Q2 2026 Ascent Industries Co Earnings Call

August 4, 2026

Operator: Good day. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to Ascent Industries Co.'s Q2 2026 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star one one on your telephone. You will hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your first speaker today, Vice President of Finance, Kenny Herring. Please go ahead.

Operator: Good day. Thank you for standing by. Welcome to Ascent Industries Co.'s Q2 2026 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question and answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star one one on your telephone. You will hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your first speaker today, Vice President of Finance, Kenny Herring. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to Ascent Industries Co's second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are in listen-only mode.

Speaker #2: After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star, 11, on your telephone.

Speaker #2: You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.

Speaker #2: I would now like to hand the conference over to your first speaker today, Vice President of Finance, Kenny Herring. Please go ahead.

Speaker #3: Thanks, Bonnie, and good afternoon, everyone. Before we continue, I would like to remind all participants that the discussion today may contain certain forward-looking statements, pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Federal Securities Laws.

Kenny Herring: Thanks, Bonnie. Good afternoon, everyone. Before we continue, I would like to remind all participants that the discussion today may contain certain forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the federal securities laws. These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. Ascent advises all of those listening to the call today to review the latest 10-Q and 10-K posts on its website for a summary of these risks and uncertainties. Ascent does not undertake the responsibility to update any forward-looking statements. The discussion today may include non-GAAP measures. In accordance with Regulation G, the company has reconciled these amounts back to the closest GAAP-based measurement.

Speaker #3: These statements are based on information currently available to us and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially.

Speaker #3: Ascent advises all of those listening to the call today to review the latest 10-Q and 10-K posts on its website for a summary of these risks and uncertainties.

Speaker #3: Ascent does not undertake the responsibility to update any forward-looking statements. Further, the discussion today may include non-GAAP measures. In accordance with Regulation G, the company is reconciled these amounts back to the closest GAAP-based measurement.

Speaker #3: The reconciliations can be found in the earnings press release issued earlier today, and posted on the Investor section of the company's website at ascentco.com.

Kenny Herring: The reconciliations can be found in the earnings press release issued earlier today and posted on the investor section of the company's website at ascentco.com. Please note that this call is available for replay via a webcast link that is also posted on the investor section of the company's website. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to Brian Kitchen, Ascent CEO, to discuss Q2 results.

Speaker #3: Please note that this call is available for replay via webcast link that is also posted on the Investor section of the company's website. With that, I'd like to turn the call over to Brian Kitchen, Ascent CEO, to discuss the second quarter results.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Kenny, and good afternoon, everyone. We are pleased with the progress we saw in the second quarter. Not because of any single performance metric, but because the improvement was broad-based.

J. Bryan Kitchen: Thanks, Kenny, and good afternoon, everyone. We are pleased with the progress we saw in Q2, not because of any single performance metric, but because the improvement was broad-based. Ryan will discuss the financial results in greater detail, but the headlines are straightforward. Sequentially, and on a year-over-year basis, volume, average selling price, revenue, gross profit, and adjusted EBITDA all improved. On a trailing 12-month basis, the company saw record highs for volume, net sales, gross profit, and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations. To us, that's meaningful evidence that the strategy that we've been executing over the past two years is working. Excluding the sales from the Midwest Graphic Sales acquisition during the quarter, the legacy business delivered approximately 28% growth versus the prior year, substantially outpacing the broader specialty chemicals market.

Bryan Kitchen: Thanks, Kenny, and good afternoon, everyone. We are pleased with the progress we saw in Q2, not because of any single performance metric, but because the improvement was broad-based. Ryan will discuss the financial results in greater detail, but the headlines are straightforward. Sequentially, and on a year-over-year basis, volume, average selling price, revenue, gross profit, and adjusted EBITDA all improved. On a trailing 12-month basis, the company saw record highs for volume, net sales, gross profit, and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations. To us, that's meaningful evidence that the strategy that we've been executing over the past two years is working. Excluding the sales from the Midwest Graphic Sales acquisition during the quarter, the legacy business delivered approximately 28% growth versus the prior year, substantially outpacing the broader specialty chemicals market.

Speaker #4: Brian will discuss the financial results in greater detail, but the headlines are straightforward. Sequentially, and on a year-over-year basis, volume, average selling price, revenue, gross profit, and adjusted EBITDA all improved.

Speaker #4: On a trailing 12-month basis, the company saw record highs for volume, net sales, gross profit, and adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations. To us, that's meaningful evidence that the strategy that we've been executing over the past two years is working.

Speaker #4: Excluding the sales from the Midwest Graphic Sales acquisition during the quarter, the legacy business delivered approximately 28% growth versus the prior year, substantially outpacing the broader specialty chemicals market.

Speaker #4: On that same basis, June was our strongest chemical sales month since March of 2023, and Q2 was our strongest sales quarter since the third quarter of 2022.

J. Bryan Kitchen: On that same basis, June was our strongest chemical sales month since March of 2023, and Q2 was our strongest sales quarter since Q3 of 2022. Including the acquisition, net sales increased 37% versus the prior year, building on the strong momentum already established within the legacy business. Collectively, these results demonstrate that we're building a better business, not just a bigger one. To us, a higher quality business generates more recurring product revenue, earns higher margins, produces more predictable cash flows, requires less capital to grow, and delivers stronger returns on invested capital. We believe we're making measurable progress on each of those dimensions. Our disciplined execution is making Ascent a stronger company, one that's increasingly capable of performing well through the cycle, we still have work to do.

Bryan Kitchen: On that same basis, June was our strongest chemical sales month since March of 2023, and Q2 was our strongest sales quarter since Q3 of 2022. Including the acquisition, net sales increased 37% versus the prior year, building on the strong momentum already established within the legacy business. Collectively, these results demonstrate that we're building a better business, not just a bigger one. To us, a higher quality business generates more recurring product revenue, earns higher margins, produces more predictable cash flows, requires less capital to grow, and delivers stronger returns on invested capital. We believe we're making measurable progress on each of those dimensions. Our disciplined execution is making Ascent a stronger company, one that's increasingly capable of performing well through the cycle, we still have work to do.

Speaker #4: Including the acquisition, net sales increased 37% versus the prior year. Building on the strong momentum already established within the legacy business. Collectively, these results demonstrate that we're building a better business, not just a bigger one.

Speaker #4: To us, a higher quality business generates more recurring product revenue, earns higher margins, produces more predictable cash flows, requires less capital to grow, and delivers stronger returns on invested capital.

Speaker #4: We believe we're making measurable progress on each of those dimensions. Our disciplined execution is making Ascent a stronger company—one that's increasingly capable of performing well through the cycle.

Speaker #4: But we still have work to do. Portions of our legacy custom manufacturing portfolio continue to exhibit the same seasonality and normal program turnover that we've historically affected the fourth and first quarter performance.

J. Bryan Kitchen: Portions of our legacy custom manufacturing portfolio continue to exhibit the same seasonality and normal program turnover that we've historically affected the Q4 and Q1 performance. While we're making good strides in growing our way out of it, we expect those dynamics to remain a near-term characteristic of the business. What's encouraging is that the improvements that we're making are becoming increasingly visible across the business, and it starts with our commercial performance. During the quarter, we converted 17 commercial opportunities across 13 customers into approximately $5.8 million of annualized revenue, achieving a 26% conversion rate, well above the specialty chemicals industry benchmark of 10% to 15%. Just as importantly, we're winning better business. This quarter, 44% of our commercial wins came from core technologies, products that improve our customers' products and processes.

Bryan Kitchen: Portions of our legacy custom manufacturing portfolio continue to exhibit the same seasonality and normal program turnover that we've historically affected the Q4 and Q1 performance. While we're making good strides in growing our way out of it, we expect those dynamics to remain a near-term characteristic of the business. What's encouraging is that the improvements that we're making are becoming increasingly visible across the business, and it starts with our commercial performance. During the quarter, we converted 17 commercial opportunities across 13 customers into approximately $5.8 million of annualized revenue, achieving a 26% conversion rate, well above the specialty chemicals industry benchmark of 10% to 15%. Just as importantly, we're winning better business. This quarter, 44% of our commercial wins came from core technologies, products that improve our customers' products and processes.

Speaker #4: And while we're making good strides in growing our way out of it, we expect those dynamics to remain a near-term characteristic of the business.

Speaker #4: What's encouraging is that the improvements that we're making are becoming increasingly visible across the business. And it starts with our commercial performance. During the quarter, we converted 17 commercial opportunities across 13 customers into approximately 5.8 million dollars of annualized revenue, achieving a 26% conversion rate, well above the specialty chemicals industry benchmark of 10 to 15 percent.

Speaker #4: Just as importantly, we're winning better business. This quarter, 44% of our commercial wins came from core technologies. Products that improve our customers' products and processes.

Speaker #4: That's another meaningful step toward building a higher quality business that we've been describing over the past two years. One with more predictable demand, greater rate ability, and stronger margins.

J. Bryan Kitchen: That's another meaningful step toward building a higher quality business that we've been describing over the past two years. One with more predictable demand, greater ratability, and stronger margins. We're also creating more value with the customers that we already serve. Approximately 73% of the project wins came from existing customers, reinforcing that we're expanding our share of wallet by solving more technical challenges and becoming a more strategic partner. That deeper engagement extends well beyond the individual projects. During the quarter, we hosted 15 current and prospective customers across our manufacturing sites, giving them direct exposure to our technical capabilities, our manufacturing platform, our innovation process, and our incredible team. Those engagements are strengthening customer relationships, accelerating commercial opportunities, and reinforcing our position as a strategic partner. Looking ahead, our active selling project pipeline reached a record of $140 million, up approximately 33% sequentially.

Bryan Kitchen: That's another meaningful step toward building a higher quality business that we've been describing over the past two years. One with more predictable demand, greater ratability, and stronger margins. We're also creating more value with the customers that we already serve. Approximately 73% of the project wins came from existing customers, reinforcing that we're expanding our share of wallet by solving more technical challenges and becoming a more strategic partner. That deeper engagement extends well beyond the individual projects. During the quarter, we hosted 15 current and prospective customers across our manufacturing sites, giving them direct exposure to our technical capabilities, our manufacturing platform, our innovation process, and our incredible team. Those engagements are strengthening customer relationships, accelerating commercial opportunities, and reinforcing our position as a strategic partner. Looking ahead, our active selling project pipeline reached a record of $140 million, up approximately 33% sequentially.

Speaker #4: And we're also creating more value with the customers that we already serve. Approximately 73% of the project wins came from existing customers, reinforcing that we're expanding our share of wallet by solving more technical challenges and becoming a more strategic partner.

Speaker #4: That deeper engagement extends well beyond the individual projects. During the quarter, we hosted 15 current and prospective customers across our manufacturing sites, giving them direct exposure to our technical capabilities, our manufacturing platform, our innovation process, and our incredible team.

Speaker #4: Those engagements are strengthening customer relationships, accelerating commercial opportunities, and reinforcing our position as a strategic partner. Looking ahead, our active selling project pipeline reached a record 140 million, of approximately 33% sequentially.

Speaker #4: That increase was supported by the addition of Midwest Graphic Sales Commercial Pipeline, following the acquisition, while also reflecting continued momentum across our legacy business.

J. Bryan Kitchen: That increase was supported by the addition of Midwest Graphic Sales commercial pipeline following the acquisition, while also reflecting continued momentum across our legacy business. These results didn't happen by accident. They're the product of a commercial engine that wins better business and an operating model that steadily improves the business over time. Winning new business is important. Converting that business into profitable, repeatable earnings is ultimately what creates shareholder value. That's where the commercial execution and operational excellence come together. The Q2 provided several good examples. Approximately 65% of our raw material spend is petroleum-based. During the quarter, our industry experienced a meaningful inflationary pressure following the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, affecting both raw materials and freight costs.

Bryan Kitchen: That increase was supported by the addition of Midwest Graphic Sales commercial pipeline following the acquisition, while also reflecting continued momentum across our legacy business. These results didn't happen by accident. They're the product of a commercial engine that wins better business and an operating model that steadily improves the business over time. Winning new business is important. Converting that business into profitable, repeatable earnings is ultimately what creates shareholder value. That's where the commercial execution and operational excellence come together. The Q2 provided several good examples. Approximately 65% of our raw material spend is petroleum-based. During the quarter, our industry experienced a meaningful inflationary pressure following the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, affecting both raw materials and freight costs.

Speaker #4: These results didn't happen by accident. There's a product of a commercial engine that wins better business and an operating model that steadily improves the business over time.

Speaker #4: Winning new business is important. Converting that business into profitable, repeatable earnings is ultimately what creates shareholder value. That's where the commercial execution and operational excellence come together.

Speaker #4: The second quarter provided several good examples. Approximately 65% of our raw material spend is petroleum-based. During the quarter, our industry experienced a meaningful inflationary pressure, following the heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, affecting both raw materials and freight costs.

Speaker #4: Despite that volatility, our strategic sourcing and commercial teams operated as one. Working to secure critical supply continuity for our customers while implementing price increases and real-time or contractual mechanisms allowed.

J. Bryan Kitchen: Despite that volatility, our strategic sourcing and commercial teams operated as one, working to secure critical supply continuity for our customers while implementing price increases in real time where contractual mechanisms allow. Those actions protected customer supply while preserving the economics of the business. That same operating discipline that helped us navigate that volatility is also driving continuous improvement across our manufacturing network. Last quarter, we announced a platform-wide optimization initiative expected to generate approximately $3 to $5 million of annualized gross profit improvement at run rate. Today, we remain on track. We expect these improvements to be fully institutionalized across the platform by the end of 2026, with the earnings benefits continuing to build as these actions are implemented, embedded in the business, and leveraged across our growing platform. One recent example illustrates how a relatively small improvement can create meaningful financial value.

Bryan Kitchen: Despite that volatility, our strategic sourcing and commercial teams operated as one, working to secure critical supply continuity for our customers while implementing price increases in real time where contractual mechanisms allow. Those actions protected customer supply while preserving the economics of the business. That same operating discipline that helped us navigate that volatility is also driving continuous improvement across our manufacturing network. Last quarter, we announced a platform-wide optimization initiative expected to generate approximately $3 to $5 million of annualized gross profit improvement at run rate. Today, we remain on track. We expect these improvements to be fully institutionalized across the platform by the end of 2026, with the earnings benefits continuing to build as these actions are implemented, embedded in the business, and leveraged across our growing platform. One recent example illustrates how a relatively small improvement can create meaningful financial value.

Speaker #4: Those actions protected customer supply, while preserving the economics of the business. That same operating discipline that helped us navigate that volatility is also driving continuous improvement across our manufacturing network.

Speaker #4: Last quarter, we announced a platform-wide optimization initiative expected to generate approximately 3 to 5 million dollars of annualized gross profit improvement at run rate.

Speaker #4: Today, we remain on track. We expect these improvements to be fully institutionalized across the platform by the end of 2026, with the earnings benefits continuing to build as these actions are implemented, embedded in the business, and leveraged across our growing platform.

Speaker #4: One recent example illustrates how a relatively small improvement can create meaningful financial value. During the quarter, our process engineering team developed and implemented an OEE-driven debottlenecking initiative that increased the effective capacity of a key reaction asset, unlocking more than 500,000 pounds of incremental annual capacity.

J. Bryan Kitchen: During the quarter, our process engineering team developed and implemented an OE-driven debottlenecking initiative that increased the effective capacity of a key reaction asset, unlocking more than 500,000 pounds of incremental annual capacity. As utilization continues to improve across our assets, these types of incremental improvements become increasingly valuable because they allow us to support profitable growth with limited future capital investment. Now, viewed in isolation, many of these improvements may appear modest, collectively, they compound over time, steadily increasing the quality, the resilience, and earnings power of the business. Everything I've discussed thus far focused on how we're improving Ascent's existing business. What's particularly encouraging is that we're now beginning to leverage those same commercial capabilities, the operational discipline in the manufacturing platform, to create value beyond our legacy operations. The Midwest acquisition is the first demonstration of that.

Bryan Kitchen: During the quarter, our process engineering team developed and implemented an OE-driven debottlenecking initiative that increased the effective capacity of a key reaction asset, unlocking more than 500,000 pounds of incremental annual capacity. As utilization continues to improve across our assets, these types of incremental improvements become increasingly valuable because they allow us to support profitable growth with limited future capital investment. Now, viewed in isolation, many of these improvements may appear modest, collectively, they compound over time, steadily increasing the quality, the resilience, and earnings power of the business. Everything I've discussed thus far focused on how we're improving Ascent's existing business. What's particularly encouraging is that we're now beginning to leverage those same commercial capabilities, the operational discipline in the manufacturing platform, to create value beyond our legacy operations. The Midwest acquisition is the first demonstration of that.

Speaker #4: As utilization continues to improve across our assets, these types of incremental improvements become increasingly valuable because they allow us to support profitable growth with limited future capital investment.

Speaker #4: Now, viewed in isolation, many of these improvements may appear modest. But collectively, they compound over time, steadily increasing the quality, the resilience, and earnings power of the business.

Speaker #4: Everything I've discussed thus far focused on how we're improving Ascent's existing business. But what's particularly encouraging is that we're now beginning to leverage those same commercial capabilities, the operational discipline in the manufacturing platform, to create value beyond our legacy operations.

Speaker #4: The Midwest acquisition is the first demonstration of that. Since we closed the acquisition on May the 4th, Midwest has validated the core elements of the investment thesis that we outlined when we announced the transaction.

J. Bryan Kitchen: Since we closed the acquisition on 4 May, Midwest has validated the core elements of the investment thesis that we outlined when we announced the transaction: immediate earnings accretion, disciplined integration, and the ability to create new growth opportunities by combining the strengths of both organizations. We've retained key customers while maintaining exceptional service levels throughout the integration. In fact, Midwest secured its first new customer since joining Ascent while simultaneously executing broad-based pricing actions across the portfolio. Back office integration was completed a full quarter ahead of our original commitment. Cost synergy initiatives remain on schedule, and the transition of manufacturing into the Ascent network continues to progress as planned. Beyond the integration, we're already creating opportunities that neither company could have pursued, and more importantly, won independently.

Bryan Kitchen: Since we closed the acquisition on 4 May, Midwest has validated the core elements of the investment thesis that we outlined when we announced the transaction: immediate earnings accretion, disciplined integration, and the ability to create new growth opportunities by combining the strengths of both organizations. We've retained key customers while maintaining exceptional service levels throughout the integration. In fact, Midwest secured its first new customer since joining Ascent while simultaneously executing broad-based pricing actions across the portfolio. Back office integration was completed a full quarter ahead of our original commitment. Cost synergy initiatives remain on schedule, and the transition of manufacturing into the Ascent network continues to progress as planned. Beyond the integration, we're already creating opportunities that neither company could have pursued, and more importantly, won independently.

Speaker #4: Immediate earnings accretion, discipline integration, and the ability to create new growth opportunities by combining the strengths of both organizations. We've retained key customers. Well, maintaining exceptional service levels throughout the integration.

Speaker #4: In fact, Midwest secured its first new customers since joining Ascent, while simultaneously executing broad-based pricing actions across the portfolio. Back office integration was completed a full quarter ahead of our original commitment.

Speaker #4: Cost synergy initiatives remain on schedule, and the transition of manufacturing into the Ascent network continues to progress as planned. Now, beyond the integration, we're already creating opportunities at neither company could have pursued and, more importantly, won, independently.

Speaker #4: By combining Midwest deep applications expertise with Ascent's manufacturing platform, commercial capabilities, and operational discipline, we've recently secured a significant field trial program with a very large prospective customer.

J. Bryan Kitchen: By combining Midwest's deep applications expertise with Ascent's manufacturing platform, commercial capabilities, and operational discipline, we recently secured a significant field trial program with a very large prospective customer. While it's still early, we're encouraged by the initial results. More importantly, it demonstrates how combining Midwest's application expertise with Ascent's commercial, operational, and manufacturing capabilities creates differentiated solutions and unlocks opportunities that were beyond the reach of either company on a standalone basis. What gives us confidence in the long-term opportunity isn't simply that Midwest is a high-quality business. It's how quickly it's benefiting from the operating model that we've spent the past two years building. We believe that capability will become an increasingly important competitive advantage as we continue to deploy capital in a disciplined manner. Before I turn it over to Ryan, I'd like to leave you with one final thought. Our strategy hasn't changed.

Bryan Kitchen: By combining Midwest's deep applications expertise with Ascent's manufacturing platform, commercial capabilities, and operational discipline, we recently secured a significant field trial program with a very large prospective customer. While it's still early, we're encouraged by the initial results. More importantly, it demonstrates how combining Midwest's application expertise with Ascent's commercial, operational, and manufacturing capabilities creates differentiated solutions and unlocks opportunities that were beyond the reach of either company on a standalone basis. What gives us confidence in the long-term opportunity isn't simply that Midwest is a high-quality business. It's how quickly it's benefiting from the operating model that we've spent the past two years building. We believe that capability will become an increasingly important competitive advantage as we continue to deploy capital in a disciplined manner. Before I turn it over to Ryan, I'd like to leave you with one final thought. Our strategy hasn't changed.

Speaker #4: And while it's still early, we're encouraged by the initial results. More importantly, it demonstrates how combining Midwest application expertise with Ascent's commercial, operational, and manufacturing capabilities creates differentiated solutions and unlocks opportunities that were beyond the reach of either company on a standalone basis.

Speaker #4: What gives us confidence in the long-term opportunity isn't simply that Midwest is a high-quality business. It's how quickly it's benefiting from the operating model that we've spent the past two years building.

Speaker #4: We believe that capability will become an increasingly important competitive advantage as we continue to deploy capital in a disciplined manner. Before I turn it over to Ryan, I'd like to leave you with one final thought.

Speaker #4: Our strategy hasn't changed. For the past two years, we've remained focused on improving the quality of our business through stronger commercial capabilities, greater operational discipline, and disciplined capital allocation.

J. Bryan Kitchen: For the past two years, we've remained focused on improving the quality of our business through stronger commercial capabilities, greater operational discipline, and disciplined capital allocation. Taken together, our results through Q2 2026 reinforce that we're on the right path. The breadth of the progress that we've delivered sequentially, year-over-year, and across our trailing 12-month performance demonstrates that the operating model that we've built over the past two years is translating into measurable financial results. Ultimately, our objective is straightforward: create a company capable of delivering more consistent growth, higher returns on invested capital, and greater long-term value for our shareholders. While there's still significant work ahead, we believe this quarter reinforces a simple but important point. We're not waiting for the market to improve our business. We're improving our business regardless of the market.

Bryan Kitchen: For the past two years, we've remained focused on improving the quality of our business through stronger commercial capabilities, greater operational discipline, and disciplined capital allocation. Taken together, our results through Q2 2026 reinforce that we're on the right path. The breadth of the progress that we've delivered sequentially, year-over-year, and across our trailing 12-month performance demonstrates that the operating model that we've built over the past two years is translating into measurable financial results. Ultimately, our objective is straightforward: create a company capable of delivering more consistent growth, higher returns on invested capital, and greater long-term value for our shareholders. While there's still significant work ahead, we believe this quarter reinforces a simple but important point. We're not waiting for the market to improve our business. We're improving our business regardless of the market.

Speaker #4: Taken together, our results through the second quarter of 2026 reinforced that we're on the right path. The breadth of the progress that we've delivered, sequentially, year over year, and across our trailing 12-month performance, demonstrates that the operating model that we've built over the past two years is translating into measurable financial results.

Speaker #4: Ultimately, our objective is straightforward: create a company capable of delivering more consistent growth, higher returns on invested capital, and greater long-term value for our shareholders.

Speaker #4: And while there's still significant work ahead, we believe this quarter reinforces a simple but important point. We're not waiting for the market to improve our business.

Speaker #4: We're improving our business regardless of the market. That's what discipline execution, continuous improvement, and thoughtful capital allocation are designed to do. None of that would be possible without the dedication of our employees, the trust of our customers, and the confidence of our shareholders.

J. Bryan Kitchen: That's what disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and thoughtful capital allocation are designed to do. None of that would be possible without the dedication of our employees, the trust of our customers, and the confidence of our shareholders. To each of you, thank you for your continued support. With that, I'll turn it over to Ryan to review our financial results and capital allocation in more detail. Ryan, over to you.

Bryan Kitchen: That's what disciplined execution, continuous improvement, and thoughtful capital allocation are designed to do. None of that would be possible without the dedication of our employees, the trust of our customers, and the confidence of our shareholders. To each of you, thank you for your continued support. With that, I'll turn it over to Ryan to review our financial results and capital allocation in more detail. Ryan, over to you.

Speaker #4: To each of you, thank you for your continued support. And with that, I'll turn it over to Ryan to review our financial results and capital allocation in more detail.

Speaker #4: Ryan, over to you.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Ryan. The second quarter reflects meaningful progress in the direction we've been working toward. Revenue grew strongly, the business returned to positive adjusted EBITDA, and Midwest began contributing immediately.

Ryan Kavalauskas: Thanks, Bryan. The Q2 reflects meaningful progress in the direction we've been working toward. Revenue grew strongly, the business returned to + adjusted EBITDA, and Midwest began contributing immediately. Those results are encouraging, but they also underscore the next phase of our work, ensuring that growth translates more consistently into gross margin, cash generation, and returns. I'll provide additional context on where that conversion stands today, the actions underway to improve it, and how those priorities are guiding our capital allocation. Starting with the top line, Q2 net sales were $25.7 million, an increase of $7 million or 37.6% compared with the prior year period. Pounds shipped increased 15.2% and average selling price increased approximately 23%, while Midwest contributed $1.9 million of sales following the 4 May acquisition.

Speaker #1: Those results are encouraging, but they also underscore the next phase of our work. Ensuring that growth translates more consistently into gross margin, cash generation, and returns.

Speaker #1: I'll provide additional context on where that conversion stands today, the actions underway to improve it, and how those priorities are guiding our capital allocation.

Speaker #1: Starting with the top line, second quarter net sales were 25.7 million, an increase of 7 million dollars, or 37.6 percent, compared with the prior year period.

Speaker #1: Pound shift increased 15.2 percent, an average selling price increased approximately 23 percent, while Midwest contributed 1.9 million of sales following the May 4th acquisition.

Ryan Kavalauskas: Excluding Midwest, our legacy business still grew approximately 28% year-over-year. That is strong growth in a specialty chemicals market that remains soft. Before turning to gross margin, I'll briefly cover the remainder of the income statement. SG&A was $5.5 million in the quarter, down approximately $900,000 from the prior year and improving to 21.5% of sales from 34.5%. The year-over-year reduction included lower incentive compensation and professional fees, partially offset by investments in salaries, wages, and benefits, and the addition of Midwest. Over the longer term, our objective is to bring SG&A toward approximately 15% of revenue on a run rate basis. We have increasing confidence in the target as we continue to optimize our corporate functions, install repeatable processes, and standardize how we operate across the portfolio.

Speaker #1: Excluding Midwest, our legacy business still grew approximately 28 percent year over year. But a strong growth and a specialty chemicals market that remains soft.

Speaker #1: Before turning to gross margin, I'll briefly cover the remainder of the income statement. SG&A was 5.5 million in the quarter, down approximately 900,000 dollars from the prior year, and improving to 21.5 percent of sales from 34.5 percent.

Speaker #1: The year-over-year reduction included lower incentive compensation and professional fees, partially offset by investments in salaries, wages, and benefits, and the addition of Midwest. Over the longer term, our objective is to bring SG&A toward approximately 15 percent of revenue on a run-rate basis.

Speaker #1: We've increasing confidence in the target, as we continue to optimize our corporate functions, install repeatable processes, and standardize how we operate across the portfolio.

Speaker #1: Reaching that level will require both continued cost discipline and growth across the platform, but we believe the operating model we are putting in place can support meaningful additional leverage as the business scales.

Ryan Kavalauskas: Reaching that level will require both continued cost discipline and growth across the platform. We believe the operating model we are putting in place can support meaningful additional leverage as the business scales. Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $1.5 million or 5.7% of sales, compared with a loss of approximately $300,000 in the prior year quarter. The improvement reflects higher gross profit and materially lower corporate cost. While this is an important step forward, the earnings contribution from the growth we have won remains below our expectations, which brings me to profitability. Gross profit increased 14% to $5.5 million from $4.9 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin, however, declined to 21.6% from 26.1%.

Speaker #1: Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $1.5 million, or 5.7 percent of sales, compared with a loss of approximately $300,000 in the prior year quarter.

Speaker #1: The improvement reflects higher gross profit and materially lower corporate costs. While this was an important step forward, the earnings contribution from the growth we have won remains below our expectations.

Speaker #1: Which brings me to profitability. Gross profit increased 14 percent to 5.5 million, from 4.9 million in the prior year quarter. Gross margin, however, declined to 21.6 percent, from 26.1 percent.

Speaker #1: On a year-to-date basis, gross profit increased 5 percent to $8.4 million, while gross margin declined 320 basis points to 18.5 percent, from 21.7 percent.

Ryan Kavalauskas: On a year-to-date basis, gross profit increased 5% to $8.4 million, while gross margin declined 320 basis points to 18.5% from 21.7%. The year-to-date margin decline reflected pressure in both material costs and conversion costs. Material costs increased by approximately 127 basis points as a percentage of sales, driven in part by inflation in petroleum-based raw materials and freight. While other costs of goods sold increased by approximately 193 basis points. We have taken pricing and sourcing actions to offset those pressures, but there is typically a timing gap between those actions, typically a timing gap before those actions are fully reflected in reported results. The conversion cost pressure also reflects where Ascent is in its development.

Speaker #1: The year-to-date margin decline reflected pressure in both material cost and conversion cost. Material cost increased by approximately 127 basis points as a percentage of sales.

Speaker #1: Driven in part by inflation and petroleum-based raw materials and freight, while other costs of goods sold increased by approximately 193 basis points. We have taken pricing and sourcing actions to offset those pressures, but there is typically a timing gap between those actions.

Speaker #1: Typically, a timing gap before those actions are fully reflected in reported results. The conversion cost pressure also reflects where Ascent is in its development.

Speaker #1: As we scale, newer, expanding programs can require incremental inventory, production planning, labor, customer support, and network coordination before they reach steady-state efficiency. At our current scale, changes in mix, production timing, and asset utilization can therefore have a more visible impact on quarterly margins than they would in a larger, more mature platform.

Ryan Kavalauskas: As we scale, new or expanding programs can require incremental inventory, production planning, labor, customer support, and network coordination before they reach steady state efficiency. At our current scale, changes in mix, production timing, and asset utilization can therefore have a more visible impact on quarterly margins than they would in a larger, more mature platform. The result is that the revenue growth we have generated is not yet carrying through to gross profit at the level we expect. That is the opportunity in front of us. Improving sourcing, pricing realization, throughput, campaign planning, and network utilization so that the growth already in the business converts more consistently into margin and cash flow. Midwest is a positive early example of that model and practice.

Speaker #1: The result is that the revenue growth we have generated is not yet carrying through to gross profit at the level we expect. That is the opportunity in front of us.

Speaker #1: Improving sourcing, pricing realization, throughput, campaign planning, and network utilization so that the growth already in the business converts more consistently into margin and cash flow.

Speaker #1: Midwest is a positive early example of that model in practice. The business entered the portfolio with a gross margin of approximately 26 percent and was accretive to the quarter, while also adding a greater mix of product revenue, technical capability, and customer access.

Ryan Kavalauskas: The business entered the portfolio with a gross margin of approximately 26% and was accretive to the quarter, while also adding a greater mix of product revenue, technical capability, and customer access. Its contribution reinforces the type of higher quality earnings profile we are working to build across the broader platform. The near-term focus is therefore execution, allowing recently won business to mature, tightening production and labor planning, and improving absorption as utilization builds. We expect those actions, together with the pricing and sourcing initiatives already underway, to reduce the temporary inefficiencies associated with growth and improve the consistency of margin performance over time. We view working capital in the same light. Extending appropriate terms, carrying the right raw materials, and positioning inventory to support a customer launch can be productive uses of capital when they help us win and retain attractive business. Growth alone is not sufficient.

Speaker #1: Its contribution reinforces the type of higher quality earnings profile we are working to build across the broader platform. The near-term focus is therefore execution.

Speaker #1: Allowing recently won business to mature, tightening production and labor planning, and improving absorption as utilization builds. We expect those actions together with the pricing and sourcing initiatives already underway to reduce the temporary inefficiencies associated with growth and improve the consistency of margin performance over time.

Speaker #1: We view working capital in the same light. Extending appropriate terms, curing the right raw materials, and positioning inventory to support a customer launch can be productive uses of capital, when they help us win and retain attractive business.

Speaker #1: But growth alone is not sufficient. Those investments must be accompanied by disciplined pricing, reliable collections, optimized inventory, efficient production, and margins that support an acceptable return on the capital deployed.

Ryan Kavalauskas: Those investments must be accompanied by disciplined pricing, reliable collections, optimized inventory, efficient production, and margins that support an acceptable return on the capital deployed. We are therefore managing margin and working capital as one operating objective, not as separate finance exercises. We will continue to support growth, but we will be increasingly selective about where we deploy working capital and will not accept structurally weak margins simply to add revenue. The optimization work Ryan described is intended to improve annual gross profit by approximately $3 to $5 million through sourcing, manufacturing improvements, and better use of the network. We are seeing tangible progress, including improved capacity on reaction assets, lower corporate costs, and the early integration benefits from Midwest. At the same time, the current margin profile makes clear that the work is not complete.

Speaker #1: We are therefore managing margin and working capital as one operating objective, not as separate finance exercises. We will continue to support growth, but we will be increasingly selective about where we deploy working capital and will not accept structurally weak margins simply to add revenue.

Speaker #1: The optimization work Ryan described is intended to improve annual gross profit by approximately $3 to $5 million through sourcing, manufacturing improvements, and better use of the network.

Speaker #1: We are seeing tangible progress, including improved capacity and reaction assets, lower corporate costs, and the early integration benefits from Midwest. At the same time, the current margin profile makes clear that the work is not complete.

Speaker #1: Our near-term financial priority is to translate the revenue base we have built into higher gross margin and more consistent cash generation. As we look to the balance of the year, investors should expect a moderate contraction in gross margin in the fourth quarter, from the stronger second and third quarter periods.

Ryan Kavalauskas: Our near-term financial priority is to translate the revenue base we have built into higher growth margin and more consistent cash generation. As we look to the balance of the year, investors should expect a moderate contraction in gross margin in Q4 from the stronger Q2 and Q3 periods. That is consistent with the seasonal pattern we experienced in 2025 and with the normal program timing and turnover in portions of our custom manufacturing portfolio. We are not viewing that expected movement as a change in trajectory. Ascent is not yet a fully scaled platform, and quarterly results can move meaningfully based on mix, production timing, and customer schedules. For that reason, we believe the trailing 12-month view provides the clearest measure of whether this business is progressing through the quarterly noise. On that basis, the direction of the business continues to point upward.

Speaker #1: That is consistent with the seasonal pattern we experienced in 2025 and with the normal program timing and turnover in portions of our custom manufacturing portfolio.

Speaker #1: We are not viewing that expected movement as a change in trajectory. Ascent is not yet a fully scaled platform, and quarterly results can move meaningfully based on mix, production timing, and customer schedules.

Speaker #1: For that reason, we believe the trailing 12-month view provides the clearest measure of whether this business is progressing through the quarterly noise. On that basis, the direction of the business continues to point upward.

Speaker #1: Turning to cash, we ended June with $28.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, and no borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We had an additional $17.9 million of revolver availability, resulting in approximately $46 million of total liquidity.

Ryan Kavalauskas: Turning to cash, we ended June with $28.1 million of cash and cash equivalents and no borrowings under our revolving credit facility. We had an additional $17.9 million of revolver availability, resulting in approximately $46 million of total liquidity. Cash declined by approximately $29.5 million from year-end. The principal uses were clear and deliberate. Approximately $14.6 million for the Midwest acquisition, $6.9 million for share repurchases, and $1.2 million for capital expenditures. Operating activities used $7.7 million of cash during H1, driven primarily by working capital. Accounts receivable used approximately $6.5 million of cash, reflecting higher receivables as sales grew. The $800,000 escrow related to the sale of American Stainless Tubing has already been received and is additive to the quarter-end cash balance I referenced, while the remaining $4.5 million associated with the Bristol Metals transaction is expected to be released in October 2026.

Speaker #1: Cash declined by approximately $29.5 million from year-end. The principal uses were clear and deliberate: approximately $14.6 million for the Midwest acquisition, $6.9 million for share repurchases, and $1.2 million for capital expenditures.

Speaker #1: Operating activities used $7.7 million of cash during the first half, driven primarily by working capital. Accounts receivable used approximately $6.5 million of cash, reflecting higher receivables as sales grew.

Speaker #1: The 800,000 dollar escrow related to the sale of American Stainless Stewing has already been received, and is additive to the quarter-end cash balance I referenced.

Speaker #1: While the remaining 4.5 million associated with the Bristol's Metals transaction is expected to be released in October 2026. Beyond receivables and the timing of those escrow proceeds, inventory used approximately 1.1 million, while accounts payable provided approximately 2.6 million of cash.

Ryan Kavalauskas: Beyond receivables and the timing of those escrow proceeds, inventory used approximately $1.1 million, while accounts payable provided approximately $2.6 million of cash. Overall, operating working capital absorbed approximately $7.6 million in H1. Separately, the timing of the escrow proceeds reduced recorded cash at quarter end, but those amounts represent contractually deferred divestiture proceeds rather than underlying operating cash consumption. Our cash conversion cycle increased to 75 days, up 12 days from the prior year. Days sales outstanding increased to 66 days inventory outstanding increased to 47 days, and days payable outstanding declined to 37 days. Some of that reflects the timing and support required for the growth we have won, but the current level is higher than we want and is not a permanent requirement of the business.

Speaker #1: Overall, operating working capital absorbed approximately 7.6 million in the first half. Separately, the timing of the escrow proceeds reduced recorded cash at quarter-end. But those amounts represent contractually deferred divestiture proceeds rather than underlying operating cash consumption.

Speaker #1: Our cash conversion cycle increased to 75 days, up 12 days from the prior year. Day sales outstanding increased to 66 days, days inventory outstanding increased to 47 days, and days payable outstanding declined to 37 days.

Speaker #1: Some of that reflects the timing and support required for the growth we have won, but the current level is higher than we want and is not a permanent requirement of the business.

Speaker #1: We are targeting an initial five-day improvement in the cash conversion cycle, with the greatest opportunities in inventory discipline and vendor terms. While continuing to improve collections without undermining strategically important customer relationships.

Ryan Kavalauskas: We are targeting an initial 5-day improvement in the cash conversion cycle with the greatest opportunities in inventory discipline and vendor terms, while continuing to improve collections without undermining strategically important customer relationships. At our current scale, we estimate that each 5-day improvement could release approximately $1 to $1.5 million of cash, depending on the mix of working capital improvements. Our objective is to bring the cycle towards 70 days and then to continue to improve as the new revenue base matures. That opportunity is also important context for how investors should view our H1 cash use relative to the run rate we anticipate going forward. Excluding the acquisition and share repurchases, the business used approximately $9 million of free cash flow in H1, of which approximately $7.6 million was working capital. Before working capital changes, the business was near cash breakeven.

Speaker #1: At our current scale, we estimate that each five-day improvement could release approximately 1 to 1.5 million dollars of cash. Depending on the mix of working capital improvements.

Speaker #1: Our objective is to bring the cycle toward 70 days, and then to continue to improve as new revenue-based approaches mature. That opportunity is also important context for how investors should view our first half cash use, relative to the run rate we anticipate going forward.

Speaker #1: Excluding the acquisition and share repurchases, the business used approximately 9 million dollars of free cash flow in the first half. Of which, approximately 7.6 million was working capital.

Speaker #1: Before working capital changes, the business was near cash break-even. As we restore margin, normalize working capital, and sequence capital deployment against our priorities, we expect the cash use run rate to decline materially from the first half.

Ryan Kavalauskas: As we restore margin, normalize working capital, and sequence capital deployment against our priorities, we expect the cash use run rate to decline materially from H1. Looking ahead, before considering any additional discretionary capital deployment, we expect cash to recover into the mid $30 million range as operating cash use moderates and the two escrow amounts are received. With borrowing capacity expected to remain in the high teens, that would result in an anticipated total liquidity in the low to mid $50 million range. We would then evaluate acquisitions and share repurchases within the capital allocation framework and in light of liquidity, working capital needs, and expected returns. That leads directly to our capital allocation framework. We are managing capital across 5 priorities in order: liquidity, working capital, internal investment, strategic M&A, and share repurchases. The order matters.

Speaker #1: Looking ahead, before considering any additional discretionary capital deployment, we expect cash to recover into the mid-30 million dollar range as operating cash use moderates in the two escrow amounts I received.

Speaker #1: With borrowing capacity expected to remain in the high teens, that would result that would result in an anticipated total liquidity in the low to mid-50 million dollar range.

Speaker #1: We would then evaluate acquisitions and share repurchases within the capital allocation framework, and in light of liquidity, working capital needs, and expected returns. That leads directly to our capital allocation framework.

Speaker #1: We are managing capital across five priorities in order. Liquidity, working capital, internal investment, strategic M&A, and share repurchases. The order matters. First, we will protect liquidity and maintain sufficient flexibility to operate through normal volatility.

Ryan Kavalauskas: First, we will protect liquidity and maintain sufficient flexibility to operate through normal volatility. Second, we will fund working capital where it supports attractive, durable growth while holding the organization accountable for cash conversion and margin. Third, we will invest internally in safety, maintenance, technology, and high-return projects that improve productivity, capacity, and gross profit. Fourth, we will preserve strategic optionality for acquisitions that improve the quality of the portfolio. Midwest is a good example. It added higher margin product revenue, technical application capabilities, and customer access, and it was immediately accretive to adjusted EBITDA. We remain disciplined and prioritize existing earnings quality over speculative synergy assumptions. Fifth, we will repurchase shares opportunistically when the expected return is compelling relative to other uses of capital, and when liquidity, working capital, and operating investments are appropriately funded.

Speaker #1: Second, we will fund working capital where it supports attractive durable growth. While holding the organization accountable for cash conversion and margin. Third, we will invest internally in safety, maintenance, technology, and high-return projects to improve productivity, capacity, and gross profit.

Speaker #1: Fourth, we will preserve strategic optionality for acquisitions that improve the quality of the portfolio. Midwest is a good example. It added higher margin product revenue, technical application capabilities, and customer access.

Speaker #1: And it was immediately accretive to adjusted EBITDA. We'll remain disciplined and prioritize existing earnings quality over speculative synergy assumptions. Fifth, we will repurchase shares opportunistically when the expected return is compelling relative to other uses of capital, and when liquidity, working capital, and operating investments are appropriately funded.

Speaker #1: During the second quarter, we repurchased approximately 210,000 shares, or 2.9 million dollars, at an average price of $13.80 per share. For the first half, we repurchased approximately 506,000 shares, or 6.9 million dollars, and we had approximately 1.5 million shares remaining under the authorization at quarter-end.

Ryan Kavalauskas: During Q2, we repurchased approximately 210,000 shares for $2.9 million at an average price of $13.80 per share. For H1, we repurchased approximately 506,000 shares for $6.9 million, and we had approximately 1.5 million shares remaining under the authorization at Q2 end. In the near term, the highest return use of capital is improving cash conversion and restoring gross margin. That does not mean stepping back from growth. It simply means making the growth we have already won more efficient, more profitable, and less cash intensive, while deploying capital in the order we have outlined. We believe that discipline will produce a substantially lower cash use run rate and allow the upward trajectory of the business to become more visible over time. With that, I'll turn it back to the operator for questions. Thank you.

Speaker #1: In the near term, the highest return use of capital is improving cash conversion, and restoring gross margin. That does not mean stepping back from growth.

Speaker #1: It simply means making the growth we have already won more efficient, more profitable, and less cash intensive, while deploying capital in the order we have outlined.

Speaker #1: We believe that discipline will produce a substantially lower cash use run rate and allow the upward trajectory of the business to become more visible over time.

Speaker #1: With that, I'll turn it back to the operator for questions. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Thank you. At this time, we will conduct the question and answer session. As a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press star 11 on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced.

Operator: Thank you. At this time, we will conduct the question and answer session. As a reminder, to ask a question, you will need to press star one one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. I'm showing no questions at this time. I would now like to turn it back to President and CEO, Brian Kitchen.

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. I'm showing no questions at this time.

Speaker #2: I would now like to turn it back to President and CEO, Brian Kitchen.

Speaker #3: Okay. Thank you, Bonnie. We'd like to thank everyone for listening to today's call, and we look forward to speaking with you again when we report our third quarter.

J. Bryan Kitchen: Okay. Thank you, Bonnie. We'd like to thank everyone for listening to today's call, and we look forward to speaking with you again when we report our Q3 2026 results. Thank you, and be safe.

Bryan Kitchen: Okay. Thank you, Bonnie. We'd like to thank everyone for listening to today's call, and we look forward to speaking with you again when we report our Q3 2026 results. Thank you, and be safe.

Speaker #3: 2026 results. Thank you, and be safe.

Operator: Thank you for your participation in today's conference. This does conclude the program. You may now disconnect.

Q2 2026 Ascent Industries Co Earnings Call

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