Vestis Corporation (VSTS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Access earnings results, analyst expectations, report, slides, earnings call, and transcript.
Overview
The earnings call presents a mixed picture. Basic financial performance shows some improvement in cash flow and cost per pound, but a decline in EBITDA margin and flat revenue expectations. Product development efforts are ongoing, but no significant breakthroughs were reported. Market strategy appears stable with no major shifts. Financial health is cautious, with high net debt and liquidity concerns. Shareholder returns were not highlighted. The Q&A reveals cautious optimism but lacks clear guidance, especially on revenue improvements, resulting in a neutral sentiment.
Key Financial Performance
Adjusted EBITDA $70 million, improving sequentially from fiscal Q4 2025. This improvement reflects early tangible progress from actions to bend the cost curve and drive better utilization of people and network.
Revenue $663.4 million, a decline of $20.4 million or 3% versus the first quarter of fiscal 2025. The decline was due to a $17.9 million drop in rental revenue and a $2.7 million drop in direct sales, offset by a $0.2 million benefit from positive adjustments.
Volume Processed Uniforms processed decreased by 2%, while linen volume increased by 7% in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the prior year. The shift in product mix negatively impacted revenue per pound by $0.04 or 3%, equating to roughly $20 million in revenue decline.
Cost of Service Down $3 million year-over-year due to lower merchandise and delivery costs, despite higher plant costs related to shifts in product volume mix.
SG&A Expenses Down approximately $14 million or 12% year-over-year when adjusted for $7.8 million in third-party support costs and $5.5 million in severance related to the strategic business transformation.
Cost per Pound Improved by $0.02 compared to the prior year, equating to roughly $10 million in adjusted EBITDA at current volume and product mix levels.
Adjusted EBITDA Margin 10.6% compared to 11.9% in the prior year, but higher by 150 basis points than fiscal Q4 2025.
Operating Cash Flow $38 million, a $33.9 million increase year-over-year, driven by $27 million in cash flow improvements from working capital management.
Free Cash Flow $28 million, including a $12.7 million benefit from working capital improvements. Excluding working capital improvements, free cash flow was $15.6 million.
Net Debt $1.29 billion, with principal bank debt outstanding at $1.16 billion. Liquidity position includes $317 million of available liquidity, comprising $275 million of undrawn revolver capacity and $42 million of cash on hand.
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Operating Highlights
Operational Excellence: On-time delivery improved by 300 basis points compared to Q1 2025. Plant productivity increased by 7%, customer complaints decreased by 12% year-over-year, and weekly lost business declined by 15% from Q4 2025. Cost per pound improved by $0.02, translating to approximately $10 million in adjusted EBITDA.
Commercial Excellence: Introduced decision support tools to improve revenue quality, product mix, pricing, and customer penetration. Strengthened local customer engagement with market development representatives to deepen relationships and expand penetration.
Network and Asset Optimization: Conducted market studies to identify profitable growth opportunities. Actively marketing non-core properties for sale to repay debt. Improved working capital management, generating $27 million in cash flow improvements year-over-year.
Business Transformation: Focused on operational, commercial, and network optimization pillars to drive sustainable growth. Implemented a comprehensive training program for key leaders on operating leverage. Emphasized cost per pound as a key metric for value creation.
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Risk or Challenges
Revenue Decline: Revenue for the first quarter declined by $20.4 million or 3% compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2025. This was driven by a shift in product mix towards lower revenue quality items, such as linen adjacent products, which negatively impacted revenue per pound by $0.04 or 3%.
Product Mix Shift: The shift in product mix towards more costly-to-process items like towels and aprons has limited top-line operating leverage and negatively impacted revenue quality, despite stable overall throughput.
Cost Pressures: Plant costs increased year-over-year due to shifts in product volume mix, although some cost improvements were noted in December compared to November.
Debt Levels: Net debt remains high at $1.29 billion, with principal bank debt at $1.16 billion. While liquidity is strong, deleveraging actions are necessary to improve financial stability.
Operational Transformation Costs: The company incurred $7.8 million in third-party support costs and $5.5 million in severance expenses related to its strategic business transformation, impacting SG&A expenses.
Supply Chain Delays: Longer lead times for industrial laundry equipment investments have delayed capital expenditures, which could impact operational efficiency improvements.
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Guidance & Outlook
Revenue Expectations: Revenue for fiscal 2026 is expected to be between flat to down 2% compared to fiscal 2025 revenue on a 52-week basis.
Adjusted EBITDA Projections: Adjusted EBITDA for fiscal 2026 is projected to be in the range of $285 million to $315 million, with 5% successive quarterly improvements starting in the second quarter.
Free Cash Flow Guidance: Free cash flow for fiscal 2026 is expected to be in the range of $50 million to $60 million, assuming capital expenditures remain consistent with 2025.
Cost Per Pound Improvements: The company expects continued improvement in cost per pound throughout fiscal 2026, with every $0.01 improvement equating to approximately $5 million in adjusted EBITDA.
Capital Expenditures: Capital expenditures are expected to remain generally consistent with 2025 levels.
Deleveraging Actions: Proceeds from non-core property sales are anticipated to be used for debt repayment, with deleveraging actions expected in the fiscal second quarter.
Effective Tax Rate: The full-year 2026 effective tax rate is expected to range between 25% and 30%.
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Shareholder Return Plan
The selected topic was not discussed during the call.
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Key Q&A
Q:For the revenue per pound decline of 2.8%, how should we expect that to trend for the year? What are the most important drivers from a pricing mix action or the commercial initiatives to improve that?
A:The revenue per pound is expected to be flat to down 2% for FY '25. Management is focusing on shifting the mix, strategic pricing, and other initiatives to improve revenue per pound. They aim to improve it throughout the year, with timing being a key factor. Additionally, they emphasize considering revenue per pound in conjunction with cost per pound to reset the basis of good revenue per pound.
Q:On the sequential EBITDA growth assumptions, how should we expect those to play out sequentially? What are the most important operational and commercial assumptions underpinning that sequential progression?
A:Management is guiding to $285 million to $315 million in adjusted EBITDA for FY '26, with a 5% sequential improvement each quarter. The Q4 '25 exit rate serves as a benchmark, with $5 million improvement from Q4 to Q1. The $40 million in-year benefit from transformation includes $5 million realized in Q1. Cost per pound improvements are a key driver of sequential EBITDA growth.
Q:What are you seeing from a general macro standpoint or customer demand standpoint? Any slowing or reduction in overall demand?
A:Management has not observed any waning in demand, with volume consistent on a pound basis year-over-year. They are focused on mix shifting as part of their commercial transformation. The macro environment is considered secondary to their transformation efforts, which are aimed at building a strong foundation for growth.
Q:How would you calibrate your progress thus far in the transformation? Are you ahead of schedule, in line with schedule? Where should we see the biggest change from an operations standpoint in the next 12 months?
A:Management considers the transformation to be in the early stages ('first inning'). Progress will involve a blend of cost per pound and revenue per pound improvements. Operational leverage and service metrics are being tracked, with sequential improvements in cost and service levels observed month-over-month.
Q:Can you explain the plant productivity metrics, which showed a 7% increase? How does this relate to cost per pound, and what drove these efficiency gains?
A:Plant productivity is measured in pounds processed per operating hour. The 7% improvement is not yet reflected in cost per pound for Q1 but is expected to show in future quarters. Efficiency gains are driven by better utilization of existing tools and technology, daily visibility into productivity and service levels, and optimization of building operations to improve capacity and flow.
Q:How much of the $75 million cost savings has been realized in the first quarter? How should we think about the cadence of cost-saving realizations over the remainder of the year?
A:The $75 million is a full-year target for FY '26, with $40 million expected in FY '26. Of this, $5 million was realized in Q1, leaving $35 million to be realized between Q2 and Q4. The cadence includes $9 million in Q2 and approximately $13 million each in Q3 and Q4, primarily driven by cost per pound savings.
Q:Is there any increase in traction in penetrating the unblended market, like programmers market? How is growth in the white space trending?
A:The new business mix remains roughly 60% programmers and 40% nonprogrammers, with no dramatic shift observed. Market development representatives are being introduced to focus on growing both programmers and nonprogrammers segments.
Q:Review of Unclear Management Responses
A:Management avoided providing specific details on the timing and exact impact of revenue per pound improvements, as well as the precise operational changes driving cost per pound reductions. Additionally, their response to macroeconomic impacts was vague, emphasizing internal transformation over external factors.
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Earnings Word Cloud
The most frequently occurring keywords in this quarter's earning call
Advisors discussion
Chief Officer
Instructions Neely
Interim Chief
Neely Vallum
Officer Interim
Officer today
Plant productivity
SGA shareholder
Vestis penny
Vestis pillar
accountability priority
action training
asset optimization
cost pound
decision mix
engagement
foundation
improvement cost
indicator
measure
mix level
mix pricing
network asset
penetration
pillar excellence
pound leverage
pound volume
product mix
profitability
property sale
transformation
value creation
volume mix
VSTS Transcript
Vestis Corporation (VSTS) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown2-10
The earnings call presents a mixed picture. Basic financial performance shows some improvement in cash flow and cost per pound, but a decline in EBITDA margin and flat revenue expectations. Product development efforts are ongoing, but no significant breakthroughs were reported. Market strategy appears stable with no major shifts. Financial health is cautious, with high net debt and liquidity concerns. Shareholder returns were not highlighted. The Q&A reveals cautious optimism but lacks clear guidance, especially on revenue improvements, resulting in a neutral sentiment.
Vestis Corporation (VSTS) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown12-2
The earnings call summary reflects mixed sentiments. Basic financial performance is stable, but margins are declining. Product development shows focus on optimization, but lacks immediate impact. Market strategy is unclear with vague future plans. Expenses are managed, but high net debt remains concerning. Shareholder returns are not addressed. Q&A reveals cautious optimism, but lacks concrete guidance. Overall, mixed signals indicate a neutral outlook.
Vestis Corporation (VSTS) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Transcript
Unknown8-6
The earnings call reveals a decline in revenue, margins, and adjusted EBITDA, indicating financial challenges. Despite positive cash flow and liquidity, the Q&A highlights management's focus on optimization rather than growth, with no significant new strategies or partnerships. The market cap suggests a potential stronger reaction, but overall sentiment leans negative due to weak financial performance and lack of optimistic guidance.
Earnings call transcript: Vestis Corp Q1 2025 misses EPS forecast, stock drops
Unknown2-1
The earnings call indicates mixed signals: there is a decline in revenue and profitability challenges, but also positive efforts in pricing and customer retention. The Q&A highlights improvements in service and retention, yet management's vagueness on cost initiatives raises concerns. The market cap suggests a moderate reaction, aligning with the neutral sentiment given the balance of positive and negative factors.
VSTS Slides
VSTS Report
Frequently Asked Questions
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