Superior Industries International Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

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August 3, 2023

There are 4 speakers on the call.

Operator

Welcome to Superior Industries Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Call. We are joined this morning by Majdi Abulabad, President and CEO Tim Treinen, Executive Vice President and CFO. I'll now hand over the call to Tim Trainers. Thank

Speaker 1

you. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to our Q2 2023 Earnings Call. During our call this morning, we will be referring to our earnings presentation, which, along with our earnings release, is available on the Investor Relations section of Superior's website. I am joined today by Mahdi Abulaban, our President and Chief Executive Officer. Before I turn the call over to Majdi, I would like to remind everyone that any forward looking statements contained in this presentation Or commented on today are subject to the Safe Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

Speaker 1

Please refer to Slide 2 of this presentation for the full Safe Harbor statement and in the company's SEC filings, including the company's current Annual Report on Form 10 ks for a more complete discussion of forward looking statements and risk factors. We will also be discussing various non GAAP measures today. These non GAAP measures exclude the impact of certain items and therefore are not calculated in accordance with U. S. GAAP.

Speaker 1

Reconciliations of these measures to the most directly comparable U. S. GAAP measures found in the appendix of this presentation. I'll now turn the call over to Maheshdi to provide a business and portfolio update.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Tim, and good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining our call today to review our Q2 results. I will begin on Slide 5. I am very pleased with our results this quarter, highlighting our continued focus on commercial discipline and operational excellence. This is why our portfolio continues to drive growth.

Speaker 2

More saliently, We are delivering value added sales and margins above pre COVID levels. We are seeing signs of recovery in industry production, both in North America and Europe, reflective of the continued easing of supply chain constraints and semiconductor shortages. During the quarter, we saw strong growth with nearly all of our OEM customers. However, As in the last quarter, a substantial portion of the growth in North America was driven by fleet sales to run down companies, an area where we do not have significant content. The European aftermarket remains soft due to the looming recessionary concerns, high inventories at wholesalers and rising interest rates.

Speaker 2

Despite these challenges, our FX adjusted value added sales grew by 7% in the quarter, supporting the 17th consecutive quarter of year over year content growth. We also achieved a strong adjusted EBITDA of $52,000,000 along with an EBITDA margin of 26%, We have been successful in our collaborative dialogues with customers in aligning our pricing with rising input costs. This combined with portfolio driven content growth has resulted in strong And by the way, also near an all time high, value added sales for the quarter. Further, We are continuing to optimize our portfolio to support long term profitability. Last quarter, we discussed our eightytwenty approach where we are further assessing our current book of business to strategically prune parts that are underperforming.

Speaker 2

We have done this in North America in our North America business and are shifting focus now more holistically to our European operations. I will speak to this later in the presentation. In addition, our global focus on overhead cost reduction continues. We are on track with our plan to achieve a 10% reduction in overhead expenses. Demand for lighter wheels and larger wheels with premium finishes continues.

Speaker 2

Content per vehicle grew 13% on a year over year basis and large diameter premium wheels now represent over 50% of our shipment to OEM customers. Finally, our ability to capture these secular tailwinds combined with a disciplined approach to working capital management and capital expenditures continues to enhance our overall financial profile. For the quarter, we maintained a strong liquidity position of almost $100,000,000 CapEx prudence is contributing to this effort with year to date capital spending at a low $22,000,000 The significant reduction in payables, which by the way Tim will speak to later will reverse in the Q3. Slide 6 highlights the strong performance we have achieved since 2019 compared to the broader industry. The key point here is that while production remains, Production remains down 12% versus 4 years ago.

Speaker 2

We delivered substantial growth in value add sales, expanded our margins, reduced net debt and increased content per vehicle, all this in the same timeframe. These results underscore the meaningful improvements to our operations that our team delivered in a very challenging environment. Moving on to Slide 7, which showcases a few of our launches this quarter and how commercial discipline combined with our differentiated portfolio has resulted in sustaining content growth. These launches illustrate the accelerated adoption about product technologies and how premium content is driving our new business wins. The right side highlights The combined success we have had in improving pricing to reflect input costs and the continued adoption of content drivers, a strong 16% increase since 2021.

Speaker 2

We expect to continue this trajectory well into the future as our content story plays out. Moving on to Slide 8, which provides perspective on the current operating environment. Global industry production Driven by the easing of supply chain constraints has continued the momentum from the Q1. Fuel 2 production in our 2 regions increased 14% over the previous year, yet remained below pre COVID levels. Having said that, volatility, unfavorable mix in North America and the decline in the aftermarket segment in Europe continues to challenge our operating environment.

Speaker 2

As we move into the second half, we are guarded in our assumptions given the looming UAW contract negotiations in North America and the potential pullback in Europe as we believe that recent gains there were driven by backlog and inventory restocking. Despite these challenges, we are pleased with the stabilization of supply chain constraints, the industry preference for our localized footprint and the pent up demand for lighter and larger premium wheels. We see tailwind supporting our long term profitable growth. Slide 9 highlights our growth in relation to the wider industry during the quarter. Industry production in our regions again grew 14% in the Q2 and production from our key customers grew around 13%.

Speaker 2

In contrast, Our value added sales grew by almost 7% in the quarter and when adjusted for the aftermarket declines in Europe, our core OEM business grew 11% close to market. The GM's Alaudlin shutdown in the Q2 further pressured our top line as we have a significant share of the T1XX produced in that plant. These factors combined with the unfavorable fleet mix in North America are expected to abate in the second half. Further, we have continued to prune our portfolio with a focus on profitability through our eightytwenty approach. This is a subset of our broader efforts related to our focus on improving overall business performance in our European region.

Speaker 2

I'm going to speak to this next. Again, it is important to note that we delivered significant growth in value added sales in recent years, which the rest of the industry is now catching up to. As we move on to Slide 10, I want to discuss our near term initiatives for narrowing the current margin gap between our North America business and Europe. We see a significant opportunity as we look at the region on a holistic basis. This is similar to our approach we had in North America a few years ago.

Speaker 2

It starts with our operations, carefully assessing capacity and utilization using the eightytwenty approach to optimize our portfolio and Business Placement. We are improving capabilities in all of our plants to create flexibility. Said another way, eliminating constraints where plants are specialized for 1 product or customer. An example of this is improving our Paint capabilities in all of our brands. Further, relative to pruning the portfolio, our focus is on Quality, not the quantity of wheels.

Speaker 2

An example here is extremely complex low volume wheels that consumes excess capacity in high cost locations. In addition, we will be optimizing the warehousing operations of Aftermarket business around our manufacturing footprint in Poland. And here we are reviving our approach to wholesalers. Further, we will be consolidating our administrative functions around low cost service centers. In terms of customers, we have seen the benefit of commercial discipline and the focus on improving pricing to reflect input costs.

Speaker 2

We are also leveraging our local for local footprint to capitalize on short term wins. With the recent opposition of anti dumping duties On wheels produced in Morocco, our Poland footprint becomes a competitive advantage as OEMs look to further localize their wheel supply. Lastly, as it relates to Europe, we are commercializing our LWPC technology to enable lower cost light weighting for our OEM customers. This further broadens the light weighting options available for our customers, especially as electrification momentum accelerates. We are a technology leader in Europe with a diversified customer base of leading premium customers.

Speaker 2

We are confident that these actions will further enable us to serve our customers by elevating our competitive position in this region. In conclusion, I am pleased with our results this quarter. Our portfolio strategy continues to deliver growth and our team continues to execute and manage the business. As we enter the second half of the year, we are squarely focused on optimizing costs, strengthening cash generation and capitalizing on the industry recovery. Now, I will turn the call over to Tim to provide more detail on our financial performance.

Speaker 2

Tim?

Speaker 1

Thank you, Mashti. The recent supply chain constraints that the automotive industry has endured continue to moderate Vehicle production for 2023 as forecasted by IHS Markit is forecasted to be up, but still about 10% below pre COVID levels in our markets. Elevated vehicle pricing and vehicle financing costs, consumer inflation And recession concerns continue to be a drag on the industry. We have and will continue to pursue opportunities to adjust our manufacturing and administrative cost structures to reflect the reduced level of light vehicle production. This quarter, We recognized a $2,600,000 charge arising from a further reduction in force in Europe.

Speaker 1

This will reduce annual payroll costs by approximately $2,200,000 This reduction in force in Europe is part of a larger initiative to reduce manufacturing and administrative overhead by $10,000,000 annually. Our cost structure in Europe, especially in Germany, is not as flexible as in North America. We are exploring additional actions in Europe to further adjust our manufacturing and administrative cost structures.

Speaker 2

Let's look

Speaker 1

at the quarter on Page 12, 2nd quarter financial summary. Net sales decreased to $373,000,000 for the quarter compared to $432,000,000 in the prior year period. And value added sales increased to $200,000,000 for the quarter compared to $186,000,000 in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA with $52,000,000 or 26 percent of value added sales. We incurred a net loss of $100,000 for the 2nd quarter or a loss per diluted share of $0.35 compared to net income of $11,000,000 or earnings of $0.07 per diluted share in the prior year period.

Speaker 1

The 2nd quarter year over year sales bridge is on Page 13. To the far right, aluminum costs passed through to customers was down $74,000,000 or by 30% compared to the prior year period. The cost of aluminum has declined significantly from a year ago and has almost normalized. Value added sales increased by $14,000,000 or 8% More than all of this increase is recovery of cost inflation and higher content per wheel, which continues to climb. Our pivot late last year to negotiating appropriate price increases to offset cost inflation, The cost of volume production schedule volatility and lower fixed cost absorption and lower light vehicle build This drawing to a close.

Speaker 1

Elevated fleet sales in North America and a very soft aftermarket in Europe continued to be headwinds and currency benefited net sales by $3,000,000 On Page 14, Q2 2023 year over year adjusted EBITDA range. Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter increased to $52,000,000 compared to $51,000,000 in the prior year. The adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 26% compared to 28% in the prior year period. The margin in the Q2 of last year was boosted somewhat by the timing of customer recoveries. An overview of the company's Q2 2020 Free cash flow is on Page 15.

Speaker 1

Cash flow from operating activities was a use of $28,000,000 of cash compared to cash flow from operating activities of $12,000,000 in the prior year period. This decline is primarily attributable to a reduction in payables at quarter end, most of which is aluminum payables because of a pullback on aluminum purchases in the back half of the quarter. We sized the aluminum payables impact at approximately $30,000,000 which should snap back in the 3rd quarter. Cash used by investing activities was $6,000,000 compared to $16,000,000 in the prior year. This decline represents a decrease in capital expenditures in the quarter compared to the prior year period.

Speaker 1

Cash payments for non debt financing activities for $3,000,000 compared to $4,000,000 in the prior year. Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $37,000,000 more than all of which may be attributed to the aforementioned ASCVD payables contraction at quarter end. An overview of the company's capital Structure as of June 30, 2023, can be found on Page 16. Cash on the balance sheet at quarter end It was $181,000,000 an increase of $59,000,000 from the prior year, partly attributable to the refinancing of the company's term loan late last year. Funded debt was $639,000,000 at quarter end and net debt was $458,000,000 a decrease of $14,000,000 compared to the prior year.

Speaker 2

At the end of

Speaker 1

the Q2, liquidity including availability under the revolving credit facility was 199,000,000 Superior's debt maturity profile as of June 30, 2023 is on Page 17. The revolving credit facility was undrawn at quarter end. We are in compliance with all loan covenants. And the $250,000,000 of sulfur based interest rate swaps we entered into a year ago in anticipation of the term loan refinancing Are in the money because of the Fed's rate hikes. Ambulance expense is about $5,000,000 less than it would otherwise be.

Speaker 1

The company's full year 2023 financial outlook is on Page 18. Our financial outlook this quarter remains unchanged from last quarter. We are maintaining our guidance ranges for 2023 of $15,000,000 to $15,800,000 deals, Net sales of $1,550,000,000 to $1,630,000,000 value added sales of $755,000,000 to $795,000,000 and adjusted EBITDA of $170,000,000 to 190,000,000 We continue to expect cash flow from operations of $110,000,000 to $130,000,000 and capital expenditures of approximately 65,000,000 We continue to model a 25% to 35% effective tax rate for the year. In closing, we delivered a solid quarter. I'm very pleased with our teams, especially the operations, procurement and commercial teams.

Speaker 1

This concludes our prepared remarks. Majdi and I are happy to take questions. Caroline?

Operator

Thank you. We will take the first question from the line of Michael Ward from Benchmark. Your line is open now. Please go ahead.

Speaker 3

Thank you. Good morning, everyone. Good morning. General Motors claims they had some issues getting vehicles From Mexico to the U. S.

Speaker 3

Did you guys have any issues at all at the border with components?

Speaker 2

Yes, that's a great question, Michael. Actually, in addition to the aftermarket business, the biggest impact we've had is what you just described, Which is with General Motors in North America because we have significant content on the Q1XX vehicle that's built in Salab. It was unexpected. It was a lot longer than we expected actually. So the answer is yes, Michael.

Speaker 3

Okay. So now General Motors records the revenue when it crosses the bridge. When do you record the revenue?

Speaker 2

We record the revenue when they pick up the wheels in Mexico.

Speaker 3

You do. Okay. And then can you guys say either Tim or Majdi, could you quantify the aftermarket business in Europe, Because German production was up 30% or so, right? Vehicle production in the quarter.

Speaker 2

Yes. No. And We've done very well in Europe. I mean, we're right up there with the above market from the revenues from a VAT standpoint. And the aftermarket business represents about 10% of our business in Europe and really that's been the only bug that that team has had.

Speaker 3

Was aftermarket previously like 20% and Down, is it that

Speaker 2

No, Michael, it was always around that range.

Speaker 3

Okay. And then can you quantify the EBITDA performance in Europe year over year? Was it down? Well, we don't report

Speaker 1

publicly, Mike. This is Tim, by the way. We don't report publicly The EBITDA performance by region. We do provide, however, in our SEC statements, the Q2 of which will be published today, A regional breakout of our sales and operating income margin. So you can get from Our public filings, a sense of the performance of the different regions.

Speaker 1

As Masjid said during his comments, Corporate in North America over the past 3 years 2 to 3 years is markedly improved And frankly, the performance in Europe has deteriorated somewhat. So we have turned our attention For some period of time, I'll turn our attention to the European operations. We have made a number of changes to the operations already And continuing to make changes. For example, I mentioned the charge we took to reduce the payroll by 2,000,000 So we've had some success in influencing favorably the margins in Europe here the last few months, but we have more work to do.

Speaker 2

Michael, if you recall back when we started in 2019, this team's focus was on improving the performance in North America and we Turnout to improve it on 500 basis points. And it was a combination of all the things you see on that chart, whether it's portfolio or footprint for pricing, for technology. So now we see a strong opportunity to improve the performance in that business as we look at it holistically. We've been busy responding to COVID, to volatility, negotiating pricing, getting performance in the plants. Now we're shifting to the next phase.

Speaker 3

Perfect. Well, thank you. And it sounds like the payable is just merely a timing difference.

Speaker 1

Yes.

Speaker 3

Perfect. Thank you, guys.

Speaker 1

Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Operator

We will take the next question from line Gary Prestopino from Barrington Research. The line is open now. Please go ahead.

Speaker 3

Hey, good morning, Tim, Really interesting to me that a couple of years ago, it was the North American margins that were lower Just the European and now that's kind of flip flopped. I guess, which is testament to how well you fixed what was going on in North America. But in Europe, with what you're doing and looking at your business, when Do you think you will have that exercise completed or is that something that is going to continue to impact Fiscal 'twenty four as well.

Speaker 2

Gary, so we just like we did in North America and you've been there, right? We started this process 8 months ago, we have a very, very clear plan with actions in all dimensions. We know how to get there. My expectation is similar to North America, we'll be there in less than a year and I'm hopeful early 'twenty four.

Speaker 3

Okay. So early 2024. And do you feel that you could basically equilibri lies the margin Profiles between North America or Europe or is there always going to be inherently a lower margin in Europe for whatever reason?

Speaker 2

Well, right now, let me step back a bit. If you look at Europe and the complexity we have there, it's much more complex than our North America business. The technology is complex. The competitive landscape is different. So our focus really now, Gary, is just bumping up that margin 400 Basis points and if you go through the numbers, frankly, you'll see more opportunity.

Speaker 2

So our objective is to get as close to that as possible.

Speaker 3

Okay. And then lastly, would you just remind me, you talked about Germany being pretty inflexible from on a labor issue. How much of your production in Europe is out of Germany or is any of it?

Speaker 2

I'll let Tim add to this, but

Speaker 1

less than 10% of our capacity is

Speaker 2

in Germany. Okay, that's fine. He is in

Speaker 1

German. Okay. That's fine.

Speaker 3

All right. Thank you very much.

Speaker 2

Thank you, Gary.

Operator

Thank you. There's no further question in the queue. I will hand it back over to your host, Mashdi Abulaban for closing remarks. Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thank you everyone for joining our call today. I would like to thank the Superior team for their hard work and efforts. We are operating in a very challenging environment And you continue to rise. Thanks everyone for attending.

Operator

Thank you for joining today's call. You may now

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Earnings Conference Call
Superior Industries International Q2 2023
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