Company Announcements

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr. 22, 2025-- Valmont^®Industries, Inc. (NYSE: VMI), a global leader that provides products and solutions to support vital infrastructure and advance agricultural productivity, today reported financial results for the first quarter ended March 29, 2025.

President and Chief Executive Officer Avner M. Applbaum commented, “Most of our end markets are showing resilience against the current backdrop of economic uncertainty, driving growth in key parts of our business. We’re seeing continued strength in Infrastructure, particularly Utility and Telecommunications, as well as solid demand trends in International Agriculture. Our infrastructure capacity investments are beginning to ramp up and are expected to contribute to sales growth as the year progresses. In Agriculture, strong international performance, especially from large-scale projects, is offsetting softness in the North American market. Our first-quarter results reflect disciplined execution and steady progress on our strategic priorities, which help us remain agile while navigating dynamic conditions, including tariff impacts. Across the organization, we’re executing well and remain confident in our full-year outlook, while also being alert to the rapidly-evolving environment in which we operate, as we deliver value for our customers and shareholders.”

First Quarter 2025 Highlights (all metrics compared to First Quarter 2024 unless otherwise noted)

• Net sales decreased 0.9% to $969.3 million, compared to $977.8 million (increased 0.5% in constant currency¹); sales growth in Telecommunications, Utility, and International Agriculture was offset by lower sales in Solar and North America Agriculture
• Operating income was $128.3 million or 13.2% of net sales, compared to $131.6 million or 13.5% of net sales
• Diluted earnings per share (“EPS”) of $4.32, same as the prior year
• Operating cash flows increased to $65.1 million, compared to $23.3 million; cash and cash equivalents were $184.4 million and net leverage ratio was ~1.0x
• Invested $30.3 million in capital expenditures as the Company invests in future growth
• Returned $12.0 million to shareholders in dividends and increased the quarterly dividend by 13% to $0.68 per diluted share ($2.72 per diluted share annualized)

Key Financial Metrics

First Quarter 2025 Segment Review (all metrics compared to First Quarter 2024 unless otherwise noted)

Infrastructure (72.6% of Net Sales)

Products and solutions to serve the infrastructure markets of utility, solar, lighting and transportation, and telecommunications, along with coatings services to protect metal products

Sales decreased 2.4% to $706.2 million, compared to $723.6 million.

Utility sales grew due to higher volumes and pricing actions that more than offset the impact of lower steel prices. Telecommunications sales increased significantly, benefiting from a higher level of carrier spending. Solar sales declined significantly, reflecting lower volumes, partly due to the Company’s strategic decision in the second quarter of 2024 to exit certain low-margin projects. Lower Lighting & Transportation and Coatings sales were primarily driven by softer demand in international markets.

Operating income was $117.2 million or 16.7% of net sales, compared to $117.9 million or 16.4% of net sales.

Agriculture (27.4% of Net Sales)

Center pivot and linear irrigation equipment components for agricultural markets, including aftermarket parts and tubular products, and advanced technology solutions for precision agriculture

Sales increased 3.3% to $267.3 million, compared to $258.7 million.

In North America, irrigation equipment sales were lower due to continued agriculture market softness. Internationally, sales increased significantly, driven by strong growth in the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) region and higher volumes in Brazil, supported by a stabilizing market environment there.

Operating income decreased 11.6% to $36.2 million or 13.6% of net sales, compared to $41.0 million or 15.9% of net sales. Lower SG&A expense was offset by the impact of volume declines in North America and a higher mix of international projects.

Reaffirming 2025 Full-Year Financial Outlook and Key Assumptions

The Company is reaffirming its full-year 2025 financial outlook, including projected net sales and diluted earnings per share, and updating key assumptions for the year.

Key Assumptions, Including Current Tariff Considerations

• Steel cost assumptions are aligned with futures markets as of April 21, 2025
• The Company’s fiscal 2025 outlook reflects its current plans and actions underway to mitigate the direct impacts of the following U.S. import tariffs and reciprocal tariffs, as well as retaliatory tariffs from other countries that are in place as of April 18, 2025.
  • 25% Section 232 (steel and aluminum)
  • Section 301 (China – rates vary by good/product)
  • 20% China General
  • 125% China Reciprocal
  • 10% Other Countries Reciprocal, as well as paused reciprocal tariffs
  • 25% Canada Retaliatory (certain imported U.S. goods)
  • 125% China Retaliatory (imported U.S. goods)
  • 25% Mexico and Canada General
• The Company believes its mitigation plans will enable it to be cost neutral on a dollar basis in fiscal 2025
• This outlook does not reflect the potential impact of any future revised or additional U.S. tariffs, or future retaliatory measures from other countries

A live audio discussion with Avner M. Applbaum, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Thomas Liguori, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will take place on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. CT. The discussion can be accessed by telephone at +1 877.407.6184 or +1 201.389.0877 (no Conference ID needed) or via webcast at the following link: Valmont Industries 1Q 2025 Earnings Conference Call. A slide presentation will be available for download on the Investors page of valmont.com during the webcast. A replay of the event will be accessible three hours after the call at the above link or by telephone at +1 877.660.6853 or +1 201.612.7415 using access code 13750344. The replay will be available until 10:59 p.m. CT on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

About Valmont Industries, Inc.

For nearly 80 years, Valmont has been a global leader that provides products and solutions to support vital infrastructure and advance agricultural productivity. We are committed to customer-focused innovation that delivers lasting value. Learn more about how we’re Conserving Resources. Improving Life.^® at valmont.com.

Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on assumptions made by management, considering its experience in the industries where Valmont operates, perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments, and other relevant factors. It is important to note that these statements are not guarantees of future performance or results. They involve risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond Valmont’s control), and assumptions. While management believes these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, numerous factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These factors include, among other things, risks described in Valmont’s reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Company’s actual cash flows and net income, future economic and market circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, operational efficiencies, availability and price of raw materials, availability and market acceptance of new products, product pricing, domestic and international competitive environments, geopolitical risks, and actions and policy changes by domestic and foreign governments. The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements in this release are made as of its publication date and does not undertake to update these statements, except as required by law.

Website and Social Media Disclosure

The Company uses its website and social media channels, as identified on its website, to distribute company information. Posts on these channels may contain material information. Therefore, investors should monitor these channels alongside the Company’s press releases, SEC filings, and public conference calls and webcasts. The contents of the Company’s website and social media channels are not considered part of this press release.

VALMONT INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Management utilizes non-GAAP financial measures to assess the Company’s historical and prospective financial performance, evaluate operational profitability on a consistent basis, factor into executive compensation decisions, and enhance transparency for the investment community. These non-GAAP measures are intended to supplement, not replace, the Company’s reported financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. It is important to note that other companies may calculate these measures differently, which can limit their usefulness for comparison across organizations.

The following non-GAAP measures may be included in financial releases and other financial communications:

• Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Operating Margin, Adjusted Net Earnings, and Adjusted Diluted EPS: These metrics provide meaningful supplemental insights into the Company’s operating performance by excluding items that are not considered part of core operating results. This approach enhances comparability across reporting periods. Adjustments may include costs or benefits associated with acquisitions, divestitures, expenses related to realignment or restructuring programs, goodwill or intangible asset impairment, significant expenses or benefits from changes in tax laws or rates, cumulative effects of changes in accounting standards, refinancing-related expenses, loss or gain from a partial or full settlement of the U.K. defined benefit pension plan obligation, losses from natural disasters, and other non-recurring items.
• Adjusted EBITDA: This metric is a key component of a financial ratio included in the covenants of our major debt agreements. It is calculated as net earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, and other adjustments as outlined in the applicable debt agreements. This metric offers investors and analysts valuable insights into the Company’s core operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA margin is also used to evaluate profitability.
• Leverage Ratio: This ratio is calculated by taking the sum of interest-bearing debt, minus unrestricted cash in excess of $50.0 million (but not exceeding $500.0 million), and dividing it by Adjusted EBITDA. This is a key financial ratio included in the covenants of our major debt agreements and is calculated on a rolling four-fiscal-quarter basis.
• Free Cash Flow: Calculated as net cash provided by operating activities minus capital expenditures, free cash flow serves as an indicator of the Company’s financial strength. However, this measure does not fully reflect the Company’s ability to deploy cash freely, as it has obligations such as debt repayments and other fixed commitments.
• Backlog: This operating measure is used to evaluate future potential sales revenue. An order is included in the backlog upon receipt of a customer purchase order or the execution of a sales order contract. Backlog is particularly relevant to the Infrastructure segment due to the longer-term nature of its projects. However, backlog is not a term defined under U.S. GAAP and does not measure contract profitability. It should not be viewed as the sole indicator of future revenue, as many projects with short lead times book-and-bill within the same reporting period and are not included in the backlog.
• Constant Currency: Defined as financial results adjusted for foreign currency translation impacts by translating current period and prior period activity using the same currency conversion rate. This approach is used for countries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar.
• ROIC: Return on invested capital (“ROIC”) and adjusted ROIC are key operating ratios that enable investors to assess our operating performance relative to the investment needed to generate operating profit. ROIC is calculated as after-tax operating income divided by the average of beginning and ending invested capital. Adjusted ROIC is calculated as after-tax adjusted operating income divided by the average of beginning and ending invested capital. Invested capital represents total assets minus total liabilities (excluding interest-bearing debt and redeemable noncontrolling interests).

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Renee Campbell
renee.campbell@valmont.com

Source: Valmont Industries, Inc.