Lamb Weston(LW) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q3 2025, net sales increased by 4% year-over-year, with volume growth of 9% primarily due to recovering from the previous year's ERP transition and new customer contracts [26][12] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 6% to $364 million, driven by higher sales volumes and lower manufacturing costs [31][32] - Price mix declined by 5% compared to the prior year due to competitive pricing strategies [27][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America net sales grew by 4%, with volume improving by 8%, although offset by soft restaurant traffic trends [27][28] - International segment sales increased by 5%, with volume up by 12%, despite weak restaurant traffic in key markets [30] - Adjusted EBITDA for North America increased by$ 15 million to $301 million, while the international segment saw a decline of$ 8.5 million to $93 million [34] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - QSR traffic in North America declined by 2%, with hamburger chains experiencing a 6% drop in February [28][29] - The company anticipates a mid-single-digit percent decline in potato prices for the 2025 crop in North America, with flat prices expected in Europe [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a value creation plan with the help of Alex Partners to optimize operations and drive growth [9][10] - A restructuring plan is in place to achieve at least$ 55 million in pre-tax savings for fiscal 2025 [12][51] - The company aims to enhance customer relationships and innovate product offerings to meet evolving market demands [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledges the challenging macroeconomic environment and consumer uncertainty, which is impacting restaurant traffic [13][18] - The company expects continued pressure on pricing and margins due to competitive dynamics and inflationary costs [44][45] - Despite these challenges, management remains optimistic about long-term growth opportunities through customer engagement and operational efficiencies [53][54] Other Important Information - The company ended Q3 with approximately $1.1 billion in liquidity and a net debt of$ 4.2 billion, maintaining a leverage ratio of 3.4 times [35][36] - Capital expenditures for the year are projected to be $750 million, down from the previous year [38] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of crop prices on QSR contract negotiations - Management indicated that customer contract negotiations will begin in the summer, and while potato prices are expected to decline, other inflationary costs will also impact negotiations [57][58] Question: Opportunities with Alex Partners - The focus is on cost savings, productivity, and a data-driven approach to identify growth opportunities across the P&L [61][63] Question: Gross margin expectations for Q4 - Management explained that higher fixed cost absorption and other input costs will pressure gross margins, with a forecasted decline of around 700 basis points [69][71] Question: Connell plant future plans - The company has decided not to sell the Connell plant and is conducting a strategic review of other options [100][101] Question: Weakness in QSR traffic - Management attributed the decline in QSR traffic to macroeconomic uncertainty and is monitoring demand signals closely [108][109] Question: Changes in QSR operations and competitive threats - The company is adjusting contract schedules and is open to new ideas as customers seek to drive traffic to their restaurants [138][139]