Steelcase(US:SCS)2025-06-26 13:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 7% revenue growth in Q1, with adjusted earnings per share of $0.20, up 25% year-over-year [6][16] - Adjusted operating margin for Q1 was 5%, an increase of 110 basis points compared to the previous year, driven by The Americas which posted a 6.7% margin [6][17] - Gross margin continued to expand for the twelfth consecutive quarter, with a 170 basis points improvement in Q1 [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In The Americas, orders from large corporate customers grew, while there was a less than 1% decline in total orders compared to the prior year [6][19] - The international segment experienced a 1% organic revenue decline, with growth in India, the UK, and China offset by declines in Germany and France [17][20] - Orders in The Americas were split with one-third coming from education and government sectors, and two-thirds from large corporate and other vertical markets [25][26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas saw strong order growth from large technology customers, while education and government sectors faced declines due to changes in federal funding policies [7][12] - Internationally, growth was hindered by macroeconomic challenges in Germany and France, impacting small to mid-sized businesses [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on leading the transformation of the workplace, particularly for large corporate customers [8][11] - Strategic pillars include expanding market reach, supporting education amidst funding uncertainties, and strengthening profitability through cost reduction efforts [12][13] - The company is prioritizing investments in strategic growth initiatives while navigating tariff and trade policy uncertainties [14][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the momentum in large corporate customer investments, despite macroeconomic challenges [23][60] - The company anticipates continued strength in large corporate demand, driven by the need for workplace transformation [41][62] - Future guidance includes expectations for mid-single-digit organic revenue growth and expanded adjusted operating margins [32][33] Other Important Information - The company incurred $9 million in restructuring costs related to the exit of approximately 85 salaried employees [18] - Cash flow from operating activities showed a use of $141 million, primarily due to seasonal disbursements [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of education sector on orders - Management indicated that about one-third of orders in Q1 came from education and government, with the remaining two-thirds from corporate and other sectors [25][26] Question: Future order patterns in education - Education orders are expected to remain significant early in Q2 but will have less impact in the latter half of the year [27] Question: Pricing strategies and demand pull forward - A tariff recovery charge was implemented, leading to a pull forward of orders, but no significant orders were pulled from Q2 into Q1 [28][30] Question: Full year guidance and momentum - Management remains optimistic about mid-single-digit organic revenue growth, despite challenges in the education sector and international markets [31][32] Question: Profitability of international segment - The company is targeting consistent profitability in the international segment, with ongoing restructuring efforts [37] Question: Resilience of large corporate demand - Management noted that large corporate clients are investing in workplace transformation, reflecting a shift in work dynamics [40][62] Question: Conference room demand and future opportunities - There is significant opportunity to update the installed base of conference rooms, which have not kept pace with current technologies [48][49] Question: Gross margin expectations for Q2 - Guidance for Q2 gross margin is lower due to tariff impacts and expected declines in the education sector [50][51] Question: Future pricing increases - The company will continue to manage inflation through pricing increases if necessary, following historical patterns [56]