Stoneridge(SRI) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported first quarter sales of $217.9 million, which was approximately in line with expectations [14] - Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $7.6 million, reflecting an improvement of $1.6 million or 80 basis points compared to the fourth quarter [10][14] - Adjusted gross margin improved by 210 basis points in the first quarter, contributing to adjusted operating margin expansion of 160 basis points [5][9] - Free cash flow was approximately $4.9 million, an increase of $1.5 million compared to the first quarter of the prior year [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - MirrorEye revenue increased by 24% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by strong sales in the bus market and ramp-up of OEM programs [4][20] - Control Devices first quarter sales were $69.9 million, a 10.6% increase relative to the fourth quarter, outperforming the North American passenger vehicle market which grew by only 3.9% [18] - Electronics segment sales were $140.5 million, slightly lower than the previous quarter, but driven by record sales of MirrorEye and SMART II Tachograph [20][22] - Stoneridge Brazil's first quarter sales totaled $14.4 million, representing a 16% growth, primarily due to a 60% increase in local OEM sales [22][23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced minimal direct impact from tariffs in the first quarter, with approximately 91% of product sales from Mexico being exempt from tariffs due to USMCA certification [11][12] - The company is actively working to secure price increases to offset potential tariff-related costs and is focused on increasing the number of USMCA certified products [12][13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is maintaining its full-year guidance despite external production forecast reductions, indicating confidence in its operational strategies and market positioning [8][16] - Stoneridge is focused on operational excellence, material cost improvements, and quality enhancements to drive earnings and cash performance [7][26] - The company aims to capitalize on its advanced technologies and maintain a strong foundation for continued earnings expansion [26][27] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in navigating global trade policies and mitigating tariff impacts, emphasizing strong communication with suppliers and customers [27] - The company expects continued progress on material cost improvement initiatives and quality-related costs for the remainder of the year [16][17] - Management noted that while there is uncertainty in consumer demand due to tariffs, orders have remained robust thus far [36] Other Important Information - The company achieved a $28 million reduction in inventory compared to the previous year, contributing to improved cash flow [24] - The net debt to trailing twelve-month EBITDA ratio was just under four times, with a targeted compliance ratio of 2 to 2.5 times by year-end [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you unpack the momentum in Electronics, particularly for MirrorEye and Smart2? - Management highlighted significant traction with the Volvo launch in Europe and strong aftermarket interest, expecting continued sales growth [32] Question: What are the expected margin increases throughout the year? - Management anticipates a linear progression of margins as material cost and quality initiatives mature, with typical contribution margins expected to be 25% to 30% [33] Question: What are the impacts of tariffs on demand? - Management noted that while there are some changes in demand, the overall impact has not been significant, and most products remain USMCA compliant [36] Question: How sustainable are the improvements in inventory management? - Management indicated that there is still room for improvement in inventory turns, which should remain sustainable even as the company grows [40] Question: What is the outlook for MirrorEye revenue? - Management confirmed no change in the outlook for MirrorEye revenue, citing strong volume from existing programs and positive momentum in the aftermarket [54] Question: Are there any quality-related issues expected in the future? - Management acknowledged that while quality issues can arise, significant improvements have been made in managing quality-related costs and processes [46][48]