Steelcase(US:SCS)2025-09-25 13:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported second quarter revenue of $897 million, exceeding expectations and marking a 5% increase year-over-year, the highest quarterly results in the past five years [4][8] - Adjusted earnings per share were $0.45, also above the estimated range, driven by higher revenue and favorable gross margins [8][9] - Organic revenue growth was 4%, with 3% growth in the Americas and 8% growth internationally [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Americas segment achieved an adjusted operating margin of 11%, while the international segment improved adjusted operating results by $5 million compared to the prior year [4][9] - Orders grew by 6% in the second quarter, with an 8% increase in the Americas, primarily driven by large corporate customers [5][10] - The international segment saw strong order growth in India, offset by declines in Germany and France due to macroeconomic challenges [5][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The international segment posted 13% revenue growth, including 8% organic growth, with particularly strong results from India [4][9] - The Americas growth was partially offset by a decline from education customers, influenced by changes in federal funding policies [9][10] - Demand in the Asia-Pacific region improved, while EMEA faced challenges primarily in Germany and France [25][26] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on transforming workplace environments to support new ways of working, capitalizing on the ongoing trend of redesigning office spaces [6][40] - The proposed merger with HNI Corporation is expected to enhance market reach and combine industry-leading brands [7][45] - The company is committed to executing its strategy during the transition period and anticipates significant benefits from the merger [7][45] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the recovery in large corporate demand, noting that it is occurring at a higher level than anticipated [15] - The company is seeing a consistent theme of clients rethinking their office spaces to enhance creativity, collaboration, and connection [22][40] - Management did not provide forward-looking guidance due to the pending merger but remains encouraged by the momentum in the business [8][11] Other Important Information - The company incurred $10 million in restructuring costs in the international segment, primarily related to the exit of salaried employees in EMEA [9] - Total liquidity at the end of the quarter was $427 million, with total debt at $447 million [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you break out the outperformance in terms of volume versus price increases? - Management indicated that the 8% order growth in the Americas was primarily driven by volume rather than price increases, which contributed only a couple of percent [13] Question: Are there plans for additional price increases? - Management refrained from commenting on future pricing actions but noted that they were able to offset year-over-year inflation and tariff costs with earlier pricing actions [14] Question: How do current end markets compare to earlier expectations? - Management stated that end markets are more favorable than anticipated, with strong demand from large corporate customers despite declines in the education sector [15] Question: What is the demand profile in the Americas? - Management noted that clients are rethinking their office spaces, focusing on outcomes and redesigning spaces to support collaboration and connection [22] Question: Can you clarify the profitability improvement in international markets? - Management confirmed that both Asia-Pacific and EMEA improved profitability, with Asia-Pacific showing demand improvement, particularly in China [25][26]