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

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a challenging start to the year, with Q1 results not indicative of stronger underlying performance, suggesting an underlying EBITDA potential in the mid-seventy million dollars range [6][8] - Free cash flow guidance for the year has been reaffirmed despite lower EBITDA expectations, with a focus on improving cash flow conversion [7][29] - The company experienced a $10 million impact on earnings due to unplanned plant outages and adverse timing effects related to raw material costs [8][31] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Rubber segment volumes improved by 2.5% year-over-year and 13% sequentially, benefiting from contractual mandates and operational improvements in China [32] - Specialty segment volumes improved 3% sequentially but declined 2% year-over-year, indicating choppy demand particularly in the automotive coatings market [35][36] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. tire production was down low double-digit percentages in the first two months of the quarter, remaining significantly below pre-COVID levels [9] - The company noted that elevated tire imports into key markets continue to be a headwind for local tire manufacturing [33] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is positioned to benefit from the changing global trade paradigm, with tariffs expected to positively impact demand for domestic manufacturing [12][17] - A focus on operational reliability and efficiency improvements is underway, with plans to enhance maintenance and reduce equipment failures [27][28] 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 [7][20] - The company expects demand to improve in the second half of 2025 as tire imports are anticipated to slow and channel inventories are drawn down [15][52] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its 2025 CapEx spending expectations by $10 million, down to $150 million, reflecting a significant decrease from 2024 levels [30][39] - The company has repurchased $16 million worth of stock in Q1 and a total of $105 million since the inception of its buyback program [40] 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 [44][48] Question: Expectations for Q2 earnings - Management expects a step-up in earnings in Q2, with the impact of lower oil prices and inventory revaluation being factored into guidance [50][52] Question: Timing of tariff benefits - Management anticipates seeing benefits from tariffs in the second half of 2025, contingent on demand recovery and inventory adjustments [56][58] Question: Specialty Black business inventory trends - Management noted that while there has been some cautious behavior from distributors, demand remains choppy rather than clear [61][62]