APi (US:APG)2025-10-30 13:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Reported revenues for Q3 2025 were $2.1 billion, a 14.2% increase compared to $1.83 billion in the prior year period, with organic growth of approximately 10% [14] - Adjusted gross margin for Q3 2025 was 31.5%, representing a 50 basis point increase compared to the prior year [14] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 14.7% for Q3 2025, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.5%, a 10 basis point increase year-over-year [14] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for Q3 2025 was $0.41, a 20.6% increase compared to the prior year [15] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Safety Services segment reported revenues of $1.4 billion, a 15.4% increase compared to $1.2 billion in the prior year, with organic growth of 8.7% [15] - Specialty Services segment reported organic revenues of $683 million, an increase of 11.6% compared to $612 million in the prior year [16] - Adjusted gross margin for Safety Services was 37.3%, an 80 basis point increase, while Specialty Services had a gross margin of 19.3%, a 60 basis point decrease [16][17] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North American safety business continued to show double-digit inspection revenue growth, contributing to the overall strong performance in the Safety Services segment [15] - The company is experiencing robust activity in various sectors, including data centers, semiconductor manufacturing, aviation, and healthcare, which are driving growth [29] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to achieve $10 billion in net revenues by 2028, with consistent mid-single-digit organic growth and a target of 16% plus adjusted EBITDA margin [8] - Investments in technology, including AI and market-leading systems, are intended to empower field leaders and improve operational efficiency [6][8] - The company is focused on disciplined customer and project selection, pricing, and selective business pruning to enhance margins and growth [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to execute the strategy and deliver on 2025 targets, citing strong momentum in inspection, service, and monitoring business [12][23] - The company anticipates continued strong free cash flow generation and a robust pipeline for M&A activity, with a focus on North America [11][12] - Management acknowledged the challenges of balancing growth with margin expansion but remains optimistic about achieving long-term margin goals [48][49] Other Important Information - The company completed four bolt-on acquisitions in Q3 2025, bringing the total for the year to 11, with plans to deploy approximately $250 million in M&A at attractive multiples [11][12] - The adjusted free cash flow for Q3 2025 was $248 million, representing a conversion rate of 88% [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more detail on the organic growth in Safety Services? - Management noted robust activity in the data center space and other sectors, with data centers expected to account for 9-10% of total revenue [28][29] Question: How is the M&A pipeline progressing? - Management stated they are on track with M&A activity, focusing on North America, particularly in fire protection and electronic security [31][32] Question: What is the current status of the elevator and escalator segment? - The elevator business is experiencing high single-digit organic growth, with positive cross-selling opportunities developing [74] Question: How do you balance growth with margin expansion? - Management emphasized the importance of project size and complexity in driving margins, indicating a focus on maintaining a balance between growth and profitability [48][49] Question: What is the expected contribution from M&A to revenue next year? - Management indicated that approximately $1 of purchase price translates to about $1 in revenue over a 12-month period, with expectations for accretive contributions from acquisitions [81]