Full-Year Adjusted EBITDA Target

FY 2025

$3.5B to $4B " " "

Guidance held (same as previous) "

no change

Free Cash Flow

FY 2025

$100M to $300M "

$100M to $300M "

no change

Cost Reduction Target

FY 2027

$1.9 billion (target after inflation) "

$1.9 billion "

no change

Mill reliability

Discussed extensively in Q4 2024 with emphasis on long‐term underinvestment, high annual cost losses (≈$175–200M) and negative impact on customer service. " " In Q1 2025, improvements in mill performance and cost management were noted, albeit with challenges such as deferred outages and anticipated higher costs in Q2. "

Q2 2025 reiterates ongoing mill reliability issues, emphasizes years of underinvestment leading to significant profit drag ($150M YTD, $300M annualized) and outlines ramping up maintenance investments (e.g. Mansfield mill) with planned heavy outages and expected future improvement. " " "

Consistent concern with a persistent challenge. While some progress is made, the mixed sentiment remains with continued focus on strategic reinvestment and maintenance.

Maintenance investments

In Q4 2024, maintenance spending was acknowledged as necessary to counter historical underinvestment, with capital and expense allocations redirected (including rapid leader training). " " Q1 2025 briefly mentioned capital investments improving service and reliability in Packaging Solutions. " "

Q2 2025 emphasized ramping up maintenance investments with detailed discussion on scheduled outages, cost impacts (e.g. $37M higher costs) and acceleration of reinvestment efforts amid a softer demand backdrop. " " "

Consistently addressed with evolving specificity. The focus remains on systematic reinvestment and cost control, with Q2 providing more granular cost details and future expectations.

Market share gains & commercial perf.

Q4 2024 described volume declines offset by strategic contract restructuring and a shift from defensive to offensive commercial posture. " Q1 2025 focused on closing the market gap in North American Packaging, improved on-time delivery and strong service quality. " " "

In Q2 2025, the company is optimistic about closing the market share gap in North America; noted improvement in on-time delivery (from 92% to 97%) and customer recognition of service enhancements, while navigating soft U.S. and EMEA markets. " " "

Persistent focus with nuances in sentiment. Despite previous volume declines and restructuring challenges, the narrative now emphasizes service quality improvements as a lever to gain market share.

DS Smith integration dynamics

Q4 2024 provided initial integration plans and conditions (including divestitures) with less emphasis on challenges. In Q1 2025, both positive synergies (e.g. synergy goals of $600–700M, cultural alignment) and legacy challenges (depreciation impacts, lower EMEA demand) were thoroughly discussed. " " "

Q2 2025 highlights progress in integrating DS Smith U.S. assets but continues to flag legacy challenges in North America (e.g. $5M EBITDA loss) and structural adjustments in Europe, maintaining an overall mixed tone that remains cautiously optimistic. " "

Mixed and evolving. While synergies and progress are noted, persistent legacy issues remain. The sentiment is cautiously optimistic with an eye on unlocking integration benefits over time.

Operational efficiency & cost-saving

Q4 2024 emphasized significant productivity gains (20%+ from Lighthouse pilots), cost reductions (targeting $350M recovery by unlocking performance) and a detailed transformation agenda. " " " " Q1 2025 also provided a robust discussion on the 80/20 performance system, Lighthouse initiatives, and DS Smith synergy contributions toward cost savings. " " " "

Q2 2025 continues the transformational narrative through a focus on the “eightytwenty” strategy across regions, highlighting initiatives across North America and EMEA, detailing cost-savings targets (e.g. nearing $600M run-rate) and addressing mill system inefficiencies with planned outage cost details. " " " "

Consistent drive towards transformation and efficiency. The focus on cost reduction and productivity remains, with continuous deployment of strategic initiatives across segments and regions.

Underinvestment & capital expenditures

Q4 2024 provided an in-depth review, citing a history of underinvestment in mill reliability, a planned capex of $1.2B and a three-year catch-up timeline. " " " Q1 2025, by contrast, mentioned reinvestments in service and reliability without explicit focus on historical underinvestment. " "

Q2 2025 reintroduces the theme strongly, pointing to “years of underinvestment” as a root cause of current issues, with examples such as the Mansfield mill and a strategic push to redeploy capital from nonstrategic assets into those that yield sustained advantages. " "

Reaffirmed as a central issue. The detailed discussion in Q4 and renewed emphasis in Q2 underscore an ongoing challenge that is critical to long-term performance, despite being less explicit in Q1.

European market conditions & pricing

Q1 2025 described soft European demand, strong negative consumer sentiment, and lagged price changes (with two containerboard price increases noted). " " " Q4 2024 did not address these topics.

Q2 2025 reiterates the European market challenges with discussion on soft box shipments (−1% sequentially), cautious pricing expectations due to macroeconomic volatility, and slight recovery signs in June/July. " " " "

Consistent caution with emerging recovery signals. After being a focus in Q1 and absent in Q4, Q2 brings the topic back with a measured tone—acknowledging softness yet hinting at potential stabilization.

Trade and tariff uncertainties

Q1 2025 provided a detailed discussion regarding tariff risks affecting the pulp and containerboard businesses, noting mid-single-digit top-line risks and second-order effects. " Q4 2024 did not mention trade or tariff issues.

Q2 2025 revisits the topic by highlighting ongoing tariff uncertainties impacting industrial production and box demand, especially with unresolved tariff negotiations in EMEA and cautious customer investment behavior. " " "

A recurrent concern. After detailed coverage in Q1, the topic re-emerges in Q2, underscoring continuous macroeconomic risks that could impact margins and global flows.

Exit of nonstrategic export markets

Neither Q1 2025 nor Q4 2024 specifically mentioned exiting nonstrategic export markets, though Q1 discussed strategic focus on core customers and market segments. " " "

Q2 2025 introduces this as an emerging strategic focus. The company is actively exiting nonstrategic export markets—referred to as “dumping grounds” for excess domestic production—to concentrate on segments where customers value their capabilities. "

New emphasis emerging. This topic was not directly mentioned before and now signals a strategic shift toward higher-value markets, potentially impacting future growth.

Lighthouse strategy for productivity gains

Q4 2024 showcased robust results from the Lighthouse strategy with over 20% productivity gains, detailed consolidation of box plants, and plans to scale to 22 more plants. " " " Q1 2025 also featured a strong discussion on launching 80/20 Lighthouse initiatives in Chicago and Atlanta and rollout plans across 75 plants. " " "

In Q2 2025, the discussion on the Lighthouse strategy is less detailed but still notes the deployment goal (75 plants by year-end) and that 40 plants have already implemented the model, continuing to drive productivity improvements. "

Consistent yet slightly less emphasized. While still a key part of the operational strategy, the level of detail appears reduced in Q2 compared to earlier periods, possibly indicating a transition to execution mode after initial strong emphasis.