LH
Limbach Holdings, Inc. (LMB)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 revenue rose 37.8% year over year to $184.6M; ODR mix reached 76.6% and Adjusted EBITDA was $21.8M; GAAP diluted EPS was $0.73 and adjusted EPS was $1.05 .
- Revenue was essentially in line with S&P Global consensus ($184.6M actual vs $184.5M estimate*), but GAAP diluted EPS missed ($0.73 actual vs $0.85 estimate*); adjusted EPS of $1.05 exceeded the GAAP consensus* .
- Guidance reaffirmed: FY25 revenue $650–$680M and Adjusted EBITDA $80–$86M; underlying assumptions revised lower for gross margin (25.5–26.5% from 28–29%), organic growth (7–10% from 10–15%), and SG&A% lowered to 15–17% from 18–19% .
- Strategic theme: Pioneer Power acquisition accelerated revenue but diluted gross margin; management emphasized integrating Pioneer to lift margins and scaling ODR/professional services to drive long-term margin expansion and national accounts penetration .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- ODR revenue grew 52.0% YoY to $141.4M and comprised 76.6% of total revenue; ODR gross profit rose $6.0M and represented ~80% of total gross profit .
- Cash generation strengthened: operating cash flow of $13.3M in Q3 vs $4.9M last year; Q3 free cash flow conversion ~82% of Adjusted EBITDA .
- Management highlighted progress on national healthcare accounts: 20 facility assessments yielded $12M of capital projects at four sites, including three outside existing geographies (“This is a prime example of a capital project where we weren’t competing for the work”) .
What Went Wrong
- Consolidated gross margin fell to 24.2% from 27.0%, primarily due to the lower margin profile at Pioneer Power; ODR margin declined to 25.2% from 31.9% .
- GAAP diluted EPS of $0.73 missed S&P Global consensus of $0.85*; Adjusted EBITDA margin ticked down YoY to 11.8% from 12.9% .
- Organic growth assumptions for FY25 were refined downward (total organic growth 7–10% vs 10–15% previously), reflecting a faster-than-expected decline in GCR as mix shifts to ODR .
Financial Results
Segment breakdown (Q3 YoY):
KPIs:
Guidance Changes
Rationale for changes: Higher-than-anticipated revenue from Pioneer Power with a lower margin profile drove the gross margin reset; faster GCR decline reduced total organic revenue growth; SG&A% lowered due to higher revenue contribution (scale) .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We are pleased to report a solid third quarter, underscoring the success of our strategic transition to higher margin ODR business… ODR revenue increased 52.0% year-over-year and now represents about 76.6% of total revenue” — Michael McCann, CEO .
- “Pioneer Power’s revenue performance exceeded our initial expectations this quarter… we have a path to implement operational and commercial enhancements that we expect will expand its margins over time” — Michael McCann, CEO .
- “Total gross margin… was 24.2%, down from 27%… driven by the lower gross margin profile of Pioneer Power revenue… ODR gross profit comprised approximately 80% of the total gross profit dollars” — Jayme Brooks, CFO .
- “In Q3, [the healthcare initiative] has already translated into $12 million in capital projects at four sites… we weren’t competing for the work” — Michael McCann, CEO .
Q&A Highlights
- Pioneer Power contribution/margins: Second half revenue closer to $60M; majority ODR; margins expected to rise post integration; playbook focuses on gross profit benchmarking and proactive sales .
- SG&A trajectory: Q3 SG&A% fell to 15.3% due to scale and Pioneer mix; 2026 may see investment increases tied to proactive sales force; FY26 guidance not yet provided .
- ODR organic growth visibility: YTD 14.4% organic ODR; guidance 20–25% implies Q4 acceleration driven by quick-burn work and year-end budgets; sales hires maturing .
- Backlog/intra-quarter revenue: Backlog less predictive due to ODR quick-burn and T&M; emphasis on diversified revenue streams with durable demand .
- National accounts blueprint: Multi-year professional service-led entry converts to design-build capex; replicable across healthcare, industrial, and data centers .
Estimates Context
Consensus vs Company Reported (Q3 2025):
- Revenue essentially in line/slight beat vs consensus (actual $184.6M vs estimate $184.5M*). GAAP diluted EPS missed (actual $0.73 vs estimate $0.85*). Company’s adjusted diluted EPS of $1.05 exceeded GAAP consensus but is non-GAAP and not directly comparable* .
- SPGI EBITDA consensus of ~$22.6M* vs company Adjusted EBITDA $21.8M; SPGI “actual” EBITDA tracked ~$19.0M*, highlighting definitional differences (company reports Adjusted EBITDA) .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.*
Where estimates may need adjustment:
- Lower consolidated gross margin trajectory (25.5–26.5%) and revised organic growth (7–10%) suggest EPS and EBITDA consensus may drift lower near term until Pioneer margin lift materializes and ODR mix expansion offsets .
Key Takeaways for Investors
- ODR-led model is scaling: 76.6% mix, strong cash generation, and professional services are converting to funded capex; this reduces cyclicality and backlog dependence .
- Near-term margin headwind from Pioneer: consolidated gross margin reset to 25.5–26.5% for FY25, but management has a clear integration and margin-improvement playbook; watch progress through 2026 .
- FY25 guide reaffirmed despite mix changes: revenue $650–$680M and Adjusted EBITDA $80–$86M held; organic growth lowered but ODR growth raised, indicating focus on higher-quality revenue .
- Cash discipline and deleveraging: Q3 operating cash flow $13.3M; plan to deploy FCF to reduce revolver borrowings; liquidity ~$70.3M at quarter end supports M&A and growth .
- Estimate recalibration likely: GAAP EPS miss vs consensus this quarter and margin reset argue for cautious near-term EPS/EBITDA expectations until integration benefits are evident*.
- Tactical catalysts: Continued national account wins (healthcare, industrial, data centers), FY25 year-end budget flush dynamics, and margin updates on Pioneer integration can move the stock narrative .
- Medium-term thesis: Standardized ODR platform, disciplined M&A, and margin layering through professional services/rental offerings support a path toward structurally higher margins (target long-term GM ~35–40%), albeit with execution risk .
Notes:
* Values retrieved from S&P Global.