Balance Sheet Repair — Leverage Target Achieved
Net debt reduced to roughly $500M (outstanding debt $537M; net debt $506M at 12/31/25). Company achieved target to bring leverage below 3x within 12 months following divestitures and debt actions.
Accretive Warehouse Automation Sale
Closed sale of warehouse automation business for $225M, representing ~15x adjusted EBITDA (11x after-tax multiple). Transaction drove a significant gain contributing to reported net income of $43.6M ($1.39/share) versus a net loss of $3.5M a year ago.
Saueressig Sale and Pension De-risking
Closed sale of Saueressig for total consideration of $41M (cash, assumed liabilities and promissory notes). Actions reduced remaining pension liabilities from well over $300M (including $125M unfunded) to well below $10M.
Interest Expense Reduction and Capital Optimization
Executed early redemption of $300M of 8.625% senior secured notes and replaced high-cost debt with lower-cost capital, expected to reduce annual interest expense by $12M and increase annual cash flow.
Propelis Stake — Large Upside and Synergies
40% interest in Propelis (SGK/SGS merger) now operating at an EBITDA run-rate significantly higher than the $100M assumed previously. Synergy target exceeds $60M; SAP migration alone is expected to activate ~$20M of synergies. Holds $50M preferred with 10% PIK interest and potential cash/exit in 18–24 months (possible preferred repayment as soon as Q3).
Memorialization Segment Strength
Memorialization sales increased 7% YoY to $204.2M (from $190.5M), driven by higher casket volumes, inflationary pricing and inclusion of the Dodge acquisition (~$10.4M contributed in the quarter). Segment adjusted EBITDA improved to $38.9M (+6.4% YoY from $36.6M).
Accretive Dodge Acquisition
Dodge integration going well; expected adjusted purchase price closer to $50M after asset sales and working capital reductions, with anticipated EBITDA contribution of over $12M (highly accretive acquisition).
Product Innovation Momentum — Axian Printhead
Axian debut at PACK EXPO received strong market interest; management estimates total addressable market over $3B. Beta systems demonstrated stable uptime and quality; minor electronic shielding refinements paused shipments for ~30–45 days and are now complete to enable volume placements this quarter.
Fiscal 2026 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
Management expects adjusted EBITDA of at least $180M for fiscal 2026 (inclusive of 40% interest in Propelis).
Capital Deployment and Shareholder Returns
Board declared quarterly dividend of $0.255/share. Share repurchases (206,123 shares) were made related to withholding tax obligations on vested equity awards.