Orion Engineered Carbons(OEC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a challenging start to the year, with Q1 results not reflecting the stronger underlying performance and potential of the business [7] - Unplanned plant outages impacted productivity and absorption levels, masking at least $10 million of greater earnings power in Q1, suggesting an underlying EBITDA closer to the mid-$70 million range [10][11] - Overall volumes improved by 1% year-over-year and 10% sequentially, with the most significant improvements coming from low-margin regions [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Rubber segment saw a 2.5% volume improvement year-over-year and a 13% sequential improvement, benefiting from contractual mandates and operational improvements in China [35] - The Specialty segment characterized demand as choppy, with volumes improving 3% sequentially but declining 2% year-over-year [38] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rubber demand was off to a slow start, with U.S. tire production down low double-digit percentages in the first two months of the quarter, remaining below pre-COVID levels [11] - Elevated tire imports into key markets continued to be a headwind for local tire manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe [36] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is taking protective measures to manage costs and bolster free cash flow in light of potential economic recession [8] - The changing global trade paradigm, including tariffs, is expected to benefit the carbon black industry and the company specifically [14][20] - The company is focused on improving operational reliability and efficiency, with plans to enhance maintenance and process yields [30][31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the increased likelihood of an economic recession but noted no pronounced weakening in order books at this time [8] - The company expects demand inflection starting in the second half of 2025 as tire imports are anticipated to slow [18] - Management remains committed to delivering free cash flow and has reaffirmed guidance despite lower EBITDA expectations [32][43] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its 2025 CapEx spending expectations by $10 million, down to $150 million [33] - The company has repurchased $16 million worth of stock in Q1 and $105 million since the inception of the buyback program [42] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of outages in Q1 - Management indicated that the $13 million impact from outages was primarily contained in Q1, with some costs related to fixed cost absorption and timing [47][50] Question: Expectations for Q2 earnings - Management expects a step-up in earnings in Q2, with the impact of lower oil prices and inventory revaluation incorporated into guidance [51][55] Question: Timing of tariff benefits - Management anticipates seeing benefits from tariffs in the second half of 2025, with tire companies considering building more capacity in the U.S. [58][62] Question: Specialty Black business inventory drawdown - Management noted that distributors have slowed down a bit, indicating cautious behavior, but demand remains choppy [64] Question: Headwind from timing of input costs - Management mentioned that natural gas prices were a significant factor in Q1, but they do not expect this to be a recurring headline issue [71]