Foundation Building Materials (FBM) 25 Feb 202019 Q4 Earnings call transcript

Greetings, and welcome to Foundation Building Materials Fourth Quarter Conference Call. [Operator Instructions] It is now my pleasure to introduce your host, John Moten, Vice President of Investor Relations for Foundation Building Materials. Please go ahead, sir.

Good morning, and thank you for joining us today for our fourth quarter 2019 conference call.

Joining me today are Ruben Mendoza, our President and CEO; John Gorey, Chief Financial Officer; Pete Welly, our Chief Operating Officer; and Kirby Thompson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

of our call, earnings these section. and the Relations issued presentation and materials we fbmsales.com, Investor today's at for we section night, fourth & release quarter slide on under Last Events website, Presentations our have posted

prepared Act your this of contain answers XXXX. morning the Private to defined statements as by and Securities remarks may Our questions forward-looking Litigation Reform

discussed uncertainties, today. address and Forward-looking other of beliefs, differ are which and may historical not that risks to expectations, cause that nature. matters statements include statements from forecasts statements to those Example forward-looking future as remarks results actual subject are in as about well plans estimates,

strategy today Forward-looking share to and our ability markets. our business and gain relate leverage strategy in expansion it our expand acquisition market performance, to increase statements ability to our our M&A discussed new integration, to and and greenfield pipeline, our

forward-looking sales, ratio guidance, earnings to statements debt leverage share. our and In adjusted relate EBITDA net financial adjusted margin, and gross per XXXX also margin, addition, net adjusted projected including EBITDA,

differ statements various to rules review uncertainties results management's and York in discussions Securities Exchange. As otherwise forward-looking that by the from our the cause these Listeners including by Commission encouraged or the implied unless no the forward-looking actual statements regarding risks, statements. represent update detailed and other more filings those with Exchange forward-looking New reminder, current in the future, could assume indicated factors materially estimates. required or to law obligation of a the to listing We any are Stock

be we GAAP. companies presentation in in useful evaluating we isolation prepared or as these differently, may will substitute our principles, non-GAAP not call, financial a or considered our non-GAAP discuss during accepted which be accounting Other measures financial in these should and with believe for calculate accordance measures measures performance. generally of could Additionally, measures, today's

and most financial is can a non-GAAP has as EBITDA, we found our adjusted and the as our calculate to share, net A income, per reconciliation of available of measures, cash in these these comparable earnings adjusted release, ratio measures to adjusted well which discussion how on earnings free leverage be flow SEC which include debt website. GAAP been the directly furnished measures net

With to will that, I call turn the over Ruben.

and discuss John. acquisitions will I guidance for results review well quarter year our fourth financial plans. call full on our Good conclude our summary the for details quarter our results us and some and highlights the well in with will as full results On as expansion developments Thanks fourth comments. recent for XXXX year of fourth and operational thank John morning the as business. joining financial our some you as discussion will quarter from and recent I today, Gorey, of greenfield provide and

$X.XX $X.X sales XX% up year with $XXX profit As adjusted on on open net remarks, X% up a our we fourth your reminder, continuing profitability year. $XXX per improved and of prior year strong earnings up of million Adjusted to in billion, and share sales EBITDA net to XX%. full million of $X.XX the XXXX gross questions. quarter compared the XXXX. prepared this call will a focus the Mechanical we Insulation the for of numbers in discussed as our call will of was segment After sold operations,

which the was the full more environment XXXX. to modestly respectively. Wallboard experienced stable for product growth business. year business up year. across we lower and up led and sales net company During suspended by led our X% Total framing was growth up based lines, as residential gains commercial XXXX, pricing Wallboard commercial during X% business pricing year higher a compared offsetting was metal our to full steady were activity ceilings based volumes X% X%, volumes

In made EBITDA margin strides over of X%. long-term a year XX% margin profitability with XXXX over and gross adjusted improving we great our full

XXXX improved in at year further stretch ratio ratio the was driver reduction the and end we Our in of of the in debt leverage expect a X.XX achieving reducing key profitability leverage to our times XXXX. our goal debt a end of our by

our net turning results, prior to Now period. quarterly were $XXX essentially the company year flat total million, sales with

full we impacted quarter Our wallboard the fourth continue compared in were with Similar to volumes results and to the our Canadian disciplined year softness underlying maintain our fourth lower quarter strong profitability to net gross over pricing. highlighted XX% sales our by residential as period. year ongoing results, prior our market margins

we net Suppliers, in acquisition the XXXX, Drywall Inc., announced which enhances Now Baltimore, and markets residential our in Kentucky completed ceilings, acquisitions, turning the in we suspended market. in increased acquisitions Maryland, and February, the D.C. XXXX sales. XXXX lines. sold purchase Washington, In building we December, mid-Atlantic branches Insulation products, in of wallboard Associated presence which footprint and million of five our This our In region. to framing two the market from contributed which Louisville, XX Distributors, acquisition establishes specialty presence metal product closed

in including we and another which XXXX just Texas. to branch greenfield to Christi, Bakersfield, South newest Lewisville, plan In six in XXXX, In opened Antonio, our four Corpus and Carolina. open opened locations, Charleston, four California, San we greenfield branches branch,

scale, our an American excellent investments as North our to we growth presence, organic profitability. our long-term build national greenfield leverage and we branch drive As opportunity view enhance

favorable interest trends activity. strong we rates enter continue continued and macro we employment, to building including see low As XXXX,

environments. and market well-positioned to is highly changing us with cost allows changes economic company our cost Our withstand conditions scale that structure a in variable revenues to

we stadiums, that In the airports, are our by markets, and rooms continued supported the improvements, data tenant extend and customer’s in schools remodel building nonresidential, end the backlogs that activity of construction, see through new repair year.

construction activity to on seeing upside be XXXX, improving are plan markets, we housing we the residential to residential starts trends supported demand we year. expect which year. the the addition, In the in an to by housing new increased early in In capitalize favorable for

our I and XXXX, year achieved am the we financial As success that the for XXXX. look goals we in we build upon to pleased close

and on fourth XXXX. quarter John the of I'll Now, guidance more call for the XXXX our turn over financial details for to

Thank you, like today's I everyone on Ruben. welcome also to would call.

a discussion excludes and As which discontinued sold the reported November Filings. MI in as was today XXXX SEC our operations reminder, is Segment, in our

Ruben As underlying highlighted, strong in despite lower our fourth quarter quarter. trends profitability sale net was the

decrease million and business net of net period. to points prior an Over the the million, income basis continuing Net the sales compared generated XX year million of a million, period. $X.X sales million or $XXX.X were in to a compared year were $X.X we base fourth quarter, of operations prior $X.X increase $X.X $X.X from $XXX.X million of the decrease million,

Our was X.X%. $XX million fourth with adjusted quarter adjusted an of EBITDA margin EBITDA

Canada for year quarter. base declined Wallboard compared was to selling compared business net the to based year million the were ceiling Base sales period. decline the due prior a is period. with to Now $XXX to primarily prices for price. in sales suspended products. turning wallboard ceilings basis in in to $XX.X business primarily product to results net for The growth construction higher to and up $XX.X compared in compared net million average lower residential million, sales a XX volumes X.X% period. by decrease Wallboard Decline $XXX.X million, suspended decline compared our prior fourth our and prior sales X% volume X.X%, were a ceiling the driven of slower year business activity line point X.X% by X.X% unit net

flat range complimentary period. up XX to market. customers to net to and and expand Base product The $XXX.X year basis tariff year are ongoing prior X.X% as ongoing and offer prices and products primarily framing compared product period. year volumes to increases decreased the in decrease sales to the due weakness a net sales net by million basis compared business our were in we initiatives $XXX.X to the of product the other to other other million prior increased primarily compared million, driven the were price compared points of Metal lower for sales compared Canadian $XX.X the to business period. period. Base the sales the XX compared X.X%, prior increase in for prior products metal framing $XX.X million, to due Complimentary offset points net complimentary net by year our sales

Gross million the XXX $XXX.X for pricing continued $XXX.X X%. points to million $X.X XX.X% development XX.X%, gross the by our compared of compared was basis margin million increase the The in increase an period, to fourth fourth margin compared quarter period. of or initiatives. for was to year driven in profit primarily was year the purchasing and up Gross prior prior quarter the

a to $XXX.X prior compared percentage or administrative $XXX SG&A million year Selling, were labor were year XX.X% period. as sales SG&A the initiatives. net of expenses sales expenses a net period. primarily as continued in in percentage for the due to our sales, in net costs, to SG&A general lower million the companywide and expenses investment fourth and of in prior higher XX.X% increase The quarter compared was

to of At sheet available our cash $XXX credit pursue initiatives. the ratio to compared year. liquidity million net growth the end million turning fourth and times facility, we flow, at of quarter ample X.XX X.XX leverage was our balance prior to $XX.X cash Now of fourth the the with finished the times providing end quarter ABL on and debt our the

flow, to debt which expect and we be to $XX generate million cash will XXXX, primarily used in reduction. acquisitions free million For for $XX

excludes acquisitions. turning Now XXXX financial to gains, impact full of the our year which

between billion. net We year expect sales XXXX full $X.X billion and to $X.X be

between We to expect our margin be gross and year full XX%. XX%

million to year EBITDA an For to the full between margin we in and a with X.X% of $XXX range adjusted EBITDA $XXX expect million X.X%. adjusted

$X.XX per times per range earnings X.X of leverage end finally to in be we $X.XX to XXXX. our net debt full to expect times adjusted of by the a earnings X.X range be of estimate the in share For year the to And a our share. we

turn over to some Ruben call remarks. to I'd for Now, like the closing

John. Thanks,

closing of my financial remarks, Before in to to accomplishments $X.X sales like net prior over achieved X% I compared We I up begin billion, highlight XXXX. year. the would our

with of year margin gross XXX we significantly improved X.X%, margin In points up XX and we points up to profitability year. the EBITDA increased addition, XX.X%, our prior our basis over full adjusted basis a

focus year. reduced our and our of well ratio at debt position sales for growth, leverage a our X.XX debt And expansion, solid the was profit the debt total we a with achieving finally, we XX% reduced by margin the financial of execution we to met future. leverage end and goals and year us of XXXX times

conclude can our year. me our we As prepared coming strategic the highlight priorities for let remarks,

to to year. the X.X reducing our to a First, our strengthening X.X ratio we of end times continue range sheet of leverage the debt plan balance times by by

customers. our organic drive expanding offer and six to branches, by opening to In will the we share Greenfield plan we XXXX, range four Branches. market Second, Greenfield growth products of open our growing we

Greenfield returns Our yield capital long-term invested growth Branches high on will and profitability. drive that

business margin will we continue Third, will companywide profitability. our economies focus on we executing to out And initiatives drive profit make acquisitions. scale, expansion continue in and our will of investing finally by leveraging our strategic by that on to long-term cost projects across

remains We drive believe these continue opportunities our expand highly geographic our see profitability value long-term build industry to improve markets presence we in actions and shareholders. will to and fragmented serve. Our footprint growth the and and deliver to our we

concludes your questions. happy we'll take now That and our to remarks be

We will question session. Matthew Barclays. Our Bouley question-and-answer from [Operator with ahead. Please first go Instructions] now begin the is

the on far what's have these are for of any improvements comment actually this new you any in going in into Chiu Canada quarter? and kind first softness is Matt so and do markets performing volumes on Christina you this morning. Hi, with with visibility the how just on residential or Can

Mendoza. This Christina. Ruben is Yes. Thanks,

I'd to in Before we of question, just wanted a to XX I deck. here. like things out answer our reiterate that Page just couple point

February IPO, year. grew three we this on Our net celebrated sales which just since of years our XXth

net have $X.XXX billion grown billion, from XX% sales to $X.XXX increase. Our

gross with debt margin reduced improved to XXX debt X.X. ratio net gross of $XXX million a leverage million $XXX We $XXX Our points from from by XX.X%. XX.X% current basis to our million

from sure We've we've three increased and million Reduced been and our I $XX.X those a make EPS to in accomplishments last $XX.X of income $XX.X completed of by over public XXXX million invested of the company. cash locations. net Branch XX since income XX year. pointed in we've million Greenfield loss a adjusted I to years out acquisitions $X.XX. net interest expense Net just wanted

I'm Canada, As Pete in as and the going fourth in far talk. softness our sales and and let to quarter Kirby

talk about Canada about Pete about can and the Kirby can it. talk sales

Ruben. Thanks, Yeah.

really couple events So impacted our that we thank last you question. significant business. for In the Canada, had year a of

in the issues we significant quarter First had first of of all, weather the year.

lasted really Secondly, a the trade two back. that market had for strike we that months set

the laws really been has is high Canadian government construction hurt rise there apartments some the instituted, and of lending condominiums. that’s that Third,

in So we in the vested of fully Toronto especially part are the greater business, that market.

tough BC and British really So a Columbia year all it we us. year really across in market Ontario. carried nice was recovery so We've year far in seen Canada continue products some a already of strength carried us really this province for for see for XXXX. – the the to our last

you. Canadian This resources expect thank In plan on housing market to presence market Christina, in the capitalize improve. additional the Yeah. Kirby fundamentals market. addition, our we in XXXX, build to and is improving that Thompson. we to in We've residential residential added

beginning year the already QX. dividends on paying expect is residential progresses Our the to we and increased that as show in focus

that. add And to I like just to

is of as guidance February and well budget Friday. January and we're the our last on guidance midpoint – the as budget and our is midpoint Canada XXXX for of Our

Got it.

thank kind for I the Okay, you all the much of color. so guess follow-up.

well? the of for baking then side the residential terms growth and your as commercial on expectations, In of what in XXXX assumptions terms are in, you

then what six business obviously greenfields to X% our four and we're And we a and that's organic share organic we market gains X% is Well, for growth to in and it's is deal growth some product complimentary to have big us. forecast opening us.

So we're that baking in. all

Great. Thank you.

from go Trey Stephens. is ahead. question with next Our Grooms Please

This on Merkousko Good morning. is Hi. Noah for Trey. actually

Noah. Hey,

implies the is XX% your but sustainable, of pretty impressive cadence So be thinking of And should how sort in guide we quarter the that gross year. that margin the about the through and was XXXX? both

Yes.

going year. look the XX.X%, full rate you if that XXXX through our we at from So year run of of full kind see

fourth can for the of points as points and is year there's the on a a quarter biggest a year to the catch-up basis are typically the little and the in. is pickup see we we But quarter at year, XX.X% and You'll in basis some it stronger should XX then possibility usually and little light through third full the second run around XX when first gain well. the improvement

Noah. add to just to And that,

points, little We basis that margin basis same the volume points midpoint to expect in XX.X%. XX gain but XX percentage a is which also maybe more offset to gross of a in bit we our is our residential, expect where

thoughts then your wanted January manufacturers And as the just an did Okay, some follow-up increased kind pricing, with that's helpful. slight of indicated PPI and get a out to on wallboard appreciation.

manufacturers share just guidance? So maybe that then level maybe into kind your baked of what you're seeing the what's the and from and distributor

Yes. Noah, is is the announced The Thank increase Thompson. first quarter. this in Kirby Yes. price you.

things price anticipate themselves couple to we're X% the you to cement As a going year. actually this those we throughout into X% know historically, to months of market appreciation and see take

All right. That's helpful. Thanks guys.

you. Thank

Please question next Keith SunTrust. Our is Hughes from with go ahead.

Thank you.

more branches, to on take Is you the reaching of comments that tried How new – function out the opening sales effort? accomplish of to preparing do in some sort a terms just in market? you that there. Your residential, share of

and said. we Kentucky you residential for new as We've our well that's efforts resources It's builders the associated at back the We gain us having to doubled of as branches. share there. get business a IBS calling Louisville, home the Show �� presence our plan what as residential more year as some exactly there mentioned It's going on as being that in opening as residential. far well drywall last summer a

really more lower thing kind direction share, gaining of business. more just the price that moved So and we've not residential get of in to

sort two just revenue, any margin half, differences year cadence the of of to you've the willing is of whatever to And the second first give. How views, those Okay. a lot given between for go? you're any expected half, guidance year, us

in I half. XX.X%. think can rate and full XX point was can to mostly talk the run point basis We about the year the we think fall get probably SG&A second XXXX improvement basis XX side. that'll We for

first XX% our XX% quarters. to XX% And on of and and the XX% we're sales quarters to and in sales second the side, usually fourth are third

weighted organic year units see of And of half? coming you first or half terms in back more any don't versus growth sort

in like usually builders second talked what usually the about begin the Just they national agreements quarter. the and – residential, in Kirby yearly to start-up home do in

to our bit quarter. So residential us expect for in volume we a second increase the

for All the Thanks detail. right. Okay.

bet. You

Our is America. next question Bank from Lovallo of John ahead. with Please go

Hey for taking you guys, questions. thank my

accelerate. fourth The it first in activity headwind one, the to residential as did quarter, a seem construction, U.S. called you guys out but

So that related just think comments timing curious market the on disconnect there? maybe this or you related was if any or share

Kirby Yes. Thank this you, John, is Thompson.

builder, just months nearly see large agreements suppliers regions, as in participate an we said, were we the as beginning of builders run agreements in and most didn't end, as country to Ruben with that And you as production those to many six in coming the pickup months. their XXXX, we've know, much from is we anticipate As stated, across participating QX. XXXX we'll believe share XX

all As down it's about in quarter their add, points any talking down basis it wallboard in mean, national agreements, our up manufacturers I the XX couple well, public throughout like price I'm the and the and to XXXX, quarters, entire X% not gypsum you've I'd John, noticed price. if year three of ours X%, fourth was was last was

I'm got to strict more some them. we supposing– a So could we residential I'm kept approach the we discipline maintained I and had but pricing volume, know not goals to market. supposing, we have

our year, add on are is that, that during core business. profit also commercial Hey, the because for would we our focused also John accounts this Moten, expansion I margin

or called of out, the guys is you're Okay. labor then skill are that or of there in And guys. broad-based? constraint terms That's higher most that it regions particular sets you even costs helpful seeing the

of of It was branches. more broad-based. most our labor across It's inflation really pretty

is for This compete lot Pete, delivery to folks, market. there's stockers, with in a pressure been the Yes. trucks, of manpower

discussion As shortages, we driver pricing haven't to there's but seen you about and we've of shortages lot compete know been possible inflation for talent. for a seen

Got it. Thanks guys.

Trey go question next Evercore. Please ahead. with is Our from Morrish

the Thanks guys for time.

execute wanted I thing mean going It's less how take first within I M&A? view to excluded you from ability could and The that just to likely us having and willing[ph] you now M&A M&A. But is that guidance context, you're about touch is that on to pipeline talk your desire forward. think and your don't

from our easier – us thanks it add our a development and and will time makes acquisition We robust. Yes, excluded still makes to people with think a lot working we do guidance just and of it prospects. every Trey. got it it guidance, great I it We've business to is couple of just talking our we pipeline an

was We expect to we year, That's take a under, we of purchasing were down a little bit revenue acquisition. multiple it five those last what around year disciplined annualized we million multiple. companies, $XXX decided expected last our for

We more baking guidance. expect this a our little it year, we're not into bit but

Got will for about go And headwind should we to at it. gross internal drag that a much have margin on in margin think gross a results – on and that. stop How seeing thinking being in those that initiatives point a SG&A. leg room Thanks still that clearly what but XXXX, the then lift SG&A? grew just initiatives about, how on

prove developing make couple last us years. drag we in initiatives margins. going the the half really continue that's for that to think years our e-Commerce and of just and expect slowing XXXX, the And with CRM second improving but down take will couple that of next improvements we that to Well, of to gross the to we're it's the be the

of first – in costs quarters, with these fourth in revenue for e-Commerce as difference that our dollars for XXXX, budget a mostly and amount for budget far a and XXXX, no business. quarter, to generate and in have XXXX it's will – big of second in fourth but as initiatives our our that with initiative the we million we In our generate business difference some revenue several and have expect in gain expect we a great fair in e-commerce a we

you All Appreciate right. much guys. it. Thank very

you. Thank

from Mike Please is RBC with go Our Dahl Capital Markets. next ahead. question

my taking Good morning. pricing. questions. Thanks have two follow-ups around I for

comments to can guess a more and is mix back since to be Going whether blended, up of to X.X pricing, that's the that mix think around or inch whether assumption expecting versus like-for-like X% headwinds residential, into which you five-eighths, to if X% I like-for-like? is X% how including talk X%, heavier you're about a to wallboard is it net about pushing

It's a net.

price, five-eighths our Our actual down. fourth half-inch was quarter, up units and was in

Mike, consider X% – it got you So to net. right it's considered a but that we – X% we on

Got going of some into can expanding talk those wallboard, given for guess help – the pricing your just And and you then think about about steel it. in ceilings the costs, some Okay. volatility pricing framing, beyond of I two assumptions segments. framing, just us the

we that years. yesterday, stabilized consistent pricing then to Armstrong's on into the that we of have inflation figured ceilings, year. our X% pretty tariff has Yes, over sure budget, been the I'm And heard last believe the increases as that's X% after steel price you typical call

Okay, great. Thank you.

Instructions] Blair. Paul [Operator go with question is next William Dircks ahead. Our Please from

morning Good everyone. Hi.

morning, Good Paul.

Just here you if coming pricing of seen see me, you the way the in there of I missed some I margin Is guys XXXX? how ones the expect and obviously much any from purchasing in from benefits a that but to of earlier, quick have couple this initiatives. side, on gross benefit to quantify apologize

We initiatives. of improvement XX XX to with basis points are points basis targeting kind additional those for XXXX

though, Paul, out improvement basis XX XX.X%. the basis higher our point XX possibly a offset why pointed some and earlier that's is volume bit that to still residential point little midpoint would I and

you TRA John, part was the before million the $XX target XXXX? helpful. free payment it. of is the year, and That's piece for here anticipated housekeeping couple a you just the in early for $XX to it quick flow Got of mentioned million, cash and did That me. then that

No.

payment that already made that'll we've top. So January, in so on be

at? what be then looking rate And ratio right, on a would all tax top, go-forward helpful. basis, lastly, great, On we going

Around ranges going-forward. us what is XX% for

good. you, guys. very right, Thank All

Thank you.

Ruben session. for I would the turn over to Mendoza remarks. question This to like conference closing and the any answer concludes

Yes.

the Material employees the and since to quickly, that Thanks Just of we generate last three been Building success we've years and went I'd they able that public. the in to again. put like all in work thank Foundation the hard

This today's conference concludes call.

have You pleasant disconnect and Thank lines. day. participating a may your you for