Enterprise Orders and Backlog Growth
Orders in the quarter were up 8.5% on a daily basis versus prior year, and backlog rose 6.7% sequentially versus Q4, with enterprise orders in April up 4.6% on a daily basis.
Strong AMC Demand and Execution
Automation & Motion Control (AMC) orders increased 34% year-over-year; AMC sales were up 12.1% organically in Q1 with a book-to-bill of 1.24 and April AMC orders up 14% on a daily basis. Management raised AMC annual sales growth guidance to high single digits (from mid-single digits).
Improving IPS Performance
Industrial Powertrain Solutions (IPS) sales rose 2.8% organically in Q1 (ahead of expectations). Short-cycle OEM orders were up ~9%, distribution orders rose low single digits, book-to-bill was 1.09, and April IPS orders were ~+2% on a daily basis. IPS annual sales guidance raised to mid-single digits.
Data Center Growth Opportunity
Data center revenue trajectory: $120M in 2025 → guide of $180M for 2026 (excluding ePOD) → anticipated combined switchgear (~$240M) plus ePOD (~$700M) for ~ $900M+ in 2027. Capacity expansions (Canada in production; Texas ramp midyear) and ERP live support planned growth.
Revenue and Organic Growth
Total sales in the quarter were up 4.3% and up 1.6% on an organic basis versus the prior year; company raised consolidated 2026 sales growth assumption to ~4.5% (up 150 bps vs prior assumption).
Profitability and EPS Resilience
Adjusted gross margin remained roughly steady at 37.7% year-over-year. Adjusted EPS was $2.17 in Q1, up ~1% versus prior year. Full-year adjusted EPS guidance maintained at $10.20–$11.00 (midpoint ≈ +10% YoY).
Cash Flow Guidance and Working Capital
Adjusted free cash flow was roughly flat in Q1 (in line with seasonality and working capital investments); full-year cash flow guidance unchanged at $650 million.
Cross-sell and Strategic Growth Investments Paying Off
Cross-sell activity: Q1 '26 cross-sell grew ~34% and the funnel grew ~18%; management expects to reach/exceed a $250M+ cross-sell target this year and highlighted targeted investments (NPD, salesforce, e-commerce) driving order momentum.
Reduced Tariff Headwind Estimate
Estimated unmitigated annual tariff impact lowered to $127M from $155M; management expects to be dollar cost neutral by mid-2026 and margin neutral by year-end (subject to evolving tariff developments).