Worthington Industries(WOR) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company reported Q1 fiscal 2026 earnings of $0.70 per share, up from $0.48 per share in the prior year quarter, with adjusted earnings at $0.74 per share compared to $0.50 per share last year [11][12] - Consolidated sales for the quarter were $304 million, an 18% increase from $257 million in the prior year quarter, driven by higher volumes in the building product segment and the inclusion of Elgin Manufacturing [12][14] - Gross margin improved to 27.1% from 24.3% year-over-year, despite a $2.2 million purchase accounting charge related to Elgin [4][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consumer products segment sales were $119 million, up 1% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA of $16 million and a margin of 13.6%, down from 15.1% last year due to lower volumes and tariff charges [15][16] - Building products segment sales grew 32% year-over-year to $185 million, with adjusted EBITDA of $58 million and a margin of 31.3%, up from 28.4% last year, driven by higher volumes and contributions from Elgin [17][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The consumer environment remains cautious, with demand closely correlated to point-of-sale activities, while the building products segment showed strength in cooling and construction products [16][18] - Elgin Manufacturing contributed $21 million in sales for Q1, enhancing the company's presence in commercial HVAC [18][19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Company is focused on building a sustainable growth platform through innovation, transformation, and acquisitions, with recent product launches contributing to market share growth [6][7] - The acquisition of Elgin Manufacturing is seen as a strategic move to enhance capabilities in commercial HVAC and broaden market reach [7][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged headwinds such as cautious consumer behavior and high interest rates impacting residential and commercial activities, yet expressed confidence in future growth prospects [5][9] - The company is committed to optimizing operations and maintaining a strong balance sheet, with expectations for improved free cash flow as capital expenditures normalize [13][14] Other Important Information - The company reported a total incident case rate 40% lower than industry peers, reflecting its commitment to safety [9] - A quarterly dividend of $0.19 per share was declared, payable in December 2025 [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What drove the margin in the building product segment? - Management indicated strong execution in normalized markets, with solid growth in heating, cooking, and cooling businesses, aiming for EBITDA margins to reach 12-13% over time [24][25] Question: What are the drivers for WAVE's outperformance? - WAVE continues to perform well, driven by strong end markets in education, healthcare, and data centers, with expectations for steady performance [27][28] Question: How are tariffs impacting the business? - Management noted that tariffs have created complexities, but being a domestic manufacturer provides a competitive edge in pricing [30][32] Question: What is the outlook for ClarkDietrich? - Management expects flat to slightly down performance in the near term due to reduced construction spending, but remains optimistic about future recovery [49][50] Question: What is the M&A pipeline outlook? - The company is actively seeking high-margin, low-asset intensity businesses in niche markets, with a solid pipeline for potential acquisitions [52][54]