Patrick Miller
Analyst · Seaport Global
Thank you, Terry. Good morning. Welcome everybody to our call. Our global end markets continue to present challenges as we progress through the early part of 2016. Continued softness in the construction and agriculture equipment markets, coupled with a transition to a more normalized production levels for heavy-duty trucks in North America continue to weigh on our top line. In anticipation and response to these conditions, you’ll recall that we initiated our restructuring and cost reduction actions in the fourth quarter of last year. These actions were undertaken to protect our margins and more efficiently match our manufacturing footprint to our customer needs. We continue to progress with our announced plans. As revealed this week, we intend to consolidate seat production in North America from three facilities down to two facilities. This was a difficult decision and not one taken lightly. However, this restructuring is necessary to rationalize our manufacturing footprint capacity and reduce overhead costs. Our major customers reward the [lowest landed] cost with growth opportunities. These changes put CVG in better position to remain competitive as marketplace trends shift. We estimate restructuring charges of $3 million to $4 million associated with these actions. Initiation of this footprint rationalization allows our overall restructuring and cost reduction plan to proceed as projected. If you recall, the overall restructuring and cost reduction actions are sized at $10 million to $14 million when fully implemented by late 2017. Cost reductions associated with these actions are estimated at $8 million to $12 million annually once fully implemented. And actions taken to date are in line with our expectations. We will continue to update the status of our restructuring as the year progresses. Turning now to our consolidated results for the first quarter 2016, revenues were down by 18% for the period as compared to the same period last year. Our global truck and bus segment revenues were down about 20% versus prior year, while our global construction and agriculture segment revenues were down almost 16%. First quarter 2016 North American Class 8 truck OEM build levels were down just under 20% as compared to the same period last year and will be more aligned with historical replacement levels on an annualized basis. It’s been well publicized that the inventory levels have been high and the truck makers are adjusting. Overall, our top line results for the quarter were negatively impacted by difficult market conditions in our major segments. Our results were generally in line with the combined downturn in these markets. Net income for the first quarter 2016 was $2.6 million as compared to $3.6 million in the prior year period as a result of lower sales volumes. Earnings per share as adjusted for special items were $0.10 in the first quarter 2016 as compared to $0.13 for the same period in 2015. In the fourth quarter last year, we announced restructuring and cost containment initiatives designed to protect and improve bottom line results. We have discussed the footprint changes and also other fixed cost improvements. Another major part of our plan includes our continued rollout of the operational excellence program across the globe, coupled with targeted productivity improvements. Our expectation is to have close to 400 of our employees trained in our black belt, green belt and yellow belt processes by the end of 2016. The training program includes hands-on live projects that require achieving a certain level of cost savings in order to graduate the class. We are encouraged not only by the quality of the results so far, but also the potential being generated by the increase of participants. In addition to productivity, the OpEx teams are delivering systemic inventory reductions, contributing to our improving cash position. Lastly, our purchasing and supply chain improvements are also driving improved profitability. We are consolidating our base and streamlining our logistics. We see ongoing opportunities on the supply side. The cost side focus continues to pay dividends and is evidenced by our improved gross margin results. We’re pleased to report that first quarter results are starting to reflect the impact of these actions with improved margins on lower sales. We believe this positions us well once our core markets begin to cycle up. As adjusted for special items, our operating income margin for the first quarter this year was 5.2%, up from 3.3% in the fourth quarter of 2015 and up from the full year 2015 adjusted operating income margin of 4.9%, in spite of the top line pressure. In our GCA segment, we are seeing improved operating income margins. Our focused efforts to improve profitability in this segment are generating good progress in the first quarter. Joseph Saoud, President of our global construction and agriculture segment, is with us today and will be discussing these efforts and market conditions affecting our GCA segment later in the call. Looking to 2016 in the global truck and bus segment, we’ve been on record stating our estimate for the 2016 Class 8 build would be in the 230,000 to 250,000 range and we are still projecting that range. Market forecasters such as ACT and FTR are projecting the heavy-duty truck build in North America to production levels in the range of 235,000 to 245,000 units, while the OEMs are projecting slightly higher. We are seeing steady production and sales levels in the medium-duty segment, where the fundamentals continue to look healthy. Industry experts are forecasting the Class 5 through 7 truck build in North America to be slightly up year over year. Outside of North America, we are seeing truck and bus builds rebounding in parts of Asia Pacific, which is benefiting us as we are growing our offerings and presence in this region. We have discussed more about the cost focus while we deal with some of the pressing market conditions. However, we are also actively supporting our growth strategies. We have dedicated resources that are in the process of launching next generation programs in the North American truck segment, Asia Pacific truck and bus, global construction and the global agriculture segment. We are expanding our operations in Mexico, increasing capabilities for seat, interior trim and wire harnesses. In India, we are investing in our seat business as well as our global engineering support center. Lastly, CVG is driving brand and product leadership in the aftermarket and dealer channels we serve. Next month, we’ll be rolling out a refreshed product line targeted at the construction and agriculture aftermarket in North America, as well as mid-sized OEMs. This line brings improved comfort levels to [occupants] and is branded under our KAB Seating brand. This new product line allows us to increase penetration in this segment. Next, Joseph Saoud, our Global GCA President, will provide updates on our construction, ag and military business. Joseph has been diligently working to drive the right focus for his area since mid last year when he joined CVG. Joseph?