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    Westrock Coffee (WEST)

    WEST Q1 2025: $75M–$88M EBITDA Guidance as Conway Site Scales Up

    Reported on May 9, 2025
    Pre-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
    Post-Earnings PriceN/ADate unavailable
    Price ChangeN/A
    • Robust capacity expansion: The ramp-up at the Conway site with the launch of a large can line, a second can line, and a glass line—with plans to be fully operational by early next year—highlights the company’s ability to rapidly scale production to meet increasing demand.
    • Strong customer order visibility: Executives noted high confidence in fulfilling customer commitments as orders are already being scheduled and customers are eager to lock in production slots, supporting robust near-term revenue growth.
    • Scalable infrastructure: The company has built flexible facilities that allow for incremental capacity additions (simply by adding more machines without extensive infrastructure changes), positioning it well to capture additional market share as demand increases.
    MetricYoY ChangeReason

    Total Revenue

    +11% (from $192.50M to $213.80M)

    Total Revenue increased by 11% YoY driven by stronger performance in core segments. Enhanced revenue from Beverage Solutions—especially with the +13% growth in Flavors, Extracts & Ingredients and the dramatic +37% increase in SS&T contributed to this gain, building on previous trends of volume growth and price increases.

    Flavors, Extracts & Ingredients Revenue

    +13% (from $38.40M to $43.25M)

    This segment experienced +13% YoY growth due to sustained volume growth and a focused expansion of product lines, continuing the momentum seen in prior periods where improvements in supply chain management and expense discipline helped drive revenue.

    SS&T Revenue

    +37% (from $36.30M to $49.72M)

    SS&T revenue surged by 37% YoY as a result of a significant increase in sales volume and a 54.2% jump in average sales price per pound, influenced by global commodity prices. This strong performance further amplified the gains seen in the prior period, where increased commodity contract revenues played a key role.

    Geographic – All Other Countries

    +37% (from $32.40M to $44.48M)

    The “All Other Countries” region outpaced domestic growth with a +37% increase YoY, reflecting robust expansion in international markets. This improvement built on previous period trends where international demand and favorable market dynamics contributed to better-than-average growth relative to the U.S. segment.

    Geographic – U.S. Revenue

    +6% (from prior comparable baseline)

    U.S. revenue grew moderately by +6% YoY, indicating a more mature and stable domestic market compared to the higher growth seen internationally. This modest increase aligns with historical trends where domestic growth remains steady despite competitive pressures.

    Loss from Operations

    Worsened by +29% (from $10.13M to $13.07M)

    Operating losses deepened by 29% YoY, primarily due to higher costs of sales—reflected in deteriorating gross profit—and increased transaction, restructuring, and integration expenses. Although operating expenses such as SG&A saw some moderation in previous periods, the negative impact of rising cost structures overpowered revenue gains.

    Net Loss

    +15% (from $23.67M to $27.22M)

    Net Loss widened by 15% YoY driven by increased operating expenses and diminished income tax benefits, coupled with a smaller favorable impact from fair value adjustments compared to the previous period. This continued deterioration in profitability mirrors trends from prior quarters where operational costs outpaced revenue improvements.

    Cash and Cash Equivalents

    +162% (from $12.57M to $33.05M)

    Cash improved dramatically by 162% YoY, bolstered by robust financing activities. Increased proceeds from debt and supply chain financing—as well as reduced capital expenditure relative to the prior period—played a key role in bolstering the cash position.

    Long-term Debt

    +59% (from $224.09M to $356.63M)

    Long-term debt grew 59% YoY, reflecting a strategic increase in financing instruments such as convertible notes, revolving credit facilities, and enhancements in other debt components. This continued the upward trend noted in previous periods as the company raised debt to support its expansion and operational needs.

    MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange

    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2025

    $66.5 million

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2026

    $140 million

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Beverage Solutions)

    FY 2025

    $75 million

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA (SS&T)

    FY 2025

    $6.5 million

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA (Beverage Solutions)

    FY 2026

    $133.5 million

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Segment Adjusted EBITDA (SS&T)

    FY 2026

    $6.5 million

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Year-over-Year Growth in Segment Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2025

    35%

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Year-over-Year Growth in Segment Adjusted EBITDA

    FY 2026

    72%

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    Beverage Solutions Net Secured Leverage

    FY 2025

    Guidance introduced to show deleveraging as the facility ramps up

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    No Scale-up Costs

    FY 2026

    The second canning line and glass line are expected to reach full run rate by the end of FY 2025, resulting in no scale-up costs in FY 2026

    No guidance provided in Q1 2025

    withdrawn

    TopicPrevious MentionsCurrent PeriodTrend

    Conway Facility Capacity Expansion and Ramp-Up

    Earlier periods (Q2–Q4 2024) discussed initial commercialization challenges, delays in production line start dates, and higher-than-planned scale‐up operating costs, with uncertainty around customer onboarding and phased production launches

    Q1 2025 provided clear production schedules with the first large can line already in production, detailed ramp‐up paths for additional lines (second can and glass lines), and significant capacity expansion efforts, backed by strong customer demand

    Transition from early uncertainty and delays to robust scaling with well‐defined production ramp-ups and expanded capacity.

    Scalable Production Infrastructure and New Production Lines

    Q2–Q4 2024 emphasized extensive investments in scalable infrastructure, the installation of new packaging and RTD lines, and planning for adjacent formats (bulk fill, bag‐in‐box), underpinning future growth

    Q1 2025 highlighted an expanded mix of production lines (can, glass, single-serve) with additional CapEx investments and repurposing of equipment to meet surging demand

    Consistent commitment to scalable and flexible production capabilities, with current period execution reinforcing earlier investment strategies.

    Customer Order Visibility & New Customer/Global CPG Brand Onboarding

    Q4 2024 spotlighted detailed onboarding processes and multiple contracts with premier global CPG brands filling key capacity, while Q2 and Q3 provided little detail on this topic

    Q1 2025 focused primarily on strong customer order visibility with solid volume commitments, though without further mention of the onboarding process

    Shift from a laborious multi-quarter onboarding narrative to a streamlined emphasis on order visibility, indicating a maturing customer base.

    EBITDA Growth Projections & Operational Efficiency/Margin Improvements

    Q2–Q4 2024 offered robust EBITDA forecasts, detailed cost management efforts, margin improvements, and clear guidance on overcoming scale-up operating costs, with aggressive forward projections

    Q1 2025 continued to project strong EBITDA growth with segmented guidance and noted operational efficiencies achieved despite temporary scale-up burdens

    Steady and positive outlook with continuous operational improvements; scale-up costs are being managed more effectively as production normalizes.

    Evolving Sentiment on the Single-Serve Cup Platform

    Q2 and Q3 2024 described consumer trade-downs and softness (up to a 24% decline in volumes) with cautious recovery expectations, while Q4 2024 noted initial softness alongside anticipated 2025 rebounds

    Q1 2025 conveyed highly optimistic sentiment with significant growth expectations driven by recent private label and branded product wins, and capacity expansion initiatives, with no mention of softness

    Recovery from earlier volume softness to a robust growth outlook, as new wins and capacity investments reverse prior consumer trade-down concerns.

    Production Delays & Commercialization Challenges at the Conway Facility

    Q2 2024 mentioned a careful, paced commercialization and flexible customer contracting; Q3 2024 reported delays for a large customer (6–9 months) and associated scale-up cost pressures; Q4 2024 detailed earlier delays and commercialization challenges limiting immediate ramp-up

    Q1 2025 emphasized that key production lines are now in operation or clearly scheduled, with challenges largely overcome and a confident outlook on achieving deliverables

    A marked shift from early delays and cautious commercialization to a confident, robust scaling phase with clearly defined ramp-up milestones.

    Commodity Price Impacts & Shifts in Consumer Behavior

    Q2–Q4 2024 highlighted significant challenges: Q2 noted consumer shifts to smaller pack sizes affecting single-serve volumes; Q3 focused on lower volumes due to consumer trading down; Q4 delved into a 70% surge in green coffee prices and potential downstream impacts on demand

    Q1 2025 continues to face high green coffee costs and tariffs, but has improved its approach by passing through costs to customers and noting a recovery in roast and ground coffee volumes, with mitigation strategies in place

    Persistent commodity price pressures coupled with evolving consumer behavior; while early periods underscored volume softness, the current period shows improved resilience and cost management.

    Financial Leverage Reduction Targets & Debt-to-EBITDA Metrics

    Q2 2024 reported a 6.1x net secured leverage, while Q4 2024 provided detailed targets (4.7x currently, expected to move to 3x by fiscal 2026) within covenant limits; Q3 2024 did not address this topic

    Q1 2025 did not mention these metrics, reflecting a reduced current focus on leverage details

    Enhanced focus in Q4 2024 on debt-reduction and covenant compliance, with the topic less emphasized in Q1 2025, suggesting targets may have been met or are no longer a primary concern.

    1. Guidance Outlook
      Q: What risks affect guidance ranges?
      A: Management explained that guidance variability is driven by ramp-up uncertainties in the new facility and potential consumer shifts from tariffs, yet they remain confident in delivering full-year adjusted EBITDA between $75M and $88M.

    2. Market Demand
      Q: What is the consumer market outlook?
      A: Scott Ford noted that despite tariff concerns and higher coffee costs, underlying unit demand—especially in roast and ground coffee—is improving, with volumes nearly matching last year’s levels.

    3. Order Visibility
      Q: Are orders secured for EBITDA growth?
      A: Scott Ford emphasized strong order visibility, with customers firmly committed and lining up as backups, ensuring production meets the EBITDA growth targets.

    4. Production Start
      Q: When do new lines begin production?
      A: Scott Ford detailed that the large can line is already in operation, with a second can and a glass line scheduled to start in the third quarter and reach full capacity by Q1 next year.

    5. Single-Serve Volume
      Q: How are single-serve volumes progressing?
      A: Management indicated robust progress in single-serve volumes, buoyed by significant private label and branded wins, with a marked ramp-up starting late in the quarter.

    6. Capacity Expansion
      Q: How scalable is Conway’s capacity?
      A: Scott Ford mentioned that current operations are at about 85% of theoretical throughput and highlighted the potential to add billions of cups by leveraging additional floor space, pending order growth.

    7. Recent Wins
      Q: What new wins are offsetting headwinds?
      A: Scott Ford pointed to recent private label and major brand wins across multiple segments, underscoring the strength of their product development efforts and a winning formula against market headwinds.

    8. Extra Capacity
      Q: Is there additional capacity for future wins?
      A: Scott Ford confirmed that the company has ample headroom across all facilities to add machines as orders grow, ensuring they can capture additional market share.

    9. Customer Mix
      Q: Is growth driven by large accounts or broader wins?
      A: Scott Ford explained that growth stems from both large “whale” wins and a broad base of smaller customers benefiting from shared infrastructure, balancing volume and economics.

    10. CapEx Clarification
      Q: Does Conway CapEx include all facility upgrades?
      A: Thomas Pledger clarified that Conway’s CapEx excludes related investments like the distribution center and K-Cup capacity, which are separately budgeted and involve repurposed equipment.

    Research analysts covering Westrock Coffee.