% increase from the previous year, but below the estimate of $328.9 million. The adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 20.7%, up 100 basis points from the year-ago quarter [4]. - Segment-wise, Environmental Services (ES) revenues were $1.3 billion, a 2.4% increase year-over-year, while Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions (SKSS) revenues totaled $230.8 million, down 4.5% year-over-year [3][9]. Segment Analysis - Adjusted EBITDA for ES was $357.2 million, a 7.4% year-over-year increase but below the estimate of $378 million. For SKSS, adjusted EBITDA was $40.9 million, slightly down from the previous year but exceeding the estimate of $38.4 million [5]. Balance Sheet & Cash Flow - At the end of the quarter, CLH had cash and cash equivalents of $759.2 million, up from $600.2 million in the previous quarter. Inventories were $377.3 million, down from $383.4 million [6]. - Long-term debt remained flat at $2.8 billion. The company generated $302 million in net cash from operating activities, with capital expenditures of $94.4 million and adjusted free cash flow utilized at $230.6 million [7]. 2025 Guidance - For 2025, CLH updated its guidance for adjusted EBITDA to $1.16-$1.18 billion, down from the previous range of $1.16-$1.20 billion. However, the adjusted free cash flow outlook was raised to $445-$495 million, compared to the prior estimate of $430-$490 million [8].

Core Insights - Clean Harbors reported revenue of $1.55 billion for the quarter ended September 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of 1.3% and an EPS of $2.21 compared to $2.12 a year ago [1] - The reported revenue fell short of the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.58 billion, resulting in a surprise of -1.72%, while the EPS also missed the consensus estimate of $2.37 by -6.75% [1] Revenue Breakdown - Direct Revenues from Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions amounted to $218.04 million, below the three-analyst average estimate of $229.75 million, representing a year-over-year decline of -6.1% [4] - Direct Revenues from Environmental Services reached $1.33 billion, slightly below the three-analyst average estimate of $1.35 billion, with a year-over-year increase of +2.6% [4] EBITDA Performance - Adjusted EBITDA for Environmental Services was reported at $357.23 million, compared to the average estimate of $374.51 million from three analysts [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for Corporate Items was -$78.01 million, better than the average estimate of -$81.65 million [4] - Adjusted EBITDA for Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions was $40.94 million, exceeding the average estimate of $39.83 million from three analysts [4] Stock Performance - Clean Harbors shares have returned +6% over the past month, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +3.8% change [3] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank 4 (Sell), indicating potential underperformance relative to the broader market in the near term [3]

Core Insights - FLINT Corp. has secured new contract awards and renewals estimated to generate approximately $320 million in backlog, with about 13% of the work to be executed in 2025 and the remainder scheduled for 2026-2030 [1][2][7] Group 1: Contract Awards and Renewals - The company announced strong contract bookings across its core service lines, including construction, maintenance, turnarounds, and environmental services, reflecting customer confidence in FLINT's operational excellence [2][3] - The total value of the new contracts and renewals is approximately $320 million, indicating a robust demand for FLINT's services [1][2] Group 2: Company Strategy and Focus - FLINT emphasizes collaboration with customers, local communities, and Indigenous partners as a key driver of its success and expansion of work scope [3] - The company is dedicated to delivering safe, reliable, and high-quality solutions that support clients' long-term needs, showcasing a commitment to continuous improvement [2][3] Group 3: Company Background - FLINT Corp. has over 100 years of experience providing solutions for the Energy and Industrial markets, including sectors such as Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Mining, and Infrastructure [4] - The company operates strategically across Canada, offering a range of services that help clients bring their resources to market [4]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 was reported at $464.3 million, an 8.5% increase year-over-year [7] - Cost of services was reported at $367.9 million, or 79.2% of revenue, with a benefit of $34.2 million related to the ERC [7] - Net income was reported at $43.59 per share, including a $0.39 benefit from the ERC [9] - Cash flow from operations was reported at $71.3 million, adjusted to $87.1 million after accounting for a decrease in payroll accrual [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental services revenue was reported at $211.8 million, while dietary services revenue was $252.5 million [7] - Segment margins for environmental services were reported at 10.7%, and for dietary services at 5.1% [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a strong labor market, with skilled nursing job gains significantly outpacing previous years, indicating a recovery towards pre-pandemic levels by mid-2026 [23] - The company identified over 23,000 potential facilities for their services, with less than 15% currently outsourcing environmental services and less than 8% for dietary services [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The top three strategic priorities include driving growth through management development, managing costs through operational execution, and optimizing cash flow [6] - The company is focusing on organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and opportunistic share repurchases, with a $50 million share repurchase plan valid through June 2026 [12] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the business environment, citing strong fundamentals in long-term and post-acute care markets, despite economic uncertainties [5] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities due to robust fundamentals and a multi-decade demographic tailwind [39] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $27.3 million of common stock in Q3, bringing year-to-date buybacks to $42 million [12] - The company continues to evaluate M&A opportunities, with a focus on the education sector as a primary target [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pipeline of new client wins and future growth - Management noted that Q3 was the sixth consecutive sequential revenue increase, driven by new business wins and high client retention rates [14] Question: Update on education efforts and acquisitions - The company is expanding its focus to include campus-like environments beyond traditional education, with education as a top acquisition target [16][19] Question: Labor market conditions and hiring - The labor market is strong, with expectations to reach pre-pandemic job levels by mid-2026, which supports growth prospects [23][25] Question: Outsourcing trends in Environmental and Dietary Services - There is an increasing acceptance of outsourcing, with the company holding a significant share of the outsourced market [31][33] Question: Update on Genesis HealthCare and facility closures - The company continues to provide services to Genesis facilities without disruption, and the bankruptcy process is proceeding normally [34][36]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 was reported at $464.3 million, an 8.5% increase year-over-year [7] - Cost of services was reported at $367.9 million, or 79.2% of revenue, including a benefit of $34.2 million related to the ERC [7] - Net income and diluted earnings per share were reported at $43.59 per share, including a $0.39 benefit related to the ERC [9] - Cash flow from operations was reported at $71.3 million, adjusted to $87.1 million after accounting for a decrease in payroll accrual [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental services revenue was reported at $211.8 million, while dietary services revenue was $252.5 million [7] - Segment margins for environmental services were reported at 10.7%, and for dietary services at 5.1% [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a strong labor market, with skilled nursing job gains significantly outpacing previous years, indicating a recovery towards pre-pandemic levels by mid-2026 [24] - The company identified over 23,000 potential facilities for their services, with less than 15% currently outsourcing environmental services and less than 8% for dietary services [31] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The top three strategic priorities for Q4 include driving growth through management development, managing costs through operational execution, and optimizing cash flow [6] - The company is focusing on organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and opportunistic share repurchases, with education as the primary target for acquisitions [12][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the business environment, citing strong fundamentals in long-term and post-acute care markets, despite economic uncertainties [5] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities due to robust fundamentals and a multi-decade demographic tailwind [39] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with cash and marketable securities of $207.5 million and an undrawn credit facility [10] - The company repurchased $27.3 million of common stock during Q3, with a total of $42 million year-to-date [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pipeline of new client wins and future growth - Management noted that Q3 was the sixth consecutive sequential revenue increase, driven by new business wins and high client retention rates, with Q4 revenue estimated between $460 to $470 million [14] Question: Education segment and acquisition targets - The company is focusing on a broader "campus" initiative for potential acquisitions, with education as the top target [16][19] Question: Labor market conditions - The labor market is strong, with significant job gains in skilled nursing, and the company is well-positioned to fill job openings [22][24] Question: Outsourcing trends - There is an increasing acceptance of outsourcing environmental and dietary services, with the company holding a significant share of the market [30][32] Question: Genesis Healthcare updates - The company continues to provide services to Genesis Healthcare facilities without disruption, and the bankruptcy process is proceeding normally [34][36]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 was reported at $464.3 million, an 8.5% increase year-over-year [8] - Net income was reported at $43 million, with diluted earnings per share at $0.59, which includes a $0.39 benefit primarily related to the ERC [10] - Cash flow from operations was reported at $71.3 million, adjusted to $87.1 million after accounting for a decrease in payroll accrual [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental Services segment revenue was reported at $211.8 million, while Dietary Services segment revenue was $252.5 million [8] - Cost of services was reported at $367.9 million, representing 79.2% of revenue, which includes a benefit of $34.2 million related to the ERC [8][9] - Segment margins for Environmental and Dietary Services were reported at 10.7% and 11.5%, respectively [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted steady occupancy rates and increasing workforce availability in the long-term and post-acute care market [5] - The healthcare sector continues to lead in hiring, with expectations that the skilled nursing industry will return to pre-pandemic job levels by 2026 [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company's top three strategic priorities include driving growth through management development, converting sales pipeline opportunities, and optimizing cash flow [6] - The company is focusing on organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and opportunistic share repurchases, with a $50 million share repurchase plan valid through June 2026 [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism regarding the administration's focus on the healthcare sector and the potential for policy changes that align with operational realities [5] - The company is well-positioned to capitalize on long-term demographic trends and deliver shareholder value [42] Other Important Information - The company reported a strong balance sheet with cash and marketable securities of $207.5 million [11] - The company has incurred $2.1 million in incremental expenses related to ERC professional fees [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pipeline of new client wins and future growth - Management indicated that Q3 was marked by the highest growth rate since 2018, driven by new business wins and high client retention rates [16][17] Question: Update on education segment and acquisitions - The company is focusing on a broader "campus" initiative for potential acquisitions, with education as a top target [19][22] Question: Labor market conditions - The labor market remains strong, with expectations for the skilled nursing sector to return to pre-pandemic hiring levels by 2026 [25][27] Question: Outsourcing trends in environmental and dietary services - The company noted an increasing acceptance of outsourcing, with significant growth opportunities in both environmental and dietary services [34][36] Question: Update on Genesis Healthcare - The company continues to provide services to Genesis facilities without disruption, despite ongoing bankruptcy proceedings [38]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q3 2025 was reported at $464.3 million, an 8.5% increase year-over-year [7] - Net income and diluted earnings per share were reported at $43.59 per share, including a $0.39 benefit related to the ERC [10] - Cash flow from operations was reported at $71.3 million, adjusted to $87.1 million after accounting for a decrease in payroll accrual [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Environmental services revenue was reported at $211.8 million, while dietary services revenue was $252.5 million [7] - Segment margins for environmental and dietary services were reported at 10.7% and 5.1%, respectively [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a strong labor market, with skilled nursing job gains significantly outpacing 2024 levels, although still about 30,000 jobs short of pre-pandemic levels [25] - The company continues to see a positive trend in cash collection and a strong balance sheet, with cash and marketable securities of $207.5 million [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The top three strategic priorities for Q4 include driving growth through management development, managing costs through operational execution, and optimizing cash flow [6] - The company is focusing on organic growth, strategic acquisitions, and opportunistic share repurchases, with a $50 million share repurchase plan valid through June 2026 [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the long-term care market, citing a multi-decade demographic tailwind and stable reimbursement environment [5] - The company is confident in its ability to capitalize on growth opportunities while delivering sustainable, profitable results [6] Other Important Information - The company repurchased $27.3 million of common stock in Q3, bringing year-to-date buybacks to $42 million [12] - The company continues to evaluate M&A opportunities, particularly in the education sector, which is a top target for acquisitions [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pipeline of new client wins and future growth - Management indicated that the majority of Q3 growth was driven by new business wins and high client retention rates, with an estimated revenue range of $460 to $470 million for Q4 [15][16] Question: Labor market and hiring capabilities - Management noted that the labor market is strong, with record application levels and sufficient staffing to support growth, despite some ongoing challenges in specific markets [25][26] Question: Outsourcing trends in Environmental and Dietary Services - Management observed an increasing acceptance of outsourcing in both environmental and dietary services, with significant growth potential in the market [32][35] Question: Update on Genesis Healthcare and facility transitions - Management confirmed that services to Genesis Healthcare facilities continue without disruption, and the company is monitoring the bankruptcy process closely [36][37]

Core Viewpoint - FLINT Corp. has received favorable recommendations from leading independent proxy advisors ISS and Glass Lewis for a proposed recapitalization transaction aimed at reducing debt, lowering annual interest costs, simplifying capital structure, and improving liquidity [1][4][7] Group 1: Recapitalization Transaction - The Recapitalization Transaction is designed to protect shareholder value, strengthen FLINT's financial position, and position the company for future growth [2][7] - The special meeting for common shareholders to vote on the Recapitalization Transaction is scheduled for September 23, 2025, with a voting cutoff on September 19, 2025 [3][5][7] Group 2: Proxy Advisors' Recommendations - ISS and Glass Lewis provided independent recommendations after reviewing the strategic rationale, credible process, and valuation of the Recapitalization Transaction [4][7] - ISS highlighted that the elevated non-approval risk warranted a favorable recommendation, while Glass Lewis supported the transaction based on the factors presented by FLINT [7]