Adjusted EBITDA Growth and Margin Expansion
Adjusted EBITDA for Q2 was $74.5 million, up approximately $12 million or ~19% year-over-year on a covenant-adjusted basis; adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 11.3% versus 7.2% in the prior year (9.4% on a comparable adjusted basis).
First YoY Adjusted EBITDA Growth and Operating Leverage Improvement
Company delivered its first year-over-year adjusted EBITDA growth in more than two years and reported the first improvement in operating leverage since becoming public, driven by a $0.02 year-over-year improvement in operating leverage per pound.
Cost per Pound Reduction
Cost per pound improved by $0.02 year-over-year, attributable to lower merchandise and delivery costs, improved plant productivity and SG&A streamlining.
Operational Performance Metrics Improved
Key operational KPIs improved versus Q2 FY2025: on-time delivery up 270 basis points, plant productivity increased ~11%, and customer complaints declined ~4%.
Revenue-Per-Pound Stabilization and Revenue Quality
Revenue per pound was flat at $1.37 year-over-year and sequentially (first time flat since becoming public); the company exited ~6 million pounds of lower-quality volume (averaging ~$1.00/pound), which improved overall revenue quality.
Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Progress
Q2 operating cash flow was $58.3 million and free cash flow $45.6 million; adjusted free cash flow was $57 million. Year-to-date free cash flow improved to ~$74 million (a ~$92 million improvement YoY). Company repaid $34 million of debt in the quarter and ended Q2 with $344 million of available liquidity (including ~$294M revolver capacity and ~$50M cash).
Raised Full-Year Guidance
Management raised FY2026 adjusted EBITDA guidance to $295 million–$325 million (midpoint $310M, up from prior midpoint $300M) and increased expected in-year transformation benefits to ~$50 million (from $40M). Free cash flow guidance was raised materially to $120 million–$150 million (from $50M–$60M).
Asset Dispositions and Debt Reduction Actions
Sold two inactive nonoperating facilities in the quarter generating ~$6.5 million in net proceeds used to repay debt; actively marketing additional nonoperating properties (11 properties with estimated value ~$15 million) for further debt reduction and balance sheet optimization.