Q4 2025 Trex Co Inc Earnings Call

February 24, 2026

Cassie Motz: Good day, and welcome to the Trex Company, Inc. Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the Star key followed by 0. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press Star then 1 on a touch-tone phone. To withdraw your question, please press Star then 2. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Cassie Motz. Please go ahead.

Operator: Good day, and welcome to the Trex Company, Inc. Q4 2025 Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero. After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press star then one on a touch-tone phone. To withdraw your question, please press star then two. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Cassie Motz. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press star, then 1, on a touch-tone phone.

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, please press star then 2. Please note this event is being recorded. I would now like to turn the conference over to Casey Kotary.

Speaker #2: Please go ahead. Should you need assistance?

Speaker #3: Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. With us on the call are Bryan Fairbanks, president and chief executive officer, Adam Zambanini, executive vice president and chief operating officer, and Prith Gandhi, senior vice president and chief financial officer.

Cassie Motz: Thank you, everyone, for joining us today. With us on the call are Bryan Fairbanks, President and Chief Executive Officer, Adam Zambanini, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, and Prithvi Gandhi, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Also joining the call is Amy Fernandez, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, and Secretary, as well as other members of Trex Management. The company issued a press release today after market close, containing financial results for Q4 and full year 2025. This release is available on the company's website. This conference call is also being webcast and will be available on the investor relations page of the company's website for 30 days. I will now turn the call over to Amy Fernandez. Amy?

Speaker #3: Also joining the call is Amy Fernandez, senior vice president, chief legal officer, and secretary, as well as other members of Trex management. The company issued a press release today after market close containing financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2025.

Speaker #3: This release is available on the company's website. This conference call is also being webcast and will be available on the investor relations page of the company's website for 30 days.

Speaker #3: I will now turn the call over to Amy Fernandez. Amy?

Speaker #4: Thank you, Casey. Before we begin, let me remind everyone that statements on this call regarding the company's expected future performance and conditions constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws.

Amy M. Fernandez: Thank you, Cassie. Before we begin, let me remind everyone that statements on this call regarding the company's expected future performance and conditions constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as well as our 1933 and other 1934 Act filings with the SEC. Additionally, non-GAAP financial measures will be referenced in this call. A reconciliation of these measures to the comparable GAAP financial measure can be found in our earnings press release at trex.com. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Amy Fernandez: Thank you, Cassie. Before we begin, let me remind everyone that statements on this call regarding the company's expected future performance and conditions constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as well as our 1933 and other 1934 Act filings with the SEC. Additionally, non-GAAP financial measures will be referenced in this call. A reconciliation of these measures to the comparable GAAP financial measure can be found in our earnings press release at trex.com. The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Speaker #4: These statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such risks and uncertainties, please see our most recent Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, as well as our 1933 and other 1934 Act filings with the SEC.

Speaker #4: Additionally, non-GAAP financial measures will be referenced in this call. A reconciliation of these measures to the comparable GAAP financial measure can be found in our earnings press release at trex.com.

Speaker #4: The company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Speaker #4: With that introduction, I will turn the call over to Bryan Fairbanks.

Amy M. Fernandez: With that introduction, I will turn the call over to Bryan Fairbanks.

Amy Fernandez: With that introduction, I will turn the call over to Bryan Fairbanks.

Speaker #5: Thank you, Amy, and thank you all for participating in today's call to discuss our fourth quarter and full year 2025 results, and our outlook for 2026.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thank you, Amy. Thank you all for participating in today's call to discuss our Q4 and full year 2025 results and our outlook for 2026. I know you've also seen the exciting news that Adam Zambanini will be named as Trex's next President and CEO following my retirement in late April. I'll discuss this shortly. Adam will share a few words. First, let's review the quarter and the year. Against the backdrop of a third consecutive down year for the repair and remodel sector, I'm pleased to report that Trex finished the year with strong Q4 results and year-over-year sales growth of 2% and mid-single-digit sell-through for the full year 2025.

Speaker #5: I know you've also seen the exciting news that Adam Zambanini will be named as Trex's next president and CEO following my retirement and late April.

Speaker #5: I'll discuss this shortly, and Adam will share a few words. But first, let's review the quarter and the year. Against the backdrop of a third consecutive down year for the repair and remodel sector, I'm pleased to report that Trex finished the year with strong fourth-quarter results and year-over-year sales growth of 2%, and mid-single-digit sell-through for the full year 2025.

Speaker #5: Over the past few years, as our and our spending has lagged, our focus has been developing on industry-defined product innovation rooted in deep understanding of our consumer, expanding the channel partnerships in both the pro and home centers, and continuing to drive operational excellence, efficiency, and safety.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Over the past few years, as R&R spending has lagged, our focus has been developing on industry-defined product innovation, rooted in deep understanding of our consumer, expanding the channel partnerships in both the pro and home centers, and continuing to drive operational excellence, efficiency, and safety. Our team has higher expectations for future growth, there are several very positive achievements in 2025 that will allow us to maintain and build on our track record of outperforming the broader market in both up and down cycles. I want to begin by highlighting the market response to Trex's new product releases. Products introduced over the last 36 months continue to show robust growth, representing 24% of our 2025 sales, up from 18% last year.

Speaker #5: Our team has higher expectations for future growth, and there are several very positive achievements in 2025 that will allow us to maintain and build on our track record of outperforming the broader market in both up and down cycles.

Speaker #5: I want to begin by highlighting the market response to Trex's new product releases. Products introduced over the last 36 months continue to show robust growth, representing 24% of our 2025 sales, up from 18% last year.

Speaker #5: This speaks to the strength of our product design and development programs, which combine new performance features with leading aesthetics that align with consumers' evolving preferences.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: This speaks to the strength of our product design and development programs, which combine new performance features with leading aesthetics that align with consumers' evolving preferences. One clear example of this alignment is our Sun Comfortable heat mitigating technology, which we extended to new decking products, bringing this very popular feature to a broader consumer audience at an accessible price point. Perhaps the most exciting highlight of the past year was the success we achieved in the execution of our multi-year railing strategy. Several years ago, we set out to disrupt the railing market, as we did with decking over 30 years ago. After engineering a full line of railing products across a broad range of price points and investing in best-in-class distribution and channel partners over the past 2 years, in 2025, we achieved robust double-digit growth in railing.

Speaker #5: One clear example of this alignment is our Sun Comfortable Heat Mitigating Technology, which we extended to new decking products, bringing this very popular feature to a broader consumer audience at an accessible price point.

Speaker #5: Perhaps the most exciting highlight of the past year was the success we achieved in the execution of our multi-year railing strategy. Several years ago, we set out to disrupt the railing market as we did with decking over 30 years ago.

Speaker #5: After engineering a full line of railing products across a broad range of price points, and investing in best-in-class distribution and channel partners over the past two years, in 2025, we achieved robust double-digit growth in railing.

Speaker #5: We're very encouraged by the recent stocking wins and displacement of competitive products in both the pro and home center channels. The momentum built in 2025 has us on track to achieve our longer-term goal of doubling our share of the railing market by the end of 2028.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: We're very encouraged by the recent stocking wins and displacement of competitive products in both the pro and home center channels. The momentum built in 2025 has us on track to achieve our longer-term goal of doubling our share of the railing market by the end of 2028. Next, I want to turn our attention to the development of our Arkansas campus, which continues to deliver on its construction and startup schedule, including on-site production of plastic pellets, reducing our reliance on more expensive external sourcing. When we made the decision to invest in Little Rock, the industry overall was approaching full capacity. Through the growth years of COVID, it became clear that capacity to meet consumer demand would be key to long-term growth.

Speaker #5: Next, I want to turn our attention to the development of our Arkansas campus which continues to deliver on its construction and startup schedule, including on-site production of plastic pellets, reducing our reliance on more expensive external sourcing.

Speaker #5: When we made the decision to invest in Little Rock, the industry overall was approaching full capacity. And then, through the growth years of COVID, it became clear that capacity to meet consumer demand would be key to long-term growth.

Speaker #5: While the industry growth curve has moderated in recent years, I'm confident that the capacity we add in Little Rock will fuel Trex's growth and result in cost optimization and margin opportunities for years to come.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Lastly, we further strengthened our positioning in the pro and home center distribution channels in 2025 and into early 2026, with expanded pro channel relationships and a meaningful increase in stocking locations at the home centers, covering both decking and railing products. These wins reflect the strength of the Trex brand and the advantages of our expanded product portfolio in terms of both performance and aesthetics. Trex remains the only wood alternative supplier with a significant presence in both of the country's largest home centers, both on shelf and special order.

Speaker #5: And lastly, we further strengthened our positioning in the pro and home center distribution channels in 2025 and into early 2026. With expanded pro-channel relationships and a meaningful increase in stocking locations at the home centers, covering both decking and railing products.

Speaker #5: These wins reflect the strength of the Trex brand and the advantages of our expanded product portfolio in terms of both performance and aesthetics. Trex remains the only wood alternative supplier with a significant presence in both of the country's largest home centers, both on-shelf and special order.

Speaker #5: These highlights represent the early results from increased investments we have made and will continue to make in R&D, sales and marketing, digital technologies, and utilizing our capacity to drive accelerated growth.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: These highlights represent the early results from increased investments we have made and will continue to make in R&D, sales and marketing, digital technologies, and utilizing our capacity to drive accelerated growth. Our improved market incentives have resonated well with our pro dealers and contractors, and we're seeing increasing commitment to Trex as they're making their early buy, stocking, and selling decisions. Additionally, we've seen early positive results from our new marketing campaigns and digital investments. Notably, sample program volumes and website traffics, which are early indicators of purchase intent, have increased considerably, and our improved digital tools have helped to generate double-digit increases in lead generation for our contractors. We found that increases in our lead generation and website customer engagement over time correlates with revenue growth.

Speaker #5: Our improved market incentives have resonated well with our pro dealers and contractors, and we're seeing increasing commitment to Trex as they're making their early buy stocking and selling decisions.

Speaker #5: Additionally, we've seen early positive results from our new marketing campaigns and digital investments. Notably, sample program volumes and website traffics, which are early indicators of purchase intent, have increased considerably and are improved digital tools have helped to generate double-digit increases in lead generation for our contractors.

Speaker #5: We found that increases in our lead generation and website customer engagement over time correlate with revenue growth. We also made significant progress in strengthening our distribution network, which will ensure unparalleled access to our products from leading national and regional distributors in North America.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: We also made significant progress in strengthening our distribution network, which will ensure unparalleled access to our products from leading national and regional distributors in North America. Mid-year, we announced the expansion of our relationship with International Wood Products. Building on our success with IWP in the Pacific Northwest and California, we expanded our relationship to Salt Lake City and across the Intermountain West. Later in the year, we expanded our relationship with Weekes Forest Products, strengthening our presence in the Upper Midwest, including areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota. In November, we announced that we were expanding our relationship with Specialty Building Products in Michigan, which builds on the success of the long-standing Trex SBP collaboration. As we turn our attention to 2026, innovation and strategic investments will continue to fuel Trex's growth.

Speaker #5: Mid-year, we announced the expansion of our relationship with International Wood Products, building on our success with IWP in the Pacific Northwest and California. We expanded our relationship to Salt Lake City and across the Intermountain West.

Speaker #5: Later in the year, we expanded our relationship with Weeks Forest products strengthening our presence in the Upper Midwest including areas in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and North Dakota.

Speaker #5: And in November, we announced that we were expanding our relationship with specially building products in Michigan, which builds on the success of the long-standing Trex SBP collaboration.

Speaker #5: As we turn our attention to 2026, innovation and strategic investments will continue to fuel Trex's growth. After rigorous testing, we were pleased to announce the launch of Trex Refuge decking in January of this year.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: After rigorous testing, we were pleased to announce the launch of Trex Refuge decking in January of this year. Our code-compliant fire solution combines style and advanced fire performance with the durability and low-maintenance benefits that are the hallmarks of the Trex brand. This ignition-resistant PVC decking line enables us to effectively compete in regions of the country with heightened fire safety requirements, and we are now shipping to California, Oregon, and Washington State. When we look historically at periods of sustaining growth for Trex, those periods saw Trex invest approximately 18% into SG&A. We recognize that branding reductions made during the growth years of the pandemic and subsequent years needed to be revisited to meet the current market conditions and the long-term opportunity.

Speaker #5: Our code-compliant fire solution combines style and advanced fire performance with the durability and low maintenance benefits that are the hallmarks of the Trex brand.

Speaker #5: This ignition-resistant PVC decking line enables us to effectively compete in regions of the country with heightened fire safety requirements and we are now shipping to California, Oregon, and Washington State.

Speaker #5: When we look historically at periods of sustained growth for Trex, those periods saw Trex invest approximately 18% into SG&A. We recognize that branding reductions made during the growth years of the pandemic and subsequent years needed to be revisited to meet the current market conditions and the long-term opportunity.

Speaker #5: Targeted investments on programs for our customers and investments in consumer branding will provide a financial return and top-line growth and market share capture as they have in the past.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Targeted investments on programs for our customers and investments in consumer branding will provide a financial return in top-line growth and market share capture, as they have in the past. Closely working with our pro channel and home center customers, we've identified the most important points of leverage and tailored programs to incentivize incremental growth, maximize product bundling, especially with railing, and further shift purchasing within our portfolio to our more premium products. For the longer term, you can expect to see our branding and sales investments grow in line with revenue, while other fixed SG&A spending will be leveraged with growth. We also know where and how customers get their information is evolving. We're deploying solutions that make it easier for consumers to learn about Trex decking and railing.

Speaker #5: Closely working with our pro channel and home center customers, we've identified the most important points of leverage and tailored programs to incentivize incremental growth, maximize product bundling, especially with railing, and further shift purchasing within our portfolio to our more premium products.

Speaker #5: For the longer term, you can expect to see our branding and sales investments grow in line with revenue, while other fixed SG&A spending will be leveraged with growth.

Speaker #5: We also know where and how customers get their information is evolving. We're deploying solutions that make it easier for consumers to learn about Trex decking and railing.

Speaker #5: This includes messaging to consumers through new campaigns targeted at high-impact media enhancing the digital experience through upgrades to our 3D visualization tool and elevating the retail experience through new point-of-sale solutions and product samples.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: This includes messaging to consumers through new campaigns targeted at high-impact media, enhancing the digital experience through upgrades to our 3D visualization tool, and elevating the retail experience through new point-of-sale solutions and product samples. Early marketing metrics are all up double digits, and recent stocking position wins by Trex gives us confidence that we have the right plan in place. As you've seen in our releases today, I've made the decision to retire as CEO of Trex after nearly 23-year career with the company, including 6-year tenure as the CEO and 5 years as the CFO. While this is not an easy decision, I am confident it is the right one, and the board has made an excellent choice in naming Adam Zambanini to take over the role at the end of April.

Speaker #5: Early marketing metrics are all up double digits, and recent stocking position wins by Trex give us confidence that we have the right plan in place.

Speaker #5: As you've seen in our releases today, I've made the decision to retire as CEO of Trex after a nearly 23-year career with the company, including a six-year tenure as the CEO and five years as the CFO.

Speaker #5: While this was not an easy decision, I am confident it is the right one and the board has made an excellent choice in naming Adam Zambinini to take over the role at the end of April.

Speaker #5: Adam has been a great partner in developing and implementing major strategies over the years, as well as leading a substantial portion of the overall organization in his current COO role.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Adam has been a great partner in developing and implementing major strategies over the years, as well as leading a substantial portion of the overall organization in his current COO role. Adam is a strong leader and a brand builder with deep knowledge of Trex business. His passion for Trex is unmatched. Now, I will turn the call to Adam to share his thoughts.

Speaker #5: Adam is a strong leader and a brand builder with deep knowledge of the Trex business. His passion for Trex is unmatched. Now, I will turn the call over to Adam to share his thoughts.

Speaker #6: Thank you, Bryan. And good afternoon, everyone. It's been a great experience working alongside a leader of Bryan's caliber. His steady guidance has made a meaningful impact on the team and the organization as a whole.

Adam Zambanini: Thank you, Brian, and good afternoon, everyone. It's been a great experience working alongside a leader of Brian's caliber. His steady guidance has made a meaningful impact on the team and the organization as a whole. We are grateful for his leadership and collaboration, and we look forward to a smooth and successful transition as we build on a strong foundation he has helped establish. As I take on the role of CEO of Trex, you can expect us to focus on execution while building momentum for the next phase of growth. Shortly after joining the company, I led the development of the launch of a game-changing technology that redefined the standards in the decking category, Trex Transcend Decking. The product established a new benchmark for performance, combining scratch, stain, fade, and mold resistance with a refined wood-like aesthetic.

Adam Zambanini: Thank you, Bryan, and good afternoon, everyone. It's been a great experience working alongside a leader of Bryan's caliber. His steady guidance has made a meaningful impact on the team and the organization as a whole. We are grateful for his leadership and collaboration, and we look forward to a smooth and successful transition as we build on a strong foundation he has helped establish. As I take on the role of CEO of Trex, you can expect us to focus on execution while building momentum for the next phase of growth. Shortly after joining the company, I led the development of the launch of a game-changing technology that redefined the standards in the decking category, Trex Transcend Decking. The product established a new benchmark for performance, combining scratch, stain, fade, and mold resistance with a refined wood-like aesthetic.

Speaker #6: We are grateful for his leadership and collaboration, and we look forward to a smooth and successful transition as we build on the strong foundation he has helped establish.

Speaker #6: As I take on the role of CEO of Trex, you can expect us to focus on execution, while building momentum for the next phase of growth.

Speaker #6: Shortly after joining the company, I led the development of the launch of a game-changing technology that redefined the standards in the decking category. Trex transcend decking.

Speaker #6: The product established a new benchmark for performance combining scratch, stain, fade, and mold resistance with a refined wood-like aesthetic. This innovation marked the industry's first generation of high-performance composite decking and served as a catalyst for sustained market share expansion over the following decade.

Adam Zambanini: This innovation marked the industry's first generation of high-performance composite decking and served as a catalyst for sustained market share expansion over the following decade. Moving forward, we will build a disciplined innovation pipeline around Trex Decking that creates a durable, defensible moat and raises expectations across composite and PVC decking category, while continuing the longer-term conversion from wood. Also, we will continue to capture additional meaningful market share by executing our railing strategy. Trex is the market leader in alternative railing, with the broadest portfolio of products available for every residential application. Performance engineered for your life outdoors is more than a tagline. Our decking is evolving to perform across diverse environments with heat mitigation technology, submersible marine capabilities, and with the recent launch of Trex Refuge, ignition-resistant solutions for dry, fire-prone conditions.

Speaker #6: Moving forward, we will build a disciplined innovation pipeline around Trex decking that creates a durable, defensible moat and raises expectations across the composite and PVC decking category, while continuing the longer-term conversion from wood.

Speaker #6: Also, we will continue to capture additional meaningful market share by executing our railing strategy. Trex is the market leader in alternative railing, with the broadest portfolio of products available for every residential application.

Speaker #6: Performance engineered for your life outdoors is more than a tagline. Our decking is evolving to perform across diverse environments, with heat mitigation technology, submersible marine capabilities, and with the recent launch of Trex Refuge, ignition-resistant solutions for dry, fire-prone conditions.

Speaker #6: We want to continue to push the limits of where our products can go and be at any price point, with those features that consumers expect from their project.

Adam Zambanini: We want to continue to push the limits of where our products can go and be at any price point with those features that consumers expect from their project. Looking ahead, I am committed to developing new standards for innovation at Trex and take full advantage of the substantial growth opportunities we see on the horizon. Stay tuned for more on this as we move through the year. Our brand is a powerful driver of consumer appeal, and we will continue to leverage that through expanded marketing efforts to highlight the unmatched value of the portfolio of products. As we plan for the future, we will navigate the dynamic industry landscape to build a clear roadmap for continued success.

Speaker #6: Looking ahead, I am committed to developing new standards for innovation at Trex and take full advantage of the substantial growth opportunities we see on the horizon.

Speaker #6: Stay tuned for more on this as we move through the year. Our brand is a powerful driver of consumer appeal, and we will continue to leverage that through expanded marketing efforts to highlight the unmatched value of the portfolio of products.

Speaker #6: And as we plan for the future, we will navigate the dynamic industry landscape to build a clear roadmap for continued success. As you have seen from our release and you will hear from Prith in detail in a moment, we are expecting 2026 to be another year of growth.

Adam Zambanini: As you have seen from our release, and you will hear from Prit in detail in a moment, we are expecting 2026 to be another year of growth. I look forward to participating in upcoming conferences and meetings to keep our investors and analysts updated on our initiatives and to sharing additional insight into our vision of the future. Now, I will turn the call over to Prit for his financial review.

Speaker #6: I look forward to participating in upcoming conferences and meetings to keep our investors and analysts updated on our initiatives and to sharing additional insight into our vision of the future.

Speaker #6: Now, I will turn the call over to Prith for his financial review.

Speaker #7: Thank you, Adam. And good afternoon, everyone. I'll now review our fourth quarter and full year 2025 results. Please note that unless otherwise stated, all comparisons discussed today are on a year-over-year basis compared to the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2024.

Prithvi Gandhi: Thank you, Adam. Good afternoon, everyone. I'll now review our Q4 and full year 2025 results. Please note that unless otherwise stated, all comparisons discussed today are on a year-over-year basis compared to the Q4 and full fiscal year 2024. In Q4, net sales were $161 million, a decrease of 4% compared to $168 million in the prior year period. Results came in approximately $17 million above the midpoint of our Q4 revenue guidance, primarily due to higher than anticipated railing sales in the back half of Q4, continuing to demonstrate the strength of our railing product portfolio. Decking shipments for the quarter were also slightly better than we had forecasted.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Thank you, Adam. Good afternoon, everyone. I'll now review our Q4 and full year 2025 results. Please note that unless otherwise stated, all comparisons discussed today are on a year-over-year basis compared to the Q4 and full fiscal year 2024. In Q4, net sales were $161 million, a decrease of 4% compared to $168 million in the prior year period. Results came in approximately $17 million above the midpoint of our Q4 revenue guidance, primarily due to higher than anticipated railing sales in the back half of Q4, continuing to demonstrate the strength of our railing product portfolio. Decking shipments for the quarter were also slightly better than we had forecasted.

Speaker #7: In the fourth quarter, net sales were $161 million, a decrease of 4% compared to $168 million in the prior year period. Results came in approximately $17 million above the midpoint of our fourth quarter revenue guidance, primarily due to higher-than-anticipated railing sales and the back half of Q4, continuing to demonstrate the strength of our railing product portfolio.

Speaker #7: Decking shipments for the quarter were also slightly better than we had forecasted. As of the end of the year, we believe channel inventories were at 6 to 8 weeks, at the low end of historical levels, but appropriate given our new level-loading and inventory management program.

Prithvi Gandhi: As of the end of the year, we believe channel inventories were at 6 to 8 weeks, at the low end of historical levels, but appropriate given our new level loading and inventory management program. Gross profit was $49 million, down from $71 million, and gross margin was 30.2%, down compared to 42.3% in the prior year. This decrease is primarily the result of two changes in accounting methodology that Trex adopted in Q4 2025. First, we elected to change the company's inventory accounting method from LIFO to FIFO to improve comparability with other companies in our industry, to more accurately reflect the value of the inventory on the consolidated balance sheet at each reporting period, and to be consistent with how the company manages its business.

Prithviraj Gandhi: As of the end of the year, we believe channel inventories were at 6 to 8 weeks, at the low end of historical levels, but appropriate given our new level loading and inventory management program. Gross profit was $49 million, down from $71 million, and gross margin was 30.2%, down compared to 42.3% in the prior year. This decrease is primarily the result of two changes in accounting methodology that Trex adopted in Q4 2025. First, we elected to change the company's inventory accounting method from LIFO to FIFO to improve comparability with other companies in our industry, to more accurately reflect the value of the inventory on the consolidated balance sheet at each reporting period, and to be consistent with how the company manages its business.

Speaker #7: Gross profit was $49 million, down from $71 million, and gross margin was 30.2%, down compared to 42.3% in the prior year. This decrease is primarily the result of two changes in accounting methodology that Trex adopted in Q4 2025.

Speaker #7: First, we elected to change the company's inventory accounting method from LIFO to FIFO to improve comparability with other companies in our industry, to more accurately reflect the value of the inventory on the consolidated balance sheet at each reporting period, and to be consistent with how the company manages its business.

Speaker #7: While this change had no impact on the 2025 income statement or cash flow statement, it resulted in an upward restatement of our Q4 2024 gross margin, resulting in most of the decline in year-over-year gross margin in Q4 2025.

Prithvi Gandhi: While this change had no impact on the 2025 income statement or cash flow statement, it resulted in an upward restatement of our Q4 2024 gross margin, resulting in most of the decline in year-over-year gross margin in Q4 2025. Please refer to the reconciliation tables in footnote 2 of the company's Form 10-K for further details. In addition, we changed the value methodology to our warranty reserve estimate, which resulted in an expense of $6 million in Q4. These changes were partially offset by plant efficiencies from higher utilization. Gross profit results included one-time start-up costs related to the Arkansas facility and one-time railing conversion costs totaling $1 million. Excluding these items, adjusted gross profit was $50 million.

Prithviraj Gandhi: While this change had no impact on the 2025 income statement or cash flow statement, it resulted in an upward restatement of our Q4 2024 gross margin, resulting in most of the decline in year-over-year gross margin in Q4 2025. Please refer to the reconciliation tables in footnote 2 of the company's Form 10-K for further details. In addition, we changed the value methodology to our warranty reserve estimate, which resulted in an expense of $6 million in Q4. These changes were partially offset by plant efficiencies from higher utilization. Gross profit results included one-time start-up costs related to the Arkansas facility and one-time railing conversion costs totaling $1 million. Excluding these items, adjusted gross profit was $50 million.

Speaker #7: Please refer to the reconciliation tables in footnote 2 of the company's 10-K for further details. In addition, we changed the methodology to our warranty reserve estimate, which resulted in an expense of $6 million in the fourth quarter.

Speaker #7: These changes were partially offset by plant efficiencies from higher utilization. Gross profit results included one-time startup costs related to the Arkansas facility and one-time railing conversion costs totaling $1 million.

Speaker #7: Excluding these items, adjusted gross profit was $50 million. Selling general and administrative expenses were $45 million, or 28% of net sales, compared to $39 million, or 23.4% of net sales in 2024.

Prithvi Gandhi: Selling general and administrative expenses were $45 million, or 28% of net sales, compared to $39 million or 23.4% of net sales in 2024. The majority of the year-over-year increase was related to higher personnel-related costs. In Q4, one-time expenses related to digital transformation activities and the startup of the Arkansas facility were approximately $1 million. Excluding these one-time expenses, SG&A was $44 million or 27.4% of net sales. Net income was $2 million or $0.02 per diluted share, versus $22 million or $0.20 per diluted share. Excluding the previously mentioned one-time charges incurred in Q4, adjusted net income was $4 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.04.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Selling general and administrative expenses were $45 million, or 28% of net sales, compared to $39 million or 23.4% of net sales in 2024. The majority of the year-over-year increase was related to higher personnel-related costs. In Q4, one-time expenses related to digital transformation activities and the startup of the Arkansas facility were approximately $1 million. Excluding these one-time expenses, SG&A was $44 million or 27.4% of net sales. Net income was $2 million or $0.02 per diluted share, versus $22 million or $0.20 per diluted share. Excluding the previously mentioned one-time charges incurred in Q4, adjusted net income was $4 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.04.

Speaker #7: The majority of the year-over-year increase was related to higher personnel-related costs. In the fourth quarter, one-time expenses related to digital transformation activities and the startup of the Arkansas facility were approximately $1 million.

Speaker #7: Excluding these one-time expenses, SG&A was $44 million, or 27.4% of net sales. Net income was $2 million, or 0.02 cents per diluted shares, versus $22 million, or 20 cents per diluted share.

Speaker #7: Excluding the previously mentioned one-time charges incurred in the fourth quarter, adjusted net income was $4 million, and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.04.

Speaker #7: EBITDA was $20 million, or 12.7% of net sales, compared to $45 million, or 26% 0.9% of net sales last year. Adjusted EBITDA was $22 million.

Prithvi Gandhi: EBITDA was $20 million or 12.7% of net sales, compared to $45 million or 26.9% of net sales last year. Adjusted EBITDA was $22 million. Note that the Q4 2025 adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS do not add back the $6 million warranty reserve estimate expense. Turning to our full year results. Net sales for full year 2025 totaled $1.17 billion, a 2% increase compared to $1.15 billion, primarily due to pricing across all product categories and expansion in railing placements during the year. Net income was $190 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to $238 million or $2.20 per diluted share in 2024.

Prithviraj Gandhi: EBITDA was $20 million or 12.7% of net sales, compared to $45 million or 26.9% of net sales last year. Adjusted EBITDA was $22 million. Note that the Q4 2025 adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS do not add back the $6 million warranty reserve estimate expense. Turning to our full year results. Net sales for full year 2025 totaled $1.17 billion, a 2% increase compared to $1.15 billion, primarily due to pricing across all product categories and expansion in railing placements during the year. Net income was $190 million, or $1.78 per diluted share, compared to $238 million or $2.20 per diluted share in 2024.

Speaker #7: Note that the Q4 2025 adjusted EBITDA adjusted net income and adjusted EPS do not add back the $6 million warranty reserve estimate expense. Turning to our full year results.

Speaker #7: Net sales for full year 2025 totaled $1.17 billion, a 2% increase compared to $1.15 billion, primarily due to pricing across all product categories and expansion in railing placements during the year.

Speaker #7: Net income was $190 million, or 1.78 per diluted share, compared to $238 million, or 220 per diluted share in 2024. Excluding one-time charges, incurred during the year, adjusted net income was $201.7 million, or 188 per diluted share, and adjusted EBITDA was $336 million.

Prithvi Gandhi: Excluding one-time charges incurred during the year, adjusted net income was $201.7 million or $1.88 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $336 million. For 2025, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS do not add back the $6 million warranty reserve estimate expense. I want to comment on inventory levels at year-end. Our inventory level decreased by approximately $18 million year-over-year. As previously mentioned, in 2025, Trex elected to change its inventory accounting method from LIFO to FIFO, which had no impact on the 2025 income statement or cash flow statement. However, because of this change, we restated our 2024 year-end inventory balance from the previously reported $207.3 million to $257 million, which resulted in the reported inventory decline from 2024 to 2025.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Excluding one-time charges incurred during the year, adjusted net income was $201.7 million or $1.88 per diluted share. Adjusted EBITDA was $336 million. For 2025, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income, and adjusted EPS do not add back the $6 million warranty reserve estimate expense. I want to comment on inventory levels at year-end. Our inventory level decreased by approximately $18 million year-over-year. As previously mentioned, in 2025, Trex elected to change its inventory accounting method from LIFO to FIFO, which had no impact on the 2025 income statement or cash flow statement. However, because of this change, we restated our 2024 year-end inventory balance from the previously reported $207.3 million to $257 million, which resulted in the reported inventory decline from 2024 to 2025.

Speaker #7: For 2025, adjusted EBITDA adjusted net income and adjusted EPS do not add back the $6 million warranty reserve estimate expense. I want to comment on inventory levels at your end.

Speaker #7: Our inventory level decreased by approximately $18 million year over year. As previously mentioned, in 2025, Trex elected to change its inventory accounting method from LIFO to FIFO, which had no impact on the 2025 income statement or cash flow statement.

Speaker #7: However, because of this change, we restated our 2024 year-end inventory balance from the previously reported $207.3 million to $257 million, which resulted in the reported inventory decline from 2024 to 2025.

Speaker #7: 2025 operating cash flow was $358 million, compared to $144 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily a result of inventory reductions in the current year, compared to prior-year inventory build, and higher collections in 2025.

Prithvi Gandhi: 2025 operating cash flow was $358 million, compared to $144 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily a result of inventory reductions in the current year compared to prior year inventory build and higher collections in 2025. Consistent with our capital allocation strategy and continued confidence in our long-term outlook, we returned $50 million to our shareholders in 2025 to the repurchase of approximately 1.5 million shares of our outstanding common stock at an average price of $32.75. We also invested $233 million capital expenditures in 2025, primarily related to the build-out of the Arkansas facility. Our board of directors has authorized a $150 million share repurchase program to be completed in the first half of 2026, subject to equity market conditions.

Prithviraj Gandhi: 2025 operating cash flow was $358 million, compared to $144 million in the prior year. The increase was primarily a result of inventory reductions in the current year compared to prior year inventory build and higher collections in 2025. Consistent with our capital allocation strategy and continued confidence in our long-term outlook, we returned $50 million to our shareholders in 2025 to the repurchase of approximately 1.5 million shares of our outstanding common stock at an average price of $32.75. We also invested $233 million capital expenditures in 2025, primarily related to the build-out of the Arkansas facility. Our board of directors has authorized a $150 million share repurchase program to be completed in the first half of 2026, subject to equity market conditions.

Speaker #7: Consistent with our capital allocation strategy and continued confidence in our long-term outlook, we returned $50 million to our shareholders in 2025 through the repurchase of approximately $1.5 million shares of our outstanding common stock at an average price of $32.75.

Speaker #7: We also invested $233 million in capital expenditures in 2025, primarily related to the build-out of the Arkansas facility. Our board of directors, as authorized, $150 million share repurchase program to be completed in the first half of 2026, subject to equity market conditions.

Speaker #7: In addition, we intend to continue opportunistic share repurchases throughout the balance of the year, reflecting current valuation, our conviction in the long-term outlook for Trex, and the meaningful reduction in 2026 capital expenditures as the Arkansas facility is now substantially complete.

Prithvi Gandhi: We intend to continue opportunistic share repurchases throughout the balance of the year, reflecting current valuation, our conviction in the long-term outlook for Trex, and the meaningful reduction in 2026 capital expenditure as the Arkansas facility is now substantially complete. Before moving to our 2026 outlook, I want to spend a minute on our approach to capital allocation. First and foremost, Trex's priority is always to create shareholder value by funding our long-term organic growth through capacity expansion that meets expected consumer demand. With the completion of the Arkansas facility in 2026, we will have the capacity to service growth for years to come, therefore expect to generate meaningful additional free cash flow in the foreseeable future. Consequently, at this time, share buybacks will be a significant use of capital.

Prithviraj Gandhi: We intend to continue opportunistic share repurchases throughout the balance of the year, reflecting current valuation, our conviction in the long-term outlook for Trex, and the meaningful reduction in 2026 capital expenditure as the Arkansas facility is now substantially complete. Before moving to our 2026 outlook, I want to spend a minute on our approach to capital allocation. First and foremost, Trex's priority is always to create shareholder value by funding our long-term organic growth through capacity expansion that meets expected consumer demand. With the completion of the Arkansas facility in 2026, we will have the capacity to service growth for years to come, therefore expect to generate meaningful additional free cash flow in the foreseeable future. Consequently, at this time, share buybacks will be a significant use of capital.

Speaker #7: Before moving to our 2026 outlook, I want to spend a minute on our approach to capital allocation. First and foremost, Trex's priorities always to create shareholder value by funding our long-term organic growth through capacity expansion that meets expected consumer demand.

Speaker #7: With the completion of the Arkansas facility in 2026, we will have the capacity to service growth for years to come and therefore expect to generate meaningful additional free cash flow in the foreseeable future.

Speaker #7: Consequently, at this time, share buybacks will be a significant use of capital. That said, Trex is also likely to become more active in executing strategic tuck-in acquisitions, to expand our growing portfolio of outdoor living products.

Prithvi Gandhi: That said, Trex is also likely to become more active in its executing strategic tuck-in acquisitions to expand our growing portfolio of outdoor living products. We take a very disciplined approach to evaluating acquisitions by comparing their potential risk-adjusted returns to the return from ongoing share repurchases, and moving forward only if acquisitions returns outweigh buying back Trex shares. Now, turning to our 2026 guidance. For the full year 2026, we expect net sales to be in the range of $1.185 billion to $1.23 billion, representing low single-digit to mid-single-digit % growth year-over-year in an R&R market that is expected to be slightly down to flat relative to 2025.

Prithviraj Gandhi: That said, Trex is also likely to become more active in its executing strategic tuck-in acquisitions to expand our growing portfolio of outdoor living products. We take a very disciplined approach to evaluating acquisitions by comparing their potential risk-adjusted returns to the return from ongoing share repurchases, and moving forward only if acquisitions returns outweigh buying back Trex shares. Now, turning to our 2026 guidance. For the full year 2026, we expect net sales to be in the range of $1.185 billion to $1.23 billion, representing low single-digit to mid-single-digit % growth year-over-year in an R&R market that is expected to be slightly down to flat relative to 2025.

Speaker #7: We take a very disciplined approach to evaluating acquisitions, by comparing their potential risk-adjusted returns to the return from ongoing share repurchases and moving forward only if acquisitions returns outweigh buying back Trex shares.

Speaker #7: Now, turning to our 2026 guidance. For the full year 2026, we expect net sales to be in the range of $1.185 billion to $1.23 billion.

Speaker #7: Representing low single-digit to mid-single-digit percent growth year over year in an R&R market that is expected to be slightly down to flat relative to 2025.

Speaker #7: Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $315 million to $340 million, and includes approximately $8 million in currently expected adjustments for the full year, mostly related to digital transformation initiatives and railing conversion.

Prithvi Gandhi: Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $315 to 340 million and includes approximately $8 million in currently expected adjustments for the full year, mostly related to digital transformation initiatives and railing conversion. These adjustments are evenly split between COGS and SG&A. SG&A expenses are expected to be approximately 18% of net sales for the full year. Interest expense is expected to be $10 to 12 million.... As a reminder, Trex has consistently been paying cash interest on its line of credit balances for the past several years. However, because of the construction of the Arkansas facility, GAAP accounting rules required us to capitalize interest expense on the balance sheet as a construction in progress item that would otherwise have been recognized on the PNL in both 2024 and 2025.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Adjusted EBITDA is expected to range from $315 to 340 million and includes approximately $8 million in currently expected adjustments for the full year, mostly related to digital transformation initiatives and railing conversion. These adjustments are evenly split between COGS and SG&A. SG&A expenses are expected to be approximately 18% of net sales for the full year. Interest expense is expected to be $10 to 12 million.... As a reminder, Trex has consistently been paying cash interest on its line of credit balances for the past several years. However, because of the construction of the Arkansas facility, GAAP accounting rules required us to capitalize interest expense on the balance sheet as a construction in progress item that would otherwise have been recognized on the PNL in both 2024 and 2025.

Speaker #7: These adjustments are evenly split between COGS and SG&A. SG&A expenses are expected to be approximately 18% of net sales for the full year. Interest expense is expected to be 10 to 12 million dollars.

Speaker #7: As a reminder, Trex has consistently been paying cash interest on its line of credit balances for the past several years. However, because of the construction of the Arkansas facility, gap accounting rules required us to capitalize interest expense on the balance sheet as a construction in progress item that would otherwise have been recognized on the P&L in both 2024 and 2025.

Speaker #7: With the completion of construction scheduled in 2026, we will once again be recognizing interest expense on Trex's consolidated income statement in 2026. Depreciation and amortization of approximately $85 million, with approximately 45% occurring in the first half of the year and approximately 20% of the full-year D&A within Q1 2026.

Prithvi Gandhi: With the completion of construction scheduled in 2026, we will once again be recognizing interest expense on Trex's consolidated income statement in 2026. Depreciation and Amortization of approximately $85 million, with approximately 45% occurring in the first half of the year and approximately 20% of the full year D&A within Q1, 2026. As previously communicated, the additional depreciation is related to bringing our new Arkansas decking lines to production-ready status during 2026. In 2027, annual depreciation will be at an annual run rate similar to D&A exiting Q4 of 2026. We are projecting an effective tax rate of approximately 25.5% to 27% for the full year, and capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $100 to 120 million for the full year.

Prithviraj Gandhi: With the completion of construction scheduled in 2026, we will once again be recognizing interest expense on Trex's consolidated income statement in 2026. Depreciation and Amortization of approximately $85 million, with approximately 45% occurring in the first half of the year and approximately 20% of the full year D&A within Q1, 2026. As previously communicated, the additional depreciation is related to bringing our new Arkansas decking lines to production-ready status during 2026. In 2027, annual depreciation will be at an annual run rate similar to D&A exiting Q4 of 2026. We are projecting an effective tax rate of approximately 25.5% to 27% for the full year, and capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $100 to 120 million for the full year.

Speaker #7: As previously communicated, the additional depreciation is related to bringing our new Arkansas decking lines to production-ready status during 2026. In 2027, annual depreciation will be at an annual run rate similar to D&A exiting Q4 of 2026.

Speaker #7: We are projecting an effective tax rate of approximately 25.5% to 27% for the full year. And capital expenditures are projected to be approximately $100 to $120 million for the full year.

Speaker #7: For the first quarter, we expect net sales to be in the range of $335 to $345 million. With that, I will now turn the call back to Bryan for his closing remarks.

Prithvi Gandhi: For Q1, we expect net sales to be in the range of $335 to $345 million. With that, I will now turn the call back to Bryan for his closing remarks.

Prithviraj Gandhi: For Q1, we expect net sales to be in the range of $335 to $345 million. With that, I will now turn the call back to Bryan for his closing remarks.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Prith. While we've been operating in a challenged R&R space for an extended period, Trex has substantial runway to convert the market from wood and increase wood-alternative decking and railing market share to Trex.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thank you, Prith. While we've been operating in a challenged R&R space for an extended period, Trex has substantial runway to convert the market from wood and increase wood alternative decking and railing market share to Trex. We are committed to product innovation, and through our marketing investments, we will ensure the continued strength of the Trex brand, making us top of mind with consumers when they're making their outdoor living decisions. These actions, along with strategic capital allocation decisions, including the $150 million share repurchase authorization through the first half of the year and likely additional purchases later this year, will result in a meaningful return of capital to shareholders.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thank you, Prit. While we've been operating in a challenged R&R space for an extended period, Trex has substantial runway to convert the market from wood and increase wood alternative decking and railing market share to Trex. We are committed to product innovation, and through our marketing investments, we will ensure the continued strength of the Trex brand, making us top of mind with consumers when they're making their outdoor living decisions. These actions, along with strategic capital allocation decisions, including the $150 million share repurchase authorization through the first half of the year and likely additional purchases later this year, will result in a meaningful return of capital to shareholders.

Speaker #1: We are committed to product innovation and, through our marketing investments, we will ensure the continued strength of the Trex brand, making us top of mind with consumers when they're making their outdoor living decisions.

Speaker #1: These actions, along with strategic capital allocation decisions, included the $150 million share repurchase authorization through the first half of the year and likely additional purchases later this year, will result in a meaningful return of capital to shareholders.

Speaker #1: We expect share buybacks to remain a key priority with the significant increase in free cash flow in 2026 and the coming years as we drive revenue and earnings growth and build shareholder value.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: We expect share buybacks to remain a key priority, with a significant increase in free cash flow in 2026 and the coming years as we drive revenue and earnings growth and build shareholder value. Operator, please open the call for questions.

Speaker #1: Operator, please open the call for questions.

Speaker #3: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then one, on your touch-tone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys.

Cassie Motz: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then one on your touchtone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star then two. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. The first question today comes from John Lovallo with UBS. Please go ahead.

Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. To ask a question, you may press star, then one on your touchtone phone. If you're using a speakerphone, please pick up your handset before pressing the keys. If at any time your question has been addressed and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star then two. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up. The first question today comes from John Lovallo with UBS. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: If at any time your question has been addressed, and you would like to withdraw your question, please press star then two. Please limit yourself to one question and one follow-up.

Speaker #3: The first question today comes from John Lavallo with UBS. Please go ahead.

Speaker #4: Hey, guys. Thank you very much for taking my questions. The first one is, the implied growth is 1 to 5 percent in that ballpark in a flatish to slightly down market.

John Lovallo: Hey, guys. Thank you very much for taking my questions. The first one is on, you know, the implied growth is 1% to 5% in that ballpark in a, in a flattish to slightly down market. I mean, is it fair to think that you guys are assuming decking will be up sort of low single digits with railing being up, you know, double digits?

Speaker #4: I mean, is it fair to think that you guys are assuming decking will be up sort of low single digits, with railing being up double digits?

Speaker #1: Yeah. We do expect railing to be up double digit continued driving. Of those share gains that we've seen this year and expect to see in 2026, and beyond.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, we do expect railing to be up double-digit, continued driving of those share gains that we've seen this year and we expect to see in 2026 and beyond. I think that's the right way to look at it from a decking perspective as well. We do have some shelf space wins. We are seeing benefits from the new programs that we've put in place. The way we've ranged the guidance is at that low end, if we continue to see weak, negative type R&R at the low end. If we see R&R starts to improve, especially in the back half of the year, a little bit of close to that higher end of the guidance.

Speaker #1: I think that's the right way to look at it from a decking perspective as well. We do have some shelf space winds. We are seeing benefits from the new programs that we've put in place.

Speaker #1: And then the way we've ranged the guidance is at that low end, if we continue to see weak negative-type R&R at the low end, if we see R&R starts to improve, especially in the back half of the year, a little bit of closer to that higher end of the guidance.

Speaker #4: Understood. And typically, you guys will provide sort of a next-quarter sales outlook and sometimes an adjusted EBITDA margin view. I mean, can you give us an idea of how maybe you're thinking about these metrics or maybe just the shape of the year in general?

John Lovallo: Understood. You know, typically you guys will provide sort of a next quarter sales outlook and sometimes an adjusted EBITDA margin view. Can you give us an idea of how you maybe you're thinking about these metrics or maybe just the shape of the year in general?

Prithvi Gandhi: Yeah, John, thanks for the question. In terms of the shape of the year, you know, we gave you the full year's EBITDA range for, you know, $315 to $340 million on an adjusted basis. For Q1, I mean, the best way to think about it is in terms of the, you know, in terms of EBITDA, again, as I said in my prepared remarks, D&A is about 20% of the full year. That'll be about $17 to $18 million. The SG&A in the quarter should be about 100 basis points more than it was last year. That's the continued, you know, investment in marketing that we spoke about in Q3.

Speaker #5: Yeah. John, so thanks for the question. In terms of the shape of the year, we gave you the full year's EBITDA range for 315 to 340 million on an adjusted basis.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Yeah, John, thanks for the question. In terms of the shape of the year, you know, we gave you the full year's EBITDA range for, you know, $315 to $340 million on an adjusted basis. For Q1, I mean, the best way to think about it is in terms of the, you know, in terms of EBITDA, again, as I said in my prepared remarks, D&A is about 20% of the full year. That'll be about $17 to $18 million. The SG&A in the quarter should be about 100 basis points more than it was last year. That's the continued, you know, investment in marketing that we spoke about in Q3.

Speaker #5: For Q1, I mean, the best way to think about it is in terms of EBITDA. Again, as I said in my prepared remarks, D&A is about 20% of the full year.

Speaker #5: That'll be about 17 to 18 million. The SG&A in the quarter should be about 100 basis points more than it was last year, and that's the continued investment in marketing that we spoke about in Q3.

Speaker #5: And then, in terms of gross margin, if you look at kind of where consensus was before the call here, we're going to be about 100 basis points below that.

Prithvi Gandhi: Then in terms of gross margin, if you look at kind of where consensus was before the call here, we're gonna be about 100 basis points below that, and that's largely because of, again, the higher growth of railing, the higher depreciation, and that's partially offset by pricing.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Then in terms of gross margin, if you look at kind of where consensus was before the call here, we're gonna be about 100 basis points below that, and that's largely because of, again, the higher growth of railing, the higher depreciation, and that's partially offset by pricing.

Speaker #5: And that's largely because of, again, the higher growth of railing, the higher depreciation, and that's partially offset by pricing.

Speaker #4: Hey, Prith, that's for the full year. That 100 basis points you're speaking of? For the gross margin?

John Lovallo: Prith, that's for the full year, that 100 basis points you're speaking of?

Prithvi Gandhi: Um-

Prithviraj Gandhi: Um-

John Lovallo: For the gross margin.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, the Q1.

Speaker #1: In the first quarter.

Speaker #5: Q1.

Prithvi Gandhi: Q1.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Q1.

Speaker #4: Okay. All right. Thanks very much, guys.

John Lovallo: Okay. All right. Thanks very much, guys.

Speaker #1: Thanks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Susan McCleary with Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead. Susan, is your line muted?

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Susan Maklari with Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead. Susan, is your line muted?

Operator: The next question comes from Susan Maklari with Goldman Sachs. Please go ahead. Susan, is your line muted?

Speaker #6: Yep. Can you hear me now?

Susan Maklari: Yep. Can you hear me now?

Speaker #3: Yes.

Cassie Motz: Yes.

Operator: Yes.

Speaker #1: Yes.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yes, we've got you.

Speaker #5: We've got you.

Susan Maklari: Okay, sorry about that. Well, first off, congrats to both Bryan Fairbanks and Adam on the announcements there. I'm looking forward to working with you more, Adam. My first question is, yes. You know, talking a bit about the outlook as you think to the spring, can you talk to what you're hearing from your contractors as they're starting to perhaps build some of their backlogs in some of those markets, especially the ones that maybe aren't quite so impacted by weather? You know, you noted that you're seeing some pretty strong demand out there for samples and web traffic, and just what that could imply for revenues as we look to the season.

Speaker #6: Okay. Sorry about that. Well, first off, congrats to both Bryan and Adam on the announcements there. I'm looking forward to working with you more, Adam.

Speaker #6: The first question is yes. My first question is, talking a bit about the outlook, as you think to the spring, can you talk to what you're hearing from your contractors as they're starting to perhaps build some of their backlogs and some of those markets, especially the ones that maybe aren't quite so impacted by weather?

Speaker #6: And you noted that you're seeing some pretty strong demand out there for samples and web traffic and just what that could imply for revenues as we look to the season.

Speaker #5: Yeah. So it's definitely a challenging environment because you see the flat home improvement spending but as we look at it, we're still seeing our top-tier contractors still booked out probably in some cases in the rougher parts in terms of weather four to six weeks.

Adam Zambanini: Yeah. It's definitely a challenging environment because you see the, you know, flat home improvement spending. As we look at it, we're still only seeing our top-tier contractors still booked out, probably, in some cases, in the rougher parts in terms of weather, 4 to 6 weeks, and in better weather, 6 to 8 weeks. From that perspective, we feel good, and we've actually had two TrexPro events this year to cover our highest end of the network, and they all felt that this year was gonna be better than the previous year that they had, and we did some polling on that across the contractor group. That was good.

Speaker #5: And in better weather, probably six to eight weeks. So from that perspective, we feel good. And we've actually had two TrexPro events this year to cover our highest end of the network.

Speaker #5: And they all felt that this year was going to be better than the previous year that they had. And we did some polling on that across the contractor group.

Speaker #5: So that was good. We've also got some placements that we've picked up at retail incremental placements when we look at the decking and the railing.

Adam Zambanini: We've also got some placements that we've picked up at retail, incremental placements when we look at the decking and the railing. We feel good from the position that we are as we move forward on that front. There's a lot of signs, plus the marketing metrics, as you mentioned, have been very solid this year, more than we saw the previous couple of years in terms of when you start to look at searches, from contractor searches to dealer searches, some of those metrics have been a lot better here this year.

Speaker #5: And so we feel good from the position that we are as we move forward on that front. So there's a lot of signs plus the marketing metrics, as you mentioned.

Speaker #5: Have been very solid this year—more than we saw the previous couple of years. In terms of when you start to look at searches, from contractor searches to dealer searches, some of those metrics have been a lot better here this year.

Speaker #6: Okay. That's helpful. And then turning to SG&A, you talked through those investments that you expect to make in terms of brand and sales. Can you talk to how the efforts around data and the digital transformation will play a role in that?

Susan Maklari: Okay, that's helpful. Then turning to SG&A, you talked through those investments that you expect to make in terms of brand and sales. Can you talk to how the efforts around data and the digital transformation will play a role in that, and what that could also mean as you think about leveraging some of those costs?

Speaker #6: And what that could also mean as you think about leveraging some of those costs?

Speaker #1: Yeah. We've done a lot of work on the digital transformation side of the business over the primarily over the last 12 months. But the planning for that started 18 months ago.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, we've done a lot of work on the digital transformation side of the business primarily over the last 12 months, but the planning for that started 18 months ago. We are starting to see some of the benefits now, where we're able to better understand what those market drivers are. As we're seeing volume come through our website, they're engaging with various parts of it that I consider to be sales drivers. That's going to be your purchasing of samples, contractor leads, looking for a contractor, looking for a dealer, and things like that. Bringing all of that information together and being able to derive information out of it so we can better target those customers over the long term. I'm extremely excited about the about the path that we have going forward from a digital transformation perspective.

Speaker #1: We are starting to see some of the benefits now. We're able to better understand what those market drivers are. As we're seeing volume come through our website and they're engaging with various parts of it that I consider to be sales drivers, that's going to be your purchasing of samples, contractor leads, looking for a contractor, looking for a dealer, and things like that.

Speaker #1: All of that information together and being able to derive information out of it so we can better target those customers over the long term.

Speaker #1: I'm extremely excited about the path that we have going forward from a digital transformation perspective. We've got the right people in place from our marketing perspective.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: We've got the right people in place from our marketing perspective, as well as the IT group, and a lot of great things as we move forward.

Speaker #1: As well as the IT group, and a lot of great things as we move forward.

Speaker #6: Okay. Thank you both. And good luck with the quarter.

Susan Maklari: Okay. Thank you both, and good luck with the quarter.

Speaker #1: Thank you.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thank you.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Phil Ng with Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Adam Zambanini: Thank you.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Philip Ng with Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Philip Ng with Jefferies. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: Hey, guys. Bryan, thank you for all the help over the years. And Adam, I'm looking forward to working with you more as well.

Philip Ng: Hey, guys. Bryan, thank you for all the help over the years, and Adam, looking forward to working with you more as well.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Phil.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks, Phil.

Speaker #5: Thank you.

Adam Zambanini: Thank you.

Speaker #7: I guess to kind of kick things off, John asked the question about your top-line revenue guidance. Midpoint's about 3%. Can you help us unpack how much of that is via load-in?

Philip Ng: I guess to kind of kick things off, you know, John asked a question about your top-line revenue guidance. Midpoint's about 3%. Can you help us unpack how much of that is via load in? Because you've had some wins at home centers. From that standpoint, any color on what price point for decking, you know, how big of a contribution perhaps is railing? As well as pricing, I think you got some carryover pricing. Just kind of help us unpack the outlook you've provided.

Speaker #7: Because you've had some wins at home centers and from that standpoint, any color on what price point for decking, how big of a contribution perhaps is railing?

Speaker #7: And then, as well as pricing, I think you've got some carryover pricing. Just kind of help us unpack the outlook you've provided.

Speaker #5: Yeah. Remember in the last call, we did talk about higher incentives going into the market. So our net pricing for the year is flat.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, remember in the last call, we did talk about higher incentives going into the market. Our net pricing for the year is flat. While there is some pricing going in, that is being offset by incentives in the marketplace. As it relates to the guidance piece of it from an infill perspective, we will have some benefit early in the year on that. Of course, that product needs to turn. While there's a meaningful number of shelf spaces out there, the product infills on their own aren't that big of a number. Those products need to turn within those environments. We have shown historically, with the additional shelf space, we will see the turns on that.

Speaker #5: While there is some pricing going in, that is being offset by incentives in the marketplace. As it relates to the guidance piece of it, from an infill perspective, we will have some benefit early in the year on that.

Speaker #5: But of course, that product needs to turn. And while it is a meaningful number of shelf spaces out there, the product infills on their own aren't that big of a number.

Speaker #5: Those products need to turn within those environments. And we have shown historically with the additional shelf space, we will see the turns on that.

Speaker #5: We've been extremely happy with the additional shelf space that we've gotten both in decking but also on the railing side. In many cases, we're seeing our new Trex railing systems being installed on non-Trex-related decks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: We've been extremely happy with the additional shelf space that we've gotten, both in decking, but also on the railing side. In many cases, we're seeing our new Trex railing systems being installed on non-Trex-related decks. Big part of that is because the quality of the product that we have going in, but also because it's readily available. It's right there on the shelf, and they have the ability to immediately get everything that they need to be able to build out that rail and complete the project, whether they're a contractor or a DIY consumer.

Speaker #5: A big part of that is because of the quality of the product that we have going in, but also because it’s readily available. It’s right there on the shelf, and they have the ability to immediately get everything that they need to be able to build out that rail and complete the project, whether they’re a contractor or a DIY consumer.

Speaker #7: Okay. Great color. And in some success, you've called out bundling railing any other categories that stand out? I know you talked about potentially more bolt-ons, just a little more protective there or potentially any JV opportunities with any other partners.

Philip Ng: Okay, great color. In some of the success you've called out bundling railing, any other categories that stand out? I know you talked about potentially more bolt-on, just one more parts there, or potentially any JV opportunities with any other partners?

Speaker #5: Yeah. We definitely talked about talking recently, we got into the fastener category in a much larger way. So that's the first area that every single time you sell a tool, you have to attach it with some sort of fastening system.

Adam Zambanini: Yeah, we definitely talked about tuck-in. Recently, we got into the fastener category in a much larger way, that's the first area that, you know, every single time you sell, you have to attach it with some sort of a fastening system. We've seen great growth in that area. You've seen some of the licensed products that we have, which kind of gives us, you know, the opportunity to, I will call it, taste test or see what the preferences are in some of these categories, which lead us into, you know, maybe there's something along those lines from a tuck-in perspective. When I think about the backyard, we want to own the backyard. We have a fencing product line that I think is probably the best bar none in the industry.

Speaker #5: So we've seen great growth in that area. And then you've seen some of the licensed products that we have, which kind of gives us the opportunity to, I will call it, taste test or see what the preferences are in some of these categories, which lead us into maybe there's something along those lines from a tuck-in perspective.

Speaker #5: But when I think about the backyard, we want to own the backyard. So we have a fencing product line that I think is probably the best bar none in the industry.

Speaker #5: I don't think we do enough to market it. I also don't think we do enough in terms of when we look at a broad range of that portfolio, how can we compete in every segment, even beyond composites, kind of like when it looks like from a railing perspective.

Adam Zambanini: I don't think we do enough to market it. I also don't think we do enough in terms of when we look at a broad range of that portfolio, how can we compete in every segment, even beyond composites, kind of like what it looks like from a railing perspective. I think there's a lot of opportunities when I think about outdoor living and where we can go, and that can even expand to the envelope of the house as well.

Speaker #5: So I think there's a lot of opportunities when I think about outdoor living and where we can go. And that can even expand to the envelope of the house as well.

Speaker #7: Yeah. And Phil, just to add to Adam, the other kind of tuck-in types of things that we could look at are things that improve our cost position—things in manufacturing, vertical integration, and those types of things.

Prithvi Gandhi: Yeah. Philip, just to add to Adam Baumgarten, you know, the other kind of tuck-in types of things that we could look at are things that improve our, you know, our cost position, things in manufacturing, vertical integration, and those types of things. There are opportunities like that as well.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Yeah. Philip, just to add to Adam Baumgarten, you know, the other kind of tuck-in types of things that we could look at are things that improve our, you know, our cost position, things in manufacturing, vertical integration, and those types of things. There are opportunities like that as well.

Speaker #7: So there are opportunities like that as well. Okay. Thank you.

Operator: Okay. Thank you.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Phil.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks, Phil.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Kate in Montora with BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Ketan Mamtora with BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Ketan Mamtora with BMO Capital Markets. Please go ahead.

Ketan Mamtora: Good afternoon. Want to extend my congratulations to both of you all as well, and look forward to working with you, Adam.

Speaker #7: Good afternoon. I want to extend my congratulations to both of y'all as well. And I look forward to working with you, Adam. Maybe just starting on the PVC side, you talked about kind of the first of several new products.

Ketan Mamtora: Good afternoon. Want to extend my congratulations to both of you all as well, and look forward to working with you, Adam.

Adam Zambanini: Thank you.

Ketan Mamtora: Maybe, just starting with, you know, on the PVC side, you talked about kind of first of several new products. Should we think of it as, you know, there are other products along these lines that you all are looking to launch, or these could be, you know, kind of other products, not necessarily on the PVC side?

Speaker #7: Should we think of it as there are other products along these lines that y'all are looking to launch or these could be kind of other products not necessarily on the PVC side?

Speaker #5: Yeah. So I think when you look at PVC, there's really two parts of the PVC the most. You see it in New England, and you see it on the West Coast.

Adam Zambanini: Yeah. I think when you look at PVC, there's really two parts of the country where you see PVC the most. You see it in New England, and you see it on the West Coast, when I see it a lot. When you get to the West Coast, a lot of times that's around fire. When I think about fire, I don't think we should be locked into some sort of a material set of multi PVC.

Speaker #5: When I see it a lot. When you get to the West Coast, a lot of times that's around fire. And when I think about fire, I don't think we should be locked into some sort of a material set of only PVC.

Speaker #5: So when we think about that in the future of it, yes, we will be in that PVC category, and there could be other products within that umbrella.

Adam Zambanini: When we think about that in the future of it, yes, we will be in that PVC category, and there could be other products within that umbrella. It would be when we look at all the different segments and classifications, because there's different levels of fire that are out there today, it is how can we compete aggressively to take that market share away from PVC? That is going to definitely be on my radar screen. The same thing, when you look at New England, it's a little bit different. It's not as focused as much around fire. There's just a segment there of contractors that have been into PVC for the last decade or two.

Speaker #5: But it would be when we look at all the different segments and classifications, because there are different levels of fire that are out there today.

Speaker #5: It is how can we compete aggressively to take that market share away from PVC? And that is going to definitely be on my radar screen.

Speaker #5: And the same thing when you look at New England, it's a little bit different. It's not as focused as much around fire. There's just a segment there of contractors that have been into PVC for the last decade or two.

Speaker #5: And there's some performance features in terms of some things workability and all that that I think that from that segment of contractors, we're going to target aggressively, and we're going to go after ways that we can convert those contractors over to WPC.

Adam Zambanini: There's some performance features in terms of some things workability and all that I think that from that segment of contractors, we're going to target aggressively, and we're going to go after ways that we can convert those contractors over to WPC.

Speaker #7: Understood. No, that's helpful. And when I think about your full-year guidance at midpoint, you talked about that 3%. Should we assume sort of sell-through also in a similar range, meaning there are no sort of inventory changes that we should be thinking about?

Ketan Mamtora: Understood. Now, that's helpful. When I think about your full year guidance at midpoint, you talked about the 3%. Should we assume sort of sell-through also in the similar range, meaning there are no sort of inventory changes that we should be thinking about?

Speaker #1: Yeah, that's correct.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, that's correct.

Speaker #7: Very helpful. I'll turn it over.

Ketan Mamtora: Very helpful. I'll turn it over.

Speaker #1: Thanks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Keith Hughes with Truist. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Keith Hughes with Truist. Please go ahead.

Speaker #7: Thank you. It seems like this railing initiative is having a substantial success. Is this raising your attachment rate? Is it soon enough to say, is it had that effect?

Keith Hughes: Thank you. It seems like this railing initiative is having a substantial success. Is this raising your attachment rate? Is it soon enough to say that it's had that effect?

Speaker #1: Yeah. Attachment rate is notoriously difficult to calculate. That's why we are using a market share metric on it. But we are hearing through our contractors that with products that we didn't have in the past, the steel systems, the entry-level aluminum system, our new T-rail system, that they are making that conversion over from competitive products over to Trex products.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, attachment rate is notoriously difficult to calculate. That's why we are using a market share metric on it. We are hearing through our contractors that with products that we didn't have in the past, the steel system, or the entry-level aluminum system, our new T-Rail system, that they are making that conversion over from competitive products over to Trex products. We are pleased from that perspective. We'll continue to work to try to create something that gives a better view of attachment rates, but it varies widely from region to region, and trying to get really good information on that is a challenge. That's why we think market share is a better metric to use from a market perspective.

Speaker #1: So we are pleased from that perspective. We'll continue to work to try to create something that gives a better view of attachment rates. But it varies widely from region to region.

Speaker #1: And trying to get really good information on that is a challenge. That's why we think market share is a better metric to use from a market perspective.

Speaker #7: And is there any holes in your railing portfolio now that you think you need to add, either third-party or acquisition?

Keith Hughes: Is there any holes in your railing portfolio now that you think you need to add either third party or acquisition?

Speaker #5: We have an unbeatable railing portfolio. When I look at this right now, this reminds me of the decking category over 20 years ago where there used to be 20-some different manufacturers.

Adam Zambanini: We have an unbeatable railing portfolio. When I look at this right now, this reminds me of the decking category over 20 years ago, where there used to be 20 some different manufacturers. That's the same issue when you look at railing. When we look at our number two and number three competitors on railing, we consider them regional competitors. We think there's a tremendous opportunity to take market share from a significant amount of regional players that are out there. Nobody has the portfolio to contend with Trex from top to bottom. Could we do tuck-ins? We could. Do we have to? No, we don't have to.

Speaker #5: That's the same issue when you look at railing. When we look at our number two and number three competitors on railing, we consider them regional competitors.

Speaker #5: So we think there's a tremendous opportunity to take market share from a significant amount of regional players that are out there and nobody has the portfolio to contend with Trex from the top to the bottom.

Speaker #5: So, could we do tuck-ins? We could. Do we have to? No, we don't have to.

Speaker #7: Okay. I mean, the doubt's not downside, but the gross margins are lower on railing than deck board. Is that correct?

Keith Hughes: Okay. I mean, not downside, but the gross margins are lower on railing than deck board. Is that correct?

Speaker #1: Yeah, that is correct. With the tariffs coming through, that was a significant headwind. Last year, we did take some pricing. Now we're giving that back through other incentives in the marketplace.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, that is correct.

Keith Hughes: Yeah

Bryan H. Fairbanks: ... the tariffs coming through, that was a significant headwind. Last year, we did take some pricing. Now we're giving that back through other incentives in the marketplace. Over time, we will be working on strategies that will close in that gap and expect over time that we can close it completely.

Speaker #1: But over time, we will be working on strategies that will close in that gap. And I expect over time that we can close it completely.

Speaker #7: Keith, the thing when you look at this is volume is a great thing for Trex. We manufacture a significant volume in decking. And the more volume we can get in railing, the more opportunity for continuous improvement.

Adam Zambanini: Keith, the thing when you look at this is.

Keith Hughes: Okay

Adam Zambanini: ... volume is a great thing for Trex. We manufacture a significant volume in decking, and the more volume we can get in railing, the more opportunity for continuous improvement. We're going to be able to leverage the scale of railing over time, and therefore, the success you saw in the margin expansion on decking, we're going to take the formula that's worked for Trex over the last 15 years, and we're going to apply that to railing moving forward. You're going to see more vertical integration on railing, just like you did on decking over time.

Speaker #7: So we're going to be able to leverage the scale of railing over time and therefore the success you saw in the margin expansion on decking, we're going to take the formula that's worked for Trex over the last 15 years, and we're going to apply that to railing moving forward.

Speaker #7: So you're going to see more vertical integration on railing just like you did on decking over time. Okay. All right. Congratulations on the results, and thank you for all the help over here, over the years, Bryan.

Keith Hughes: Okay. All right. Congratulations on the results, and thank you for all the help over the years, Bryan Fairbanks.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Keith.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks, Keith.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Tim Voice with Baird. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Tim Boyce with Baird. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Tim Wojs with Baird. Please go ahead.

Speaker #8: Hey, guys. Good afternoon. Maybe just my first question. Bryan, just to tone your voice is a lot different than maybe it was three months ago.

Timothy Wojs: Hey, guys. Good afternoon. Maybe just my first question, you know, Bryan, just the tone of your voice is a lot different than maybe it was three months ago. I'm just kind of curious if you could kind of maybe walk through, you know, what's kind of changed in terms of how you're kind of assessing, you know, the environment as we kind of come into 2026.

Speaker #8: And so I'm just kind of curious if you could kind of maybe walk through what's kind of changed in terms of how you're kind of kind of assessing the environment as we kind of come into '26.

Speaker #1: Well, a couple of things. First, it was a considerable reset that we had in the third quarter. And I always understand how difficult those things are going to be.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Well, a couple of things. First, it was a considerable reset that we had in the Q3, and I always understand how difficult those things are going to be. Everybody's model needs to change. I don't take that lightly when we do that. I think on the other part of it is related to where the marketplace is. Going into that, it assumed that there would be a further deterioration in the R&R sector during the Q4. We did not see that, and as we moved our way through the quarter, and now we're here at the end of February, we're also starting to see the benefits of some of those actions I talked about in the Q3 call.

Speaker #1: Everybody's model needs to change. And I don't take that lightly. When we do that, I think on the other part of it, it's related to where the marketplace is.

Speaker #1: Going into that, it assumed that there would be a further deterioration in the R&R sector during the fourth quarter. We did not see that.

Speaker #1: And as we moved our way through the quarter, and now we're here at the end of February, we're also starting to see the benefits of some of those actions.

Speaker #1: I talked about in the third quarter call. So I'd say those are really the two things that key difference from last call to this call.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: I'd say those are really the two things that the key difference from last call to this call.

Speaker #8: Okay. And I guess when you look at SG&A, I think this year it'll be somewhere like call it 220 million. It's up 40 million from basically '24 levels.

Timothy Wojs: Okay. I guess when you look at SG&A, you know, I think this year it'll be somewhere like, you know, call it $220 million. It's up $40 million from, you know, basically 2024 levels. I guess, A, what is the split there between field resources and kind of marketing? Then I guess the second question, just bigger picture, is there any scenario where you would look at investing more than 18% of sales going forward?

Speaker #8: I guess, A, what is the split there between field resources and kind of marketing? And then I guess the second question is just bigger picture.

Speaker #8: Is there any scenario where you would look at investing more than 80% of sales going forward?

Speaker #1: Yeah. There's carryover of additional headcount coming in from the sales team from last year. The largest piece of it is going to be on the marketing side.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, there's carryover of additional headcount coming in from the sales team from last year. The largest piece of it is going to be on the marketing side. We're not going to get into exact splits on it. I think at this point, I mean, from my perspective, Adam, I'd be surprised if we were to go over that number.

Speaker #1: We're not going to get into exact splits on it. I think at this point, I've had them at, I mean, from my perspective, I'd be surprised if we were to go over that number.

Speaker #5: Yeah, I don't see us going over that number. We've only done it a couple of times in our history, and if it's an opportunistic point of view in terms of the markets doing really well, as we move forward, and we had the ability to expand revenue, we would look at that.

Adam Zambanini: Yeah, I don't see us going over that number. We've only done it a couple times in our history, and if it's an opportunistic point of view in terms of the markets doing really well, as we move forward and we had the ability to expand revenue, we would look at that. I think from that perspective, could it happen? Yeah, it could happen, but I don't expect us to go over it.

Speaker #5: So I think from that perspective, could it happen? Yeah, it could happen, but I don't expect us to go over it.

Speaker #8: Okay. Okay. Great. Well, good luck on everything, and thanks for the help, Bryan.

Timothy Wojs: Okay. Okay, great. Well, good luck on everything, and thanks for the help, Bryan.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Tim.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks, Tim.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Ryan Merkel with William Blair. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Ryan Merkel with William Blair. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Ryan Merkel with William Blair. Please go ahead.

Speaker #9: Hey, everyone. Thanks for the question. My first question is on gross margin. I think last quarter you talked about down 200 basis points in 2026.

Ryan Merkel: Hey, everyone. Thanks for the question. My first question is on gross margin. I think last quarter you talked about down 200 basis points in 2026. Is that still the right, ballpark?

Speaker #9: Is that still the right ballpark?

Prithvi Gandhi: Hey, Ryan, thanks for the question. Look, I think, again, relative to kind of where consensus was before the before our announcement here, we think we'll be about 100 basis points lower for the coming year. I'm sorry, yeah. That's I mean, sorry, one second. Yeah, we'll be slightly below where the pre-announcement consensus was. I think consensus was around 37.4, 37.5. That's kind of the ballpark that we will be for the full year. The main difference is we gave you guidance today for full year D&A of $85 million. I think the street is a little bit lower than that.

Speaker #10: Hey, Ryan. Thanks for the question. So look, I think, again, relative to kind of where consensus was before the announcement here, we think we'll be about 100 basis points lower for the coming year.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Hey, Ryan, thanks for the question. Look, I think, again, relative to kind of where consensus was before the before our announcement here, we think we'll be about 100 basis points lower for the coming year. I'm sorry, yeah. That's I mean, sorry, one second. Yeah, we'll be slightly below where the pre-announcement consensus was. I think consensus was around 37.4, 37.5. That's kind of the ballpark that we will be for the full year. The main difference is we gave you guidance today for full year D&A of $85 million. I think the street is a little bit lower than that.

Speaker #10: I'm sorry. Yeah. So that's kind of, I mean, sorry, one second. Yeah. We'll be slightly below where the pre-announcement consensus was. So I think consensus was around 37.4.5.

Speaker #10: So that's kind of the ballpark that we will be for the full year. And the main difference is we gave you guidance today for full-year DNA of 85 million.

Speaker #10: I think the street is a little bit lower than that.

Speaker #9: Okay. Well, just to follow up there, I thought that gross margin comment was a one-queue comment, but it sounds like—

Ryan Merkel: Okay. Well, just to follow up there, I thought that gross margin comment was a Q1 comment, but it sounds like.

Prithvi Gandhi: It happens to be similar-

Speaker #10: It happens to be similar. It happens to be the same for Q1 and the full year.

Prithviraj Gandhi: It happens to be similar-

Ryan Merkel: For all of them.

Prithvi Gandhi: It happens to be, you know, the same for Q1 and the full year.

Prithviraj Gandhi: It happens to be, you know, the same for Q1 and the full year.

Speaker #9: I see. Okay, thanks for clarifying that. And then, on the marketing spend, it sounds like you're seeing some early progress there. I'm curious—if you were to rank what tactics are working the best, I'd be curious what that is.

Ryan Merkel: I see. Okay, thanks for clarifying that. On the marketing spend, it sounds like you're seeing some early progress there. I'm curious, if you were to rank, you know, what tactics are working the best, I'd be curious what that is. What other milestones are you watching for through the year to see that you're getting a return on investment there?

Speaker #9: And then what other milestones are you watching for through the year to see that you're getting a return on investment there?

Speaker #10: Yeah. I'd prefer not to get into the tactics that are specifically working the best for us. But I think the way to best refer to it is that we closely watch where the spending is going.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah. I'd prefer not to get into the tactics that are specifically working the best for us, but I think the way to best refer to it is that we closely watch where the spending is going, and if we see something isn't working, we will pivot off that quickly. That goes back to the earlier question about digital technologies and understanding the reach that you're having with your consumers. How are they interacting then with our channel partners that are out there? If we need to make a change, we make a change pretty quickly, and if we see something that is working well, we double down on that. We're not trying to get into the specifics of what's each one of the items right now.

Speaker #10: And if we see something isn't working, we will pivot off that quickly. That goes back to the earlier question about digital technologies and understanding the reach that you're having with your consumers.

Speaker #10: How are they interacting, then, with our channel partners that are out there? And so, if we need to make a change, we make a change pretty quickly.

Speaker #10: And if we see something that is working well, we double down on that. But we're not just trying to get into the specifics of what's each one of the items right now.

Speaker #9: Yeah. Fair enough. I guess maybe a follow-up, though. Are contractor conversions—I assume that's a part of the strategy—are you seeing that yet, or is that maybe something you'll see more through the year?

Ryan Merkel: Yeah, fair enough. I guess maybe a follow-up, though. Are contractor conversions, I assume that's a part of the strategy, are you seeing that yet, or is that maybe something you'll see more through the year?

Speaker #5: Yeah. No, this is the time of the year you start to see some of the contractor conversions at the beginning of the year. And those continue throughout the year.

Adam Zambanini: Yeah. No, this is the time of the year you start to see some of the contractor conversions at the beginning of the year, and those continue throughout the year. We've definitely seen some contractor conversions. We've definitely seen some dealer conversions. We leveled up on our program on the contractor program and the dealer program, and that's been positively viewed from customers. Therefore, we've won some people back into our camp as we move out into 2026.

Speaker #5: So we've definitely seen some contractor conversions. We've definitely seen some dealer conversions. We leveled up on our program on the contractor program and the dealer program, and that's been positively viewed from customers.

Speaker #5: And so therefore, we've won some people back into our camp as we move out into 2026.

Speaker #9: Got it. It's great to hear. All right. Well, congrats, Adam, and thanks, Bryan. It's been great working with you.

Ryan Merkel: Got it. It's great to hear. All right. Well, congrats, Adam, and thanks, Brian. It's been great working with you.

Ryan Merkel: Got it. It's great to hear. All right. Well, congrats, Adam, and thanks, Bryan. It's been great working with you.

Speaker #1: Thanks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks.

Speaker #10: Thank you.

Adam Zambanini: Thank you.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Colin Veron with Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Collin Verron with Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Collin Vayron with Deutsche Bank. Please go ahead.

Speaker #8: Great. Thanks for taking my questions and congratulations, Bryan and Adam. I just want to start with the comment in your prepared remarks, Bryan, that industry growth curve is moderated.

Collin Verron: Great. Thanks for taking my questions. Congratulations, Bryan and Adam. I just want to start with the comment in your prepared remarks, Bryan, that industry growth curve is moderated. Can you just expand on that comment and how you're thinking about the long-term growth sales algorithm for decking and railing, the industry and maybe Trex?

Collin Vayron: Great. Thanks for taking my questions. Congratulations, Bryan and Adam. I just want to start with the comment in your prepared remarks, Bryan, that industry growth curve is moderated. Can you just expand on that comment and how you're thinking about the long-term growth sales algorithm for decking and railing, the industry and maybe Trex?

Speaker #8: Can you just expand on that comment and how you're thinking about the long-term growth sales algorithm for decking and railing? The industry and maybe Trex?

Speaker #1: Yeah. Specifically, I was referring to a moderated coming out of COVID, and then we've seen three down years. In repair and remodel. As I look at over the long term, I'm very bullish on the repair and remodel sector.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, specifically, I was referring to it moderated coming out of COVID, then we've seen 3 down years in repair and remodel. As I look out over the long term, I'm very bullish on the repair and remodel sector, and that's because we have had 3 years of down spending along the way. There's probably some piece of it, there's some catch up from COVID, and there's general economic weakness out there. Homes are at a record age at this point. We know there is a large population, 40, 50 million decks in North America, that they're aging, they're going to need place. In the past, we would see repair and remodel recover after 2 years, so the word unprecedented, 3 years, is used quite regularly. We're not sure where 2026 ends up.

Speaker #1: And that's because we have had three years of down spending along the way. There's probably some piece of it, there's some catch-up from COVID, and there's general economic weakness out there.

Speaker #1: But homes are at a record age at this point. We know there is a large population—40, 50 million decks in North America—that they're aging.

Speaker #1: They're going to need replaced. In the past, we would see repair and remodel recover after two years. So the word unprecedented, three years, is used quite regularly.

Speaker #1: We're not sure where 2026 ends up. I think we're very similar to many other companies that are reporting right now. But I have no doubt it's going to come back.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: I think we're very similar to many other companies that are reporting right now. I have no doubt it's going to come back. We're going to make sure we're going to invest in the appropriate products, marketing, and our brand, that when that's there, we can be driving well above market returns.

Speaker #1: We're going to make sure we're going to invest in the appropriate products. Marketing and our brand that when that's there, we can be driving well above market returns.

Speaker #8: Great. That's really helpful, Color. And then I just wanted to touch on the gross profit margin bridge again. Any color as to sort of what level of inflation you're expecting in some of your cost categories and maybe how you guys are thinking about continuous improvement in 2026?

Adam Zambanini: Great. That's really helpful color. I just wanted to touch on the gross profit margin bridge again. Any color as to sort of what level of inflation you're expecting in some of your cost categories, and maybe how you guys are thinking about continuous improvement in 2026? Lastly, how are you guys baking in any benefit from the lapping of the cost associated with the improvements in deck, in the enhanced deck boards, and I guess, the warranty expense that you just called out in the Q4 here?

Speaker #8: And then lastly, how are you guys baking in any benefit from the lapping of the costs associated with the improvements in the enhanced deck boards?

Speaker #8: And I guess the warranty expense that you just called out in the fourth quarter here.

Speaker #10: So there was a lot in there. A couple of things. In terms of the gross margin bridge, as we said in the last call in Q3 as well, basically, we are going to have product.

Prithvi Gandhi: There was a lot in there. A couple of things. In terms of, you know, the gross margin bridge, as we said in the last call in Q3 as well, basically, you know, we are gonna have we always have productivity projects, and they do offset a lot of the, you know, the decline that we see in gross margin this year. As we told you in the last call, our productivity and our pricing, we were able to offset all of the additional discounting, but we also had this big depreciation headwind. There was, you know, the mix change in the higher growth from railing that we weren't fully able to offset.

Prithviraj Gandhi: There was a lot in there. A couple of things. In terms of, you know, the gross margin bridge, as we said in the last call in Q3 as well, basically, you know, we are gonna have we always have productivity projects, and they do offset a lot of the, you know, the decline that we see in gross margin this year. As we told you in the last call, our productivity and our pricing, we were able to offset all of the additional discounting, but we also had this big depreciation headwind. There was, you know, the mix change in the higher growth from railing that we weren't fully able to offset.

Speaker #10: We always have productivity projects, and they do offset a lot of the decline that we see in gross margin this year. But as we told you in the last call, we aren't—our productivity and our pricing, we were able to offset some of all of the additional discounting—but we also had this big depreciation headwind.

Speaker #10: And then there was the mixed change in the higher growth from railing that we weren't fully able to offset. So that's still continues, and that's why you see overall the one or the 100 basis point decline in gross margin.

Prithvi Gandhi: That still continues, and that's why you see overall the 1, you know, the 100 basis point decline in gross margin.

Prithviraj Gandhi: That still continues, and that's why you see overall the 1, you know, the 100 basis point decline in gross margin.

Speaker #8: Great. Helpful, Color. Thank you.

Adam Zambanini: Great, helpful color. Thank you.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Trevor Allenson with Wolfe Research. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Trevor Allinson with Wolfe Research. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Truman Patterson with Wolfe Research. Please go ahead.

Speaker #11: Good evening. Thank you for taking my questions, and I'll echo congratulations to both Bryan and Adam. First one on railing. You guys talked about double-digit growth here.

Trey Grooms: Good evening. Thank you for taking my questions. I'll echo congratulations to both Bryan and Adam. First one, on railing, you guys talked about double-digit growth here. You're expecting double digits again in 2026. Given all this growth, can you size that business here for us as we're exiting 2025?

Truman Patterson: Good evening. Thank you for taking my questions. I'll echo congratulations to both Bryan and Adam. First one, on railing, you guys talked about double-digit growth here. You're expecting double digits again in 2026. Given all this growth, can you size that business here for us as we're exiting 2025?

Speaker #11: You're expecting double digits again in 2026. Given all this growth, can you size that business here for us as we're exiting 2025?

Speaker #10: It is not a separate business segment. For the company, so we will provide market share indicators as we move forward, as we continue to grow that.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: It is not a separate business segment for the company. We will provide market share indicators as we move forward, as we continue to grow that. We've not broken that out as a separate business.

Speaker #10: But we've not broken that out as a separate business.

Speaker #8: Okay. Understood. And then second question going back to the revenue guide. Similar to what you guys have seen the last couple of years, but you're ramping marketing spend this year.

Trey Grooms: Okay, understood. Second question, going back to the revenue guide. Similar to what you guys have seen the last couple of years, but you're ramping marketing spend this year. You've also got some wins with the home centers filtering in throughout the year. I guess the question would be, how do you expect your growth rate compares to the decking market overall in 2026? Have you built in the tailwinds from this additional marketing spend into your number, or would that be potential upside to your expectation, should you see some really strong execution with those initiatives?

Truman Patterson: Okay, understood. Second question, going back to the revenue guide. Similar to what you guys have seen the last couple of years, but you're ramping marketing spend this year. You've also got some wins with the home centers filtering in throughout the year. I guess the question would be, how do you expect your growth rate compares to the decking market overall in 2026? Have you built in the tailwinds from this additional marketing spend into your number, or would that be potential upside to your expectation, should you see some really strong execution with those initiatives?

Speaker #8: You've also got some wins with the home centers. Filtering in throughout the year. I guess the question would be, how do you expect your growth rate compares to the decking market overall in 2026?

Speaker #8: And then, have you built in the tailwinds from this additional marketing spend into your number, or would that be potential upside to your expectation should you see some really strong execution with those initiatives?

Bryan H. Fairbanks: We've outperformed overall repair and remodel considerably over the last couple of years. I would expect our growth to be somewhat ahead of the general overall growth for the decking and railing marketplace because of those account wins as well as the marketing we're doing. Remember, part of that marketing is making sure that our name is in front of everybody for the long-term benefit of the Trex brand as well.

Speaker #10: We've outperformed overall repair and remodel considerably over the last couple of years. I would expect our growth to be somewhat ahead of the general overall growth for the decking and railing marketplace because of those account wins as well as the marketing we're doing.

Speaker #10: Remember, part of that marketing is making sure that our name is in front of everybody for the long-term benefit of the Trex brand as well.

Speaker #8: Okay. Makes sense. Thank you for all the color, and good luck moving forward.

Trey Grooms: Okay, makes sense. Thank you for all the color, and good luck moving forward.

Truman Patterson: Okay, makes sense. Thank you for all the color, and good luck moving forward.

Speaker #10: Thanks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Michael Rowe with JPMorgan. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Michael Reh with JP Morgan. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Michael Rehaut with JP Morgan. Please go ahead.

Speaker #8: Great. Thanks for taking my questions and congrats, Bryan. Appreciated working with you all your help. And Adam, look forward to the future working with you.

Michael Reh: Great. Thanks for taking my questions, and congrats, Bryan. Appreciated working with you, all your help, and Adam, look forward to the future of working with you. My first question, just on, wanted to get a sense, kind of big picture, how you're thinking about where the composite decking share is within the broader decking market. I mean, I think last data point we had was maybe around 25%. Wanted to kind of understand if that's still the case as we close out 2025, and how maybe we should think, you know, what's been the share gains of composite, you know, versus the broader decking market over the last couple of years? How maybe we should think about the next couple of years?

Michael Rehaut: Great. Thanks for taking my questions, and congrats, Bryan. Appreciated working with you, all your help, and Adam, look forward to the future of working with you. My first question, just on, wanted to get a sense, kind of big picture, how you're thinking about where the composite decking share is within the broader decking market. I mean, I think last data point we had was maybe around 25%. Wanted to kind of understand if that's still the case as we close out 2025, and how maybe we should think, you know, what's been the share gains of composite, you know, versus the broader decking market over the last couple of years? How maybe we should think about the next couple of years?

Speaker #1: Next slide.

Speaker #8: First question just on I wanted to get a sense kind of big picture how you're thinking about where the composite decking share is within the broader decking market.

Speaker #8: I mean, I think last data point we had was maybe around 25%. Wanted to kind of understand if that's still the case as we close out 2025.

Speaker #8: And how maybe we should be thinking—what's been the share gains of composite versus the broader decking market over the last couple of years?

Speaker #8: How maybe we should think about the next couple of years?

Speaker #12: Yeah. So it is about 25% when you look at wood alternative. It's about 21% in wood plastic composite. It's about another 4, 4 and a half percent in the PVC.

Adam Zambanini: Yeah. It is about 25% when you look at wood alternative. It's about 21% in wood plastic composite. It's about another 4.5% in the PVC. That's why we have interest there is, there's only really two players that are really of any magnitude in that PVC category. We're definitely gonna be looking at targeting that in addition to the wood segment, which is still the 75% in terms of conversion there. Both the wood plastic composites and the PVC markets are both growing, moving forward. In terms of, like, projections, they're anywhere from... The latest one, it was 1.7%. Okay, 1.7% on the growth. We've been outperforming that the last several years.

Speaker #12: And so that's why we have interest there is there's only really two players that are really of any magnitude in that PVC category. So we're definitely going to be looking at targeting that in addition to the wood segment, which is still the 75% there.

Speaker #12: In terms of conversion there. And both the wood plastic composites and the PVC markets are both growing moving forward in terms of projections they're anywhere from so latest one, it was 1.7%.

Speaker #12: Okay. So 1.7% on the growth. We've been outperforming that the last several years.

Speaker #8: Okay. No, I appreciate that, Adam. I guess secondly, you've highlighted some of the strength in distribution agreements in your press release and the prepared comments.

Michael Reh: Okay. No, I appreciate that, Adam Baumgarten. I guess secondly, you know, you've highlighted some of the strength in distribution agreements in your press release and in the prepared comments. We heard from, you know, one of your competitors a couple of weeks ago around some of the challenges that they've been having with market share as well. You know, wanted to kind of get a better sense of how you anticipate some of those shifts playing out over the next year or two, and, you know, if there's any way to think about how those share shifts might be benefiting Trex from a top-line perspective.

Michael Rehaut: Okay. No, I appreciate that, Adam Baumgarten. I guess secondly, you know, you've highlighted some of the strength in distribution agreements in your press release and in the prepared comments. We heard from, you know, one of your competitors a couple of weeks ago around some of the challenges that they've been having with market share as well. You know, wanted to kind of get a better sense of how you anticipate some of those shifts playing out over the next year or two, and, you know, if there's any way to think about how those share shifts might be benefiting Trex from a top-line perspective.

Speaker #8: We heard from one of your competitors a couple of weeks ago around some of the challenges that they've been having with market share as well.

Speaker #8: So wanted to kind of get a better sense of how you anticipate some of those shifts playing out over the next year or two and if there's any way to think about how those share shifts might be benefiting Trex from a top-line perspective.

Speaker #10: I think what you're seeing in the marketplace is your best distributors in specialty building recognize those are the distributors that we focus on. Those distributors are focusing on the top two companies.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: I think what you're seeing in the marketplace is your best distributors in specialty building materials. I think it's important to recognize, those are the distributors that we focus on. Those distributors are focusing on the top two companies, that have a composite decking, railing-type products that are out there. We're pleased with the footprint that we have today. Some of the announcements we made last year were just some fill-ins that we felt that we needed to address expanding relationships with current business partners that we had in areas that we felt that we could be a little bit stronger. Overall, very comfortable where we are and pleased with those that represent the Trex brand.

Speaker #10: That have composite decking, railing-type products that are out there. Or pleased with the footprint that we have today. Some of the announcements we made last year, we're just some fill-ins that we felt.

Speaker #10: That we needed to address expanding relationships with current business partners that we had in areas that we felt we could be a little bit stronger.

Speaker #10: But overall, very comfortable where we are and pleased with those that represent the Trex brand.

Speaker #8: Great. Thanks.

Michael Reh: Great. Thanks.

Michael Rehaut: Great. Thanks.

Speaker #10: Thanks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks.

Speaker #3: Next question comes from Ruben Garner with Benchmark. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: Next question comes from Reuben Garner with Benchmark. Please go ahead.

Operator: Next question comes from Reuben Garner with Benchmark. Please go ahead.

Speaker #13: Thanks. Good evening, guys, and congrats to Bryan and Adam, to you both. Let's see. So, are there any costs, or were there any costs in the fourth quarter associated with the shelf space wins you had, or do you foresee any on the way?

Reuben Garner: Thanks. Good evening, guys, and congrats, Bryan and Adam, to you both. Let's see. Are there any costs or were there any costs in the Q4 associated with the shelf space wins you had, or do you foresee any on the way? I know in the past, you've had to kind of buy inventory in some cases. Is there anything like that embedded in either the outlook or in the Q4 numbers?

Speaker #13: I know in the past, you've had to kind of buy inventory in some cases. Is there anything like that embedded in either the Outlook or in the fourth-quarter numbers?

Speaker #10: No, there's nothing in the fourth-quarter number. There are some costs as we move through this year that are embedded within the guidance.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: There's nothing in the Q4 number. There are some costs as we move through this year. That is embedded within the guidance. Yeah.

Speaker #13: Okay. And then a question on the way it works with contractors and some of the adjustments you've made to marketing spend or incentives. Are any of your competitors, or are you guys, locking in any contractors with aligned agreements that maybe some of the benefits of your changes might kind of take hold more in '27 than '26 necessarily?

Reuben Garner: Okay. A question on the way it works with contractors and some of the adjustments you've made to marketing spend or incentives. Are any of your competitors or are you guys locking in any contractors with like aligned agreements that maybe some of the benefits of your changes might kind of take hold more in 2027 than 2026 necessarily? Is this something we could see longer-term benefits from as well? I'm just curious on how that works from a contractor standpoint.

Speaker #13: Is this something we could see longer-term benefits from as well? Just curious on how that works from a contractor standpoint.

Speaker #10: We have a mix of contractor agreements in the markets. And I would say they're less formal especially when you start talking about exclusivity. The contractor is working exclusively with the brand.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: We have a mix of contractor agreements in the markets. I would say they're less formal, especially when you start talking about exclusivity. If a contractor is working exclusively with a brand, they're doing it out of choice because they are getting the strongest support from that organization. They're getting the best products. There are incentives that come along with it. There's growth incentives and things along those lines. A large portion do work with multiple brands. They want to keep some flexibility in the marketplace. We've got a good share of fully exclusive contractors that are in the market, as well as contractors that use a variety of different brands. Trex is their largest driver of their business.

Speaker #10: They're doing it out of choice because they are getting the strongest support from that organization. They're getting the best products. There are incentives that come along with it.

Speaker #10: There's growth incentives and things along that along those lines. But a large portion do work with multiple brands. They want to keep some flexibility in the marketplace.

Speaker #10: We've got a good share of fully exclusive contractors that are in the market as well as contractors that use a variety of different brands and Trex is their largest driver of their business.

Speaker #13: Great. Thanks, guys, and good luck this year.

Reuben Garner: Great. Thanks, guys, and good luck this year.

Speaker #10: Thanks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks.

Speaker #12: Thank you.

Keith Hughes: Thank you.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Trey Grooms with Stevens. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Trey Grooms with Stephens. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Trey Grooms with Stephens. Please go ahead.

Speaker #12: Hey, good afternoon and yeah, congrats to both of you, Bryan. Best of luck on your next chapter and Adam, congrats on the new role.

Trey Grooms: Hey, good afternoon, yeah, congrats to both of you. Bryan, best of luck on your next chapter, and Adam, congrats on the new role. Well deserved.

Speaker #12: Well deserved. So I guess first, and I know we've spent some time on the guidance there, but as you kind of look at the puts and takes on the full-year guide, specifically around the implied EBITDA margins, I think there's about 100 basis points difference there from the high to the low end.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thank you.

Trey Grooms: I guess, first, and I know we've spent some time on the guidance there. As you kind of look at the puts and takes on the full year guide, specifically, you know, around the implied EBITDA margins, I think there's, you know, about 100 basis point difference there from the high to the low end. I guess really what gets you to the, maybe the high end versus the low end is specifically around the EBITDA margin range for the year.

Speaker #12: I guess really what gets you to the maybe the high-end versus the low-end specifically around the EBITDA margin range for the year.

Speaker #10: The volume. I mean, that's going to be the strongest driver whether it's going to be this year. We get that higher volume, that absorption's coming through.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Volume. I mean, that's gonna be the strongest driver, whether it's going to be this year, we get that higher volume, that absorption is coming through. I think it's an important point to make for everybody on the call. As Trex adds volume to our existing capacity as well as new capacity, that improvement in gross margin and EBITDA margin starts coming through quickly. I think back to the early years, 2012 through 2019 timeframe, I'd encourage you to go back and look at some of the margin improvement. Now, some of that came through some of our own cost improvements we were doing, lower cost polyethylene, but a big driver of that was filling existing capacity that we have here, and that is a significant opportunity for the company to continue driving that, put more dollars back to our shareholders.

Speaker #10: I think it's an important point to make for everybody on the call. As Trex adds volume to our existing capacity as well as new capacity, that improvement in gross margin and EBITDA margin starts coming through quickly.

Speaker #10: I think back to the early years, 2012 through 2019 timeframe, I'd encourage you to go back and look at some of the margin improvement.

Speaker #10: Now, some of that came through some of our own cost improvements we were doing, lower-cost polyethylene. But a big driver of that was filling existing capacity that we have here.

Speaker #10: And that is a significant opportunity for the company to continue driving more dollars back to our shareholders.

Speaker #12: Yeah, yeah. I recall back in the day, a lot of attention around utilization rates, capacity utilization in the powerful influence it can have on your margins.

Trey Grooms: Yeah, yeah. I recall, back in the day, you know, a lot of attention around utilization rates, capacity utilization and the powerful, you know, influence it can have on your margins. That's good to hear.

Speaker #12: So that's good to hear. And then Adam, secondly, kind of bigger picture maybe, as you take the reins here, any strategic or operating changes maybe that you see here or that we should be kind of expecting on the horizon as you're entering your new role?

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Absolutely.

Trey Grooms: Adam, secondly, you know, kind of bigger picture maybe, you know, as you take the reins here, any strategic or, you know, operating changes maybe that you see here or that we should be kind of expecting on the horizon, you know, as you're entering your new role?

Speaker #13: Yeah. Great question. When you think about it, we've been working together for a long time, Bryan and I. And so we've been pretty in lockstep on the strategy.

Adam Zambanini: Yeah, great question. You know, when you think about it, we've been working together for a long time, Bryan and I, we've been pretty in lockstep on the strategy. There's no hard changes. When I think about the leadership team, we're gonna be focused on the roles that are gonna kinda reshape some of the cultural things, the performance standards. I think I bring an innovation angle. Some of my philosophy is, some of the hardest experiences are the best experiences. In my mind, we need to change the game in terms of our products, on decking. You know, a color or a streak to a deck board, that to me, is table stakes these days. We need to somehow make an impactful or a dent in the market, right?

Speaker #13: So there's no hard changes. But when I think about the leadership team, we're going to be focused on the roles that are going to kind of reshape some of the cultural things, the performance standards. I think I bring an innovation angle.

Speaker #13: Some of my philosophy is: some of the hardest experiences are the best experiences. So, in my mind, we need to change the game in terms of our product on decking.

Speaker #13: So, a color or a streak to a deck board, that to me is table stakes these days. We need to somehow make an impact or a dent in the market, right?

Speaker #13: And so that's what I'm going to be after is what is going to build that, I called it the durable, defensible moat that we can compete in and nobody else can.

Adam Zambanini: That's what I'm going to be after, is what is going to build that, I called it the durable, defensible moat, that we can compete in and nobody else can. You will see me really focus on some of those things on the high performance innovation. We've talked about performance engineered for your life outdoors. Now, you're starting to see some of these applications, right? I believe we're the leader in heat mitigation technology. We're now focused on submersible marine applications, and then now fire is a big thing that we're really chasing, going after. I think you're going to see different forms of innovation from Trex moving forward, and that'll be some of the things that will be evidenced, I think, as you look after my first year here at the helm of Trex.

Speaker #13: And so you will see me really focus on some of those things on the high-performance innovation. And we've talked about performance engineered for your life outdoors.

Speaker #13: Now you're starting to see some of these applications, right? I believe we're the leader in heat mitigation technology. We're now focused on submersible marine applications.

Speaker #13: And then now, fire is a big thing that we're really chasing, going after. So I think you're going to see different forms of innovation from Trex moving forward.

Speaker #13: And that'll be some of the things that we'll be evidence, I think, as you look after my first year here at the Helmet Trex.

Speaker #13: Very encouraging. Thanks for taking my question. And best of luck, guys.

Steven Ramsey: Very encouraging. Thanks for taking my question, best of luck, guys.

Trey Grooms: Very encouraging. Thanks for taking my question, best of luck, guys.

Speaker #10: Thanks, Trey.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks, Trevor.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Adam Baumgarten with Vertical Research. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Adam Baumgarten, with Vertical Research. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Adam Baumgarten, with Vertical Research. Please go ahead.

Speaker #13: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my question. Just one quick one for me. Just on the gross margin print, can you just give us an actual number just because there's a lot of different consensus numbers out there?

Adam Baumgarten: Hey, guys. Thanks for taking my question. Just one quick one for me. Just on the gross margin. Bryan Fairbanks, can you just give us an actual number just because there's a lot of different consensus numbers out there, and just wanna make sure we're thinking about this properly?

Speaker #13: I just want to make sure we're thinking about this properly.

Speaker #10: Yeah. For the full year?

Prithvi Gandhi: Yeah, for the full year?

Prithviraj Gandhi: Yeah, for the full year?

Speaker #13: Yeah.

Adam Baumgarten: Yeah.

Speaker #10: Yeah. Again, around a mid-37% gross margin. Against our midpoint of our guide on revenue, in that ballpark.

Prithvi Gandhi: Yeah. Again, you know, around mid 37% gross margin, against the, you know, our midpoint of our guide on revenue in that ballpark.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Yeah. Again, you know, around mid 37% gross margin, against the, you know, our midpoint of our guide on revenue in that ballpark.

Speaker #13: Okay. Perfect. Thanks, guys.

Adam Baumgarten: Okay, cool. Thanks, guys.

Speaker #10: Thanks.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Matthew Bulli with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Matthew Bouley, with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Matthew Bouley, with Barclays. Please go ahead.

Speaker #14: Good evening, everyone. Thanks for taking the questions. Best of luck to both Bryan and Adam. Going forward here, just a question on the revenue cadence.

Matthew Bouley: Good evening, everyone. Thanks for taking the questions. Best of luck to both Bryan and Adam going forward here. Just a question on the revenue cadence. Apologies if I misheard it. I think you guided to roughly flattish revenue in Q1 on a year-over-year basis, and maybe that suggests the Q2 to Q4 would be up 4% to 5% year-over-year. Just anything to that, just timing of, you know, channel inventories, et cetera, just what would be driving that?

Speaker #14: Apologies if I misheard it. I think you guided to roughly flattish revenue in Q1 on a year-over-year basis. And maybe that suggests the second to fourth quarter would be up 4 to 5 percent year-over-year.

Speaker #14: So just anything to that, just timing of channel inventories, etc., just what would be driving that?

Speaker #10: Yeah. Shaping first from a first quarter perspective. We've talked a lot about inventories. In the past, we do not want to have excess inventories in the channel regardless of how the market turns.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Shaping, first, from a Q1 perspective, we've talked a lot about inventories in the past. We do not want to have excess inventories in the channel, regardless of how the market turns. We will have the ability to supply our customers. We've also gone through some rough weather in the past 30 days or so. Again, part of the reason not to put anything additional into the channel during the early buy period. When we look at it from a shaping perspective, roughly in line with last year from a first half versus second half, let's call it slightly lower in the first half than the second half, otherwise similar.

Speaker #10: We will have the ability to supply our customers. We've also gone through some rough weather in the past 30 days. So again, part of the reason not to put anything additional into the channel during the early buy period.

Speaker #10: When we look at it from a shaping perspective, roughly in line with last year from a first half versus second half, let's call it slightly lower.

Speaker #10: In the first half and the second half, but otherwise, similar.

Speaker #14: Okay, perfect. Thank you for that, Bryan. And then secondly, back on the gross margin—so I think if I heard you correctly around Q1, you're talking sort of a low, maybe 38% gross margin?

Matthew Bouley: Okay, perfect. Thank you for that, Bryan Fairbanks. Secondly, back on the gross margin. I think if I heard you correctly around Q1, you're talking sort of a low, maybe 38 gross margin, and, you know, correct me if I'm wrong, but sort of what you just said around the full year-

Speaker #14: And correct me if I'm wrong. But sort of what you just said around the full year. Seems to imply. Yep. Go ahead.

Prithvi Gandhi: So I think-

Prithviraj Gandhi: So I think-

Matthew Bouley: Yep, go ahead.

Speaker #10: No, last year, I think we were about 40.5% gross margin. So about 100 basis points below that.

Prithvi Gandhi: Last year, I think we were about 40.5% gross margin, about 100 basis points below that.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Last year, I think we were about 40.5% gross margin, about 100 basis points below that.

Speaker #14: Oh, okay. Got it. I thought you were talking about relative to consensus. Okay. That makes a lot more sense. Well, I guess the question ends up similar.

Matthew Bouley: Oh, okay. Got it. I thought you were talking about relative to consensus. Okay, that makes a lot more sense. Well, I guess the question ends up similar. What I was trying to get at was, obviously, given the depreciation comments you gave, certainly the headwind gets, you know, fairly larger as you go through the year, and it's a lot bigger in Q4. Is there just any other sort of positive offsets to that gross margin, Q2, Q3, Q4, maybe thinking kind of your level loading production, et cetera, that might offset some of that kind of mounting D&A headwind?

Speaker #14: What I was trying to get at was obviously, given the depreciation comments you gave, certainly the headwind gets fairly larger as you go through the year.

Speaker #14: And it's a lot bigger in Q4. Is there just any other sort of positive offsets to that gross margin due to Q3, Q4, maybe thinking kind of your level loading production etc., that might offset some of that kind of mounting DNA headwind?

Speaker #10: Yeah. There's always going to be the opportunities. We've got a strong group that's always focused on continuous improvement. We have a significant number of projects that will enter into the system and will start generating benefits from that this year.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah, there's always going to be the opportunities. We've got a strong group that's always focused on continuous improvement. We have a significant number of projects that will enter into the system, and they'll start generating benefits from that this year. There's always more opportunities as we go forward. That team has over-delivered the past couple of years, so we'll be looking for them to deliver on that. Trying to keep the. Not assume that all of that's going to come through. I can tell you the management team is absolutely focused on driving improvement to those numbers.

Speaker #10: There's always more opportunities as we go forward. That team has over-delivered the past couple of years. So we'll be looking for them to deliver.

Speaker #10: On that, trying to keep the not assume that all of that's going to come through, but I can tell you the management team is absolutely focused on driving improvement to those numbers.

Speaker #10: Yeah. I mean, we always look for ways to optimize the use of the lines and so forth. So that's always things that we look at to drive improvement.

Prithvi Gandhi: Yeah, I mean, we always look for, you know, ways to optimize the use of the lines and so forth. That's always things that we look at to drive improvement.

Prithviraj Gandhi: Yeah, I mean, we always look for, you know, ways to optimize the use of the lines and so forth. That's always things that we look at to drive improvement.

Speaker #14: Okay. Thanks, guys. Good luck.

Matthew Bouley: Okay. Thanks, guys. Good luck.

Speaker #10: Yeah.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Yeah.

Speaker #3: The next question comes from Steven Ramsey with Thomson Research Group. Please go ahead.

Cassie Motz: The next question comes from Steven Ramsey, with Thompson Research Group. Please go ahead.

Operator: The next question comes from Steven Ramsey, with Thompson Research Group. Please go ahead.

Speaker #15: Hi, good evening. I wanted to start with more distributors adopting the full portfolio of railing solutions. Were there certain railing SKUs that were bigger drivers in '25, such as price points or any other ways to parse that out?

Steven Ramsey: Hi, good evening. Wanted to start with more distributors adopting the full portfolio of railing solutions. Were there certain railing SKUs that were bigger drivers in 25, such as price points or any other ways to parse that out? Do you think the same drivers help in 26?

Speaker #15: And do you think the same drivers help in '26?

Speaker #13: I think it's really across the board. Trex competes at the lowest end against vinyl, PVC rail. We've offered an opening price point aluminum rail.

Adam Zambanini: I think it's really across the board. Trex competes at the lowest end against vinyl PVC rail. We've offered an opening price point, aluminum rail, then we step up into wood plastic composites, and then we go back to, once again, higher end aluminum that has what we call rod rail, cable rail, glass rail. Once again, nobody has this broad portfolio, so we've seen wins across the board in every single segment, because the issue with railing is there's a tremendous amount of working capital tied up to the SKUs there. If you're carrying three or four brands of railing, you're generally, your margins, it's hard to turn a profit on that. By consolidating into one brand, getting your counter salespeople to only focus on Trex makes you highly profitable.

Speaker #13: Then we step up into wood, plastic, composites. And then we go back to, once again, higher-end aluminum that has what we call rod rail, cable rail, glass rail.

Speaker #13: Once again, nobody has this broad portfolio. And so we've seen winds across the board in every single segment because the issue with railing is there's a tremendous amount of working capital, tied up to the amount of SKUs there.

Speaker #13: And if you're carrying three or four brands of railing, you're generally your margins, it's hard to turn a profit on that. And so by consolidation into one brand, getting your counter salespeople to only focus on direct on Trex, makes you highly profitable.

Speaker #13: So from there, the consolidation just makes a lot of sense. Plus, our service levels are bar none the best when it comes to this part of the portfolio.

Adam Zambanini: From there, the consolidation just makes a lot of sense. Plus, our service levels are bar none the best when it comes to this part of the portfolio. That's another reason why you want to partner with Trex. You got the brand, the best product portfolio, the best service. Why not Trex?

Speaker #13: So that's another reason why you want to partner with Trex. You got the brand, the best product portfolio, the best service. Why not Trex?

Speaker #15: Okay. That's great insight. And then secondly, on incentives, from a bigger picture, with Arkansas, set to provide much better margins as volume ramps up, does that give you capacity to further expand incentives in the next couple of years to continue driving volume?

Steven Ramsey: Okay, that's great insight. Secondly, on incentives from a bigger picture, with Arkansas set to provide much better margins as volume ramps up, does that give you capacity to further expand incentives in the next 2 years to continue driving volume?

Speaker #10: I wouldn't say that the capacity is there to drive incentives. The capacity is going to be there to support volumes along the way. I think we're in the right place from an incentive perspective.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: I wouldn't say that the capacity is there to drive incentives. The capacity is going to be there to support volumes along the way. I think we're in the right place from an incentive perspective. We haven't seen escalation from that perspective in the marketplace. Where there was some catch up that we needed to do, we talked about that in Q3. Everything that we've heard from the channel is we're in the right place. A lot of these programs are driven by growth to be able to earn out those incentives.

Speaker #10: We haven't seen escalation from that perspective. In the marketplace, so there was some catch-up that we needed to do. We talked about that in the third quarter.

Speaker #10: And everything that we've heard from the channel is we're in the right place. And a lot of these programs, are driven by growth to be able to earn out those incentives.

Speaker #15: Okay. That's great color. Thank you.

Steven Ramsey: Okay, that's great color. Thank you.

Speaker #10: Thanks. Appreciate the questions.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Thanks. Appreciate the questions.

Speaker #3: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Bryan Fairbanks for any closing remarks.

Cassie Motz: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Bryan Fairbanks for any closing remarks.

Operator: This concludes our question and answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Bryan Fairbanks for any closing remarks.

Speaker #10: Adam, Chris, and I look forward to seeing you at conferences and other meetings in the coming weeks. Thank you to everybody on the call that have supported me, both as CEO and the Trex company as a whole.

Bryan H. Fairbanks: Adam, Bryan Fairbanks, and I look forward to seeing you at conferences and other meetings in the coming weeks. Thank you to everybody on the call that have supported me, both as CEO and the Trex Company, Inc. as a whole. Have a great evening.

Speaker #10: Have a great evening.

Cassie Motz: The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.

Operator: The conference has now concluded. Thank you for attending today's presentation. You may now disconnect.

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