Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2024, net revenues grew by 1.3% to a record $7 billion, driven by acquisitions and strong organic growth in inspection, service, and monitoring revenues [12][10] - Adjusted EBITDA margins expanded by 140 basis points to 12.7%, with adjusted free cash flow conversion improving from 69% in 2023 to 75% in 2024 [11][14] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for Q4 2024 was $0.51, a 16% increase compared to the prior year [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Safety Services reported revenues increased by 13% to $1.40 billion, with organic growth of 4.7% driven by double-digit inspection revenue growth in the U.S. Life Safety business [24][25] - Specialty Services revenues decreased by 11.8% to $463 million, impacted by divestitures and project delays [27] - Adjusted gross margin for Safety Services was 35.7%, while Specialty Services saw a decrease to 17.3% [25][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company achieved double-digit growth in inspection revenues in the U.S. Life Safety business for the year, marking the 18th consecutive quarter of growth in this area [13] - The international business has improved significantly, with less than 5 loss-making branches at the start of 2025, down from over 50 at the time of acquisition [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to increase the mix of inspection, service, and monitoring revenues from 54% in 2024 to a long-term target of 60% [11] - The focus remains on disciplined customer and project selection, pricing improvements, and strategic M&A, particularly in the fire, life safety, and elevator services sectors [16][17] - The company plans to build a $1 billion-plus elevator and escalator services platform through organic growth and M&A [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in returning to traditional rates of organic growth in 2025, driven by strong inspection, service, and monitoring revenues [18][36] - The company is prepared to manage economic fluctuations due to its variable cost model, which is approximately 70-75% variable [52] - Management noted that project delays experienced in 2024 are mostly behind them, with improved planning and resource deployment for 2025 [56][60] Other Important Information - The company has approximately $400 million remaining on its share repurchase program, reflecting its strong free cash flow generation [15] - The company successfully remediated all prior year material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Key variables driving EBITDA margin expansion - Management highlighted disciplined customer and project selection, improved revenue mix, pricing, procurement opportunities, and Chubb value capture as key drivers for EBITDA margin expansion [39][40][41][42] Question: Managing business through economic downturns - Management emphasized building resilience through a focus on inspection, service, and monitoring, allowing for better project selection and cost management [47][49][50] Question: Status of project delays - Management indicated that most project delays from the previous year are resolved, with ongoing work progressing as planned [60][62] Question: M&A expectations for the year - The company plans to spend approximately $250 million on bolt-on M&A, focusing on fire, life safety, and elevator services, while remaining disciplined in its approach [82][84][86] Question: Revenue guidance drivers - Management noted that mid- to upper single-digit growth in service revenue and low to mid-single-digit project revenue growth are foundational for achieving revenue guidance [99][100][101]