Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported revenue of $2.3 billion for the first quarter, a decrease of $231 million or 9% from the same quarter last year, primarily due to softer market conditions for access equipment in North America [19] - Adjusted operating income was $192 million, representing 8.3% of sales, down from the prior year due to lower sales volume and higher operating expenses [19] - Adjusted EPS was $1.92, in line with expectations of approximately $2 per share [19][20] - Free cash flow reflected a net use of cash of $435 million due to seasonal working capital needs [20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes Access Segment - Adjusted operating margin was 11.3% despite lower sales, with a strong backlog of $1.8 billion [9] - The segment booked orders of $930 million with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.0, indicating stable demand [9] Vocational Segment - Achieved year-over-year revenue growth of 12% with a robust adjusted operating income margin of nearly 15% [11] - Backlog remains strong at $6.3 billion, providing excellent visibility for future revenue [12] Defense Segment - First quarter results reflected lower volume but progress on the production ramp-up for the NGDV program [15] - The company is on target to increase NGDV volume to full-rate production by year-end, which is expected to drive revenue growth in the latter half of 2025 [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The backlog for the Access segment remained stable at $1.8 billion, indicating healthy demand despite market challenges [9] - The vocational segment is benefiting from strong demand in refuse and recycling vehicle sales, supported by technological advancements [12][71] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on mitigating tariff impacts through a broad U.S. production footprint and proactive supply chain management [6][7] - Continued investment in technology and innovation is emphasized, particularly in the vocational segment with advancements in electric fire trucks and telematics solutions [13][70] - The company maintains a strong balance sheet and is open to M&A opportunities, particularly in growth segments [60] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the underlying trajectory of operational performance across all segments, despite near-term volatility due to tariffs [6][22] - The company anticipates that the direct impact of tariffs could be about $1 per share, with efforts to mitigate this through cost actions [20][22] - Customer sentiment remains balanced, with healthy demand in various end markets, particularly in infrastructure projects [50][67] Other Important Information - The company is planning an Investor Day on June 5, 2025, to share future plans and insights from key leaders [4] - The defense business is undergoing a leadership transition, with a new segment leader expected to be announced later this year [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: How is the company addressing tariffs? - Management aims to minimize the impact of tariffs on customers, leveraging pricing power while focusing on targeted mitigation strategies [28][30] Question: What are the cost headwinds related to tariffs? - The most significant impacts are expected in the Access segment, with mitigation efforts being broad-based across the company [38][44] Question: How is the defense segment expected to perform? - The defense segment is projected to ramp up production, with expectations of strong revenue growth in the latter half of 2025 [40][41] Question: What is the outlook for the vocational segment? - The vocational segment is expected to maintain strong margins and continue benefiting from technological advancements and a robust backlog [69][70] Question: How is customer sentiment regarding tariffs? - Customers maintain a balanced view, with healthy demand reflected in the strong backlog for the Access segment [50][68]