GEF - Earnings call transcript Q1 2020

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Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by, and welcome to the Greif, Inc. Q1 2020 Earnings Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] Please be advised that today’s conference is being recorded. [Operator Instructions]

I would now like to hand the conference over to Matt Eichmann. you. Thank ahead. go Please

Matt Eichmann

and XXXX everyone. earnings Denise, first to quarter fiscal conference good you, Welcome morning, Greif’s Thank call.

Financial Larry On Watson, the questions Greif’s at and call. of to Greif’s Pete and Chief Hilsheimer, President and the are call Chief Executive answer today available Officer. Pete are today’s Larry end Officer;

individual from regarding consider material an because accordance Fair we Please Disclosure, you you In basis. nonpublic encourage you with are queue. to issues and prohibited discussing yourself with Regulation to significant items ask returning one questions follow-up one limit we to on question the before

Please turn to X. Slide

discussed. reminder, a events. during involving statements we beliefs future expectations and those related As Actual differ will make forward-looking could to today’s call, results plans, from materially

financial appendix of presentation. Additionally, reconciliation GAAP certain and comparable directly be to today’s the can most referencing be in metrics non-GAAP measures found the we’ll

And X. now over on Pete I the turn to Slide presentation

Pete Watson

and good morning, Thank you, Matt, everyone.

make process adjusted strategic continue free We and the of both standpoint, a cash EBITDA financial prior our From flow priorities. improved strong first adjusted quarter. performance versus to our quarter year across all

organizations We our quarter our XXth third-party satisfaction sustainability customer score strong and recorded received from several of improvement performance. recognition also index consecutive for

today we million announced Graphic Packaging agreed in our to for cash. sell Packaging we Finally, that $XX Group have Consumer business to

container growing in to strategy. expectations our sustainable. performed our internal Caraustar several remains last We continue But are and it’s the in are Conditions soft. several environment double-digits especially and premature to improved important bulk intermediate better prior year demand over experience challenging whether in tell overall industrial portfolio markets with versus trends those across the regions RIPS the our quarter. line months, global than volumes

from Rigid cost material review markets, our benefiting Packaging if by strong Industrial demand Slide and I & The X. you strong in control. could costs like first favorable and segment quarter Services raw please better a key turn to delivered to segment now performance

grew acquisition by our projects volumes year and IBC Tholu partially Europe global due the investments in positive IBC delivering prior Texas, and IBC and Houston, quarter, in XX.X% Our the versus Russia. strategic reconditioner include results to that new

chemical Overall EMEA, drum roughly our outlook drum customer declined volumes customers nearly stable is volumes growth. X% versus the new on largest quarter. in quarter. Eastern solid in soft, roughly X%. negatively region, the Gulf Thanks Middle Asia volume the and to demand low- versus competition East Africa especially drum volumes global price margin a were by are reported and the steel by by year a Steel volumes same-store, drum which decisions. grew year Coast, achieve also in up steel prior and China remains and Europe. in lube demand Southeast drum steel single-digits by Steel X% prior X.X% impacted U.S. by grew Steel drum in in by the trade and as sensitive while North we more

sales. and by pricing the year reduction strategic prior lower of prices quarter the quarter declines, material due adjusted tied neutral adjustments RIPS million $XX cost EBITDA sales raw quarter to a to versus lower selling and lower cost partially basis offset prior lower partially by rose first activities, volumes due by million to on year raw the first are roughly RIPS $XX decisions. offset currency price materials to back average quarter versus impact roughly aggressive lower contractual related office

disclose a adjustment adjusted XXXX by related QX was million $X.X previously impacted that Our divestiture. adversely to was EBITDA correction

in the low-double-digits. to XXXX We drum volume assume steel RIPS flat continue volume will with IBC be fiscal that roughly to growth

expect we by Europe and country. overall in EMEA, vary uptick While economic pleased in we with subdued growth to saw demand a remain

first challenging Flexible which is you Products to in weather, fertilizer experienced turn quarter was to weak Western due be please Europe not by to The to delayed by X. Slide and season Service impacted a ask negatively expected I’d a fully & demand segment recovered.

quarter lower XX% were basis. to a volumes neutral First the Weak quarter in segment XX% driver than were sales the lower main currency prior lower and roughly year sales.

fell $X by due prior SG&A EBITDA adjusted million quarter by expense. First the only volumes, roughly partially lower versus to offset year lower

bottom are is on please from And that line our cost other small. soft a end markets some variable so We light is executing XX-XX mind and savings of volumes, joint reducing in FPS opportunities. structure weaker in keep venture, SG&A cost the impact

of Paper Before impact to like words coronavirus. I’d Packaging, say the to on the transitioning a few

China operational as were roughly X% safeguard colleagues in today, extensive revenue Greif and annual China have our our and wellbeing. overall Rigid Flexible our none have colleagues our and precautions we Packaging We of virus segments. XXX all our of working to To in of the both for over contracted accounts of knowledge place February their and plants and have XX. health in consolidated

too to coronavirus $X.X is the to customers. have too minor economic a may global and it impact our guidance virus of our into While assess drag global macro million, conditions way the early ultimate we’ve on incorporated

that downtime negatively grew prices XX,XXX from by Packaging’s softer integrated business. tons Slide million quarter lower by due ask the Volumes first legacy by our and you turn $XXX offset were Caraustar’s economic demand impacted sales versus containerboard partially in customers I’d in business. by quarter primarily to published X Paper contribution our to prior of please. year containerboard

roughly outperformed quarter, versus the prior Packaging’s our first EBITDA seasonal expectations internal XX% adjusted year. rose slower during period the them. for is by a Caraustar which Paper quarter

as ton decline linerboard range. ton our boxboard and guidance incorporated Looking price a medium ton $XX ahead, we January’s into a published February’s $XX declines well as of $XX

business have the in seven we Graphic Caraustar sell Packaging in excludes agreed multiyear facilities carton we to Packaging consisting acquired mills three supply our folding which place. to sale of have in Finally, Group $XX This for acquisition million. agreements CRB Consumer the

refocuses helps our core us business. delever not our divestiture rightful and Given our focus, and This Consumer our capital our industrial on franchise the optimize we the growth Packaging balance priorities. business of sheet, industrial are allocation plans strategic owner Group

the contribution nothing the by to is their to like CPG I’d sincere excellence to service them for colleagues the best customer past and March close There will future. for expect the We wish We XX XX, well the a them months. ahead. growth commitment serve safety to divestiture our and but in the thank transition in

large overall please pleased. could We you own very to turn Slide the success businesses of colleague cultural is strong just Caraustar anticipated than margins more to revised continue our since XX% for X. deal enhance by now and If closing. rate higher fit driver through the importantly, to integration. over year retention synergies its alignment, have be business which a have and a XX% we Most a been The and our the

of at packaging $XX end expect continue group XXXX. the there We million by estimates impact rate run from to to divestiture. And the of synergy least our synergies no is consumer fiscal achieve to material

turn now our like Chief presentation Larry Officer, to I’d the Hilsheimer. Financial over to

Larry Hilsheimer

Pete. Good you, Thank review Slide morning, to quarterly everyone. performance. to turn X our financial Please

the Before allow the CPG Pete details, to I into me what add to divestiture. stated quarter’s get earlier about

unique about It view a strategies Packaging. each We the the We consistent announced deal. is Graphic side. morning and this with transaction of benefits with this has win-win organization as are very each to excited

million rate basis no synergies that the did I that a them CPG and work sold our we to last nor run best we were $XXX over Caraustar, contributed the when at luck there operation. for to of of any want estimated thank wish attributable their Greif colleagues, the on just acquired in run so us, rate $XXX EBITDA of business million. EBITDA For we The year.

first to challenged specifics. quarter On generated a Overall, solid very results Greif in economy. industrial

containerboard partially by of FPS lower impact XX% foreign pricing pricing nearly lower First RIPS, PAM-driven softness versus and quarter pricing. excluding year-over-year Legacy Caraustar’s due exchange in quarter in and net strategic to rose RIPS, prior the demand and demand weak year experienced PPS softer the sales, also by volumes. contribution decisions offset published

expense anticipated XX% quarter our quarter, as year. demand versus $XX adjusted by roughly other paper to interest line, contribution expense rose and prior flat roughly and RIPS, legacy the business prior operating Below in EBITDA year EBITDA partially First lower by to Caraustar’s while essentially profit in by in the the due offset improvement weak primarily was million, FPS. grew

First share depreciation Caraustar $X.XX acquisition-driven interest adjusted earnings year-over-year lift to and the per share to earnings. due quarter flat higher quarter roughly year prior the offsetting was at expense to per Class A

a Our first quarter million resolution XX.X% tax from an non-GAAP of $X authorities. open tax with item benefited and rate was

fiscal We in expect our and non-GAAP rate to range XXXX. between XX% XX%

million to a Finally, first expenditures. and the despite capital increased roughly improved quarter year $XX a to result use adjusted improved cash – of prior use of capital increased million by flow quarter as EBITDA management free $XX working versus

Class now and between share XXXX. unquantifiable uncertainty in X the Slide the key on expect Please earnings and operations. the our $X.XX A deliberately $X.XX generate in Class and given kept adjusted wide our We to of in to guidance turn macroeconomic modeling coronavirus impact continued fiscal review global XXXX to range adjusted fiscal We’ve still per guidance assumptions.

by of headwind at share To year, our per with per midpoint offset mix sourcing raw key OpEx previously original XXXX and midpoint partly erosion $X.XX fiscal improvements from bridge RIPS in start there, $X.XX year for we to From of the anticipate PPS per material in please a several $X.XX new we softer and QX. wins. provided, our the remainder from economic share share what shared conditions

boxboard in prices paperboard price that share published by last week, per $X.XX the only lower a in includes assume the OCC expectations. also We fiscal reduction squeeze offset partially headwind slightly $XX from cost

lower headwinds non-GAAP is now tax rebate result lower fiscal our is of trend adjusted flow expense million improved EBITDA We XXXX lift cash our per offset as of $XXX credit range. cash XX% and the a a rate slightly by to than share fiscal million will farm $X.XX working $XXX from between belief capital of system lower and a as Offsetting XX% towards year taxes. lower and our end more free that our interest those year anticipated forecast

excluding capital programs. and between lower million, continue between $XXX to million, capital expect We million of expenditures of source cash capital and integration primarily to $XXX and CapEx anticipate working and a due zero working $XX sales be to optimization

Slide priorities capital to on Turning XX.

be end, stated capital to organic within remain stood in balance our Our expect funding roughly steady growth At back X.Xx. ratio our our priorities include leverage IBCs, leverage We quarter sheet, XXXX. dividends and reconditioning delevering maintaining our targeted compliance range ratio our CapEx, within pursuing strategic priorities containerboard covenants well and by and integration. IBC allocation

steady yields to augment dividend and offers income than industry-leading more of returns. today investors X% Our a market source

for I’ll With Pete the his call turn Q&A. closing to that, before our comments back

Pete Watson

Thank you, Larry, quarter XX. Greif a challenging and please turn first team solid despite The delivered a to macroeconomic Slide environment.

through to commitment customer portfolio our variety remain service markets our through to and fiscal progress positioned product we end well XXXX, excellence. serve of a we As industry-leading

plan. the advancing We’re opportunities track lower close Caraustar core our and continues to integration risk growth the to

your open morning. please appreciate questions. this participation And lines We operator, for the

Operator

first Instructions] Ghansham comes with [Operator from Panjabi Baird. Your question

Your is line open.

Matt Krueger

morning. Hi. for Good doing? sitting This are is Ghansham. Krueger How Matt in actually you

Pete Watson

Good. How are you?

Matt Krueger

Good.

just was impact on regional various your segment could details Along coincide by I volume your from hoping including underlying coronavirus. on that assumptions expectations get any thoughts updated volume with So that outlook, that the for the with any we XXXX. the regions economic

Pete Watson

Yes.

about So let I’ll first, – impact. coronavirus talk the the me and

So we as anything and that regarding colleagues of infected is impact. time coronavirus know none are our future speculate mentioned, we we a we really the comment know we can’t today, on what at this

from been China, in coronavirus. operations, the XX% and as operations $X.X not impact mainly expect, about impacted coronavirus We extended the shutdowns today our said, have we’re to beyond Italian due capacity million by operating Chinese our we

We’re facilities at operating capacity. all full

From a chain to broader and have in we our in our had supply Greif meet our any ability needs. impact not customer adverse chain, supply

about to of an global have will chain, parts entire in our restrained segments ours global economy. across parts the there’s raw and of materials impact interconnectivity not that question but impacts no we’ve you’ve to read, supply read and on the supply business chain certain clearly already We’re or supply that negative

on In global regards our impact to regions would and are to really concrete may we global shift serve diverse again, longer-term very China premature to production that, make seeing in determinations that what in wide positioned But our we’re across other I do you, today, capabilities as a well any it’s customers, our from some because footprint. they globe. customers have we the be. tell to manufacturing global

with volumes let’s our In see we in year, start – to the balance the it, regard as – of RIPS. for

be a be Brazil, to well. So It’s XXXX. in an the global to fiscal Middle We to store. volumes region drum expect more steel EMEA on our we roughly continues see also the flat basis, are East stabilized doing improving

effect have the then think in going the is uncertainty we the the I economic that coronavirus Asia. is slow and around the what of the long-term industrial conditions in to offset in U.S. be

grow with with that. is as it’s We year, past priority digits, again, single to we’ve for to which plastic in we’ve we strategic continue IBC happy and in the reconditioning consistent expect several and large And the to we’re digits in investments expect what and very double our had global platform U.S., done aids our business low low it the grow growth IBC a in us. big strategic that drum volumes,

assumptions Again, don’t from you XXXX. impact broader include and those packaging, what environment the see is When look changes of softer any see not coronavirus current do at our conditions continued balance any still XXXX for paper demand future of we we impact.

Matt Krueger

business containerboard then tons leads what’s terms downtime that the outlined And And me was baked you the guidance provide that remainder guess the of downtime during the detail for impact could across the year for I in your into net XX,XXX some helpful. my maybe hoping definitely quarter? that that That’s I into question. economic first business? of next from on in

Larry Hilsheimer

XX,XXX is downtime the $X.X Yes, roughly of we’ve range. tons of impact. the guidance, a the year’s In in million built remainder million, $X

is our of – all continued consider wide. so businesses our right factors range potential As now, including that To fairly impacting paper business. you they impact our macroeconomic paper legacy noticed,

Matt Krueger

helpful. it That’s That’s me thanks. Okay. for

Operator

from comes America. with of question next Mark Your Bank Wilde

open. line Your is

Mark Wilde

that wonder within the how in little if XX.X% of we particularly And a I the of business, Pete, much the possible exclude Thanks. of is about to bit then if of the sort IBC it’s business. acquisition? result talk kind IBC the more RIPS, volumes

Pete Watson

So that Tholu first, a Mark. of of is XX% question reconditioning. improvement, the roughly Europe the XX.X% result IBC in The as acquisition

we look growth. to region positive platform And continues When EMEA by with as reconditioning We our you have We’re a really business. pleased just that from that. you it’s of I In that’s a to think steel – drum, and grow we did take trend. aid really standpoint, grew again, January quarter, I the America, February. too But to see to demand improvement in quarter. whether North be premature weak was signs X% first the say continued in it’s think continuing if in

in in down in comparison that. to less there’s no annual we – drum you just really steel America results an because perspective, a industry have paper. business we are the association the like America, in North in give drum rigid XXXX, in And produces XXXX, than But was XX% public significantly North industry and and down

to it’s a trade the of due So substrate, resides large in and challenged percentage conflicts, volume a mainly that that Gulf Coast.

about America, Latin of had drum manufacturing and really Brazil. in at look you we really If good steel a and that’s improvements operations X%, of result our growth in

obviously, there our there. our a we the – better to in done And basis, extended to we’ve our February, leader same-store because in That can and change APAC, you XX so an of due Ningbo, in downtime a up shutdown. improving pre-coronavirus. drum new base year steel That’s job days about, X%. serve we ago, of a Our if you talked plant we excellent at operations, is Chinese growing remember, will closed customer volumes, XX as look we’re if has had

entered make other manufacturers in There’s added the comment And Asia predominantly demand markets, new environment weaker Southeast really competitive the capacity drum but experiencing Asia, and there’s that of I’ll Singapore, some Singapore. been steel in we’re weaker intensive from a only been export because in market.

of Mark. an So volume steel overall RIPS, that’s drum view the in

Mark Wilde

really just helpful, the which recycled That’s of my part follow-on, asset Okay. for sales. weren’t Pete. mills, the I’m about coated curious guess I

multiyear you much of point of on volume mentioned on that how like pursuing a and you some precluded at maybe rationalizing whether perspective Can of sort from us cover give the contracts. somebody Larry would sale just mills this from contracts a the some think you be I would those and point? little at contracts the those else? mills, Or with three even have capacity

Pete Watson

Yes.

our owned – we integration, as when in XX%. about, mills. And talked we packaging those have we we place So business, was agreements consumer three long-term the about for

XX% the channel But non-conflict the we a that. supply So and so is long-term really industry, sale partners allow integrated to to to also with under be independent partner feel assets these both feel us agreements. covered positive and of carton folding we comfortable because that

what we concrete plans. future, In have may in to no regard do the we

run industrial – grow And as capital on reconditioning and business. we long-term we right our place. we are in in is intend business, our agreements industry, focus grow us those very carton we well feel I and our comfortable as to So and and again, allows integration, mills, IBC paper the our integration, the allocations graphics to certainly folding vertical comment, those our not with think, of IBC franchise, follower packaging the were assets to

Larry Hilsheimer

a And plans. current any Mark, we follow-on, although just have don’t

any answer we selling You asked is, And the mills. whether restrictions have no. on those

Mark Wilde

Larry. Thanks, Okay.

Operator

from question next comes Markets. Josephson Capital Your with Adam KeyBanc

line Your open. is

Adam Josephson

good Pete, morning. Larry, Matt,

Pete Watson

Hey Adam, how are you?

Adam Josephson

you, I’m fine. are Pete? How

Pete Watson

Good.

Adam Josephson

Thanks for guidance. asking. flow cash Larry, just one on the

lower cap with working because taxes, then lower going something is cash function better. mentioned forecast Or down? else cost You is your respect that the is a volume simply that Is to or material going And lower there? expectations? there profit on raw expectations of just of

Larry Hilsheimer

Yes, good questions, Adam.

$XX just just million and roughly CapEx is expense about we Let give a $X walk high $XXX guidance related so a that the to about then it question CPG on or of relative first, up by pick interest is disposed working specifically answer $X million of because million. to about million, level, of, drop we roughly me $XX.X – those and short a of I’ll operations. you things Taxes Increased would other $XX plans your million we had midpoint capital. and about million is so just

from million. million you to $XXX walks that So $XXX

CPG is working carrying capital need to lower it carry for there. when eliminates teams. the projecting lower capital, need the you it it you’re combination kudos, to the yes, of, But obviously, working also is disposing sales, plants, On goes our OWC, a

focused better We our managing as see more improvements the of have capital, had remainder being of the through we’ve working and years on a in about for forecast year. And really continue we improvements to that. effort, talked we

good on you across space. in have efforts going really So the board that

extend does In drops, – the But income is planning to planning. tax as job tax group effective operations our payments outstanding of going cash And – component our this out-of-pocket tax taxes, that allow well. to operating taxes tax some doing that also also again, reduce obviously it’s it that. a simple to drop It’s us of situation year. effective some – there as as a it’s is the your an

Adam Josephson

Larry. Thanks, OCC – on forecast. your And just OCC then one updated

when fairly quarters year. bottom And half. you bit rock second So – fair the then. OCC gave reduced And flattish up pretty there you memory yet you in guys was I serves, in thinking for it were levels. forecast two be and believe the it inched the in significantly OCC if reportedly December, was And up it’s February, at much a spike a be would in first then it since your would it’s previously

a in And so the up we’ve going half. first been bit

cut to sharply that is right bit up as of actually now. full OCC you year forecast light a I’m why your now confused fact So would in the price OCC going

that. kind hoping me you could help So I’m of understand just

Larry Hilsheimer

Sure.

some and the his the beginning end external year. guidance remainder work a relative to of up the As it not up as that well. confident influenced we OCC believe There year. range was were and the the we dramatically at the have would with of year, us we’ve Adam. It the a be Group, had And the we cost year. who gotten But of much we of more had further by of forecast some the in in our confidence Ben level our very range Cathro higher trending RFG alternatives felt team towards wide in market going of earlier pretty and

do So the it that’s not up in We going in we $XX to third cards. had the quarter. feel

in got QX in our QX, $XX And $XX to so in range or what $XX so and we’ve QX. in is

for average year to in it ton So the brings $XX midpoint. an the of it per

Operator

Instructions] Chercover Steve with comes [Operator Your question Davidson. next from

open. is Your line

Steve Chercover

everyone. morning, good Thanks,

and haven’t So somehow. the cash of carved this hopefully, with consumer That’s flow the with nothing I has the respect all, do million. But guidance to out? Caraustar first packaging, missed got to the free $XX

Larry Hilsheimer

correct. That’s Correct.

Steve Chercover

then I what that the there’s And seven That’s facilities. carton answer. EBITDA thought. you said from Good folding contribution no

the that, million $XX Investor it was that it decent is guess, number? still the Day, generating three that be the discussed might still I So that mills were you but a not on

Larry Hilsheimer

captured obviously Steve. We’ve synergies,

this So point. it’s north pleased the with operations very of of We��re at that. those mills

yes, So as EBITDA time was it there $XXX at of that businesses of correct, me part acquisition, that no in was you million. those the heard

Steve Chercover

three you machines? us remind Like at can And just dedicated there URB? Are are totally is the multiple terrific. URB to three That’s facilities any that’s those there facilities, commingled?

Pete Watson

is this Steve, Yes, Pete.

So based our mill And and one has CRB may that we’ll that conditions market mix system. flexibility the product strategically to – we what entire gypsum. the and in mill change we have across do on runs URB some

Steve Chercover

Okay. Well, I guess, that was two questions. Thank you.

Operator

comes Gabe question with next Wells Your Fargo from Securities. Hajde

is Your open. line

Gabe Hajde

Good kind way, curious of can And of think mostly but tied hoping expect. really I just benchmark that in phasing that if try adjustment. price we I then but was serves, about form, see think of If memory February maybe to of well. help we’ll you gentlemen. business maybe XXXX shape flow-through to price from the is kind any sort that morning, tackle there’s or Larry should price kind will lag us, the some of help this, as

Larry Hilsheimer

start – me I’m go ahead, sorry, let Gabe.

Gabe Hajde

you’re able little me to commercially, decrease, it I also No, just I’m URB caught the by to a sorry. comment, then bit. extent the think And pricing you could and surprise

you’re curious comment you in out if the can what broadly. Just seeing marketplace, there

Larry Hilsheimer

close remotely you, off. far really really, Yes. experiencing Gabe, what URB huge are market would tell a in It’s and by us the not disturbing when both surprise. price been to things we’ve decreases CRB I even caught that

place. the can. CRB forward before some that on into will question terms customer It’s in phasing, on out we’ll they’re so mechanisms in customer. in your of And cost stretch as going space July fully But by we best of contract those work price

to they’re And index. the not even some, tied

won’t it an our And impact in CRB have space. so

$X.XX on that sort impact-wise, walk just $X.XX did the I maybe our call, non-pricing, operational can this you about built as you containerboard – space. this it’s price And some But we From on the look CRB at a softness and elements. had just cost just into We the the $X.XX help. stuff really our have that original Primarily, I but and already of our guidance, share. if impact softness will URB then in through anticipating midpoint, there.

CRB nickel And so about have you or OCC nickel and about on a $X.XX URB, on so a benefit. on offset by the about

Gabe Hajde

All kind containerboard curious, right. have still was think And single-digit then, mean, weak Pete, or in you in range. had environment down of I that been sluggish of high expecting commented about volume operations. volumes kind legacy I I

lapping maybe was we’re expect industry. mid-single Just Or like? trying is that more should consistent be looking the to down guide sense commented to maybe that Now get for digits? it we with down that’s still what to that, a

Pete Watson

me of those two customers business that’s sheet to a we internalize in consistent tell tell Palmyra, their when will I feeder will business up tend in would our do A to it’s you experience lot be trend seen In integrated like for as first – Pennsylvania, system. quarter, make compared – in you now. of ramp lot has an been quarter. say environment improvement to let our Yes, we their you the have systems, we improvements premature us. that have see And there. new within to secondly, some corrugated would caveats. Gabe, continued it’s first with again, a we’re our although But also what I we February,

upmarket. underperform to volume-wise tend markets overperform normal and we in this So like or in

like today. while not not might it, we surprising are where So it’s it’s – we

Gabe Hajde

Understood. you. Thank

Operator

Mark of from Instructions] question [Operator Your Montreal. comes Bank with next Wilde

is open. line Your

Mark Wilde

next kind for this of slower for some you broadly dealing XX containerboard possible, fact Pete, just significant America. growth strategy we’ve Gabe’s. in that continuing of got the on in yet coming in just with probably demand the I North overall the And supply kind wondered market of the it’s with if months? Yes, talk to

Pete Watson

you’re No, right.

that, XX% Pennsylvania, X debate control toward people our We’ve integration. being That’s with But vertical that’s expand investors, the opportunities on to and and vertical our in that what serve that focus where triple feeder capital our our can our made million-ton is in we’re we’ll strategy that is And sure ways operation space. adding So obviously. in continuing But we we to can’t our to low integration those logo, we from business. our sheet goal are around to containerboard added in integration, what done pursue customers system We now up new what’s significant control. asitrade, and XXX% necessarily to value make go service propositions. in targeted a what doing. are is our enhancing

Mark Wilde

really year than throttling how possible is down kind like because this just business of and Yes. to bit for are And of kind tons where more back in quite prices? exports that’s domestic Pete, get prices point of mill production sense is this are it a a whether large of you’re that is a proportion at a offshore that million X

Pete Watson

year, We the small regard export Latin we’ve it’s overall of the very volumes tend do our America small – strategy. the to but but with always early out with accounts, market. really targeted higher player in Yes, they are, Mark, phase again, a to we’re balance some in material in year. We export some to we’re have the markets. through not But been really very,

Mark Wilde

luck Okay. the for All That’s helpful. balance of right. year. the Good

Operator

next KeyBanc Markets. with comes from Adam Your Capital question Josephson

line open. Your is

Adam Josephson

just Larry. I one follow-ups. on taking for just – Pete related Pete, more and Gabe’s and appreciate my it, Thanks, for questions that to Mark’s everyone matter.

box box box trends is you much I those Just last guys the your URB as fiscal they year. U.S. of was calendar demand? terms because calendar But down deviate in think, is, within you last demand of year different and well your full or year? than to that year X% asked I demand year. just either expecting what obviously U.S. guidance, are you what which demand terms from for as thinking in was production, flat are URB URB about demand were

Pete Watson

virtually be year unchanged experiencing Well, of we’re we’re the expecting from for the now. rest what

Adam Josephson

containerboard the containerboard and but saying you’re be volumes remain but industry, would to your the both expect better, will for In you flattish – norm.

Pete Watson

Yes, coronavirus know may you the have impact We that. the broader of do. don’t what only unknown is the

Adam Josephson

sure. Right,

terms in of Just XXXX, the leverage, the pushed you from reduction out XXXX. target

been, Your think, expecting. were with has what line I cash in you

would that I broad-based. packaging. the to been were coming? – Rigid paper lower you is know having in So it initially what profit more it’s more than expecting. your weakness, or is that initial leave Is shortfall in But volume relative expectations as

Just you so versus when I announced expectations understand where profits trended where – Caraustar? kind your have of

Larry Hilsheimer

the It’s last I into year, seeing a seeing government as more when other we that had experienced December But we we we aware few of than and recession Europe that But shutdown mean quarter in that not got experiencing. some of was in deal to something clearly, across about first then call started were announced QX, globally the weakness to in weakness, elsewhere talking industrial we XXXX. things. deeper have attributed we about our both, particularly Adam. the we was started that and talk been what

since. of we we Day, an – believe might And we’re Investor recession. all us have in at recall you data statistics then proven the that And saying, industrial hey,

less a we deal range to that so started than to price had what things. time deal. decreases the And the around you we thought put try in then the – But with we had less But profits And than that. or obviously we paper we expected yes, was were it of the operating RIPS taking had announced what actions hoped. at

go look we already it. sensitive it we out show impact that we at about to driven a broad push would to was that us it we and our the was did provided that – is and that the about So would recessionary recessionary analysis, fact that it’s I��ll exactly it, have we’re that. them. analysis, XX very months, operating said mentioned also that asked to to when I’ve so announced all staying earnings had do in what back deal, But We easy that has down us done But to talked the Board a to that.

Adam Josephson

year, you enabling items really last I overarching tax bunch post you’ll it on over past it Or guidance. the tax like just year, to you came tax Is the something tax that’s XXXX, of to same. And rate be of revert achieve seems what one couple appreciably that the the it’s And Sure. expecting? fair of kind what your know onetime I initial in your think of I you’re on going understand. to a was lower years? last going is fiscal bit think, rate. more a this rate thought there than rate below, you

Larry Hilsheimer

Yes.

to at of made remarks, that the I opening If year, back – that said just end the within at beginning at the find you we comments we’re you’ll still we lower be the in actually going my of look the range gave it.

item income fluctuated a a of impactful. quarter last settlement $X well. as quarter in we year First around million first on this had comment the because relatively lower is I’ve the made

and authorities. go things Those You know you’re or ever can don’t with impact come positively up you taxing over disputes settling negatively can time. and exactly when end to going

so to kind And fluctuations. tax revert I have of to think is rate going going you’re our But those up. don’t no,

comments of we’ll over are that well. things our right They end now. dots moving time, that we’re and up looking the historical world. being range lower staying believe, great We’ve in as top continue got tax a than We the around guidance on on generate the back to group. new We’ve said at

on happens, ledger lot If candidates Now one legislatively. side tax we’ve got that a to all things we’ve of that changed said, have change. raise that got then a of the of plans things that have rates. Obviously, rates would group

though, would expect down don’t a points. couple we of that move ranges So will time change, our things over right if now

Adam Josephson

Thanks Larry. so much,

Operator

Gabe comes Hajde Fargo question with Wells from next Securities. Your

open. Your line is

Gabe Hajde

looking you called this, after Perhaps again. fertilizer start you something poor at two like yields, out FPS off an coming, market us the I season. appreciate but that years else I’m see? pretty guys, the small, I’m or make relatively Thank overthinking a but crop if issue you of And to can the impact, going I inventory there’s overall guess, And curious it’s on you business. of in I’m or poor this that if hangover aware is the

Larry Hilsheimer

Go Gabe. Yes, ahead.

Pete Watson

rain, it. back small a predominantly Europe. it’s of from which Western bounce delayed of and and it’s around and the X-Loop big don’t see a our FPS lot just really Gabe. It’s Yes, is a the it’s in it, business And part business, customers relatively

So…

Larry Hilsheimer

out a economy is coming of turning Gabe, that the business, first drag the quarter, is in lagged Europe. into Yes, which by the it. impact And fertilizer weakness, bigger on from you impacting line out and – standpoint, that your it the end of one said lag around other bottom X-Loop might probably business last quarter the higher we down remember will business

our we��re starting Flexible market in although our business, that for things see to majority East Eastern Middle Europe, of better So is a which is business. really the big not and the in EMEA some

by on X-Loop So the impacted business. the economy drag it’s industrial being

Gabe Hajde

Okay.

So serve this side. anything the hearing again on don’t extend weakness I’m the to RIPS business like that in is you maybe what or conical that,

Pete Watson

sector Very take totally. markets different ag end different

Gabe Hajde

you. Thank

Operator

Your Mark Montreal. last Bank with Wilde of question from comes

Your line is open.

Mark Wilde

volumes. just to of kind volumes did get tube and Yes, one a on on like-for-like possible how Is one it other a Caraustar’s of basis? sense core

Pete Watson

Yes.

So got what the but business, good to a that it’s volumes, very reported premature with optimistic trend. out approach again, say we’re lasting in some actually and the to value go-forward that But about a – we it’s those we are industry we’ve we and go-to-market in has and proposition consistent that segment. the really very like February, don’t business the improvement see it’s starting in report

Mark Wilde

housing-related of like would much flooring, things, Pete, into things whether goes approximately figure vinyl or how of it’s And kind that you business carpeting that?

Pete Watson

a it’s… goods mills, don’t we but I with shows have and are have the some processed – that but that. part of bubble percentage, chart along is Yes, And the percentage, chart that paper exact

Larry Hilsheimer

Yes, broadly, construction part X%. is about it, the Mark, of

Mark Wilde

Thanks than have Okay, smaller lot. percentage All might thought. I a right.

Operator

questions up Eichmann. queued over There further no the Matt are call back at I’ll time. this to turn

Matt Eichmann

Denise. Thank a your Greif, we appreciate in your and interest hope to you great lot, We you. a week. have remainder Thanks

Operator

This call. concludes conference today’s

disconnect. may You now

Greif (GEF) 27 Feb 202020 Q1 Earnings call transcript