Q1 2024 MRC Global Inc Earnings Call

May 9, 2024

leading 21%. As we have highlighted previously, this represents a transformational change from the high teens level of adjusted gross margins experienced throughout most of our company's history.

Robert James Saltiel: A transformational change from the high teens level of adjusted gross margins experienced throughout most of our company's history. Adjusted EBITDA margins were 7.1% for the first quarter, an 80 basis point improvement over the fourth quarter. This is the result of both higher adjusted gross margins along with strong cost discipline. Our balance sheet has never been stronger, with ample liquidity and the lowest leverage ratio in our public company history at 0.6 times. We expect this metric to further improve as we continue to generate cash throughout this year. Our strong cash generation profile provides us with the opportunity to repay our term loan early, which we intend to do in the current quarter. Kelly will address this in more detail later.

Robert James Saltiel: Finally, our international revenues grew 7% year-over-year and 3% sequentially. This business is poised for double-digit revenue improvement for the full year, supported by a backlog that is 38% higher than a year ago. Our international team's success in landing new projects, particularly those involving the energy transition and LNG, has supported our growth in this segment. I would now like to highlight three important initiatives at MRC Global that illustrate what we are doing to improve our customer service, enhance our revenue growth, and maintain a disciplined cost structure.

Robert James Saltiel: First, our digital strategy that began several years ago continues to evolve and deliver great dividends in the form of additional sales and an improved customer experience. U.S. orders placed digitally hit a record 66% of total orders in Q1 of 2024.

Robert James Saltiel: This is up approximately 2,100 basis points over five years ago and up 150 basis points over Q1 2023 levels. We have developed and deployed a user-friendly digital customer service platform that, in addition to product ordering, provides self-service features such as order expediting, order documentation, and past order history. This useful functionality drives efficiency and cost savings for our customers and for us while increasing customer loyalty and retention. One exciting initiative that we have underway is the development of a digital quoting tool that leverages artificial intelligence to improve the accuracy and timeliness of our quotes for customer product orders. This tool uses AI to match customer parts and descriptions to our own to expedite the quoting process. This provides multiple benefits. It saves time for our salespeople in assembling a quotation.

Robert James Saltiel: It improves our responsiveness to urgent customer needs, and it facilitates a more accurate quote-to-cash process. We are in beta testing mode now, and we plan to roll out this quoting tool to our sales team this summer. And finally, I want to elaborate on our North America Enterprise Resource Planning project that we discussed on our last earnings call. We are enthusiastic about the functionality that the new Oracle cloud-based ERP system will bring to our business.

Robert James Saltiel: We anticipate many enhancements to our current business processes, including standardized operating procedures, improved accuracy relating to the management of customer orders, increased inventory efficiency and forecasting, and enhanced monitoring and reporting of our financial performance. Our customers will benefit through more streamlined systems integration that can enable trouble-free digital commerce. I am pleased to report that this ERP project remains on budget and on schedule. We expect to be fully implemented and running on the new system in the second half of 2025.

Robert James Saltiel: monitoring and reporting of our financial performance.

Robert James Saltiel: Our customers will benefit through more streamlined systems integration that can enable trouble-free digital commerce.

Robert James Saltiel: I am pleased to report that this ERP project remains on budget and on schedule.

Robert James Saltiel: We have assigned some of our best performing team members to this ERP project, and we are excited about its potential to transform many aspects of our business. Turning now to our outlook, our strong financial performance in the first quarter provides a very encouraging start to the year and higher confidence that we will achieve the 2024 financial targets discussed on our last call. As mentioned earlier, we believe our business has stabilized from the declines we experienced in the second half of last year.

Robert James Saltiel: We expect to be fully implemented and running on the new system in the second half of 2025. We have assigned some of our best-performing team members to the CRP project, and we are excited about its potential to transform many aspects of our business.

Robert James Saltiel: Turning now to our outlook, our strong financial performance in the first quarter provides a very encouraging start to the year and higher confidence that we will achieve the 2024 financial targets discussed on our last call.

Robert James Saltiel: As mentioned earlier, we believe our business has stabilized from the declines we experienced in the second half of last year. We are optimistic that the first quarter will likely be the lowest revenue quarter of the year, and we will see steady growth in the coming quarters.

Robert James Saltiel: We are optimistic that the first quarter will likely be the lowest revenue quarter of the year, and we will see steady growth in the coming quarters. From a sector perspective, for our great gas utility sector, some of our larger customers continue to focus on their destocking efforts. But the sequential growth experienced this quarter and stabilization seen in backlog are signaling that the worst is likely behind us.

Robert James Saltiel: From a sector perspective, for our great gas utility sector, some of our larger customers continue to focus on their de-stocking efforts.

Robert James Saltiel: But the sequential growth experienced this quarter and stabilization seen in backlog is signaling that the worst is likely behind us.

Robert James Saltiel: The long-term market fundamentals and growth potential of our gas utilities business remain very positive, and we expect that 2025 will see improvements over 2024 revenues. We continue to expand our wallet share with existing gas utility customers while targeting new utilities and service areas to increase our market share. We are targeting new utility contracts this year that should solidify our strong market position even further. In the diet sector, we are optimistic that we will experience revenue growth this year from a strong level of refinery and chemical plant maintenance activities, supplemented by a growing slate of projects.

Robert James Saltiel: The long-term market fundamentals and growth potential of our gas utilities business remain very positive, and we expect that 2025 will see improvements over 2024 revenues.

Robert James Saltiel: We continue to expand our wallet share with existing gas utility customers while targeting new utilities and service areas to increase our market share. We are targeting new utility contracts this year that should solidify our strong market position even further.

Robert James Saltiel: In the diet sector, we are optimistic that we will experience revenue growth this year from a strong level of refinery and chemical plant maintenance activities supplemented by a growing slate of projects.

Robert James Saltiel: We remain excited about energy transition opportunities, with the majority of our 2024 revenue in this subsector expected to occur from renewable fuels and wind power projects in our international segment. Additionally, we are building a healthy backlog in North America for carbon capture project activity that is expected to deliver late this year and into next year. Turning to our PTI business, we expect consistent, steady growth for the remainder of the year. We expect oil prices to remain relatively high on the back of positive economic activity and for natural gas prices to likely improve from the currently low historical levels due to targeted production curtailments and inventory declines.

Robert James Saltiel: We remain excited about energy transition opportunities with the majority of our 2024 revenue in this subsector expected to occur with renewable fuels and wind power projects in our international segment.

Robert James Saltiel: Additionally, we are building a healthy backlog in North America for carbon capture project activity that is expected to deliver late this year and into next year.

Robert James Saltiel: Turning to our PTI business, we expect consistent, steady growth for the remainder of the year. We expect oil prices to remain relatively strong on the back of positive economic activity and for natural gas prices to likely improve from the currently low historical levels.

Robert James Saltiel: Larger public E&P companies are expected to drive a higher percentage of the activity in 2024 in the U.S. oil field, which is favorable for MRC Global, as our PTI revenue is driven predominantly from this customer base. We expect less cyclicality in activity levels going forward as the larger customers tend to operate with increased levels of financial disability. We are bullish on MRC Global's ability to gain market share, especially in the Permian Basin, as larger PTI customers complete announced acquisitions and reassess their supply chains and purchasing contracts.

Robert James Saltiel: due to targeted production curtailments and inventory declines.

Robert James Saltiel: We expect less cyclicality and activity levels going forward as these larger customers tend to operate with increased levels of financial discipline.

Robert James Saltiel: We are bullish on MRC Global's ability to gain market share, especially in the Permian Basin, as larger PTI customers complete announced acquisitions and reassess their supply chains and purchasing contracts.

Robert James Saltiel: As we have stated previously, we generally do more business with acquirers than we do with targets, and the quality focus that we bring is better appreciated by larger operators who adopt a longer-term perspective when purchasing PVF products for their oil and gas maintenance activities and new development projects. Another positive for the PTI sector is that our international oil and gas business is expected to expand, and we should benefit from our strong position in Europe and our growing presence in the Middle East. We continue to focus on controlling our cost structure in an inflationary environment.

Robert James Saltiel: As we have stated previously, we generally do more business with the acquirers than we do the targets.

Robert James Saltiel: and the quality focus that we bring is better appreciated by larger operators

Robert James Saltiel: who adopt a longer-term perspective when purchasing PVF products for their oil and gas maintenance activities and new development projects.

Robert James Saltiel: Another positive for the PTI sector is that our international oil and gas business is expected to expand, and we should benefit from our strong position in Europe and our growing presence in the Middle East.

Robert James Saltiel: We continue to focus on controlling our cost structure in an inflationary environment. As mentioned on last quarter's call, we are aiming to further optimize our SG&A costs in 2024 to maintain a minimum 7% adjusted EBITDA margin.

Robert James Saltiel: As mentioned on last quarter's call, we are aiming to further optimize our SG&A costs in 2024 to maintain a minimum 7% adjusted EBITDA margin. We have made significant progress increasing our EBITDA returns over the last few years, and we are committed to not losing this momentum in 2024. Among other initiatives, we are becoming more efficient in our staffing levels, lowering our freight costs, and optimizing our service delivery costs. We are off to a good start as our adjusted SG&A costs for the first quarter of 2024 were $2 million lower than the prior quarter.

Robert James Saltiel: We have made significant progress elevating our EBITDA returns over the last few years, and we are committed to not losing this momentum in 2024.

Robert James Saltiel: Among other initiatives, we are becoming more efficient in our staffing levels

Robert James Saltiel: lowering our freight costs, and optimizing our service delivery costs.

Robert James Saltiel: We are off to a good start as our adjusted SG&A costs for the first quarter of 2024 or 2 million lower than the prior quarter.

Robert James Saltiel: In summary, we've started the year off significantly better than expected, and we believe the low point for our business activity is in our rearview mirror. While we continue to believe that 2024 will be a transitional year in terms of our top-line growth, we have never been a stronger company, and we have multiple opportunities for value creation ahead of us. We remain optimistic about the fundamentals of all three business sectors and their long-term outlook given our strong market position and the expectation of growing demand for our products and services for decades to come.

Robert James Saltiel: In summary, we've started the year off significantly better than expected, and we believe the low point for our business activity is in our rearview mirror.

Robert James Saltiel: While we continue to believe that 2024 will be a transitional year in terms of our top line growth, we have never been a stronger company, and we have multiple opportunities for value creation ahead of us.

Robert James Saltiel: We remain optimistic about the fundamentals of all three business sectors and their long-term outlook, given our strong market position and the expectation of growing demand for our products and services for decades to come.

Robert James Saltiel: Importantly for our shareholders, our recent improvements in gross margins, our cost structure, and our working capital efficiencies have positioned us to generate more consistent earnings and cash flow across the business cycle. This year, we expect to generate approximately $200 million or more in operating cash flow, which will make us an even stronger company with minimal net debt going into 2025. This will allow us significant flexibility to consider various capital allocation strategies as we approach 2025, including distributing excess cash to our shareholders. And with that, I will now hand it over to Kelly.

Kelly: Importantly for our shareholders, our recent improvements, and our gross margins, our cost structure, and our working capital efficiencies have positioned us to generate more consistent earnings and cash flow across the business cycle.

Kelly: This year, we expect to generate approximately 200 million or more in operating cash flow, which will make us an even stronger company with minimal net debt going into 2025.

Kelly: This will allow us significant flexibility to consider various capital allocation strategies as we approach 2025, including distributing excess cash to our shareholders.

Kelly Youngblood: Thanks, Rob, and good morning, everyone. My comments today will be primarily focused on sequential results, comparing the first quarter of 2024 to the fourth quarter of 2023, unless otherwise stated. Total company sales for the first quarter were $806 million, a 5% sequential increase and a 9% decline compared to the same quarter last year. From a sector perspective, gas utility sales were $266 million in the first quarter, a $13 million or 5% increase.

Kelly Youngblood: And with that, I will now hand it over to Kelly.

Kelly Youngblood: Total Company sales for the first quarter were $806 million, a 5% sequential increase, and a 9% decline compared to the same quarter last year.

Kelly Youngblood: From a sector perspective, gas utility sales were 266 million in the first quarter, a 13 million or 5% increase.

Kelly Youngblood: The growth was the result of increased product sales for upcoming projects and normalization of certain customer buying patterns related to their recent destocking efforts. Although some customers continue to focus on reducing their levels of safety stock, we have seen a stabilization in backlog and average daily sales so far this year that is encouraging.

Kelly Youngblood: The growth was the result of increased product sales for upcoming projects and normalization of certain customer buying patterns related to their recent de-stalking efforts.

Kelly Youngblood: Although some customers continue to focus on reducing their levels of safety stock, we have seen a stabilization and backlog and average daily sales so far this year that is encouraging.

Kelly Youngblood: We continue to expect 2024 to be a transition year for our gas utility customers, with lower project activity due to higher interest rates and elevated construction costs, but we are expecting increased spending as we move into next year. The diet sector's first quarter revenue was $276 million, an increase of 18 million, or 7%, due to an increase in mining-related sales, refinery project and turnaround activity, and chemical market share growth in the U.S. International diet revenue also increased, primarily due to an LNG project in the Middle East, as well as renewable gas and chemical projects in Europe.

Kelly Youngblood: We continue to expect 2024 to be a transition year for our gas utility customers with lower project activity due to higher interest rates and elevated construction cost, but we are expecting increased spending as we move into next year.

Kelly Youngblood: The diet sector first quarter revenue was 276 million, an increase of 18 million or 7% due to an increase in mining-related sales, refinery project and turnaround activity, and chemical market share growth in the U.S.

Kelly Youngblood: International diet revenue also increased, primarily due to an LNG project in the Middle East, as well as renewable gas and chemical projects in Europe .

Kelly Youngblood: The PTI sector's revenue for the first quarter was $264 million, an increase of $7 million, or 3%, primarily due to increased sales of valves and polyethylene pipe for well completions in the U.S. As mentioned by Rob, we are optimistic about the recent trends in customer consolidation and supportive commodity prices, which should be a nice tailwind for our business going forward. From a geographic segment perspective, U.S. revenue was $667 million in the first quarter, a $34 million or 5% increase as all sectors improved. Gas utilities led the growth, up $13 million, followed by the diet sector, which increased $11 million, and the PTI sector, which was up $10 million.

Kelly Youngblood: The PTI sector revenue for the first quarter was 264 million, an increase of 7 million or 3% primarily due to increased sales of valves and polyethylene pipe for well completions in the U.S.

Kelly Youngblood: As mentioned by Rob, we are optimistic about the recent trends in customer consolidation and supportive commodity prices, which should be a nice tailwind for our business going forward.

Kelly Youngblood: From a geographic segment perspective, U.S. revenue was $667 million in the first quarter, a 34 million or 5% increase as all sectors improved.

Kelly Youngblood: Gas Utilities led the growth up 13 million, followed by the diet sector which increased 11 million, and the PTI sector, which was up 10 million.

Kelly Youngblood: International revenue was $110 million in the first quarter, up $3 million, or 3 percent, driven primarily by improvement in the diet sector in the Middle East and Europe. The outlook for our international segment remains positive, with expectations for double-digit revenue growth in both the PTI and diet sectors. Canada revenue was $29 million in the first quarter, up $1 million as increases in the diet sector revenue offset a decline in the PTI sector. Now, turning to Margin.

Kelly Youngblood: International revenue was 110 million in the first quarter, up 3 million or 3%, driven primarily by improvement in the diet sector in the Middle East and Europe .

Kelly Youngblood: The outlook for our international segment remains positive with expectations for double-digit revenue growth in both the PTI and diet sectors.

Kelly Youngblood: Canada revenue was $29 million in the first quarter, up $1 million, as increases in the diet sector revenue offset a decline in the PTI sector.

Kelly Youngblood: Adjusted gross profit for the first quarter was $174 million, or 21.6%, a 40 basis point improvement over the same quarter a year ago and a 30 basis point decline sequentially. This marks the 8th consecutive quarter with adjusted gross margins exceeding 21% as we have been successful at maintaining a higher-margin product mix and a higher contribution of revenue from our international segment, which is accretive to overall company gross margins. Reported STMA for the first quarter was 125 million, or 15.5% of sales, as compared to 125 million, or 16.3% for the fourth quarter. This quarter included $3 million of pre-tax charges related to activism response, legal, and consulting costs.

Kelly Youngblood: Now turning to margins.

Kelly Youngblood: Adjusted gross profit for the first quarter was 174 million or 21.6%, a 40 basis point improvement over the same quarter a year ago and a 30 basis point declined sequentially.

Kelly Youngblood: This marks the eighth consecutive quarter with adjusted gross margins exceeding 21% as we have been successful at maintaining a higher margin product mix and a higher contribution of revenue from our international segment, which is accretive to overall company gross margins.

Kelly Youngblood: Reported STNA for the first quarter was 125 million or 15.5% of sales as compared to 125 million or 16.3% for the fourth quarter.

Kelly Youngblood: This quarter included 3 million of pre-tax charges related to activism response, legal, and consulting costs.

Kelly Youngblood: Excluding these costs, our adjusted SG&A for the first quarter of 2024 was $122 million, or 15.1% of sales, and a $2 million sequential improvement as a result of our cost control measure. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter was $57 million, or 7.1% of sales, an 80 basis point increase from the fourth quarter due to higher sales, elevated gross margins, and reduced SG&A costs. Tax expense in the first quarter was $8 million, with an effective tax rate of 30% as compared to $2 million of expense and a 9% effective tax rate in the fourth quarter.

Kelly Youngblood: Excluding these costs, our adjusted SG&A for the first quarter of 2024 was 122 million or 15.1% of sales and a 2 million sequential improvement as a result of our cost control measures.

Kelly Youngblood: Adjusted EBIT off for the first quarter was 57 million or 7.1% of sales, an 80 basis point increase from the fourth quarter due to higher sales, elevated gross margins, and reduced STNA cost.

Kelly Youngblood: Tax expense in the first quarter was $8 million with an effective tax rate of 30% as compared to $2 million of expense and a 9% effective tax rate in the fourth quarter.

Kelly Youngblood: The first quarter of 2024's effective tax rate was higher than the U.S. statutory rate due to foreign losses with no tax benefit, while the fourth quarter was favorably impacted by a net reduction in a foreign valuation allowance. For the first quarter, we had net income attributable to common shareholders of $13,000,000, or $0.15 per diluted share. And our adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders on an average cost basis, normalizing for LIFO adjustments and other items, was $17,000,000 or $0.20 per diluted share.

Kelly Youngblood: The first quarter of 2024 effective tax rate was higher than the U.S. statutory rate due to foreign losses with no tax benefit, while the fourth quarter was favorably impacted by a net reduction in a foreign valuation allowance.

Kelly Youngblood: For the first quarter, we had net income attributable to common shareholders of 13 million or 15 cents per diluted share.

Kelly Youngblood: and are adjusted net income attributable to common stockholders on an average cost basis, normalizing for LIFO adjustments and other items with $17 million or $0.20 per diluted share.

Kelly Youngblood: In the first quarter, we generated $38 million in cash from operations, primarily from increased EBITDA and more efficient working capital metrics. We believe we are on track to meet or exceed our operating cash flow guidance of $200 million this year. We also expect to have continued working capital efficiency gains as we progress through the year, which will result in higher cash generation in the second half of the year. Turning to liquidity and capital structure, our current availability on the AVL is $645 million, and including cash, our total liquidity is $791 million. Our leverage ratio, based on net debt of $149 million, was 0.6 times, a new record low for the company.

Kelly Youngblood: In the first quarter, we generated $38 million in cash from operations, primarily from increased ebidah and more efficient working capital metrics. We believe we are on track to meet or exceed our operating cash flow guidance of $200 million this year.

Kelly Youngblood: We also expect to have continued working capital efficiency gains as we progress through the year, which will result in higher cash generation in the second half of the year.

Kelly Youngblood: Turning to liquidity and capital structure, our current availability on the ABL is 645 million, and including cash, our total liquidity is 791 million.

Kelly Youngblood: Our leverage ratio, based on net debt of $149 million, was 0.6 times a new record low for the company.

Kelly Youngblood: And we intend to repay our Term Loan D this quarter with a combination of cash and drawing on our ABL facility. This will also reduce our ongoing interest expense burden by 150 basis points for any balance that remains on our ABL. Now I'll cover our outlook for the second quarter and full year 2024. For the second quarter, we expect sequential revenue to be up below single digits for the total company, with increases in each of our sectors. We also expect sequential improvement in each of our geographic segments, with our international business leading the improvement with an upper single-digit increase.

Kelly Youngblood: And we intend to repay our term loan D this quarter with a combination of cash and drawing on our ABL facility.

Kelly Youngblood: This will also reduce our ongoing interest expense burden by 150 basis points for any balance that remains on our ABL.

Kelly Youngblood: Now I'll cover our outlook for the second quarter and full year 2024.

Kelly Youngblood: For the second quarter, we expect sequential revenue to be up low single digits for the total company, with increases in each of our sectors.

Kelly Youngblood: We also expect sequential improvement in each of our geographic segments with our international business leading the improvement with an upper single-digit increase.

Kelly Youngblood: Our outlook for the full year remains in line with the guidance provided on our Q4 call. Although we are off to a very good start to 2024, our annual revenue guidance is weighted more heavily to the second half of the year, and the current quarter is when we typically build backlog to support this growth. We also expect a quarterly revenue cadence similar to past years, with revenue growth in the second and third quarters and a seasonal decline in the fourth quarter.

Kelly Youngblood: Our outlook for the full year remains in line with the guidance provided our Q4 call.

Kelly Youngblood: Although we are off to a very good start to 2024, our annual revenue guidance is weighted more heavily to the second half of the year, and the current quarter is when we typically build backlog to support this growth.

Kelly Youngblood: We also expect a quarterly revenue cadence similar to past years with revenue growth in the second and third quarters and a seasonal decline in the fourth quarter.

Kelly Youngblood: We continue to view 2024 as a transitional year with total company revenue expected to be similar to or slightly lower than 2023 levels. As a reminder, we are also targeting the following key metrics for 2024. Average Adjusted Gross Margins of 21% or Better. Average Adjusted EBITDA Margins of 7% or Better. Average adjusted SG&A cost as a percent of revenue below 15 percent. We expect to generate $200 million or more in operating cash flow.

Kelly Youngblood: We continue to view 2024 as a transitional year the total company revenue expected to be similar to or slightly lower than 2023 levels.

Kelly Youngblood: As a reminder, we are also targeting the following key metrics for 2024.

Kelly Youngblood: average adjusted gross margins of 21% or better, average adjusted EBITDA margins of 7% or better, average adjusted SG&A cost as a percent of revenue below 15%,

Kelly Youngblood: We expect to generate 200 million or more in operating cash flow.

Kelly Youngblood: Capital expenditures are expected to be in the $40 to $45 million range in 2024, higher than our normal run rate of approximately $15 million as a result of our ERP implementation. And finally, we expect our effective tax rate in 2024 to be in the range of 26 to 28 percent. And with that, I would like to turn it back to Rob for closing comments.

Rob: Capital expenditures are expected to be in the 40 to 45 million range in 2024, higher than our normal run rate of approximately 15 million as a result of our ERP implementation.

Rob: And finally, we expect our effective tax rate in 2024 to be in the range of 26 to 28%.

Robert James Saltiel: Thanks, Kelly. The first quarter started off with solid performance and a return to sequential quarterly revenue growth. It also bears repeating that our company is in a very strong financial position. We have transformed MRC Global into a more efficient and consistently profitable company with a strong balance sheet that is poised for future success. These are the 2024 highlights I want to summarize before opening for Q&A.

Robert James Saltiel: And with that, I would like to turn it back to Rob for closing comments.

Robert James Saltiel: Thanks, Kelly. The first quarter has started off with solid performance with a return to sequential quarterly revenue growth.

Robert James Saltiel: It also bears repeating that our company is in a very strong financial position. We have transformed MRC Global into a more efficient and consistently profitable company with a strong balance sheet that is poised for future success.

Robert James Saltiel: These are the 2024 highlights I want to summarize before opening for Q&A.

Robert James Saltiel: We continue to target $200 million of cash from operations this year, and we are on track to meet or exceed that target. We expect average adjusted gross profit to remain in the 21% range in 2024 and are targeting average EBITDA margins of 7% for the full year. We intend to pay off our Term Loan B in full in the current quarter. We expect to exit 2024 with a minimal net debt position and be in a positive net cash position in 2025.

Robert James Saltiel: We continue to target 200 million of cash from operations this year, and we are on track to meet or exceed that target.

Robert James Saltiel: We expect average adjusted gross profit to remain in the 21% range in 2024 and are targeting average EBITDA margins of 7% for the full year.

Robert James Saltiel: We intend to pay off our term loan B in full in the current quarter. We expect to exit 2024 with a minimal net debt position and be in a positive net cash position in 2025.

Robert James Saltiel: As we generate consistently strong levels of free cash flow over the coming quarters, we will have ample financial flexibility to consider various capital allocation strategies, including returning excess cash to our shareholders. And with that, we will now take your questions. Operator. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press Star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press Star 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. The first question comes from Tommy Moll with Stevens. Please go ahead.

Thomas Allen Moll: Thank you. We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question Q. You may press star 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue.

Operator: For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys.

Thomas Allen Moll: Good morning, and thank you for taking my questions.

Thomas Allen Moll: First question comes from Tommy Moll with Stevens. Please go ahead.

Robert James Saltiel: Good morning, Tommy.

Thomas Allen Moll: Good morning and thank for taking my questions. Good morning, Tommy.

Robert James Saltiel: Rob, I wanted to start on gas utilities. It sounds like there are some more normal buying patterns there after a few quarters where that wasn't the case, but can you just situate us in this recovery cycle? You mentioned there still appears to be some destocking by your own customers. But just anything additional you can provide there would be helpful. Thank you.

Robert James Saltiel: Rob, I wanted to start on gas utilities. It sounds like there's some more normal buying patterns there after a few quarters where that wasn't the case. But can you just situate us in this recovery cycle? You mentioned there still appears to be some de-stocking by your own customers.

Robert James Saltiel: But just anything additional you can provide there would be helpful. Thank you.

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, sure. Thanks, Tommy. I think we've said before that a number of our customers are in different positions with regard to their destocking efforts. We certainly are seeing some of our customers returning to more normalized buying patterns. They've gotten through the majority of their destocking, and what they're purchasing from us, and the business we do with them is more typical of what we would see in this part of the season. However, there are still other customers who are going to be completing their destocking efforts as they move through this year. Again, everybody's situation is slightly different.

Speaker Change: Yeah, sure, thanks, Tommy. I think we've said before that a number of our customers are in different positions with regard to their

Robert James Saltiel: de-stocking efforts. We certainly

Robert James Saltiel: are seeing some of our customers returning to more normalized buying patterns. They've gotten through the majority of their de-stocking, and what they're purchasing from us and the business we're doing with them is more typical of what we would see with this part of the season.

Robert James Saltiel: However, there are still other customers who are going to be completing their de-stocking efforts as they move through this year.

Robert James Saltiel: I think what we're encouraged about is that the general trend is going the way that we thought it would, that the first half of this year would certainly see the bulk of the friction on our business as it relates to destocking. And as we move to the second half of the year, we'd see a more return to normal purchasing patterns, which obviously means higher revenues for our business. So, we're encouraged by the progress being made and feel that we'll finish the year stronger than we started and that 2025 will even be better than 2024 based on some of the early estimates of CAPEX from some of our key customers as they look to 2025.

Robert James Saltiel: Again, everybody's situation is slightly different. I think what we're encouraged about is that the general trend is going the way that we thought it would, that the first half of this year would certainly see the bulk of the friction on our business as it relates to de-stocking, and as we move to the second half of the year, we'd see, again, a more return to normal purchasing patterns, which obviously

Robert James Saltiel: means higher revenues for our business. So we're encouraged by the progress being made and feeling that we'll finish the year stronger than we start and that 2025 will even be better than 2024.

Robert James Saltiel: based on some of the early estimates of CAPEX from some of our key customers as they look to 2025.

Kelly Youngblood: Also wanted to touch on the ERP update, which sounds like it's on budget and on schedule, but can you just refresh us on the full scope of this implementation across this year and next? What's the total amount of CapEx, or what I'm really trying to figure out is how much more spills into next year? And what are some of the key milestones we should be aware of just as you progress here going forward? Thank you.

Kelly Youngblood: Also wanted to touch on the ERP update, which it sounds like it's on budget and on schedule. But can you just refresh us there for the full scope of this implementation across this year and next?

Kelly Youngblood: What's the total amount of KAPX or what I'm really trying to figure out is how much more spills into next year? And what are some of the key milestones we should be aware of just as you progress here going forward? Thank you.

Kelly Youngblood: Yeah, Tommy, this is Kelly. I'll take that one.

Kelly Youngblood: Yeah, Tommy, this is Kelly. I'll take that one. So, yeah, so the, I think last quarter, you know, we said the total budget would be approximately $50 million for the project.

Kelly Youngblood: And a little bit more of that, probably 60% of that or so will be in this year's budget. The remainder will be in next year. You know, that's incorporated into the guidance we provided of that 40 to 45 million in KAPEX spend this year.

Kelly Youngblood: So, I think last quarter we said the total budget would be approximately $50 million for the project, and a little bit more of that, probably 60% of that or so will be in this year's budget. The remainder will be in next year. And that's incorporated into the guidance we provided of that $40 to $45 million in CapEx spend this year.

Robert James Saltiel: And we're, as Rob said in his prepared remarks, on schedule, we're on budget, everything's tracking really nicely there. So, you know, you ask about the different milestones, we're essentially, well, we're at the stage right now where we're about to wrap up the detailed design phase, kind of the blueprint of the system. We're starting to test the system live in a conference room pilot that is kind of going on as we speak right now.

Robert James Saltiel: And we're, as Rob said on the prepared remarks, we're on schedule, we're on budget.

Robert James Saltiel: Everything's tracking really nicely there.

Robert James Saltiel: So you ask about the different milestones, we're essentially, well, we're at the stage right now, we're about to wrap up the detailed design phase, kind of the blueprint of the system.

Robert James Saltiel: That's kind of the very first big user test of the functionality of the system. And then we will start converting or transitioning over to the implementation part of the project, which will be coming up here kind of late in Q2, going into Q3. So, we'll, you know, continue to update you guys on the progress. But so far, everything's going really well. I'm very excited about the system and the additional functionality that we're going to get out of it.

Robert James Saltiel: We're starting to test the system live in a conference room pilot.

Robert James Saltiel: that is kind of going on as we speak right now. That's kind of the very first big user test of the functionality of the system.

Robert James Saltiel: And then we will start converting or transitioning over to the implementation part of the project.

Robert James Saltiel: which will be coming up here, kind of late Q2 going into Q3. So we'll continue each quarter to update you guys on the progress, but so far everything's going really well, very excited about the system and the additional functionality that we're going to get out of it.

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, and Tommy, if I could just add, you know, keep in mind, we're currently on a mainframe ERP system, and I don't imagine there are many companies that you cover that are on a mainframe system. This is going to create tremendous opportunities for us to be both more efficient in terms of how we run our business, you know, being able to see where our inventory is, making sure that that inventory is productive, and making sure that our financial monitoring and assessment is up to speed.

Robert James Saltiel: you know, being able to see where our inventory is, making sure that that inventory is productive,

Robert James Saltiel: making sure that our financial monitoring and assessment is up to speed.

Robert James Saltiel: But it's also going to give us capabilities with regard to better integration with our customers as well, and we're really excited about this. It's obviously a major investment for the company, and it's a significant change for our people, and I think we're doing a lot of good things to make sure that the change management process is fully considered as we go forward. But we're very excited about the system that we picked, the implementer and design group that we're working with, and we know it will be a success. So stay tuned as we continue to give updates on future calls.

Robert James Saltiel: But it's also going to really give us capabilities with regard to better integration with our customers as well.

Robert James Saltiel: We're really excited about this. It's obviously a major investment for the company. It's a significant change for our people, and I think we're doing a lot of good things to make sure that the change management process is

Robert James Saltiel: fully considered as we go forward. But we're very excited about the system that we picked, the implementer and design group that we're working with, and we know it will be a success. So stay tuned as we continue to give updates on future calls.

Thomas Allen Moll: Thank you both. I'll turn it back.

Nathan Hardie Jones: Next question: Nathan Jones with Stiefel, please.

Nathan Hardie Jones: Thank you both. I'll turn it back.

Nathan Hardie Jones: Next question, Nathan Jones with Steeful, please go ahead.

Nathan Hardie Jones: Good morning. Good morning, Nathan.

Nathan Hardie Jones: I'm going to ask a follow-up question on the gas utilities business and probably be a little more blunt with my question. I think 2024, with the inventory de-stocking that's going on, clearly indicates that the gas utilities business is going to be under-earning in 2024. It was probably over-earning in 2022, and under-earning in 2023 and 2024. Do you guys have an estimate for what that is, what the level of inventory de-stocking is, the level of under-earning that the business is doing in 2024, simply because customers? Well, good question, Nathan.

Nathan: Good morning, everyone.

Speaker Change: Good morning. Good morning, Nathan. I'm going to ask a follow-up on the gas utilities business and probably be a little more blunt with my question.

Nathan Hardie Jones: I think 2024 with the inventory de-stocking that's going on clearly indicates that the gas utilities business is going to be under-earning in 2024. It was probably over-earning in 2022, under-earning in 23 and 24.

Nathan Hardie Jones: Is there, do you guys have an estimate for what that is, what the level of inventory de-stock in years, the level of under-earning that the business is doing in 2024, simply because customers are correcting their inventory?

Nathan Hardie Jones: I'm not sure how definitive we can be about how much it's impacting our business in terms of, you know, a precise number. But if you look at where we've been previously in this business, and the consistent growth patterns we've had over the last decade, we think that there's sort of a natural kind of five to 7% growth built into this business. And once we get off that trajectory, clearly, something else is going on. We continue to have discussions with our customers about projects that they need to implement in order to maintain the safety and integrity of their systems.

Speaker Change: Well, good question, Nathan. I'm not sure how definitive we can be about how much it's impacting our business in terms of

Nathan Hardie Jones: you know, a precise number.

Nathan Hardie Jones: But if you look at where we've been previously in this business and, you know, the consistent growth patterns we've had over the last decade,

Nathan Hardie Jones: You know, we think that there's sort of a natural kind of five to seven percent growth built into this business.

Nathan Hardie Jones: And once we get off that trajectory, clearly something else is going on.

Nathan Hardie Jones: We continue to have discussions with our customers about projects that they need to implement in order to maintain the safety and integrity of their systems.

Robert James Saltiel: And obviously, with the opportunity for, you know, the economy to maybe get a boost from some lower interest rates, maybe we get lower mortgage rates, and we get housing starts increasing, there's going to be opportunities for new infrastructure to go in as well. So we believe that we're going to get back onto a more normal cadence as we get into 2025. Again, the CapEx budgets that we've seen, these are long-term budgets; not all the customers have put those out.

Robert James Saltiel: And obviously with the opportunity for the economy to maybe get a boost from some lower interest rates, maybe we get lower mortgage rates, we get housing starts increasing, there's going to be opportunities for new infrastructure to go in as well.

Robert James Saltiel: So we believe that we're going to get back onto a more normal cadence as we get into 2025. Again, the CAPEX budgets that we've seen, these are long-term budgets,

Robert James Saltiel: But the ones that we've seen are typically in that five to 7% CapEx growth per year range. And that's typically what we use as a guidepost. Again, each customer is going to be slightly different; different areas of the country see different growth rates. But that's really the cadence that we're looking for as normalized. And when we deviate from that, we attribute a lot of that to destocking.

Robert James Saltiel: Not all the customers have put those out, but the ones that we've seen are typically in that 5 to 7% CAPEX growth per year range. And that's typically what we use as a guidepost. Again, each customer is going to be slightly different. Different areas of the country see different growth rates.

Robert James Saltiel: But that's really the cadence that we're looking for as normalized, and when we deviate from that, we attribute a lot of that to the de-stocking.

Robert James Saltiel: Thanks for that. Another comment I think Kelly made in his prepared remarks was on chemical market share growth. I know that's been a market that you guys have thrown some additional resources behind, felt like you maybe weren't getting your fair share in that market. So any comments on what's been done there, the trends in market share growth, and what you think you can get there in the future?

Robert James Saltiel: Thanks for that.

Robert James Saltiel: Another comment I think Kelly made in his prepared remarks was chemical market share growth. I know that's been a market that you guys have thrown some additional resources behind, felt like you maybe weren't...

Robert James Saltiel: getting your fair share in that market. So any comments on what's been done there, the trend in market share growth and what you think you can get there in the future?

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, that's been an exciting initiative for us. I think we mentioned a few calls ago that in the past, we kind of took our eyes off that market. It's not all IOCs. There are a lot of smaller, more specialized chemical companies along with the household names that you know. Some of our competition really was well positioned to get that business, and we weren't really challenging them for it. And keep in mind that chemical space is heavy, valve-oriented, which is obviously margin accretive for us. There are also a lot of metallurgy requirements there, like stainless steel and alloys, that tend to also be accretive to margins.

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, that's been an exciting initiative for us. I think we've mentioned

Robert James Saltiel: a few calls ago that in the past, we kind of took our eyes off that market.

Robert James Saltiel: It's not all IOCs, it's a lot of smaller, more specialized chemical companies, along with the household names that you know.

Robert James Saltiel: Some of our competition really was well positioned to get that business, and we weren't really challenging enough for it. And keep in mind that chemical space

Robert James Saltiel: is heavy, a valve,

Robert James Saltiel: valve-oriented, which is obviously margin accretive force. There's also a lot of metallurgy requirements there, like stainless and alloys that tend to also be accretive to margins.

Robert James Saltiel: So, for a lot of reasons, we felt like it was underserved and a great opportunity for growth. We've done extremely well in breaking in with customers where we haven't had MRO business before. And at the same time, we feel like we're getting our fair share or better in terms of new projects. We have a number of things that we're working on that haven't come to full fruition yet because the projects are still going through the planning and early procurement stages. But we feel like we're very well positioned for project work in the chemical space and to continue to expand our presence with the MRO customers that are out there that we haven't traditionally served.

Robert James Saltiel: So for a lot of reasons, we felt like it was underserved and a great opportunity for growth.

Robert James Saltiel: We've done extremely well in breaking in with customers where we haven't had MRO business before, and at the same time we feel like we're getting our fair share or better in terms of new projects. We've got a number of things that we're working on that haven't come to full fruition yet.

Robert James Saltiel: because, you know, the projects are still going through the planning and early purchasing stages. But we feel like we're very well positioned for project work in the chemical space and to continue to expand our presence with the MRO customers that have been there that we haven't traditionally served.

Kelly Youngblood: Thanks, and maybe just one more on the debt payoff and capital structure. Kelly, did you say you're 150 basis points lower in interest rate on the ABL than on the timeline first? And second, what's your view on your ability to issue new debt given some of the blocking that's been going on with refinancing the current timeline? Just how you're thinking about your ability to issue new debt going forward.

Speaker Change: Thanks, and maybe just one more on the debt payoff and capital structure.

Kelly Youngblood: Kelly, did you say you're 150 basis points?

Kelly Youngblood: lower interest rate on the ABL than on the timeline first. And second...

Kelly Youngblood: What's your view on your ability to issue new debt given, you know, some of the blocking that's been going on of refinancing the current term loan? Just how you're thinking about, you know, your ability to issue new debt going forward.

Kelly Youngblood: Yeah, so Nathan, you're exactly right. The difference between the ABL and the term loan is 150 basis points. Both of them have an SOFR as a benchmark rate. And as far as the strength of the balance sheet is concerned, and as an example, Moody's just upgraded our outlook to positive. We've got some discussions going on with S&P right now, so I think even the rating agencies have recognized the strength of the company and the additional cash flow generation potential that we're going to have coming up.

Kelly Youngblood: Yeah, so Nathan, you're exactly right. The difference between the ABL and the term loan is 150 basis points. You know, both of them have a SOFER as a benchmark rate.

Kelly Youngblood: And, you know, as far as, you know, the strength of the balance sheet and, you know, I mean, one example, Moody's just upgraded our outlook to positive. You know, we've got some discussions going on with S&P right now, so I think even the rating agencies have...

Kelly Youngblood: have recognized, you know, the strength of the company and the additional cash flow generation potential that we're going to have coming up.

Speaker Change: So, you know, we feel like we can go back out to the market when we need to, if we need to, you know, whether that's M&A or through, you know, other things that we need to take care of. So really see no restrictions on any of that at all.

Kelly Youngblood: So we feel like we can go back out to the market when we need to, if we need to, whether that's M&A or through other things that we need to take care of. So really, we see no restrictions on any of that at all.

Nathan Hardie Jones: Awesome. Thanks very much for taking my question.

Nathan Hardie Jones: Awesome, thanks very much for taking my questions.

Christopher M. Dankert: Next question is Chris Dankert with Loop Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Christopher M. Dankert: Thank you, David.

Christopher M. Dankert: Next question, Chris Denker with Loop Capital Markets, please go ahead.

Christopher M. Dankert: Hey, good morning. Thanks for taking the questions. First off, really nice quarter on cash generation here, 1Q, reiterating the full year, but I guess, you know, previous comments were calling for, you know, roughly neutral cash generation in the first half and, you know, full generation in the back half. Is that still kind of the cadence you're expecting here?

Speaker Change: Hey, good morning, thanks for up for taking the questions.

Christopher M. Dankert: I guess, you know, first off, you know, really nice quarter on cash generation here in one Q, you know, reiterating the full year, but I guess, you know, previous comments were calling for, you know, roughly neutral cash generation in the first half and, you know, the full generation in the back half. That's still kind of the cadence you're expecting here.

Kelly Youngblood: That's correct. Yeah, we typically always generate more cash in the second half of the year. You know, the first half of the year, customers are locking in on what their project plans are, and how much inventory needs we're going to have. Q1 was better for a couple of different reasons.

Kelly Youngblood: That's correct. Yeah, we typically always generate more cash in the second half of the year. You know, the first half of the year, you know, customers are locking in on

Kelly Youngblood: on what their project plans are, how much inventory needs we're going to have. Q1 was better for a couple of different reasons. You know, we thought it was going to be kind of flattish coming into the quarter.

Kelly Youngblood: You know, we thought it was going to be kind of flattish coming into the quarter because, you know, we have bonus payouts and tax payments and things like that. But with the higher EBITDA incremental fall through we had on the higher revenue, that was a nice tailwind. You know, we've been meeting our inventory targets really well, improving the efficiency of our inventory management. And then, really, the organization has been highly focused on past due receivables, and we made a significant reduction in some of our past due balances that were out there this quarter that ultimately got us to the $38 million, you know, positive cash flow that we had for the quarter. And then, you know, I would say, you know, the second quarter should be at least that, if not better, but an elevated amount as we get into the second half of the year.

Kelly Youngblood: because, you know, we have bonus payouts and tax payments and things like that. But with the higher EBITL incremental fall through we had on the higher revenue, that was a nice tailwind.

Kelly Youngblood: You know, we've been meeting our inventory targets really well, improving the efficiency of our inventory management.

Kelly Youngblood: And then, really, the organization has been highly focused on past due receivables, and we made a significant reduction in some of our past due balances that were out there this quarter that ultimately got us to the 38 million.

Kelly Youngblood: you know, positive cash flow that we had for the quarter. And then, you know, I would say, you know, second quarter should be at least that, if not better, but an elevated amount as we get into the second half of the year.

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, that's great news to hear. And then, I guess just not to get too myopic, but we're thinking about EBITDA margin going forward here into the second quarter. Would you be expecting it to be kind of flashy versus the first quarter? Or will we see kind of some uplift from the higher volume sequentially? Any comments you can give us on EBITDA margin's shape for the year here?

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, that's great news to hear.

Robert James Saltiel: And then I guess just not to get too myopic, but we're thinking about EBIT DOM margin going forward here. Into the second quarter, would you be expecting it to be kind of flage versus the first quarter, or will we see kind of some uplift from the higher volume sequentially? Does any comments you can give us on EBITDA margin kind of shape for the year here?

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, I'll take this one and let Kelly jump in. I mean, I think you should really model flattish. You know, we've basically said for the year that our goal is a 7% EBITDA margin, and we don't really see a substantial difference between quarters to where we can cut it that finely. Obviously, you know, we think it's extremely important that we maintain high EBITDA margins, even in the year that we set as a transition year, where we're not going to see the typical revenue growth that we expect, due in large part to the destocking issue that we've talked about before.

Speaker Change: Yeah, I'll take this one to let Kelly jump in. I mean, I think you should really model flatish. You know, we've basically said for the year that our goal is a 7% EBITDA margin.

Kelly Youngblood: and we don't really see a substantial difference between quarters to where we can cut at that finely. Obviously, you know, we think it's extremely important that we maintain high ebita margins even in the year that we set as a transition year, where we're not going to see the typical revenue growth that we expect.

Kelly Youngblood: due in a large part due to the de-stocking issue that we've talked about before.

Robert James Saltiel: So having a 7% EBITDA margin as your model is probably the right way to go. And then as we get back on a more normal growth pattern in terms of revenue, then we can shoot back up toward the 8% level. But that's not likely to happen, certainly in the second quarter. We'll hope to see those margins move up as revenue increases as we move through this year and into 2025.

Robert James Saltiel: So having a 7% EBITDA margin as your model is probably the right way to go.

Robert James Saltiel: And then as we get back on a more normal growth pattern in terms of revenue, then we can shoot back up toward the 8% level. But that's not likely to happen, certainly in the second quarter. We'll hope to see those margins move up as revenue moves up as we move through this year and into 25.

Christopher M. Dankert: Got it. Well, thank you very much and congrats on a really nice start to the year here.

Speaker Change: Got it. Well, thank you very much and congrats on a really nice start to the year here.

Ken Newman: Next question, Ken Newman with KeyBank Capital Markets, please go ahead.

Ken Newman: Appreciate it, thank you.

Ken Newman: Next question, Ken Newman with Key Bank Capital Markets, please go ahead. Hi, this is Katie Fleischer on for Ken Newman today.

Katie Fleischer: Hi, this is Katie Fleischer on for Ken Newman Today. Hi, Katie. Hi. I'm just trying to get a sense of how much conservatism is included in your guidance for this year. It seems like outside of gas utilities, you know, you're seeing some positive trends with these other businesses, and just given the strengths in the quarter, what's kind of preventing you from raising that outlook?

Speaker Change: Hi, Katie. Hi. I'm just trying to get a sense of how much conservatism is included in your guidance for this year. It seems like outside of gas utilities, you know, you're seeing some positive trends within

Speaker Change: these other businesses and just given the strengths in the quarter, what's kind of preventing you from raising that outlook?

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, good question. There's no question, coming out of the gate, we've got a good quarter in the books, better than we had expected. Keep in mind, we're still early in the year, and we're hesitant to change guidance based on just one quarter's worth of data. The other thing to keep in mind is that the quarter that we're in now is typically where we build a significant amount of our backlog that basically turns into second half revenue.

Robert James Saltiel: Yeah, good question. There's no question coming out of the gate. We've got a good quarter in the books better than we had expected.

Robert James Saltiel: Keep in mind, we're still early in the year and we're hesitant to change guidance.

Robert James Saltiel: based on just one quarter worth of data. The other thing to keep in mind is that, you know, the quarter that we're in now is typically where we build the significant amount of our backlog that basically turns into second half revenue.

Robert James Saltiel: So we've got a situation where really through May, June, and into July, that's really the backlog that is going to be turned into revenue in the second half of the year. The other thing to keep in mind is that a lot of our business is project-related, and projects can shift forward and backward depending on the cadence of the orders that we receive. So in summary, Katie, we are excited about the start of the year, but we're just not ready to raise guidance yet.

Robert James Saltiel: So we've got a

Robert James Saltiel: You know, we've got a situation where

Robert James Saltiel: really through May, June , end of July , that's really the backlog that is going to be

Robert James Saltiel: turned into revenue in the second half of the year.

Robert James Saltiel: The other thing to keep in mind is that, you know, a lot of our businesses, project-related, and projects can shift forward and backward, depending on the cadence of the orders that we receive.

Robert James Saltiel: So in summary, Katie, you know, we are excited about the start of the year, but we're just not ready to raise guidance yet.

Robert James Saltiel: Okay, that makes sense. In terms of those projects, have you seen any cancellations or pushouts this year?

Katie Fleischer: Okay, that makes sense. In terms of those projects, have you seen any cancellations or pushouts this year?

Robert James Saltiel: Well, look, projects never seem to move to the left. They always seem to shift back.

Robert James Saltiel: And, you know, I think we've talked before about the fact that the LNG projects have certainly come under some pressure because of the permitting issue that's currently underway. Some of the other projects that we've got, just because things take a little longer than you like, they tend to slide a little to the right. Nothing major to report there, but, you know, we just have to be conservative. We've talked before about the fact that projects, unlike our MRO business, tend to be more lumpy in character and a little bit less predictable in terms of when they occur.

Robert James Saltiel: You know, I think we've talked before about the fact that the LNG projects have certainly, you know, come under some

Robert James Saltiel: pressure because of the permitting issue that's currently underway. Some of the other projects that we've got, just because things take a little longer than you like. They tend to slide a little to the right. Nothing major to report there, but we just have to be conservative. We've talked before about the fact that projects, unlike our MRO business,

Robert James Saltiel: tend to be more lumpy in character and a little bit less predictable in terms of when they occur. And obviously, if a big project, you know, slips from the fourth quarter to the first quarter next year, obviously that will impact, you know, full year results.

Robert James Saltiel: And, obviously, if a big project slips from the fourth quarter to the first quarter next year, obviously, that'll impact full-year results. Again, nothing to report in specific, but just generally speaking, that gives you some sense of why we're conservative at this point about changing our guidance.

Robert James Saltiel: Again, nothing to report in specific, but just generally speaking, that gives you some sense of why we're conservative at this point about changing our guidance.

Katie Fleischer: All right, that's a good color. And then I just want to sneak one more in here, just a modeling question. Kelly, did you say that there would be a double-digit increase in diet within the international segment?

Katie Fleischer: Okay. All right, that's a good color. And then I just want to sneak one more in here, just a modeling question. Kelly, did you say that there will be a double-digit increase in diet within the international segment?

Kelly Youngblood: Yeah, well, the international overall will be a double-digit improvement, and it'll also be a double-digit improvement for the international PTI and the international diet.

Kelly Youngblood: Yeah, well, international overall will be a double-digit improvement, and it'll also be a double-digit improvement for international PTI and international diet.

Kelly Youngblood: Okay, so I'm just trying to bridge that to the full year guide because you're saying that diet is going to be up sequentially low single digits next quarter. Does that imply that it's going to decrease in the second half of the year just to meet that full year outlook?

Kelly Youngblood: Okay, so I'm just trying to bridge that to the full year guide because you're saying that diet is

Kelly Youngblood: going to be up sequentially low single digits next quarter.

Kelly Youngblood: Does that imply that it's going to decrease in the second half of the year just to meet that full year outlook?

Kelly Youngblood: We, yeah, we are forecasting a little bit of a fall off in diet towards the end of the year. Okay. Just some slumpiness with projects. Now second quarter specifically for international, I think I said in my prepared remarks that we'll be up high single digits sequentially, but yeah, as we go through the year, Q4 specifically, I think is where we're showing a little bit of a decline in diet.

Kelly Youngblood: Yeah, we are forecasting a little bit of fall off and diet towards the end of the year, just as lumpiness with projects. Now, second quarter specifically for international, I think I said in my prepared remarks that we'll be up high single digits.

Katie Fleischer: Okay, thanks for the caller.

Katie Fleischer: sequentially and but yeah as we go through the year Q4 specifically I think is where we're showing a little bit of a decline in diet.

Speaker Change: Okay, thanks for the caller. Thank you.

Monica Schafer Broughton: Thank you. I would like to turn the floor over to Monica Broughton for closing remarks.

Monica Schafer Broughton: I would like to turn the floor over to Monica Broughton for closing remarks.

Monica Schafer Broughton: Thank you for joining our call today and for your interest in MRC Global. We look forward to having you join us for our second quarter conference call in August.

Operator: Have a great day. This concludes today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time, and thank you for your participation.

Operator: Thank you for joining our call today and for your interest in MRC Global. We look forward to having you join us for our second quarter conference call on August . Have a great day.

Operator: This concludes today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time and thank you for your participation.

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