The Eastern pany(US:EML)2025-11-05 15:00Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue from continuing operations for Q3 2025 was $55.3 million, down 22% from $71.3 million in Q3 2024 [4][8] - EBITDA for the quarter was $3.5 million, with earnings per share at $0.10, compared to $0.75 per diluted share in the prior year [4][10] - Gross margin as a percentage of net sales decreased to 22.3% from 25.5% in the prior year [8][9] - Net income from continuing operations was $0.6 million, down from $4.7 million in Q3 2024 [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sales of returnable transport packaging products decreased by $9.9 million, and truck mirror assemblies decreased by $6.4 million [8] - The backlog decreased by $23.6 million, or 24%, to $74.3 million, driven by decreased orders in multiple product lines [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - OE truck production was down 36% during the quarter, significantly impacting revenue [4] - The automotive market saw a reduction of 34% in new projects due to fewer vehicle model changes, with 13 less platform launches in 2025 [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on enhancing product innovation, expanding into new end markets, and diversifying customer relationships to capture emerging opportunities [6] - A new $100 million revolving credit facility was established to support long-term growth initiatives and potential M&A opportunities [6][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged a challenging macroeconomic environment in the heavy-duty truck and automotive segments but expressed confidence in the company's ability to weather the downturn [12] - There are indications of marginal improvements in Q4, with expectations for a soft first half of 2026 but potential incremental improvements later in the year [12][17] Other Important Information - The company repurchased approximately 118,000 shares, representing almost 2% of outstanding shares, and reduced debt by $7 million [6][10] - The USPS vehicle program has ramped up nicely and has become an important part of the business, with Oshkosh becoming the largest customer for the quarter [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Are the gross margin contractions temporary or structural? - Management indicated that while there was a mix of factors affecting gross margins, they expect improvements in the future as volumes return to normal [15][16] Question: Is there early recovery in the heavy-duty truck market? - Management noted some bounce back in Q4 but cautioned that volumes have not yet returned to historical norms, with forecasts indicating a soft first half of 2026 [17][18] Question: Update on the USPS vehicle program and revenue ramp-up? - The program has been a bright spot, with good volumes contributing positively to the business, although specific revenue figures were not disclosed [19][20] Question: Has there been an increase in the pace of model refresh cycles in the Big Three channel? - Management reported a slow quarter but anticipates an increase in model launches for the next year, with improvements already seen in backlog [22][23]