Financial Data and Key Metrics - Net income attributable to CSWI in Q2 2024 was 30millionor1.93 per diluted share, up 23% from 24millionor1.57 per diluted share in the prior period [3] - Record Q2 revenue of 204million,withEBITDAof53 million, representing 21% growth on 7% revenue growth and a 300 basis point expansion in EBITDA margin to 26% [7] - Record first-half revenue of 407million,earningsperdilutedshareof3.90, and EBITDA of 107million[7]−ConsolidatedgrossprofitinQ2was91 million, up 12.8%, with gross profit margin improving to 44.7% from 42.2% in the prior year [13] - Free cash flow in Q2 was 41.9million,upfrom28 million in the same period last year, resulting in free cash flow per share of 2.69comparedto1.81 [28] - Cash flow from operations in Q2 was 45million,upfrom30 million in the prior year, with a record 95millionforthefirsthalfoffiscal2024[52]BusinessSegmentPerformance−∗∗ContractorSolutions∗∗:Revenueof140 million, accounting for 69% of consolidated revenue, with 7% growth driven by pricing actions and a slight increase in unit volumes due to a late summer heat wave [26] - Specialized Reliability Solutions: Revenue of 37million,flatinthequarter,withrecordEBITDAof5.7 million and a 19.5% EBITDA margin [14][15] - Engineered Building Solutions: Revenue increased 13% to 29million,withaseventhconsecutivequarterofrecordbacklog[27]MarketPerformance−StrengthintheCanadianmarket,witharecordbacklogskewedtowardlargerprojects,mostofwhichhavebrokenground[23]−Softeninginenergy,mining,andrailmarkets,thoughindustrialendmarketsremainrelativelystable[10]StrategicDirectionandIndustryCompetition−Thecompanycontinuestopursueinternalandexternalgrowthopportunities,maintainingapipelineofacquisitionopportunities[9]−Focusonleveragingstrongdistributorrelationships,operationalexcellence,andcostmanagementtoexpandmarginsanddrivecashflowconversion[31]−ThecompanywasnamedHVACSupplieroftheYearbyAffiliatedDistributors,reflectingstrongcustomerfeedbackonproductavailability,deliverytimes,andinnovation[32]ManagementCommentaryonOperatingEnvironmentandFutureOutlook−Managementexpectsrevenuegrowthinthesecondhalfoffiscal2024,withstrongyear−over−yearEBITDAandEPSgrowth,aswellasrobustcashflow[30]−Thecompanyremainsoptimisticaboutitsabilitytooutperformthemarketsitserves,despiteuncertaintyincertainendmarkets[56]−Laborcostshaveincreasedduetoeffortstoattractandretaintalent,withcompensationexpensesrisingasthecompanygrows[38][39]OtherImportantInformation−ThecompanyenteredintoaninterestratehedgeinFebruary2023,saving400,000 in Q2 and $700,000 in the first half of the year [29] - The bank covenant leverage ratio improved to 0.85x at the end of Q2, down from 1.3x at the end of fiscal 2023, due to strong EBITDA growth and debt paydown [53] Q&A Session Summary Question: HVAC Distributor Destocking and Inventory Levels - The company noted a reduction in inventory from March to September, with destocking decelerating and sell-through rates remaining strong [35][61] Question: Input Costs and Pricing - Raw material costs in the Contractor Solutions segment have been stable, but base oil costs in the Specialized Reliability Solutions segment have increased due to higher oil prices, leading to recent price increases [37][38] Question: Corporate Expense Drivers - Higher corporate expenses are attributed to general growth, including compensation costs and the impact of acquisitions [80] Question: M&A Strategy and Opportunities - The company maintains a robust pipeline of M&A opportunities, with a focus on risk-adjusted returns and leveraging its strong balance sheet [81] Question: Impact of Late Summer Heat Wave on Contractor Solutions - The late summer heat wave contributed to a slight increase in unit volumes, with the company benefiting from increased maintenance and replacement work [45][68] Question: HVAC Residential Volume Normalization - The company is optimistic about future growth in the HVAC residential market, with expectations of continued market share gains and product innovation [72] Question: Softening in Specialized Reliability Solutions End Markets - Softening in energy, mining, and rail markets is attributed to economic uncertainty and higher interest rates, though the company expects normal variations throughout the year [75][89] Question: Deferral of CapEx and Phase 3 Timing - The company has deferred some capital expenditures as it assesses production needs, with no significant changes to the timing of Phase 3 [90]