Q2 2026 Lindsay Corp Earnings Call

April 2, 2026

Speaker #1: Good day, and welcome to the Lindsay Fiscal Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. All participants will be in a listen-only mode. Should you need assistance, please signal a conference specialist by pressing the star key followed by zero.

Speaker #1: After today's presentation, there will be an opportunity to ask questions. To ask a question, you may press star, then one on your touchtone phone. You may also withdraw your question.

Speaker #1: Please press star , then two . Please note this event is being recorded . I would now like to turn the conference over to Mr. Randy Wood , president and CEO .

Speaker #1: Please go ahead, sir.

Randy Wood: Thank you and good morning, everyone. Welcome to our fiscal 2026 Q2 earnings call. With me today is Sam Hinrichsen, our Chief Financial Officer. Before commenting on our quarterly results, I'd like to address recent developments related to the conflict in the Middle East. We are closely monitoring the situation, with our top priority remaining the safety of our employees and partners in the region. The MENA market has been a strong source of growth for our international irrigation business, and deliveries tied to our most recent project are meaningful to our revenue. The project remains on schedule and our supply chains are currently operating without disruption. Any future risk will depend on the duration of the conflict and the potential for broader geographic impact. At this time, we remain well-positioned to continue supporting our customers and dealers across the region. Turning to our Q2 results.

Speaker #2: Thank you and good morning , everyone . Welcome to our fiscal 2026 second quarter earnings call . With me today is Sam Henrikson , our chief financial officer Before commenting on our quarterly results , I'd like to address recent developments related to the conflict in the Middle East .

Speaker #2: We are closely monitoring the situation, with our top priority remaining the safety of our employees and partners in the region. The MENA market has been a strong source of growth for our international irrigation business, and deliveries tied to our most recent project are meaningful to our revenue. The project remains on schedule, and our supply chains are currently operating without disruption.

Speaker #2: Any future risk will depend on the duration of the conflict and the potential for broader geographic impact. At this time, we remain well positioned to continue supporting our customers and dealers across the region. Turning to our second quarter results.

Randy Wood: I'm very proud of our team's execution. Despite continued external headwinds in the agriculture industry, including trade uncertainty, higher input costs, and weakening sentiment, our team demonstrated strong operational discipline. We remain focused on the levers within our control, particularly pricing, cost management, and operational efficiency, while continuing to invest strategically to position the business for long-term growth. In North America, our irrigation business customers continued to delay large capital purchases given current farm economics, which as expected, resulted in lower unit sales volumes in the quarter. Demand remains soft, consistent with what we outlined last quarter. In our international business, revenues were flat to slightly down year-over-year, driven by lower sales volumes in Brazil and the timing of project revenue in the MENA region. In Brazil, high interest rates and limited access to credit continued to constrain growers' ability to finance capital equipment purchases.

Speaker #2: I'm very proud of our team's execution. Despite continued external headwinds in the agriculture industry, including trade uncertainty, higher input costs, and weakening sentiment.

Speaker #2: Our team demonstrated strong operational discipline. We remain focused on the levers within our control, particularly pricing, cost management, and operational efficiency.

Speaker #2: While continuing to invest strategically to position the business for long term growth in North America . Our irrigation business customers continued to delay large capital purchases given current farm economics , which , as expected , resulted in lower unit sales volumes in the quarter Demand remained soft , consistent with what we outlined last quarter and our international business revenues were flat to slightly down year over year , driven by lower sales volumes in Brazil and the timing of project revenue in the Mena region .

Speaker #2: In Brazil . High interest rates and limited access to credit continue to constrain growers ability to finance capital equipment purchases Additionally , local market , local market feedback suggests the 2026 crop plan , expected to be released in July , will include lower financing rates than the prior year .

Randy Wood: Additionally, local market feedback suggests the 2026 crop plan, expected to be released in July, will include lower financing rates than the prior year. As a result, many customers are taking a wait and see approach. Our Infrastructure segment performance reflects the expected impact of a difficult comparison to the prior year, which included the delivery of a $20 million Road Zipper project, which we did not expect to repeat. Excluding the Road Zipper project, our infrastructure business grew 6% led by higher sales in road safety products. Turning to market outlook. As we mentioned last quarter, we expect softer market conditions to persist in the near term in North America. While customer quotations are down slightly versus prior year, we are not seeing the traditional pickup in spring order volume.

Speaker #2: As a result , many customers are taking a wait and see approach . Our infrastructure segment performance reflects the expected impact of a difficult comparison to the prior year , which included the delivery of a $20 million road zipper project , which we did not expect to repeat Excluding the road zipper project , our infrastructure business grew 6% , led by higher sales in road safety products Turning to market outlook .

Speaker #2: As we mentioned last quarter , we expect softer market conditions to persist in the near term . In North America , while customer quotations are down slightly versus prior year , we are not seeing the traditional pickup in spring order volume Current market indicators , including input costs and overall farm profitability , suggest the current trough environment will continue until there's greater clarity around trade impacts , profitability and resolution in the Middle East and our international markets , we remain encouraged by the overall outlook for future growth , particularly in regions focused on improving food security and water resource management Near-Term recovery in Brazil will depend on grower response to the new crop plan and the availability of attractive financing .

Randy Wood: Current market indicators, including input costs and overall farm profitability, suggest the current trough environment will continue until there's greater clarity around trade impacts, profitability, and resolution in the Middle East. In our international markets, we remain encouraged by the overall outlook for future growth, particularly in regions focused on improving food security and water resource management. Near term recovery in Brazil will depend on grower response to the new crop plan and the availability of attractive financing. While we will closely monitor customer sentiment at the Agrishow later this month, we do not expect any meaningful market recovery until the new crop plan is released in July. We remain optimistic in Brazil and continue to see a compelling long-term secular growth opportunity in that market. Within our Infrastructure segment, we continue to see opportunities develop across the portfolio and the Road Zipper sales funnel remains strong.

Speaker #2: While we will closely monitor customer sentiment at the agri show later this month, we do not expect any meaningful market recovery until the new crop plan is released in July.

Speaker #2: We remain optimistic in Brazil and continue to see a compelling long-term secular growth opportunity in that market within our infrastructure segment. We continue to see opportunities develop across the portfolio and the roadmap.

Randy Wood: We do see opportunities for continued growth in road safety products, which has provided solid support to our results this year. During the quarter, we introduced two new products at the American Traffic Safety Services Association trade show. The AlphaGuard channeling device delivers speed, strength, and flexibility, allowing it to be used in both emergency applications as well as everyday use. The Road Runner is a breakthrough truck-mounted attenuator that prioritizes speed of deployment and unmatched durability. The introduction of these new road safety solutions highlights our investment in innovation and the growing demand for efficient and safe roadway solutions. I'd like to now turn the call over to Sam to discuss our fiscal Q2 financial results. Sam?

Speaker #2: Sales funnel remains strong. We do see opportunities for continued growth in road safety products, which has provided solid support to our results this year. During the quarter, we introduced two new products at the American Traffic Safety Services Association trade show.

Speaker #2: The Alpha Guard Channeling device delivers speed, strength, and flexibility, allowing it to be used in both emergency applications as well as everyday use.

Speaker #2: The Road Runner is a breakthrough truck-mounted attenuator that prioritizes speed of deployment and unmatched durability. The introduction of these new road safety solutions highlights our investment in innovation and the growing demand for efficient and safe roadway solutions.

Speaker #2: I'd like to now turn the call over to Sam to discuss our fiscal second quarter financial results. Sam.

Samuel Hinrichsen: Thank you, Randy, and good morning, everyone. Total revenues for Q2 of fiscal 2026 were $157.7 million, a 16% decrease compared to $187.1 million in the prior year. Decline in our consolidated top line was driven by lower revenues in both of our segments. The year-over-year decrease in the Infrastructure business reflects the absence of the $20 million Road Zipper project that was delivered in the prior year, which as Randy mentioned, we did not expect to repeat. Operating income for Q2 was $13 million compared to $32.1 million in the prior year, and operating margin was 8.3% of sales compared to 17.2% of sales last year.

Speaker #3: Thank you , Randy , and good morning , everyone . Total revenues for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 were $157.7 million , a decrease of 16% compared to $187.1 million in the prior year Decline in our consolidated top line was driven by lower revenues in both of our segments .

Speaker #3: The year over year decrease in the infrastructure business reflects the absence of the $20 million road project that was delivered in the prior year , which , as Randy mentioned , we did not expect to repeat Operating income for the second quarter was $13 million , compared to $32.1 million in the prior year , and operating margin was 8.3% of sales , compared to 17.2% of sales last year .

Samuel Hinrichsen: Decrease in operating income was driven by lower revenues, with the most significant driver being the previously mentioned lower Road Zipper projects revenues. Net earnings for the quarter were $12.0 million or $1.16 per diluted share, compared to $26.6 million or $2.44 per diluted share in the prior year. The year-over-year decrease in net earnings reflected the impact of lower operating income and a higher effective tax rate. Turning to operating segment results. Irrigation segment revenues for Q2 were $141.2 million, a decrease of 5% compared to the $148.1 million in the prior year. Results were largely in line with our expectations against the backdrop of a continued challenging agricultural environment.

Speaker #3: Decrease in operating income was driven by lower revenues, with the most significant driver being the previously mentioned lower roots of our projects.

Speaker #3: Revenues . Net earnings for the quarter were $12.0 million , or $1 . $0.15 per diluted share , compared to $26.6 million , or $2.44 per diluted share in the prior year .

Speaker #3: The year-over-year decrease in net earnings reflected the impact of lower operating income and a higher effective tax rate. Turning to operating segment results.

Speaker #3: Irrigation segment revenues for the second quarter were $141.2 million , a decrease of 5% compared to the $148.1 million in the prior year Results were largely in line with our expectations against the backdrop of a continued challenging agricultural environment , North America irrigation revenues were $71 million , down 8% from the previous year as lower unit sales volume was partially offset by higher average selling prices Demand in North America continued to be impacted by low commodity prices and overall tempered farmer sentiment International irrigation revenues were $70.2 million , compared to $71 million in the prior year .

Samuel Hinrichsen: North America irrigation revenues were $71 million, down 8% from the previous year, as lower unit sales volume was partially offset by higher average selling prices. Demand in North America continued to be impacted by low commodity prices and overall tempered farmer sentiment. International irrigation revenues were $70.2 million compared to $71 million in the prior year. The marginal decrease was driven by lower sales volume in Brazil and MENA project timing, which was partially offset by growth in other international markets. Irrigation segment operating income for the quarter was $19.5 million compared to $27.4 million in the prior year. Operating margin represented 13.8% of sales compared to 18.5% of sales last year.

Speaker #3: The marginal decrease was driven by lower sales volume in Brazil and MENA project timing, which was partially offset by growth in other international markets.

Speaker #3: Irrigation segment operating income for the quarter was $19.5 million, compared to $27.4 million in the prior year, and operating margin represented 13.8% of sales, compared to 18.5% of sales last year.

Samuel Hinrichsen: The compression in operating income was mainly a result of lower sales volume in North America, unfavorable regional mix, and the impact of fixed cost deleverage. In our Infrastructure Segment, revenues for Q2 were $16.5 million compared to $38.9 million in the prior year. As expected, the year-over-year decrease was attributable to the absence of the $20 million Road Zipper project that was delivered in the prior year period. Excluding the Road Zipper project, revenues were up 6%, driven by continued growth in road safety products. Infrastructure operating income for the quarter was $1.2 million, down compared to $13.3 million in the prior year, and operating margin was 7.1% of sales compared to 34.1% of sales in the prior year.

Speaker #3: The compression in operating income was mainly a result of lower sales volume in North America, unfavorable regional mix, and the impact of fixed cost deleverage in our infrastructure segment.

Speaker #3: Revenues for the second quarter were $16.5 million , compared to $38.9 million in the prior year . As expected , the year over year decrease was attributable to the absence of the $20 million road project that was delivered in the prior year period , excluding the zipper project , revenues were up 6% , driven by continued growth in road safety products Infrastructure operating income for the was $1.2 million , down compared to $13.3 million in the prior year and operating margin was 7.1% of sales , compared to 34.1% of sales in the prior year .

Samuel Hinrichsen: The decrease in operating income and margin was mainly driven by lower Road Zipper project revenues, which resulted in less favorable mix. Turning to the balance sheet and liquidity. At the end of Q2, our total available liquidity was $236.1 million, which includes $186.1 million in cash and cash equivalents and $50 million available under our current revolving credit facility. During the quarter, we continued to execute against our capital allocation priorities. We returned cash to shareholders by completing $25 million of share repurchases and made progress on key strategic investments. We remain confident in the strength of our balance sheet and our ability to continue investing in the business to support future growth and drive productivity while returning capital to shareholders.

Speaker #3: The decrease in operating income and margin was mainly driven by lower road zipper project revenues, which resulted in a less favorable mix. Turning to the balance sheet and liquidity, at the end of the second quarter our total available liquidity was $236.1 million, which includes $186.1 million in cash and cash equivalents, and $50 million available under our current revolving credit facility.

Speaker #3: During the quarter, we continued to execute against our capital allocation priorities. We returned cash to shareholders by completing $25 million of share repurchases and made progress on key strategic investments.

Speaker #3: We remain confident in the strength of our balance sheet and our ability to continue investing in the business to support future growth and drive productivity, while returning capital to shareholders.

Samuel Hinrichsen: This concludes my remarks, and at this time, I will turn the call over to the operator to take your questions.

Speaker #3: This concludes my remarks, and at this time, I will turn the call over to the operator to take your questions.

Operator: Thank you. We will now begin the question-and-answer session. If you wish to ask a question, you may press star then one on a touch-tone phone. If you are 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. Our first question for today will come from Nathan Jones with Stifel. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Thank you. We will now begin the question and answer session. If you wish to ask a question, you may press star, then one, on your touchtone phone.

Speaker #1: If you are 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.

Speaker #1: Then two . And our first question for today will come from Nathan Jones with Stifel . Please go ahead .

Nathan Jones: Good morning, everyone.

Samuel Hinrichsen: Hi, Nathan. Good morning.

Speaker #4: Good morning everyone . Hi , I guess I'll just start with margins The irrigation margins were were a bit low , even on the volume that we had there .

Nathan Jones: I guess I'll just start with margins. The irrigation margins were a bit low, even on the volume that we had there, I think. You know, the incrementals were over 100%. It's not a big number on the revenue change. Can you just talk about, you know, what the input's there, maybe some more color on, you know, the soft margin in irrigation, if you're seeing any increased pricing pressure from competitors or just what's going on there, please?

Speaker #4: I think in , you know , the incrementals were over 100% . It's not not a big number on the revenue change . Can you talk about , you know , what the inputs there maybe some more color on , on , you know , the soft margin in , in irrigation .

Speaker #4: If you're seeing any increased pricing pressure from competitors, or just what's going on there, please.

Samuel Hinrichsen: Sure, Nathan. You know, if you think about the volume drop, you know, particularly in North America, year-over-year, you know, coming from an even lower base from last year, that will continue to drive fixed cost deleverage. That's a main driver of that margin compression. Regional mix was slightly unfavorable due to the fact that we ship more internationally. But I would also just say the margin pressure from the overall competitive environment from input price inflation really globally, you know, has impacted margins. It's really a combination of those factors.

Speaker #3: Sure . Nathan . So , you know , if you think about the volume drop , you know , particularly in North America .

Speaker #3: Year over year, you know, coming from an even lower base from last year, that will continue to drive fixed cost deleverage.

Speaker #3: So that's a main driver of that margin compression. Regional mix was slightly unfavorable due to the fact that we shipped more internationally.

Speaker #3: But I would also just say the margin pressure from the overall competitive environment , from input price inflation , really globally , you know , has impacted margins .

Speaker #3: So, it's really a combination of those factors.

Nathan Jones: You mentioned the competitive environment there. Are you seeing, you know, more intense price competition from competitors, you know, as the volume is, you know, fairly low here?

Speaker #4: You mentioned that there's a competitive environment there. Are you seeing, you know, more intense price competition from competitors? You know, as the volume is fairly low here.

Randy Wood: Hey, Nathan, this is Randy. I'll take that one. I think what you generally see in these soft markets there's more propensity maybe from the smaller privately held family businesses, whether it's in North America, Western Europe. You certainly see a more competitive environment kind of ratchets up the pricing intensity. We would still say a rational pricing environment in general, and our approach is very strategic. We might wanna, you know, identify specific customer relationships that we know we have to protect. We're not gonna use pricing as a method to drive market share increases. We certainly wanna preserve the quality of the business. For us, it's a strategic approach. Certainly when volumes are tight, you do see that competitiveness ratchet up.

Speaker #2: Hey , Nathan , this is Randy . I'll take that one . And I think what you generally see in the soft markets , there's more propensity maybe from the smaller privately held family businesses , whether it's in North America , Western Europe , you certainly see a more competitive environment kind of ratchets up the pricing intensity .

Speaker #2: We would still say a rational pricing environment in general and in our approach is , is very strategic . So we might want to , you know , identify specific customer relationships that we know we have to protect .

Speaker #2: We're not going to use pricing as a , as a method to drive market share increases . We certainly want to preserve the quality of the business .

Speaker #2: But for us , it's , it's a strategic approach , but certainly when when volumes are tight , you do see that competitiveness ratchet up .

Nathan Jones: Okay, thanks for that. Just one on the MENA project. I think you manufacture that in Turkey. You've said that it's on schedule at the moment. Do you expect it to stay that way? Or does it stretch out? Does the war in Iran kind of delay any potential contract awards in that area, as people wait and see how things are gonna play out there? Just any comments you can give us on that.

Speaker #4: Okay , thanks for that . And just one on the the the M&A project , I think you manufactured that in Turkey . You said that it's on schedule at the moment .

Speaker #4: Do you expect it to stay that way or do you or does it stretch out ? Does the war in Iran kind of delay any potential contract awards in that area as people wait and see how things are going to play out there ?

Randy Wood: Yeah. You have hit on a couple of things, and we would say certainly there could be short-term delays in some of the other business in the region, whether it's project business or just regular retail business. I think everybody in the region is kind of on the edge of their seats waiting to see what happened. Specific to the MENA project we're delivering now, a lot depends on the length of the conflict. If this is another 3 to 4 weeks, 5 to 6 weeks, and our view would be everything looks to be on track. We've confirmed with our logistics providers, we've confirmed with our supply chain on the inbound side. For us, it looks safe and as predicted and as projected, provided this is not a prolonged, you know, conflict.

Speaker #4: Just any comments you can give us on that?

Speaker #2: Yeah, you have hit on a couple of things, and we would say certainly there could be short-term delays in some of the other business in the region, whether it's project business or just regular retail business.

Speaker #2: I think everybody in in the region is kind of on the edge of their seats , waiting to see what happened . And specific to the Mena project we're delivering now , a lot depends on the length of the conflict .

Speaker #2: And if this is another three to four weeks, five to six weeks, then our view would be everything looks to be on track.

Speaker #2: We've confirmed with our logistics providers, we've confirmed with our supply chain on the inbound side. For us, it looks safe.

Speaker #2: And as predicted and as projected , provided this is not a prolonged , you know , conflict . If this goes months or several quarters , then then we may have a different answer for you .

Randy Wood: If this goes months or several quarters, then we may have a different answer for you. Right now, based on what we see and the communication we've had with all of our suppliers, things look to be on track and proceeding as planned.

Speaker #2: But right now, based on what we see in the communication we've had with all of our suppliers, things look to be on track and proceeding as planned.

Nathan Jones: Fair enough. Thanks very much for taking the questions.

Randy Wood: Thank you, Nathan.

Speaker #4: Fair enough. Thanks very much for taking the questions.

Operator: The next question will come from Ryan Connors with Northcoast Research. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you , Nathan .

Speaker #1: Your next question will come from Ryan Connors with North Research. Please go ahead.

Ryan Connors: Good morning. Yeah, I wanted to actually go back and revisit the topic on pricing, 'cause if I'm reading in the press release, you actually mentioned higher average selling prices as a offsetting tailwind to some of the headwinds in irrigation. I'm reading that the pricing was actually positive. I just wanted to kind of see, should I interpret then the comments a minute ago to say that you're holding up on your price and maybe walking away from some business where you feel it's not business you feel is priced appropriately?

Speaker #5: Good morning . Yeah , I wanted to actually go back and revisit the topic on pricing because if I'm reading in the press release , you actually mentioned higher average selling prices as a , as a , as a offsetting tailwind to some of the headwinds in irrigation .

Speaker #5: So I'm reading that the pricing was actually positive . So I just wanted to kind of see , should I interpret then the comments a minute ago to say that you're holding up on your price and maybe walking away from some business where you feel it's not , you know , not business you feel is priced appropriately .

Randy Wood: I would say yes, we certainly have a walkaway point on anything, Ryan, whether it's a project sale or just a retail sale. I think there's always two parts to the equation. I think pricing year over year was favorable, but you have to factor cost into it as well. Cost, in our view, exceeded the pricing opportunities we're able to get in the market, and that's resulting in the margin compression that you're seeing, a portion of it.

Speaker #2: I would say , yes , we certainly have a walk point on anything . Ryan . Whether it's a project sale or just a retail sale .

Speaker #2: But I think there's always two parts to the equation. I think pricing year over year was favorable, but you have to factor cost into it as well.

Speaker #2: And costs, in our view, exceeded the pricing opportunities we were able to get in the market. And that's resulting in the margin compression that you're seeing.

Ryan Connors: Got it. Okay. Got it. One more on irrigation and then a quick one on infrastructure. There's been a lot of talk about significant shifting of acreage from corn to soybeans in North America, given the economics. Does that impact you at all, or are you sort of indifferent between those two?

Speaker #2: A portion of it .

Speaker #5: Got it . Okay . Got it . And then one more on irrigation . Then a quick one on infrastructure . It's been a lot of talk about significant shifting of acreage from corn to soybeans in North America .

Speaker #5: Given the economics, does that impact you at all, or are you sort of indifferent? Between those two?

Randy Wood: I think we're largely indifferent in terms of what it means for direct machine sales, whether a customer grows one or the other in our regions. It's. There's a need for irrigation, and it really doesn't matter. We'll apply both in the same way. The bigger macro market impact could start to shift acres, could start to impact price, could start to impact farmer profitability. I think right now, you know, you see a small decrease in corn, a slight increase in soybeans. If you look historically, I mean, the June report's gonna give us, you know, better data. Generally, we see corn acres increase between now and June and then soybean acres decrease. I think a lot of the customers that we've talked to are kinda locked in on their inputs and their planting intentions.

Speaker #2: I think we're largely indifferent in terms of what it means for direct machine sales. Whether a customer grows one or the other in our regions, there's a need for irrigation.

Speaker #2: It really doesn't matter. We'll apply both in the same way, but the bigger macro market impact could start to shift. Acres could start to impact.

Speaker #2: Price could start to impact farmer profitability . So I think right now , you know , you see a small decrease in corn , a slight increase in soybeans .

Speaker #2: If you look historically , I mean , the June report is going to give us , better data . Generally we see corn acres increase between now and June and soybean acres decrease .

Speaker #2: So I think a lot of the customers that we've talked to are kind of locked in on their inputs, and their planting intentions.

Randy Wood: I don't know that there'll be a lot of significant shifts between now and when they get into the fields. Either way, from a direct sales perspective, no impact, but we will watch how it impacts the macro and then the pricing on those commodities, 'cause that could start to move the needle, one way or the other.

Speaker #2: I don't know that there'll be a lot of significant shifts between now and when they get into into the fields , but either way , from a sales perspective , no impact .

Speaker #2: But we will watch how it impacts the macro and the pricing on those commodities, because that could start to move the needle one way or the other.

Ryan Connors: Got it. Very helpful. Lastly, on infrastructure. It did seem that to us, the deleveraging on the margins did kinda catch us by surprise in infrastructure. Is there anything special that's dragging that down in the quarter, or is this sort of the margin run rate that we should think about when we don't have a Road Zipper project of scale flowing through?

Speaker #5: Got it . Very helpful . And then lastly , on on infrastructure , it did seem that to us , the deleveraging on the margins did kind of catch us by surprise in infrastructure .

Speaker #5: Is there anything special that's dragging that down in the quarter, or is this sort of the margin run rate that we should think about when we don't have a Road Zipper project of scale flowing through?

Samuel Hinrichsen: You know, if you think about the Road Zipper, that of course, just the sheer magnitude is the biggest single driver for the margin compression. Frankly, cost absorption deleverage is a big chunk of this. You're taking that significant product out of results compared to last year. If you think about the road safety products business that's doing really well, that business is the smaller piece, of course, of our overall infrastructure business. Even, you know, that growth is a partial offset, but it can't offset the full impact from the Road Zipper project. If you think about the other components in infrastructure, you know, there are what I would call non-Road Zipper project components. They will continue to impact results.

Speaker #3: So , you know , if you think about the road zipper , that of course , just the sheer magnitude is the biggest single driver for the margin compression .

Speaker #3: And frankly, cost absorption. Deleverage a big chunk of this. So you're taking that significant product out of the results compared to last year.

Speaker #3: If you think about the road safety products business that's doing really well , that business is the smaller piece , of course , of , of our overall infrastructure business .

Speaker #3: So even, you know, that growth is a partial offset, but it can't offset the full impact from the road project.

Speaker #3: So if you think about the other components in infrastructure, you know, they are what I would call non-road zipper project components.

Speaker #3: They will continue to , to impact results . So You know , they're , they're more components than just road safety products and road zipper .

Samuel Hinrichsen: you know, there are more components than just road safety products and Road Zipper. As you think about margin profile, of course, in the absence of a big project, it's gonna be closer to what we're seeing right now.

Speaker #3: So as you , you think about margin profile , of course , in the absence of a big project , it's going to be closer to what we've seen right now .

Ryan Connors: Got it. Okay. Should I sneak one more in? Any update quickly on the Nebraska capital investments, where we're at there and what the kind of margin impacts for not only 2026, but as we move to FY 2027?

Speaker #5: Got it . Okay . And should I sneak one more in if on the any any update quickly on the Nebraska Capital investments where we're at there and what the kind of margin impacts for not only 26 , but as we move to FY 27 .

Randy Wood: Yeah. I can say from a timeline perspective, the weather was very cooperative and supportive this winter, so our tube mill is up and running and turned over to full production. Construction of the new galvanizing facility is on track, on plan, and we would expect that to come online near the end of the calendar year, sometime in the first portion of our fiscal 2027 year. In terms of the depreciation impact, the efficiency gains, I think we've been pretty consistent. That initially it does appear that a lot of those efficiency gains we're gonna have are gonna be eaten up by the incremental depreciation that we're gonna see on that investment.

Speaker #2: Yeah , I can say from a timeline perspective , the weather was very cooperative and supportive this winter . So our two mil is is up and running and turned over to full production .

Speaker #2: Construction of the new galvanizing facility is on track, on plan, and we would expect that to come online near the end of the calendar year, sometime in the first portion of our fiscal 2027 year.

Speaker #2: In terms of the depreciation impact and the efficiency gains, I think we've been pretty consistent that, initially, it does appear that a lot of those efficiency gains we're going to have are going to be eaten up by the incremental depreciation that we're going to see on that investment.

Randy Wood: Really for us to get the leverage, and growth and profitability out of the investment, we are gonna have to see some market recovery to support that. To me, the similar answers we've provided over previous quarters and no significant shifts in project timing.

Speaker #2: And really, for us to get leverage and growth and profitability out of the investment, we are going to have to see some market recovery to support that.

Speaker #2: So, to me, the similar answers we provided over previous quarters, and no significant shifts in project timing.

Ryan Connors: Got it. Thanks for your time.

Randy Wood: Thanks, Ryan.

Speaker #5: Got it. Thanks for your time.

Operator: Your next question will come from Trevor Sauer with William Blair. Please go ahead. Pardon me, Mr. Sauer, your line is open. We'll move on. Our next question will come from Brett Kearney with American Rebirth Opportunity. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thanks , Ryan .

Speaker #1: Your next question will come from Trevor SAR with William Blair. Please go ahead. Pardon me, Mr. Star, your line is open. And we'll move on.

Speaker #1: Our next question will come from Brett Kearney with American Rebirth Opportunity. Please go ahead.

Brett Kearney: Hi, guys. Good morning. Thanks for taking my question.

Samuel Hinrichsen: Morning.

Speaker #6: Hi, guys. Good morning. Thanks for taking my question.

Samuel Hinrichsen: Morning, Brett.

Speaker #2: Good morning Brett .

Brett Kearney: I think you've done a good job discussing status of your Middle East, North Africa project in the context of the current environment. Obviously, you guys are on top of, you know, risks that can materialize there. I wanted to talk about potentially on the opportunity side. You know, about four years ago today, when we saw the Russia-Ukraine conflict materialize, subsequent to that was when you guys ultimately were able to experience a number of these international food security projects. Now, this one has a different texture. It's not in a global grain production region, primarily centered on fertilizers.

Speaker #6: I think you've done a good job discussing the status of your Middle East, North Africa project in the context of the current environment.

Speaker #6: Obviously you guys are on top of , you know , risks that could materialize . There . But I wanted to talk about potentially on the opportunity side .

Speaker #6: You know, about four years ago today, when we saw the Russia-Ukraine conflict materialize, subsequent to that was when you guys ultimately were able to experience a number of these international food security projects.

Speaker #6: Now , this one has a different texture . It's not in a global grain production region , primarily centered on fertilizers . But as you look 12 , 24 months from now , how are you seeing , you potential additional waves of food security projects in Africa , central South and Southeast Asia , and your ability to potentially capture opportunities that might arise there ?

Brett Kearney: As you look 12, 24 months from now, how are you seeing, you know, potential additional waves of food security projects in call it Africa, Central, South, and Southeast Asia, and your ability to potentially capture opportunities that might arise there.

Randy Wood: Yeah. I think it's an interesting observation, Brett, and you're right. If you go back to 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict hit, we did see a surge in energy prices. We saw a corresponding surge in commodity prices. I think you hit on one big difference this time around is that Iran is not a big grain producer. They're not a big exporter of grains. I think that's one thing that probably changes the model going forward just a little bit. Certainly the fuel costs, the fertilizer costs going through the Strait of Hormuz, that certainly has some short-term impact. Long-term, it really depends how long this thing goes.

Speaker #2: Yeah , I think it's an interesting observation , Brad . And you're right . If you go back to 2022 , when the Russia-Ukraine Ukraine conflict hit , we did see a surge in energy prices .

Speaker #2: We saw, you know, a corresponding surge in commodity prices. And I think you hit on one big difference this time around, which is that Iran is not a big grain producer.

Speaker #2: They're not a big exporter of grains. And I think that's one thing that probably changes the model going forward, just a little bit.

Speaker #2: Certainly the fuel costs , the fertilizer costs going through the Strait of Hormuz , that certainly has some some short term impact . Long term .

Speaker #2: It really depends how long this thing goes . And if we're still talking about it and we're still dealing with the conflict 12 to 24 months from now , I think a lot of things can can change , but in the near term , I don't know that this changes our long term view of this market .

Randy Wood: If we're still talking about it, and we're still dealing with the conflict 12 to 24 months from now, I think a lot of things can change. In the near term, I don't know that this changes our long-term view of this market. We are still going to see some of the same countries interested in investing in food security, investing in GDP diversification for their local economies. Again, it comes back to duration. Right now, our plan would be faster resolution over the next several weeks, not something that's gonna last several quarters for us. We're still active in the region, still able to run the facility, keep our people safe, and I guess that bodes well for us competitively in the region as well.

Speaker #2: We are still going to see some of the same countries interested in investing in food security, investing in GDP diversification for their local economies.

Speaker #2: So again , it comes back to duration . And right now , our plan would be faster resolution over the next several weeks , not something that's going to last several quarters for us .

Speaker #2: And we're still active in the region , still able to run the facility , keep our people safe . And I guess that that bodes well for us competitively in the region as well .

Brett Kearney: That's very helpful. Thanks so much, Randy.

Randy Wood: Thank you, Brad.

Speaker #6: That's very helpful. Thanks so much, Randy.

Operator: The next question will come from Trevor Sauer with William Blair. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you for that .

Speaker #1: The next question will come from Trevor S.A. with William Blair. Please go ahead.

Trevor Sauer: Hey, can you guys hear me?

Randy Wood: We got you.

Speaker #7: Hey, can you guys hear me?

Trevor Sauer: Thank you. Okay. Sorry about that. I just wanted to ask quickly on Brazil, maybe just some more thoughts there, how the outlook might have changed throughout the quarter. Randy, you mentioned that the upcoming crop plan in July, I believe you said it is expected to have lower interest rates for ag equipment. Is that something that's just expected or is that a hard kind of guarantee? Like, how can we think about Brazil in the H2 of your fiscal year here?

Speaker #2: We got you .

Speaker #7: Thank you . Okay . Sorry about that . I just wanted to ask quickly on Brazil . Maybe just some more thoughts there .

Speaker #7: How the outlook might have changed throughout the quarter . And , Randy , you mentioned that the upcoming crop plan in July , I believe you said it is expected to have lower interest rates for ag equipment .

Speaker #7: Is that something that's that's just expected or is that is that a hard kind of guarantee ? Like how can we think about Brazil and the second half of your fiscal year here ?

Randy Wood: Sure. I'll maybe start by saying long-term, Brazil is still a very attractive market. Low penetration in terms of irrigation. Three crops a year really accelerates the payback. We're still very, very bullish on Brazil. What we're dealing with in the near term is credit, and that's been the narrative for the past several quarters. The feedback that we've got locally, I would say in Brazil, nothing's guaranteed. This is an election year, which can sometimes change and shift timing on some of the things that are shared verbally in the markets. That crop plan last year was about 12.5%. This year, the projections are it's gonna be well under that. How far under that? No guarantees until the plan is released.

Speaker #2: Sure. And I'll maybe start by saying long term, Brazil is still a very attractive market—low penetration in terms of irrigation.

Speaker #2: Three cups a year , really accelerates the payback . So we're still very , very bullish on Brazil . And and what we're dealing with in the near term is as credit .

Speaker #2: And that's been the narrative for the past several quarters . The feedback that we've got locally , I would say in Brazil , nothing's guaranteed that this is an election year which can sometimes change .

Speaker #2: And shift timing on some of the things that are shared verbally in the markets, but that crop plan last year was about 12.5%.

Speaker #2: And this year, the projections are it's going to be well under that. And how far under that? No guarantees until the plan is released.

Randy Wood: We are seeing some, you know, market movement in interest rates there. I think the Selic rate nationally was just lowered by a quarter point just within the last couple of weeks. There is indications locally that financing rates are gonna come down. When customers see that, they kinda wait, and customers might think, "You know, I could use a pivot today, but you know what? I can put a pivot on my next crop if I can get a better interest rate. My payback is gonna be much better." The environment we're in, there's no certainty, but the prevailing attitude locally is rates are going to get better, and that's got customers kind of sitting on the sidelines.

Speaker #2: We are seeing some , you know , market movement in in interest rates there . I think the rate nationally was just lowered by a quarter point just within the last couple of weeks .

Speaker #2: So there is indications locally that financing rates are going to come down when customers see that , they kind of wait and customers might think , you know , I could use a pivot today , but you know what ?

Speaker #2: I can put a pivot on my next crop if I can get a better interest rate. My payback is going to be much better.

Speaker #2: So the environment we're in, there's no certainty. But the prevailing attitude locally is rates are going to get better, and that's got customers kind of sitting on the sidelines.

Randy Wood: We did mention in our prepared comments, the Agrishow is the end of this month, and that generally is the largest show. It's a selling show where dealers and customers are working on designs, putting quotations together. We're very anxious to see what customer sentiment is like at that show. I suspect we could come out of that with some very good feedback on customers ready to reenter the market. Until that crop plan is released and that money and funding is available in July, we could be in the same position through our Q3 that we've been in our Q2.

Speaker #2: We did mention in our prepared comments the agri show is the end of this month, and that generally is the largest show. It's a selling show where dealers and customers are working on designs, putting quotations together.

Speaker #2: So we're very anxious to see what customer sentiment is like at that show. I suspect we could come out of that with some very good feedback on customers ready to re-enter the market.

Speaker #2: But until that crop plan is released, and that money and funding is available in July, we could be in the same position through our third quarter that we've been in, in our second quarter.

Trevor Sauer: That's great. Very helpful there. Finally, I just wanted to ask quickly on gross margin, wanted to see if there was anything you wanted to call out besides weaker top-line performance that resulted in the margin hit this quarter. Additionally, any more clarity you can provide on margin for the latest international irrigation project would be helpful as well.

Speaker #7: That's great . Very helpful . There . Finally , I just wanted to ask quickly on gross margin . I wanted to see if there was anything you wanted to call out besides weaker top line performance that resulted in the margin hit .

Speaker #7: This this quarter. And then additionally, any more clarity you can provide on margin for the latest international irrigation project would be helpful as well.

Samuel Hinrichsen: As far as overall gross margins are concerned, again, the fixed cost deleverage at these current demand levels, that is a key driver. You know, you think about the international mix, we don't expect that mix to fundamentally change in H2 compared to where we were in Q2. Of course, there's risk from an input price perspective and the timing of pricing actions. You know, you think about the Iran situation, that is a fluid situation. If it drags on, if it has continued impact from an input price perspective, you know, there could be challenges there. But I think those are the key drivers there. Sorry, what was your second question? The outlook for H2?

Speaker #3: As far as overall gross margins are concerned . Again , the fixed cost deleverage at these current demand levels , that is , is a key driver .

Speaker #3: You know, you think about the international mix. We don't expect that mix to fundamentally change in the second half compared to where we were in Q2.

Speaker #3: And of course , there's risk from an input price perspective and the timing of pricing actions . You know , you think about the situation , there is a fluid situation .

Speaker #3: If it drags on, if it has continued impact from an input price perspective, you know, there could be challenges there.

Speaker #3: But I think those are the key drivers there. And sorry, what was your second question? The outlook for the second half?

Trevor Sauer: Yeah. Any comment on H2, and then maybe if there's any update or more clarity on the margin of the MENA international project?

Speaker #7: Yeah. Any comment on the second half? And then maybe if there's any update or more clarity on the margin of the MENA International project.

Samuel Hinrichsen: Yeah. Again, for the second half, based on what Randy discussed, you know, the overall outlook for specifically North America and Brazil is not a big change versus Q2. We'd expect, especially the cost deleverage to continue. From a MENA project perspective, again, we're executing the project according to plan. You know, those margins are comparable to the previous year project. Of course, there are timing differences as we ramp up the project, but there's really no change there compared to what we had discussed before.

Speaker #3: Yeah . Again , for the second half , based on what Randy discussed , the overall outlook for for specifically North America and Brazil is not not a big change versus Q2 .

Speaker #3: So we would expect, especially the cost leverage, to continue from a MENA project perspective. Again, we're executing the project according to plan.

Speaker #3: You know, those margins are comparable to the previous year project. Of course, there are timing differences as we ramp up the project, but there's really no change there compared to what we had discussed before.

Trevor Sauer: Okay. Thank you.

Speaker #7: Okay . Thank you

Trevor Sauer: Your next question will come from Jon Braatz with Kansas City Capital Associates. Please go ahead.

Operator: Your next question will come from Jon Braatz with Kansas City Capital Associates. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: The next question will come from John Brass with Kansas City Capital. Please go ahead.

Jon Braatz: Morning, everyone. Randy, just wanna return to the capital investments you've been making. You know, back in 2024, you initiated Project Fortify, spending $50 million on, I guess, in the Nebraska facility. I guess I would have maybe expected a little bit of better margins in this downturn. I guess my question is, how far along are you in beginning to accrue those, a return on that investment? You know, are we gonna begin to see those, that return on investment shortly?

Speaker #8: Good morning everyone . Randy , just want to return to the capital investments you've been making . You know , back in 2024 , you initiated project Fortify , spending $50 million on , on , I guess in Nebraska facility .

Speaker #8: And I guess I would have maybe expected a little bit of better margins in this downturn . And I guess my question is , is how far along are you in , in beginning to accrue those ?

Speaker #8: A return on that investment and , you know , are we are we near the end ? Are we going to begin to see those that return on investment shortly ?

Randy Wood: Yeah, I think as I said earlier, Jon, we have now turned over the tube mill specifically, and that was the first tranche of the big investments. It was designed to improve safety for our operators, improve efficiency and throughput, but also to reduce our reliance on labor. As you know, in Lindsay, Nebraska, if we had to bring in another 100 laborers to respond to some upside in demand, that would be tough. That would be a stretch. Our plan was to automate the equipment so that when we do have to respond to an upswing in the market or a downswing in the market, we're not taking our labor headcount up and down as we maybe have in previous history when we had more labor-intensive labor practices.

Speaker #2: Yeah , I think as a as I said earlier , John , we , we have now turned over the two mil specifically .

Speaker #2: And that was the first tranche of the big investments . And it was designed to improve safety for our operators , improve efficiency and throughput , but also to reduce our reliance on on labor .

Speaker #2: And as you know , in Lindsay , Nebraska , if we had to bring in another 100 laborers to to respond to some upside in demand that that would be tough , that would be a stretch .

Speaker #2: So our plan was automate the equipment so that when we do have to respond to an upswing in the market or downswing in the market , we're not taking our labor headcount up and down as we maybe have in , in previous history , when we had more labor intensive labor practices .

Randy Wood: Right now, I think I said earlier in the call, we do need to see some market recovery to get the volume leverage on that investment. That will sustain itself as we launch the new galvanizing facility in early 2027. At current volumes, it's gonna be tough to generate and see those incremental margins and those returns just because of the deleverage on a big investment and the depreciation that we'll see. Now, when we get into the next upcycle, as we grow and reach the peak of the market, I think that's right when we're really gonna be able to capitalize on it and identify it. In the near term here, I think most of those savings are gonna get diluted by the incremental impact of the depreciation.

Speaker #2: So right now , I think I said earlier in the call , we , we do need to see some market recovery to get the volume leverage on that investment that will sustain itself as we launch the new galvanizing facility in , in early 2027 .

Speaker #2: At current volumes , it's going to be tough to , to generate and see those incremental margins and those returns just because of the deleverage on , on a big investment and the depreciation that we'll see , we'll see now when we get into the next up cycle , as we grow and reach the peak of the market , I think that's when we're really going to be able to capitalize on it .

Speaker #2: And identify it. But in the near term here, I think most of those savings are going to get diluted by the incremental impact of the depreciation.

Jon Braatz: Okay. Basically what remains is the galvanizing facility for 2027.

Speaker #8: Okay. So basically, what remains is the galvanizing facility for 2027.

Randy Wood: You got it. Yeah.

Jon Braatz: Okay.

Randy Wood: That one won't be turned over in this fiscal year, so we won't see that incremental depreciation till we get into Q1 of 2027.

Speaker #2: You got it. Yeah. And that one won't be turned over in this fiscal year, so we won't see that incremental depreciation until we get into Q1 of '27.

Jon Braatz: Okay. Thank you, Randy.

Randy Wood: You bet.

Speaker #8: Okay. Thank you, Randy.

Speaker #2: You bet

Randy Wood: This will conclude our question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Mr. Randy Wood for any closing remarks. Please go ahead.

Operator: This will conclude our question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Mr. Randy Wood for any closing remarks. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: And this will conclude our question-and-answer session. I would like to turn the conference back over to Mr. Randy Wood for any closing remarks.

Randy Wood: Thank you. Overall, near-term market conditions remain challenging, but we are confident in our ability to execute and position the business for long-term growth. We will continue delivering the large MENA project throughout Q3 and Q4 while advancing planned investments in our Lindsay, Nebraska facility, including the new galvanizing operation expected to come online in early 2027. Our leadership teams remain disciplined and experienced in managing through the cycles, and we will continue to closely manage spending while aligning investments with our strategic growth priorities. In addition, we see continued opportunity in our road safety business and remain focused on introducing new products into attractive end markets. We remain committed to creating long-term value for shareholders and look forward to updating you on our Q3 earnings call. Thanks for joining us.

Speaker #1: Please go ahead .

Speaker #2: Thank you . Overall , near-term market conditions remain challenging , but we are confident in our ability to execute and position the business for long term growth .

Speaker #2: We will continue delivering the large Mena project throughout the third and fourth quarters, while advancing planned investments in our Lindsay, Nebraska facility, including the new galvanizing operation expected to come online in early 2027.

Speaker #2: Our leadership teams remain disciplined and experienced in managing through the cycles, and we will continue to closely manage spending while aligning investments with our strategic growth priorities.

Speaker #2: In addition, we see continued opportunity in our road safety business and remain focused on introducing new products into attractive end markets. We remain committed to creating long-term value for shareholders and look forward to updating you on our third quarter earnings call.

Speaker #2: Thanks for joining us

Randy Wood: 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.

Q2 2026 Lindsay Corp Earnings Call

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