BorgWarner(US:BWA)2025-11-19 15:22Summary of the Conference Call Company Overview - Company: BorgWarner - Industry: Automotive and Powertrain Supply Key Points and Arguments Supply Chain Disruptions - BorgWarner faced supply disruptions impacting sales, including: - A cyber attack affecting JLR, resulting in a $35 million sales impact in Q3 [3] - Ford's aluminum supplier issue expected to impact BorgWarner by $50-$100 million in Q4 [3][4] - Semiconductor challenges with Nexperia have shown signs of improvement [3] Growth Dynamics - The company has experienced a backlog shift due to changes in the EV market, tariffs, and reshoring [5] - BorgWarner's outgrowth has been around 1% for 2024 and 2025, primarily due to unmaterialized volumes from won programs [6] - The company announced 17 new programs in the last six months, indicating a high level of activity [6] - Under new CEO Joe's leadership, there is a cultural shift encouraging all business units to seek growth opportunities [7] Foundational vs. E-Product Business - The foundational business is expected to see organic growth declines, but there are opportunities in turbochargers and all-wheel drive systems [11][12] - Advanced hybrid vehicles present significant content opportunities, with potential revenue four to five times that of pure combustion engines [15] - The e-products segment, particularly PowerDrive, has shown strong growth, especially in Europe and Asia [19][22] Margin Resilience - Despite organic growth declines, BorgWarner has maintained strong margins through cost controls, restructuring savings, and supply chain efficiencies [28][30] - The company aims for mid-teens earnings per share growth, leveraging cost management strategies [32] Automation and AI - BorgWarner has implemented AI in manufacturing for cost benefits, particularly in visual inspections and R&D processes [34][35] Battery Business Outlook - The battery segment has faced challenges but remains EBITDA positive and free cash flow positive, with a focus on long-term growth [26][41] Free Cash Flow and Capital Allocation - The company expects to generate approximately $900 million in free cash flow, a 20% increase year-over-year [59] - CapEx is currently low at 4% of revenue, but historically it has been around 5-6% [61] - BorgWarner is balancing share buybacks and M&A opportunities, with a focus on accretive investments [66] Regional Dynamics and China Exposure - Approximately 20% of BorgWarner's revenue comes from China, with 75% of that from local OEMs [48] - The company maintains a disciplined approach to ROIC in China, focusing on profitability despite competitive pressures [49][54] - There are opportunities for Chinese OEMs to expand into Europe, which could benefit BorgWarner [56] Conclusion - BorgWarner is navigating supply chain challenges while focusing on growth in both foundational and e-product segments. The company is committed to maintaining strong margins and free cash flow, with strategic investments in automation and a disciplined approach to capital allocation. The outlook for the battery business remains cautiously optimistic, and the company is well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the evolving automotive landscape.