Release Date: March 04, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
- Wajax Corp (WJXFF, Financial) reported a revenue increase of $23.3 million, or 4.3%, in Q4 2024, primarily driven by higher mining equipment sales in Western Canada.
- Selling and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased to 14.1% in Q4 2024 from 16.1% in Q4 2023, due to cost-saving initiatives.
- The company successfully reduced its inventory by $76.3 million from peak levels at March 31, 2024, demonstrating effective inventory management.
- Cash flows generated from operating activities increased by $27.4 million compared to the same quarter of the prior year, mainly due to decreased inventory and increased accounts payable.
- Wajax Corp (WJXFF) maintained a strong focus on safety, with a TRIF rate of 0.94%, a 7% decrease from Q4 2023.
Negative Points
- Gross profit margin decreased by 420 basis points to 17.1% in Q4 2024, primarily due to lower margins on equipment, ERS, and rental revenue.
- Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 25.6% from Q4 2023, primarily due to lower gross profit margins.
- Adjusted net earnings per share decreased by 58.2% from Q4 2023, reflecting significant margin pressures.
- The company's leverage ratio remains outside the target range, at 2.61 times, due to higher debt levels and weaker market conditions.
- ERS sales decreased by 24% due to lower sales in all regions, particularly in Western Canada, indicating challenges in this segment.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you explain the gross margin pressure in the quarter and how much was due to mix versus lower product line margins?
A: The mix impact was significant, as Q4 had a different mix compared to previous quarters. Market pressures also contributed, with increased competition leading to tighter margins. We expect improvement over Q4 margins in the short term, but not to the levels seen in the first half of 2024. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
Q: How has the competitive environment trended in Q1 relative to Q4?
A: The competitive environment has remained consistent between Q1 and Q4. Customer sentiment is challenging due to uncertainties in the US, affecting customer decisions. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
Q: Can you elaborate on the decline in ERS revenue and whether it was due to deferred or delayed work?
A: The ERS backlog is stable, but there is a slowdown in capital projects, which are part of our IP and ERS business. The MRO business remains strong, but capital projects have slowed due to customer uncertainty. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
Q: What are your thoughts on the cyclicality of the ERS and IP business, especially post-COVID?
A: The cyclicality varies by customer, and while we had peak years in 2022 and 2023, the current environment is softer. Generally, Q2 and Q4 are stronger, with Q3 being softer, but customer variability is significant. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
Q: How do you view the impact of tariffs on your business, particularly concerning ERS and IP?
A: Direct exports to the US are minimal, but we are exposed to customers who export to the US. The MRO portion should remain stable, and while tariffs pose headwinds, there could be opportunities, such as with Hitachi products not subject to tariffs. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
Q: Can you discuss your inventory reduction strategy and its impact on margins?
A: We continue to reduce inventory, selling some at lower margins, which impacted gross profit. We aim to reduce inventory by about $25 million per quarter, focusing on older inventory to avoid interest costs. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
Q: What are your priorities for cost improvement in 2025?
A: Our main costs are people and facilities. We are restructuring to reduce costs and right-size the business in anticipation of economic uncertainties, particularly with our major trading partner, the US. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
Q: How do you plan to manage your leverage and dividend payout ratio moving forward?
A: We aim to reduce inventory, costs, and improve margins to lower leverage, currently at 2.6%, outside our target range of 1.5 to 2. Once leverage is reduced, the dividend becomes more stable. - Iggy Domagalski, CEO
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
