Q4 2025 Federal Signal Corp Earnings Call

February 25, 2026

Speaker #3: If anyone should require operator assistance, please press *0 on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. It is now my pleasure to introduce Felix Boeschen, Vice President, Corporate Strategy and IR.

Speaker #3: Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Good morning and welcome to FEDERAL SIGNAL's 4th Quarter 2025 Conference Call. I'm Felix Boeschen, the company's Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations.

Felix Boeschen: Good morning, welcome to Federal Signal's Q4 2025 Conference Call. I'm Felix Boeschen, the company's Vice President of Corporate Strategy and Investor Relations. With me on the call today is Jennifer Sherman, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Ian Hudson, our Chief Financial Officer. We will refer to some presentation slides today as well as to the earnings release, which we issued this morning. The slides can be followed online by going to our website, federalsignal.com, clicking on the Investor Call icon, and signing into the webcast. We've also posted the slide presentation and the earnings release under the Investor tab on our website.

Speaker #2: Also with me on the call today is Jennifer Sherman, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Ian Hudson, our Chief Financial Officer. We will refer to some presentation slides today as well as to the earnings release which we issued this morning.

Speaker #2: The slides can be followed online by going to our website, federalsignal.com, clicking on the Investor Call icon, and signing into the webcast. We have also posted the slide presentation and the earnings release under the Investor tab on our website.

Speaker #2: Before I turn the call over to Ian, I'd like to remind you that some of our comments made today may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to the Safe Harbor language found in today's news release and in Federal Signal's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Felix Boeschen: Before I turn the call over to Ian, I'd like to remind you that some of our comments made today may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbor language found in today's news release and in Federal Signal's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available on our website. Our presentation also contains some measures that are not in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. In our earnings release and filings, we reconcile these non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures. We will file our Form 10-K later today. Ian will start today with more detail on our Q4 and full year financial results. Jennifer will provide her perspective on our performance, current market conditions, our multi-year growth initiatives, and go over our outlook for 2026 before we open the line for any questions.

Speaker #2: These documents are available on our website. Our presentation also contains some measures that are not in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. In our earnings release and filings, we reconcile these non-GAAP measures to GAAP measures.

Speaker #2: In addition, we will file our Form 10-K later today. Ian will start today with more detail on our fourth quarter and full-year financial results.

Speaker #2: Jennifer will then provide her perspective on our performance, current market conditions, our multi-year growth initiatives, and go over our outlook for 2026 before we open the line for any questions.

Speaker #2: With that, I would now like to turn the call over to Ian.

Felix Boeschen: With that, I would now like to turn the call over to Ian.

Speaker #3: Thank you, Felix. Our financial results for the 4th Quarter and full-year of 2025 are provided in today's earnings report. Before I talk about the 4th Quarter, let me highlight some of our full-year consolidated results for 2025.

Ian Hudson: Thank you, Felix. Our financial results for Q4 and full year of 2025 are provided in today's earnings release. Before I talk about Q4, let me highlight some of our full year consolidated results for 2025. Net sales for the year were $2.18 billion, a record high for the company, and an increase of $319 million or 17% compared to last year. Organic net sales growth for the year was $205 million or 11%. Operating income for the year was $340.9 million, an increase of $59.5 million or 21% from last year. Net income for the year was $246.6 million, an increase of $30.3 million or 14% from last year.

Speaker #3: Net sales for the year were $2.18 billion, a record high for the company, and an increase of 319 million dollars or 17% compared to last year.

Speaker #3: Organic net sales growth for the year was 205 million dollars or 11%. Operating income for the year was $340.9 million dollars, an increase of 59.5 million dollars or 21% from last year.

Speaker #3: Net income for the year was $246.6 million, an increase of $30.3 million, or 14%, from last year. Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $438.9 million, up $88.3 million, or 25%, compared to last year.

Ian Hudson: Adjusted EBITDA for the year was $438.9 million, up $88.3 million or 25% compared to last year. That translates to a margin of 20.1% this year, up 130 basis points from last year. GAAP diluted EPS for the year, equated to $4.01 per share, up $0.51 per share or 15% from last year. On an adjusted basis, we reported record full-year earnings of $4.23 per share, up $0.89 per share or 27% from last year. Orders for the year, were $2.22 billion, an increase of $374 million or 20% from last year.

Speaker #3: That translates to a margin of 20.1% this year of $130 basis points from last year. GAAP diluted EPS for the year equated to $4.01 per share, up 51 cents per share or 15% from last year.

Speaker #3: On an adjusted basis, we reported record full-year earnings of $4.23 per share, up 89 cents per share or 27% from last year. Orders for the year were $2.22 billion dollars, an increase of 374 million dollars or 20% from last year.

Speaker #3: Backlog at the end of the year was $1.04 billion dollars, an increase of 45 million dollars or 5% from last year. For the rest of my comments, I will focus mostly on comparisons of the 4th Quarter of 2025 to the 4th Quarter of 2024.

Ian Hudson: Backlog at the end of the year was $1.04 billion, an increase of $45 million or 5% from last year. For the rest of my comments, I will focus mostly on comparisons of Q4 2025 to Q4 2024. Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $597 million, an increase of 27% compared to last year. Organic net sales growth for the quarter was $85 million or 18%. Consolidated operating income in Q4 this year was $83.5 million, up $13.4 million or 19% compared to last year. Net income for the quarter was $60.8 million, an increase of $10.8 million or 22% from last year.

Speaker #3: Consolidated net sales for the quarter were $597 million, an increase of 27% compared to last year. Organic net sales growth for the quarter was $85 million, or 18%.

Speaker #3: Consolidated operating income in Q4 this year was $83.5 million dollars, up 13.4 million dollars or 19% compared to last year. Net income for the quarter was $60.8 million dollars, an increase of 10.8 million dollars or 22% from last year.

Speaker #3: Consolidated adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $119.4 million dollars, up 30.1 million dollars or 34% compared to last year. That translates to a margin of 20%, an increase of 110 basis points from last year.

Ian Hudson: Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $119.4 million, up $30.1 million or 34% compared to last year. That translates to a margin of 20%, an increase of 110 basis points from last year. GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter was $0.99 per share, up $0.18 per share or 22% from last year. On an adjusted basis, EPS for Q4 this year was $0.01 per share, an increase of $0.29 per share or 33% compared to last year. Orders for the quarter were $647 million, up $201 million or 45% from last year. Orders in Q4 this year included $132 million of acquired backlog.

Speaker #3: GAAP diluted EPS for the quarter was $0.99 per share, up $0.18 per share, or 22%, from last year. On an adjusted basis, EPS for Q4 this year was $1.50 per share, an increase of $0.29 per share, or 33%, compared to last year.

Speaker #3: Orders for the quarter were $647 million dollars, up 201 million dollars or 45% from last year. Orders in Q4 this year included $132 million dollars, of acquired backlog.

Speaker #3: In terms of our 4th Quarter group results, ESG's net sales were $504 million dollars, an increase of 108 million dollars or 27% compared to last year.

Ian Hudson: In terms of our Q4 group results, ESG's net sales were $504 million, an increase of $108 million or 27% compared to last year. ESG's Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $109 million, up $26.1 million, or 31% compared to last year. That translates to an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.6% in Q4 this year, up 70 basis points from Q4 last year. ESG reported total orders of $566 million in Q4 this year, an increase of $1 million or 55% from last year. SSG's Q4 sales were $93 million, up $17 million, or 23% compared to last year.

Speaker #3: ESG's adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $109 million, up $26.1 million, or 31%, compared to last year. That translates to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21.6% in Q4 this year, up 70 basis points from Q4 last year.

Speaker #3: ESG reported total orders of $566 million dollars in Q4 this year, an increase of 21 million dollars or 55% from last year. SSG's 4th Quarter sales were $93 million dollars, up 17 million dollars or 23% compared to last year.

Speaker #3: SSG's adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $23.4 million dollars, up 7 million dollars or 43% from last year. SSG's adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was $25.2%, up 360 basis points from last year.

Ian Hudson: SSG's Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $23.4 million, up $7 million or 43% from last year. SSG's Adjusted EBITDA margin for the quarter was 25.2%, up 360 basis points from last year. SSG's orders for the quarter were generally in line with last year at approximately $82 million. Corporate operating expenses in Q4 this year were $26.5 million, compared to $10.5 million last year, with the increase primarily due to a $13 million increase in acquisition and integration related expenses. Turning now to the consolidated statement of operations, where the increase in net was $36.7 million improvement in gross profit. Consolidated gross margin for the quarter was 28.4%, up 30 basis points compared to last year.

Speaker #3: SSG's orders for the quarter were generally in line with last year at approximately 82 million dollars. Corporate operating expenses in Q4 this year were $26.5 million dollars, compared to $10.5 million dollars last year with the increase primarily due to a $13 million dollar increase in acquisition and integration-related expenses.

Speaker #3: Turning now to the consolidated statement of operations, where the increase in net sales was $36.7 million dollar improvement in gross profit. Consolidated gross margin for the quarter was $28.4%, up 30 basis points compared to last year.

Speaker #3: As a percentage of net sales, our selling, engineering, general, and administrative expenses for the quarter were down 110 basis points from Q4 last year.

Ian Hudson: As a percentage of net sales, our selling, engineering, general, and administrative expenses for the quarter were down 110 basis points from Q4 last year. During Q4 of this year, we recognized $13.3 million of acquisition-related expenses, up from $300,000 in Q4 last year. The increase included an aggregate expense of $6.8 million to increase the fair value of contingent consideration associated with the acquisitions of Hog and Standard, as well as expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition of New Way. Other items affecting the quarterly results included a $1.3 million increase in amortization expense, a $200,000 reduction in other expense and the nonrecurrence of a $3.8 million pretax non-cash pension settlement charge recognized in the prior quarter.

Speaker #3: During the 4th Quarter of this year, we recognized $13.3 million dollars of acquisition-related expenses, up from $300,000 dollars in Q4 last year. The increase included an aggregate expense of $6.8 million dollars to increase the fair value of contingent consideration associated with the acquisitions of Hogg and Standard, as well as expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition of Newway.

Speaker #3: Other items affecting the quarterly results included a $1.3 million dollar increase in amortization expense, a $1.7 million in interest expense, a $200,000 dollar reduction in other expense, and the non-recurrence of a $3.8 million dollar pre-tax non-cash pension settlement charge recognized in the prior quarter.

Speaker #3: Income tax expense for the quarter was $17.8 million dollars, an increase of 4.9 million dollars from last year with the year-over-year change largely due to higher pre-tax income levels and the recognition of fewer discrete tax benefits in the current year quarter compared to the prior year.

Ian Hudson: Income tax expense for the quarter was $17.8 million, an increase of $4.9 million from last year, with the year-over-year change largely due to higher pretax income levels and the recognition of fewer discrete tax benefits in the current year quarter compared to the prior year. Our GAAP effective tax rate for full year 2025 was 24%, including discrete tax benefits. For 2026, we currently expect a tax rate of approximately 25%, excluding any discrete tax benefits. On an overall GAAP basis, we therefore earned $0.99 per diluted share in Q4 this year, compared with $0.81 per share in Q4 last year. To facilitate earnings comparison, GAAP earnings per share for unusual items recorded in the current or prior periods.

Speaker #3: Our GAAP effective tax rate for full year 2025 was 24%, including discrete tax benefits. For 2026, we currently expect a tax rate of approximately 25%, excluding any discrete tax benefits.

Speaker #3: On an overall GAAP basis, we therefore earned $0.99 per diluted share in Q4 this year, compared with $0.81 per share in Q4 last year.

Speaker #3: To facilitate earnings comparison of GAAP earnings per share for unusual items recorded in the current or prior periods, in the current year quarter, we made adjustments to GAAP earnings per share to exclude acquisition and integration-related expenses, debt settlement charges, and purchase accounting expense effects.

Ian Hudson: In the current year quarter, we made adjustments to GAAP earnings per share to exclude acquisition and integration-related expenses, debt settlement charges, and purchase accounting expense effects. In the prior year quarter, we also excluded the pension settlement charge that I just noted. On this basis, our adjusted earnings in Q4 this year were $1.16 per share, compared with $0.87 per share in Q4 last year. Looking now at cash flow, where we generated $97 million of cash from operations during the quarter, an increase of $7 million or 7% from Q4 last year. That brings our full year operating cash generation to $255 million, an increase of $23 million or 10% compared to last year.

Speaker #3: In the prior-year quarter, we also excluded the pension settlement charge that I just noted. On this basis, our adjusted earnings in Q4 this year were $1.16 per share, compared with $0.87 per share in Q4 last year.

Speaker #3: Looking now at cash flow, we generated $97 million of cash from operations during the quarter, an increase of $7 million, or 7%, from Q4 last year.

Speaker #3: That brings our full-year operating cash generation to $255 million, an increase of $23 million, or 10%, compared to last year. Early in the fourth quarter, we executed a new 5-year credit facility, replacing the $800 million credit facility that was previously in place.

Ian Hudson: Early in Q4, we executed a new five-year credit facility, replacing the $800 million credit facility that was previously in place. During Q4, we completed the acquisition of Neway for an initial payment of approximately $413 million, in early January, we completed the acquisition of Mega for an initial payment of approximately $45 million. Our current net debt leverage ratio remains at a comfortable level, even after factoring in recent acquisitions. We ended the quarter with $501 million of net debt, an availability under our credit facility of $925 million.

Speaker #3: During the fourth quarter, we completed the acquisition of NewWay for an initial payment of approximately $413 million, and in early January, we completed the acquisition of Mega for an initial payment of approximately $45 million.

Speaker #3: Our current net debt leverage ratio remains at a comfortable level even after factoring in recent acquisitions. We ended the quarter with $501 million dollars of net debt and availability under our credit facility of $925 million dollars.

Speaker #3: With the increased borrowing capacity under our new credit facility, and our improved cash generation, we have significant flexibility to invest in organic growth initiatives pursue additional strategic acquisitions like Mega, pay down debt, and return cash to stockholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases.

Ian Hudson: With the increased borrowing capacity under our new credit facility and our improved cash generation, we have significant flexibility to invest in organic growth initiatives, pursue additional strategic acquisitions like Mega, pay down debt, and return cash to stockholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases. On that note, we paid dividends of $5 million during the quarter, reflecting a dividend of $0.14 per share. That concludes my comments. I would now like to turn the call over to Jennifer.

Speaker #3: On that note, we paid dividends of $5 million during the quarter, reflecting a dividend of $0.14 per share. That concludes my comments, and I would now like to turn the call over to Jennifer.

Speaker #1: Thank you, Ian. We are proud of our record-setting 4th quarter performance, which included new quarterly records across net sales, adjusted EPS, and adjusted EBITDA thanks to the outstanding results from both of our operating groups.

Jennifer Sherman: Thank you, Ian. We are proud of our record-setting Q4 performance, which included new quarterly records across net sales, Adjusted EPS, and Adjusted EBITDA, thanks to the outstanding results from both of our operating groups. Within our Environmental Solutions Group, we delivered 27% year-over-year net sales growth, a 31% increase in Adjusted EBITDA, and a 70 basis point improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin. Contributions from acquisitions, higher production levels, and continued price realization were all meaningful year-over-year contributors. Given continued strong order levels and an extensive pipeline of internal market share expansion initiatives, we remain focused on building more trucks across our family of specialty vehicle businesses and reducing lead times for sewer cleaners and four-wheel sweepers.

Speaker #1: Within our Environmental Solutions Group, we delivered 27% year-over-year net sales growth, a 31% increase in adjusted EBITDA, and a 70 basis point improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin.

Speaker #1: Contributions from acquisitions: higher production levels and continued price realization were all meaningful year-over-year contributors. Given continued strong order levels and an extensive pipeline of internal market share expansion initiatives, we remain focused on building more trust across our family of specialty vehicle businesses and reducing lead times for sewer cleaners and four-wheel sweepers.

Speaker #1: These efforts to increase throughput across our manufacturing sites contributed to double-digit percent increases in net sales across several ESG product verticals including sewer cleaners, safe digging trucks, street sweepers, metal extraction support equipment, and road marking and line removal trucks.

Jennifer Sherman: These efforts to increase throughput across our manufacturing sites contributed to double-digit percent increases in net sales across several ESG product verticals, including sewer cleaners, safe digging trucks, street sweepers, metal extraction support equipment, and road marking and line removal trucks. From a capacity perspective, the combination of large-scale capacity expansions that we completed between 2019 and 2022, good access to labor, and continued investments in several productivity-enhancing projects, position us well to profitably absorb more volume into our existing footprint. As in recent years, we expect approximately half of our annual CapEx expenditures in 2026 to be focused on various growth initiatives, with the other half focused on maintenance investments. Shifting to aftermarkets, where demand remains strong, aided by contributions from acquisitions.

Speaker #1: From a capacity perspective, the combination of large-scale capacity expansions that we completed between 2019 and 2022, good access to labor, and continued investments in several productivity-enhancing projects position us well to profitably absorb more volume into our existing footprint.

Speaker #1: As in recent years, we expect approximately half of our annual CAPEX expenditures in 2026 to be focused on various growth initiatives with the other half focused on maintenance investments.

Speaker #1: Shifting to aftermarkets, where demand remains strong aided by contributions from acquisitions, for the quarter, aftermarket revenue increased 20% year-over-year primarily driven by higher demand for aftermarket parts, increased service activity, and rental income growth.

Jennifer Sherman: For the quarter, aftermarket revenue increased 20% year-over-year, primarily driven by higher demand for aftermarket parts, increased service activity, and rental income growth. We are identifying new, attractive aftermarket parts growth opportunities across the enterprise and are highly energized by the long-term prospects of our internal Build More Parts initiative, whereby we are vertically integrating certain parts production. Over a multi-year timeline, this initiative will allow our teams to drive increased recurring parts revenue streams like expanding margins. Additionally, our aftermarket teams are working diligently to integrate our most recent acquisitions. Shifting to our Safety and Security Systems Group, the team delivered another excellent quarter with 23% top-line growth, a 43% increase in Adjusted EBITDA, and a 360 basis point improvement in Adjusted EBITDA margin.

Speaker #1: We are identifying new attractive aftermarket parts growth opportunities across the enterprise and are highly energized by the long-term prospects of our internal build more parts initiative whereby we are vertically integrating certain parts production.

Speaker #1: Over a multi-year timeline, this initiative will allow our teams to drive increased recurring parts revenue streams, like expanding margins. Additionally, our aftermarket teams are working diligently to integrate our most recent acquisitions new.

Speaker #1: Shifting to our Safety and Security Systems group, the team delivered another excellent quarter with 23% top-line growth, a 43% increase in adjusted EBITDA, and a 360 basis point improvement in adjusted EBITDA margin.

Speaker #1: This improvement was primarily driven by a combination of volume, increases for public safety equipment in the US and in Europe, proactive price-cost management, and realization of certain cost savings.

Jennifer Sherman: This improvement was primarily driven by a combination of volume, increases for public safety equipment in the US and in Europe, proactive price cost management, and realization of certain cost savings. Our SSG teams are laser-focused on new product development initiatives while surgically targeting under-penetrated customer cohorts and regions, a strategy that is yielding share gains. Additionally, we expect the recent addition of a fourth printed circuit board manufacturing line at our University Park facility to drive additional efficiency improvements in 2026. Lastly, we had another strong year of cash conversion, $55 million of cash generated from operations. For the full year, our cash conversion was 103%, slightly ahead of our annual target of 100%.

Speaker #1: Our SSG teams are laser-focused on new product development initiatives, while surgically targeting underpenetrated customer cohorts and regions—a strategy that is yielding share gains.

Speaker #1: Additionally, we expect the recent addition of a fourth printed circuit board manufacturing line at our University Park facility to drive additional efficiency improvements in 2026.

Speaker #1: Lastly, we had another strong year of cash 55 million of cash generated from operations. For the full year, our cash conversion was 103%, slightly ahead of our annual target of 100%.

Speaker #1: Before I shift to current market conditions, I would like to spend a moment to update you on our refuse truck distribution strategy in Canada, now that we have completed the acquisition of New Way.

Jennifer Sherman: Before I shift to current market conditions, I would like to spend a moment to update you on our refuse truck distribution strategy in Canada now that we've completed the acquisition of New Way. As many of you know, we have extensive internal experience in the refuse market, as we have been distributing third-party Labrie refuse trucks through our Joe Johnson Equipment sales channel for more than 20 years, primarily in Canada. This existing internal refuse service infrastructure and sales expertise was an important synergy consideration as part of the New Way transaction. Prior to the acquisition, New Way had not penetrated the Canadian market at scale, creating unique market share growth opportunities for us, starting in 2026.

Speaker #1: As many of you know, we have extensive internal experience in the refuse market as we have been distributing third-party debris refuse trucks through our Joe Johnson equipment sales channel for more than 20 years primarily in Canada.

Speaker #1: This existing internal refuse service infrastructure and sales expertise was an important synergy consideration as part of the Newway transaction. Prior to the acquisition, Newway had not penetrated the Canadian market at scale, creating unique market share growth opportunities for us starting in 2026.

Speaker #1: As such, beginning in the 4th quarter of 2025, we stopped taking orders for third-party debris refuse trucks and instead began selling Newway through our Joe Johnson network in Canada.

Jennifer Sherman: As such, beginning in Q4 2025, we stopped taking orders for third-party Labrie refuse trucks and instead began selling New Way through our Joe Johnson network in Canada. Given these dynamics, we have provided additional disclosures in this morning's earnings presentation, outlining our historical third-party Labrie refuse orders and sales levels to facilitate more appropriate comparisons. We will continue to provide this reconciliation as we move through 2026. From a financial perspective, we expect to deliver the remaining $80 million of third-party Labrie backlog over the next four quarters and eventually wind that backlog down to zero. As we wind down the sale of these lower-margin, third-party refuse trucks and increase New Way sales in Canada, we expect to realize margin tailwinds in 2027 and 2028. Shifting to current market conditions.

Speaker #1: Given these dynamics, we have provided additional disclosures in this morning's earnings presentation outlining our historical third-party debris refuse orders and sales levels to facilitate more appropriate comparisons.

Speaker #1: We will continue to provide this reconciliation as we move through 2026. From a financial perspective, we expect to deliver the remaining $80 million of third-party debris backlog over the next four quarters and eventually wind that backlog down to zero.

Speaker #1: As we wind down the sale of these lower-margin third-party refuse trucks and increase New Way sales in Canada, we expect to realize margin tailwinds in 2027 and 2028.

Speaker #1: Shifting to current market conditions, on an underlying basis, excluding the impact of acquired backlog and third-party refuse orders, Q4 orders increased 64 million or 14% year-over-year with improved demand across both our publicly funded and industrial product lines.

Jennifer Sherman: On an underlying basis, excluding the impact of acquired backlog and third-party refuse orders, Q4 orders increased $64 million or 14% year-over-year, with improved demand across both our publicly funded and industrial product lines. Within product lines, we experienced particular strength in sewer cleaners, safe digging, and vacuum trucks, fueled by continued demand for infrastructure and water projects in North America and rising safe digging adoption within the US. Similarly, we are seeing especially constructive demand environments for our metal extraction support equipment and road marking and line removal products. Lastly, I wanted to provide some context around our backlog, which stood at $1.04 billion at the end of Q4, up approximately 5% year-over-year.

Speaker #1: Within product lines, we experienced particular strength in sewer cleaners, safe digging, and vacuum trucks, fueled by continued demand for infrastructure and water projects in North America and rising safe digging adoption within the U.S.

Speaker #1: Similarly, we are seeing especially constructive demand environments for our metal extraction support equipment and road marking and line removal products. Lastly, I wanted to provide some context around our backlog, which stood at 1.04 billion at the end of 4th quarter, up approximately 5% year-over-year.

Speaker #1: When I first became CEO, we put in place a multi-year growth strategy aimed at building a best-in-class specialty vehicle and industrial equipment growth company, while decreasing the cyclicality of earnings streams.

Jennifer Sherman: When I first became CEO, we put in place a multi-year growth strategy aimed at building a best-in-class specialty vehicle and industrial equipment growth company, while decreasing the cyclicality of earning streams. As we've executed this strategy, both organically and through M&A, the composition of our product portfolio has changed over time. Consequently, our business has become less backlog-intensive compared to historical periods. In fact, many of our least cyclical and fastest-growing product lines, such as aftermarket parts, are not really backlog relevant at all. To illustrate this impact, in 2025, net sales of our backlog-intensive products, which include vacuum trucks, street sweepers, metal extraction support equipment, refuse trucks, road marking, and line removal trucks, comprised approximately 45% of our sales, compared to more than 50% in 2015.

Speaker #1: As we've ve executed this strategy, both organically and through M&A, the composition of our product portfolio has changed over time. Consequently, our business has become less backlog-intensive compared to historical periods, in fact, many of our least cyclical and fastest-growing product lines such as aftermarket parts are not really backlog-relevant at all.

Speaker #1: To illustrate this impact, in 2025, net sales of our backlog-intensive products, which include vacuum trucks, street sweepers, metal extraction support equipment, refuse trucks, road marking, and line removal trucks, comprise approximately 45% of our sales compared to more than 50% in 2015.

Speaker #1: While we internally continue to view backlog as an important metric, and our current backlog provides excellent visibility for certain product lines, throughout the next 6 to 12 months, the overall importance of backlog relative to enterprise-wide forward sales has decreased over time as we have decreased the cyclicality of the business.

Jennifer Sherman: While we internally continue to view backlog as an important metric, and our current backlog provides excellent visibility for certain product lines throughout the next 6 to 12 months, the overall importance of backlog relative to enterprise-wide forward sales has decreased over time as we have decreased the cyclicality of the business. As a reminder, consistent with our long-term growth strategy, through cycles, we target annual low-double-digit top-line growth, split roughly evenly between inorganic and organic growth. Looking ahead to 2026, we are laser-focused on driving three critical multi-year growth initiatives forward that will benefit the company for years to come. First, the successful integration of our recently acquired businesses. Second, new product development. Third, continuing to strengthen the power of our platform. Let me share a couple of highlights. First, our teams are moving full steam ahead with the integration of New Way.

Speaker #1: As a reminder, consistent with our long-term growth strategy, through cycles, we target annual low double-digit top-line growth, split roughly evenly between inorganic and organic growth.

Speaker #1: Looking ahead to 2026, we are laser-focused on driving three critical multi-year growth initiatives forward that will benefit the company for years to come. First, the successful integration of our recently acquired businesses.

Speaker #1: Second, new product development. And third, continuing to strengthen the power of our platform. Let me share a couple of highlights. First, our teams are moving full steam ahead with the integration of Newway.

Speaker #1: As a reminder, we remain committed to achieving our targeted 15 to 20 million in annual synergies by the end of 2028 with approximately half of those synergies tied to cost savings and the other half tied to various sales synergies, including the increased penetration of the Canadian market, dealer development, aftermarket parts optimization, sales channel alignment, and new product development.

Jennifer Sherman: As a reminder, we remain committed to achieving our targeted $15 to 20 million in annual synergies by the end of 2028, with approximately half of those synergies tied to cost savings and the other half tied to various sales synergies, including the increased penetration of the Canadian market, dealer development, aftermarket parts optimization, sales channel alignment, and new product development. Consistent with the outlook we provided in our September acquisition announcement call, we are expecting the acquisition of Neway to be approximately adjusted EPS neutral in 2026, inclusive of a preliminary estimate of intangible asset amortization expense. Second, we were pleased to close the acquisition of Mega Equipment last month. Mega is a manufacturer of parts and equipment for the metal extraction support equipment sector.

Speaker #1: Consistent with the outlook, we provided in our September acquisition announcement call, we are expecting the acquisition of Newway to be approximately adjusted EPS neutral in 2026, inclusive of a preliminary estimate of intangible asset amortization expense.

Speaker #1: Second, we were pleased to close the acquisition of mega equipment last month. Mega is a manufacturer of parts and equipment for the metal extraction support equipment sector.

Speaker #1: We have been following them for a number of years, having identified the company as a highly complementary asset to our ground force and tow haul businesses.

Jennifer Sherman: We have been following them for a number of years, having identified the company as a highly complementary asset to our Ground Force and TowHaul businesses. We believe Mega can accelerate several of our strategic growth initiatives within this space. As an example, Mega will substantially increase our reach into certain under-penetrated geographic regions, such as South America. As we optimize our combined sales channel between Ground Force, TowHaul, and Mega, we see important cross-selling opportunities similar to the playbook we have been deploying since 2022. We also see incremental opportunities to accelerate Mega's aftermarket parts business, which has historically represented about 25% of Mega's net sales, and we have identified several operational benefits, including production savings and freight cost opportunities.

Speaker #1: We believe Mega can accelerate several of our strategic growth initiatives within this space. As an example, Mega will substantially increase our reach into certain unpenetrated geographic regions such as South America.

Speaker #1: As we optimize our combined sales channel between ground force, tow haul, and Mega, we see important cross-selling opportunities similar to the playbook we have been deploying since 2022.

Speaker #1: We also see incremental opportunities to accelerate Mega's aftermarket parts business, which has historically represented about 25% of Mega's net sales and we have identified several operational benefits, including production savings and freight cost optimization opportunities.

Speaker #1: From a financial perspective, Mega generated approximately $40 million in net sales over the last 12 months and we expect the acquisition to be modestly accretive to cash flow and EPS in 2026.

Jennifer Sherman: From a financial perspective, Mega generated approximately $40 million in net sales over the last 12 months, we expect the acquisition to be modestly accretive to cash flow and EPS in 2026. Third, we continue to invest in our internal centers of excellence to widen our competitive advantage within the niche markets that we operate. In 2026, we see specific opportunities to drive several sales, new product development, and dealer optimization issues forward across our vacuum trucks, street sweepers, multipurpose maintenance vehicle, refuse collection, road marking, and safety and security systems verticals. As part of this strategy, we acquired certain assets and territory rights in Texas in Q4, which we think will allow us to increase market share for several key product lines. Turning now to our outlook.

Speaker #1: Third, we continue to invest in our internal centers of excellence to widen our competitive advantage within the niche markets that we operate. In 2026, we see specific opportunities to drive several sales, new product development, and dealer optimization initiatives forward across our vacuum trucks, street sweepers, multipurpose maintenance vehicles, refuse collection, road marking, and safety and security systems verticals.

Speaker #1: As part of this strategy, we acquired certain assets and territory rights in Texas in the 4th quarter, which we think will allow us to increase market share for several key product lines.

Speaker #1: Turning now to our outlook, with the ongoing execution against our strategic initiatives, current demand backdrop, we are confident that we will have another record year in 2026.

Jennifer Sherman: With the ongoing execution against our strategic initiatives, current demand backdrop, we are confident that we will have another record year in 2026. For the full year, we are anticipating net sales of between $2.55 billion and $2.65 billion, and Adjusted EPS between $4.50 and $4.80 per share, notwithstanding an aggregate $0.16 per share headwind from higher acquisition-related intangible asset amortization expense and the normalization of our tax rate. At the midpoint, this outlook would represent another year of double-digit growth and the highest Adjusted EPS level in the company's history. In line with our typical seasonal patterns, we expect Q1 net sales and earnings to be lower than subsequent quarters due to less aftermarket revenue capture.

Speaker #1: For the full year, we are anticipating net sales of between $2.55 billion and $2.65 billion and adjusted EPS between $4.50 and $4.80 per aggregate $0.16 per share headwind from higher acquisition-related intangible asset amortization expense and the normalization of our tax rate.

Speaker #1: At the midpoint, this outlook would represent another year of double-digit growth and the highest adjusted EPS level in the company's history. In line with our typical seasonal patterns, we expect Q1 net sales and earnings to be lower than subsequent quarters due to less aftermarket revenue capture.

Speaker #1: Lastly, we expect CapEx to be between $45 million and $55 million for the year, which includes enhancing projects. In closing, I want to express my profound thanks to all of our employees, suppliers, dealer partners, customers, and stakeholders for a tremendous 2025.

Jennifer Sherman: We expect CapEx to be between $45 million and $55 million for the year, which includes several enhancing projects. In closing, I want to express my profound thanks to all of our employees, suppliers, dealer partners, customers, and stakeholders for a tremendous 2025. With that, we are ready to open the lines for questions. Operator?

Speaker #1: With that, we are ready to open the lines for questions. Operator.

Speaker #2: Thank you. Well, now we conduct any question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Thank you. We'll now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up the handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we pull for questions. Thank you. Our first question is from Tim Theen with Raymond James.

Operator: Thank you. We'll now be conducting a question-and-answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press star one on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up the handset before pressing the star keys. One moment, please, while we pull for questions. Thank you. Our first question is from Tim Theen with Raymond James.

Speaker #2: For confirmation tone, we'll indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press star two to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up the handset before pressing the star keys.

Speaker #2: One moment, please, while we pull for questions. Thank you. Our first question is from Tim Thien with Raymond.

Speaker #3: Hi. Good morning. Can you hear me okay?

[Analyst] (Raymond James): Hi, good morning. Can you hear me okay?

Tim Theen: Hi, good morning. Can you hear me okay?

Speaker #4: Yes. Good morning, Tim.

Jennifer Sherman: Yes. Good morning, Tim.

Speaker #3: Hi. Hi there. Good morning. First question, just on the call, the midpoint of $2.6 and $2.6 billion in revenues. Apologies if I missed this.

[Analyst] (Raymond James): Hi. Hi there. Good morning. First question, just on the, call it the midpoint of $2.26 billion and $2.6 billion in revenues. Apologies if I missed this. Is there a way to parse out? I'm not sure if you updated what you're expecting in terms of Neway and Mega and other, you know, acquisition impacts. Just trying to parse out organic versus, you know, relative to that $2.6 number.

Tim Theen: Hi. Hi there. Good morning. First question, just on the, call it the midpoint of $2.26 billion and $2.6 billion in revenues. Apologies if I missed this. Is there a way to parse out? I'm not sure if you updated what you're expecting in terms of Neway and Mega and other, you know, acquisition impacts. Just trying to parse out organic versus, you know, relative to that $2.6 number.

Speaker #3: Is there a way to parse out? I'm not sure if you updated what you're expecting in terms of Newway and Mega and other acquisition impacts.

Speaker #3: Just trying to parse out organic versus relative to that 2/6 number. Yeah. Sure, Tim. I'll take this. So if you think of the revenue guide, obviously, on the in the aggregate, 17 to 20 percent sorry, 17 to 22 percent year over year growth.

Ian Hudson: Yeah, sure, Tim. I'll take this. If you think of the guide, the revenue guide, obviously on the, in the aggregate, 17 to 20%, sorry, 17 to 22% year-over-year growth, that's about 5 to 9% is organic, and the rest would be, you know, contributions from Neway and Mega. That's how it breaks down. You know, the midpoint, that's squarely in line with what we've delivered really since 2015. Our organic growth has been a CAGR of about 7%, that's squarely in line with the guide.

Speaker #3: That's about 5 to 9 percent as organic, and the rest would be contributions from Newway and Mega. So that's how it breaks down. And then the midpoint, that's squarely in line with what we've delivered really since 2015, our organic growth has been a caregiver of about 7%.

Speaker #3: So that's squarely in line with the guide.

Speaker #2: Yeah, okay, excellent. And then just on the order trends—and I’m sure you have far from perfect visibility as to every order placed and what the motivation is behind it.

[Analyst] (Raymond James): Yeah. Okay. Excellent. Just on the order trends, and I'm sure you have far from perfect visibility as to, you know, every order placed and what the motivation is behind it. I'm just curious, maybe what feedback, if any, you hear from dealers in terms of... or maybe how you're seeing that order board fill out, meaning are there any signs of maybe, you know, customers wanting to get ahead of a pre-buy, meaning, you know, more of those orders may be coming later in the year? Just curious as to what, if any-

Tim Theen: Yeah. Okay. Excellent. Just on the order trends, and I'm sure you have far from perfect visibility as to, you know, every order placed and what the motivation is behind it. I'm just curious, maybe what feedback, if any, you hear from dealers in terms of... or maybe how you're seeing that order board fill out, meaning are there any signs of maybe, you know, customers wanting to get ahead of a pre-buy, meaning, you know, more of those orders may be coming later in the year? Just curious as to what, if any-

Speaker #2: But I'm just curious, maybe what feedback, if any, you hear from dealers in terms of or maybe how you're seeing that order board fill out, meaning are there any signs of maybe customers wanting to get ahead of a pre-buy?

Speaker #2: Meaning more of those orders may be coming later in the year, or just curious as to what, if any, impact you think that is having in terms of order activity.

Ross Sparenblek: ... impact do you think that is having in terms of order activity? Thank you.

Tim Theen: ... impact do you think that is having in terms of order activity? Thank you.

Speaker #2: Thank you.

Speaker #4: Yeah, I'll start with the pre-buy discussion. We've seen there's been a lot of discussion around this. We have not baked any meaningful pre-buy into our guidance.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah, I'll start with the pre-buy discussion. You know, we've seen, you know, there's been a lot of discussion around this. We have not baked any meaningful pre-buy into our guidance. We're gonna continue to monitor it, and we will be prepared to respond to it. You know, the other thing I would add there is publicly funded customers don't materially engage in pre-buy. With respect to that part of the business, we don't think it would be a significant driver. You know, where we would see traction would be on those non-publicly revenue customers.

Speaker #4: We're going to continue to monitor it, and we will be prepared to respond to it. So the other thing I would add there is publicly funded customers don't materially engage in pre-buy.

Speaker #4: So with respect to that part of the business, we don't think it would be a significant driver. Where we would see traction would be on those non-publicly revenue customers.

Speaker #2: Understood. Thank you. Our next question is from Steve Barger with KeyBanc Capital.

Ross Sparenblek: Understood. Thank you.

Tim Theen: Understood. Thank you.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Our next question is from Steve Barger, with KeyBanc Capital.

Operator: Our next question is from Steve Barger, with KeyBanc Capital.

Steve Barger: Hey, good morning. Thanks.

Speaker #3: Hey. Good morning. Thanks.

Speaker #4: Good morning, Steve.

Jennifer Sherman: Morning, Steve.

Speaker #3: For the 5 to 9 percent organic for the consolidated guide, is that similar for both ESG and safety, or is one expected to outgrow organically versus the other?

Steve Barger: For the 5% to 9% organic for the consolidated guide, is that similar for both ESG and safety, or is one expected to outgrow organically versus the other?

Speaker #3: Yeah, Steve, ESG is expected to grow at a little faster rate than SSG. SSG is probably more of a kind of a GDP-plus type rate.

Ian Hudson: Yeah, Steve, ESG is expected to grow a little faster rate than SSG. SSG is probably more of a kind of a GDP plus type rate. Yeah, we'd expect ESG to be a kind of a larger contributor to organic growth.

Speaker #3: But we'd expect ESG to be kind of a larger contributor to organic growth. Got it. And thanks for the reminder on how the mix of backlog-dependent business is changing.

Steve Barger: Got it. Thanks for the reminder on how the mix of backlog-dependent business is changing. Maybe a two-parter. First, is it safe to say that you expect book-to-bill above one for the business units that still depend on backlog for forward visibility?

Speaker #3: So maybe a two-parter. First, is it safe to say that you expect book-to-bill above 1 for the business units that still depend on backlog for forward visibility?

Speaker #4: So, a couple of comments there. As we previously talked about, our lead times are still extended for sewer cleaners and four-wheel street sweepers. So, we have been focused on building more trucks.

Jennifer Sherman: A couple comments there. As we previously talked about, our lead times are still extended for sewer cleaners and four-wheel street sweepers, we have been focused on build more trucks. You know, I'm pleased to report that we made some really good progress during Q4. You know, if you look at unit production, combined to both Elgin and Vactor, it was versus Q4 of 2024 and up 13% for the full year. We were pleased with that progress. For those particular businesses, you know, we're very focused on getting those lead times in that six to eight-month range. We provided some additional information in the slides today regarding the impact of the $80 million third-party Labrie refuse trucks.

Speaker #4: I'm pleased to report that we made some really good progress during Q4. If you look at unit production combined to both Elgin and Vector, it was versus Q4 of 2024 and up 13% for the full year.

Speaker #4: So we were pleased with that progress. So for those particular businesses, it would have a we would expect we're very focused on getting those lead times in that six to eight-month range.

Speaker #4: We provided some additional information in the slides today regarding the impact of the $80 million third-party Libri refuse trucks we will not be taking orders for Libri refuse trucks in 2026, and we'll be delivering those throughout the year.

Jennifer Sherman: You know, we will not be taking orders for Labrie refuse trucks in 2026, and we'll be delivering those, throughout the year. We tried to separate that out for everybody so they understand the impact that will have. You know, we will be taking orders for Neway, but it will take us some time, to build up to those particular rates over a multiyear period. Outside of those particular things, you know, we would expect over a 12-month period, the backlog would be around 1.0, a little bit better. We wanted to call out those two particular issues as people, as we move forward.

Speaker #4: So, we tried to separate that out for everybody so they understand the impact that will have. We will be taking orders for NewWay, but it will take us some time to build up to those particular rates.

Speaker #4: Over a multi-year period, so outside of those particular things, we would expect over a 12-month period that backlog would be around 1.0, a little bit better.

Speaker #4: But we wanted to call out those two particular issues as people as we move forward.

Speaker #3: Yeah. That's great, detail. Thank you. And then the second part, just a clarification, do book and ship orders within any given quarter get reported in or book and ship business, I should say, in a given quarter get reported in orders?

Steve Barger: Yeah, that's great detail. Thank you. The second part, just a clarification: Do book-and-ship orders within any given quarter get reported in, or book-and-ship business, I should say, in a given quarter, get reported in orders? And how do we think about rental and used equipment, and how that flows through? Just for clarification.

Speaker #3: And how do we think about rental and used equipment and how that flows through, just for clarification?

Speaker #4: Yeah. The short answer, Steve, is yes. They do get reported in both orders and sales. Within the quarter, and we typically don't have much backlog for rentals, if any, because they're typically you'll receive the request to rent and the equipment will rent it.

Ian Hudson: Yeah, the short answer, Steve, is yes. They do get reported in both orders and sales within the quarter. You know, we typically don't have much backlog for rentals, if any, because they're typically, you know, you'll receive the requests around the equivalent rent it, so that's probably an in and out within the quarter. Not a whole lot of backlog in the rental business.

Speaker #4: So that's probably an in and out within the quarter. So not a whole lot of backlog in the rental business.

Speaker #3: Yeah. But rental would still show in orders, or is that just kind of a? Okay. Got it. Thank you.

Steve Barger: Yeah, but rental would still show in orders, or is that-

Ian Hudson: Yes.

Steve Barger: Just kind of a.

Ian Hudson: Correct.

Steve Barger: Okay.

Ian Hudson: Yes.

Steve Barger: Got it.

Ian Hudson: Yeah.

Steve Barger: Thank you.

Ian Hudson: Yeah.

Speaker #2: Our next question is from Ross Barrenblack with William Blair.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Our next question is from Ross Sparenblek with William Blair.

Operator: Our next question is from Ross Sparenblek with William Blair.

Speaker #5: Hey. Good morning. Jennifer and Ian.

Ross Sparenblek: Hey, good morning. Can everyone hear me?

Ross Sparenberg: Hey, good morning. Can everyone hear me?

Speaker #4: Good morning, Ross.

Jennifer Sherman: Good morning, Ross.

Ross Sparenblek: Nice quarter here.

Speaker #2: Nice quarter here. Maybe just starting with a 'yeah.' Maybe just starting with a housekeeping item. Can you help parse out the $132 million in organic contribution to orders in the quarter?

Ross Sparenberg: Nice quarter here.

Jennifer Sherman: You agree?

Ross Sparenblek: Maybe just starting with that. Yeah. Maybe just starting with a housekeeping item. Can you help parse out the 132 inorganic contribution to orders in the quarter? I understand some is backlog, some is gonna be, you know, incremental orders that were secured once you owned.

Ross Sparenberg: Maybe just starting with that. Yeah. Maybe just starting with a housekeeping item. Can you help parse out the 132 inorganic contribution to orders in the quarter? I understand some is backlog, some is gonna be, you know, incremental orders that were secured once you owned.

Speaker #2: I understand some is backlog, some is going to be incremental orders that were secured once you owned the Newway asset.

Ian Hudson: Yeah

Ross Sparenblek: The New Way asset.

Ross Sparenberg: The New Way asset.

Speaker #4: Yeah. Yeah, Ross. That's just the backlog that we acquired on the date of the acquisition.

Ian Hudson: Yeah, Ross, that's just the backlog that we acquired, on the date of the acquisition.

Speaker #2: Okay. Can you give us a sense of what the inorganic order flow looked like? To try to parse out the organic orders for ESG.

Ross Sparenblek: Okay. Can you give us a sense of what the inorganic order flow looked like? Just try to parse out the organic orders for ESG.

Ross Sparenberg: Okay. Can you give us a sense of what the inorganic order flow looked like? Just try to parse out the organic orders for ESG.

Speaker #4: Yeah, I mean, the difference wasn't really material from what we've reported. If you strip out the acquired backlog, then the delta wasn't material.

Ian Hudson: Yeah, I mean, the difference wasn't really material from what we've reported. If you strip out the acquired backlog, the delta wasn't material.

Speaker #2: Okay. Well, I mean, how should I think about that, though, since you guys did start stocking inventory in Canada for NewWay and presumably the rest of the United States?

Ross Sparenblek: Okay. Well, I mean, how should I think about that, though, since you guys did start, you know, stocking inventory in Canada for Neway, and presumably, you know, the rest of the United States?

Ross Sparenberg: Okay. Well, I mean, how should I think about that, though, since you guys did start, you know, stocking inventory in Canada for Neway, and presumably, you know, the rest of the United States?

Speaker #4: We didn't do anything meaningful in the one month that we owned them.

Jennifer Sherman: We didn't do anything meaningful in the one month that we owned them.

Speaker #2: Okay. Well, I mean, just kind of based on early discussions, do you get the sense that you're going to have a strong adoption rate with the existing dealers that might be selling other third-party refuse trucks?

Ross Sparenblek: Okay. Well, I mean, just kind of based on early discussions, do you get the sense that you're going to have a strong adoption rate with existing dealers that might be selling other third-party refuse trucks?

Ross Sparenberg: Okay. Well, I mean, just kind of based on early discussions, do you get the sense that you're going to have a strong adoption rate with existing dealers that might be selling other third-party refuse trucks?

Jennifer Sherman: You know, right now, you know, New Way has a number of strong dealers, and we're working with them. You know, JJE sales arm is, you know, we've hired a number of people. We're leveraging the existing infrastructure that's in place. We're training them on the New Way equipment. They're, you know, still in early stages. We're excited about some of the opportunities that are out there. Then in certain areas, you know, we plan on strengthening that dealer network through either the JJE team or other additions to the network.

Speaker #4: Right now, Newway has a number of strong dealers, and we're working with them. And we're in the JJE sales arm. We've hired a number of people.

Speaker #4: We're leveraging the existing infrastructure that's in place. We're training them on the Newway equipment. So they're still in early stages. We're excited about some of the opportunities that are out there.

Speaker #4: And then in certain areas, we plan on strengthening that dealer network through either the JJE team or other additions to the network.

Speaker #2: Okay. So I mean, probably first quarter, though? I mean, kind of timeline on when we should start seeing more meaningful contribution? It just seems a little odd that you would let the Libri phase out.

Ross Sparenblek: Okay. I mean, probably Q1, though, like, I mean, kind of timeline on when we should start seeing a more meaningful contribution? It just seems a little odd that you would, you know, let the Labrie phase out. I guess you do have a backlog there. We shouldn't wait until the end of the year for, you know, the overlap of replacing Labrie with New Way inventory, correct?

Ross Sparenberg: Okay. I mean, probably Q1, though, like, I mean, kind of timeline on when we should start seeing a more meaningful contribution? It just seems a little odd that you would, you know, let the Labrie phase out. I guess you do have a backlog there. We shouldn't wait until the end of the year for, you know, the overlap of replacing Labrie with New Way inventory, correct?

Speaker #2: I guess you do have a backlog there. We shouldn't wait until the end or shouldn't expect until the end of the year for the overlap of replacing Libri with Newway inventory, correct?

Speaker #4: Yeah. We're taking orders since closing. And Newway has a number of strong dealers in place. There's a number of opportunities. And we're continuing to take orders.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah. We're taking orders since closing. You know, New Way has a number of strong dealers in place. There's a number of opportunities and, you know, we're continuing to take orders. You know, our view on New Way's contribution to the 2026 earnings has not changed. You know, including the amortization, we expect it to be neutral.

Speaker #4: And we our view on Newway's contribution to the 2026 earnings has not changed. Including the amortization, we expect it to be neutral.

Speaker #2: Okay. All right. Well, thanks again, guys. I'll head back and queue.

Ross Sparenblek: Okay. All right. Well, thanks again, guys. I'll hop back in queue.

Ross Sparenberg: Okay. All right. Well, thanks again, guys. I'll hop back in queue.

Speaker #4: Thank you.

Jennifer Sherman: Thank you.

Speaker #2: Our next question is from Walt Liptak with Seaport.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Our next question is from Walt Liptak with Seaport.

Operator: Our next question is from Walt Liptak with Seaport.

Speaker #3: Morning, Walt.

Jennifer Sherman: Morning, Walt.

Speaker #5: Hi. Thanks. Good morning. So I wanted to ask I didn't catch it, Jennifer, in your remarks. You talked about the first quarter. I wonder if you could talk a little bit about what you're expecting seasonally and from production schedules so we can get our modeling right.

Walt Liptak: Hi, thanks.

Jennifer Sherman: Good morning.

Walt Liptak: Good morning. I wanted to ask, I didn't catch it, Jennifer, in your remarks, you talked about Q1. I wonder if you could talk a little bit about what you're expecting seasonally and from production schedules, so we can get our modeling right.

Speaker #4: Sure. We expect, in terms of earnings, the cadence to be similar to the past. In terms of '19 to '20 percent, with respect to orders, there could be this year, obviously, Newway and part of first quarter hog and mega will be new.

Jennifer Sherman: Sure. We expect, in terms of earnings, the cadence to be similar to the past, in terms of 19% to 20%. With respect to orders, you know, there could be, you know, this year, obviously, New Way, and part of Q1, Hog and Mega will be new. There could be some change to the seasonality of orders. In general, you know, what I said in my prepared remarks is we would expect the cadence of earnings to be similar to the past.

Speaker #4: So there could be some change to the seasonality of orders. But in general, we what I said, my prepared remarks is we would expect the cadence of earnings to be similar to the past.

Speaker #5: Okay. Great. And I wanted to ask too about Newway and just the cost synergies now that you've had a chance to kind of do a full financial review and look at the operations.

Walt Liptak: Okay, great. I wanted to ask, too, about New Way and just the cost synergies, now that you've had a chance to kind of do a full financial review and look at the operations. Are you going to be able to do more with the cost synergies? I wonder about 80/20, if that's something that you're gonna, you know, do you give them time to integrate first and then start 80/20, or do you start doing that right away with the New Way business strategies?

Speaker #5: Are you going to be able to do more with the cost synergies? And I wonder about 80/20, if that's something that you're going to give them time to integrate first and then start 80/20, or do you start doing that right away with the Newway business strategies?

Speaker #4: Yeah. So we identified the '15 to '20 million dollars by 2028. That's about half cost and half revenue synergies. We have various teams that have been in place since we announced the acquisition in September that are working on those cost synergies and revenue synergies.

Jennifer Sherman: You know, we identified the $15 to 20 million by 2028. That's about half cost and half revenue synergies. We have various teams that have been in place since we announced the acquisition in September that are working on those cost synergies and revenue synergies. 80/20 and operational optimization is absolutely a critical synergy. We have transferred one of our best 80/20 people, our Ox Bodies facility, the general manager of that facility, is now working directly with the New Way Trucks team on 80/20 opportunities.

Speaker #4: 80/20. And operational optimization is absolutely a critical synergy. And we have transferred one of our best 80/20 people of our Oxbody's facility, the general manager in that facility, is now working directly with the Newway team on 80/20 opportunities.

Speaker #5: Okay. Great. Thanks for that. And just the last one for me, I was curious about the University Park, the fourth PCB line that went in.

Walt Liptak: Okay, great. Thanks for that. Just the last one for me. Was curious about the University Park, the fourth PCB line that went in. You know, you guys have been really successful with, you know, vertically integrating, and I wonder if this one is for demand that you already have, or is this kind of room to grow? Why did you have to add a fourth PCB line?

Speaker #5: You guys have been really successful with vertically integrating and I wonder if this one is for demand that you already have or is this kind of room to grow?

Speaker #5: Why did you have to add a fourth PCB line?

Speaker #4: Yeah. There were a couple of drivers. First of all, the team did a super job and we installed that line. We were actually a little bit of how to schedule in Q4.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah, there were a couple drivers. First of all, the team did a super job, and we installed that line. We were actually a little bit ahead of schedule in Q4. You know, we look at it drives a couple things. Continued growth, it really accelerates new product development. It allows us to address customer needs, particularly within both our police and our signaling businesses. You know, the short answer is accelerating new product development. The team's, you know, a star in that particular area. Number two, it facilitates additional growth opportunities.

Speaker #4: So we look at it, it drives a couple of things: continued growth, it really accelerates new product development, and it allows us to address customer needs, particularly within both our police and our signaling businesses.

Speaker #4: So the short answer is accelerating new product development. That team's a star. In that particular area, and number two, it facilitates additional growth opportunities.

Speaker #5: Okay. Great. Okay. Thank you.

Walt Liptak: Okay, great. Okay, thank you.

Speaker #4: Thank you.

Jennifer Sherman: Thank you. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Our next question is from Mike Slisky with DA David.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Our next question is from Michael Shlisky with D.A. Davidson.

Operator: Our next question is from Michael Shlisky with D.A. Davidson.

Speaker #4: Good morning, Mike.

Jennifer Sherman: Good morning, Mike.

Speaker #5: Good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. Wanted to start off asking about mega and about Newway. Can you be sure first how 2025 fared within their own four walls as far as organic growth in those businesses?

Michael Shlisky: Good morning. Thanks for taking my questions. wanted to start off asking about Mega and about New Way. Can you just share first how 2025 fared within their own four walls as far as organic growth in those businesses? Are those both, in 2025, were those both growth businesses? Do you expect them, you know, organically to be, for themselves, growth businesses in 2026?

Speaker #5: Are those, in 2025, were those both growth businesses? And do you expect them, organically, to be, for themselves, growth businesses in 2026?

Speaker #3: Yeah. I think with respect to mega, we're obviously very excited about the combination of mega with the ground force and toll hall businesses. I think Jennifer's remarks she commented on how mega brings some things to the table that we didn't necessarily have before in terms of geographic expansion.

Ian Hudson: Yeah, I think with respect to Mega, you know, we're obviously very excited about the combination of Mega with the Ground Force and TowHaul businesses. I think in Jennifer's remarks, she commented on how, you know, Mega brings some things to the table that we didn't necessarily have before in terms of geographic expansion. Mega's been on a, you know, they've had some nice organic growth in 2025. You know, we're expecting that to continue as we go into 2026. They had revenues of about $40 million in 2025. You know, as we go into 2026, we're expecting that to grow a little bit.

Speaker #3: So mega's been on a they've had some nice organic growth in 2025. We're expecting that to continue as we go into 2026. They had revenues of about $40 million in '25.

Speaker #3: As we go into '26, we're expecting that to grow a little bit. As it relates to Newway, obviously, they were in the middle of a process, a sale process during '25.

Ian Hudson: As it relates to New Way, you know, obviously they were in the middle of a process, a sale process during 2025. There was, you know, we didn't necessarily have audited financials, but the last audited financials that we had, they did $36 million of EBITDA and about $250 million of sales in 2024. As we, as we talked about in September, we are expecting, you know, them to be slightly lower in 2026, just because there's some kind of normalization of trends within that industry. That's what we've implied, you know, in our, in our guide for 2026.

Speaker #3: So, we didn't necessarily have audited financials, but the last audited financials that we had, they did $36 million of EBITDA and about $250 million of sales.

Speaker #3: In 2024, as we talked about in September, we are expecting them to be slightly lower in 2026 just because there's some kind of normalization of the trends within that industry.

Speaker #3: So that's what we've implied in our guide for 2026.

Michael Shlisky: Got it. Thank you so much. Your comment earlier about expanding a little bit into South America was also very interesting. Was that just a comment about Ground Force and TowHaul, or are there other lines of business that you think could actually work as well in South America? Just any comments.

Speaker #5: Got it. Thank you so much. And then your comment earlier about expanding a little bit into South America was also very interesting. Was that just a comment about Ground Force and Tollohall, or are there other lines of business that you think could actually work as well in South America?

Speaker #5: Just any comments on kind of local sourcing, whether you have to have engine changeovers to kind of make that happen because there's often some rules around locally sourced content when you try to get into South America.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah

Michael Shlisky: on kind of local sourcing, whether you have to have engine changeovers to kind of make that happen. 'Cause so there's often some rules around locally sourced content when you try to get into South America.

Speaker #4: Yeah, so my comments were focused on Mega and Toll Hall and Ground Force. We have partners that we work with in South America. Mega has a very strong brand.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah. My comments were focused on Mega and TowHaul and Ground Force. You know, we have partners that we work with in South America. Mega has a very strong brand, and they, with respect to the chassis. It's similar to how we export other Ground Force and TowHaul products. You know, given the strong brand recognition of Mega, the teams are excited about the synergies for both those other products.

Speaker #4: And with respect to the chassis. So it's similar to how we export other ground force and toll hall products. But given the strong brand recognition of mega, the teams are excited about the synergies for both those other products.

Speaker #5: Great. Just one last one from me. You had a busy 2025 for M&A. Just a sense as to the pipeline you think for 2026, and what areas you're looking to grow through inorganic means ahead here.

Michael Shlisky: Great. Just one last one for me. You had a busy 2025 for M&A. Just a sense as to the pipeline, you think, for 2026, and what business, what areas are you looking to grow through inorganic means ahead here?

Speaker #4: Yeah. Our pipeline continues to be filled. We're very focused on identifying companies, purchasing, integrating, delevering, and then repeating. With that being said, different teams work on different opportunities.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah, you know, our pipeline continues to be full. You know, we're very focused on, you know, identifying companies, purchasing, integrating, delever, and repeat. With that being said, you know, different teams work on different opportunities. You know, we've mentioned previously that our SSG team is looking at a number of opportunities right now, we'd expect that to continue. There are some other opportunities we're looking at with respect to specialty vehicles that involve different teams than the refuse team or the mineral extraction team. You know, M&A, over the long run, will continue to play a critical part in our growth, you know, we will meter according to bandwidth.

Speaker #4: We've mentioned previously that our SSG team is looking at a number of opportunities right now. We would expect that to continue. There are some other opportunities we're looking at with respect to specialty vehicles that involve different teams than the refuse team or the mineral extraction team.

Speaker #4: So M&A over the long run will continue to play. A critical part in our growth. But we will meter according to bandwidth.

Speaker #5: Okay. Outstanding. I'll pass it along. Thank you.

Michael Shlisky: Okay, outstanding. I'll pass it along. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Our next question is from Chris Moore with CJS.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Our next question is from Chris Moore with CJS...

Operator: Our next question is from Chris Moore with CJS...

Speaker #6: Hey. Good morning, guys. Good morning. Great quarter as always. You guys were obviously ahead of the curve early in COVID, expanding capacity, and certainly it recognizing it depends on mix.

Chris Moore: Hey, good morning, guys.

Jennifer Sherman: Good morning.

Chris Moore: Good morning. Great quarter, as always. You guys were obviously ahead of the curve early in COVID, expanding capacity, and certainly it, you know, recognizing it depends on mix. I'm just trying to get a sense of roughly how much annual revenue Federal Signal can currently handle, you know, with the existing infrastructure.

Speaker #6: But just trying to get a sense of roughly how much annual revenue federal signal can currently handle with the existing infrastructure.

Speaker #4: Yeah. So we're currently running at about 70%. I would highlight that we added some additional capacity with Newway and mega particularly Newway. We're excited about that capacity some organic growth initiatives.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah. We're currently running at about 70%. I would highlight that we added some additional capacity with New Way and Mega, particularly New Way, and we're excited about that capacity, some organic growth initiatives that we're incubating right now that we expect will have multiyear benefits into 2027 and 2028. You know, I'll say what I say all the time, we are continuously tweaking our capacity at various facilities where we might do something that is, you know, less than $5 million type expansion. The teams have done a super job in terms of 80/20, which one of the many benefits of 80/20 is freeing up additional capacity. We've been able to add some additional capacity. We're leveraging some of the, as I mentioned, some of the opportunities in New Way.

Speaker #4: There were incubating right now that we expect will have multi-year benefits into '27 and '28. So I'll say what I say all the time.

Speaker #4: We are continuously tweaking our capacity at various facilities where we might do something that is less than 5 million dollars type expansion. The teams have done a super job in terms of 80/20, which one of the many benefits of 80/20 is freeing up additional capacity.

Speaker #4: We've been able to add some additional capacity. We're leveraging some of the—as I mentioned—some of the opportunities in Newway. I can give a great example in our dump truck body business.

Jennifer Sherman: I can give a great example in our dump truck body business, we had excess capacity in Pennsylvania. We now, are producing dump trucks in a particular facility there. You know, I think we're in pretty good shape right now as we sit here to support our growth initiatives going forward.

Speaker #4: We had excess capacity in Pennsylvania. We've now are producing dump trucks in a particular facility there. So I think we're in pretty good shape right now as we sit here to support our growth initiatives going forward.

Speaker #5: Got it. Helpful. Maybe just want to on Newway. So you've talked about the new acquisition being neutral to EPS in '26, potentially adding $0.40 to $0.45 EPS in '28.

Chris Moore: Got it. Helpful. Maybe just one on New Way. You've talked about the New Way acquisition being neutral to EPS in 2026, you know, potentially adding, I don't know, $0.40 to $0.45 EPS in 2028. I'm assuming based on prior conversations and prior comments, that that would be pretty back-end loaded for 2028. Is that the way we should be looking at that? Also the, you know, kind of the margin progression from, you know, EBITDA margins from, you know, 14% to 15% to the 20% range.

Speaker #5: I'm assuming based on prior conversations and prior comments, that would be pretty back-end loaded for 2028. Is that the way we should be looking at that and also the kind of the margin progression from even a margins from '14 to 15 percent to the 20 percent range?

Speaker #4: Yeah, I think we talked about, I think, places with this $15 to $20 million of synergies that we identified by 2028, kind of evenly split between cost and revenue synergies.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah, I think we talked about, you know, I think what is, with this $15 to $20 million of synergies that we identified by 2028, kind of evenly split between cost, and revenue synergies. We'd expect those cost synergies, to kind of be more evenly split as we move through that 3-year period, with the revenue synergies to be more back-end loaded. They take some time. If you think about, you know, for a good example, is we're very focused on new product development for that particular team. We have a number of products in the work, and it will take some time, to get traction, for example, on those particular initiatives.

Speaker #4: We'd expect those cost synergies to kind of be more evenly split as we move through that three-year period, with the revenue synergies to be more back-end loaded.

Speaker #4: They take some time. If you think about for a good example is we're very focused on new product development for that particular team. We have a number of products in the work and it will take some time to get traction.

Speaker #4: For example, on those particular initiatives.

Speaker #5: Got it. That makes sense. And just—any thoughts on the current tariff discussions?

Chris Moore: Got it. That makes sense. Just any thoughts, you know, on the current tariff discussions?

Speaker #4: Yeah. I think that we are fortunate because as we talked about quite last year, we're in country for country. So they had a nominal impact USMCA is important to us, particularly given the importance of our Canadian businesses.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah, I think that, you know, we are fortunate because, as we talked about quite last year, we're in country, four country. They had a nominal impact. You know, USMCA is important to us, particularly given the importance of our Canadian businesses. You know, we're not baking any meaningful impact into the guidance that we provided earlier today.

Speaker #4: But we're not baking any meaningful impact into the guidance that we provided earlier today.

Speaker #5: Fair enough. I will leave it there. Thanks, guys.

Chris Moore: Fair enough. I will leave it there. Thanks, guys.

Speaker #4: Thank you, Chris.

Jennifer Sherman: Thank you, Chris.

Speaker #2: Our next question is from Greg Burns with Sedotia.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Our next question is from Greg Burns with Sidoti & Company.

Operator: Our next question is from Greg Burns with Sidoti & Company.

Speaker #4: Good morning, Greg.

Jennifer Sherman: Good morning, Greg.

Greg Burns: Morning. The adjusted pro forma order number of $64 million, how much of that is organic, and what is the contribution from acquisitions in that adjusted number?

Speaker #5: Good morning. The adjusted pro forma order number of $64 million—how much of that is organic, and what is the contribution from acquisitions in that adjusted number?

Speaker #6: Yeah, I mean, I think what we've done, Greg, is we've stripped out the requirement at the time of the acquisition. So, that's the 14% year-over-year growth from Q4.

Ian Hudson: Yeah, I mean, I think what we've done, Greg, is we've stripped out the require at the time of the acquisition. That's the 14% year-over-year growth from Q4. The vast majority of that is organic.

Speaker #6: The vast majority of that is organic.

Speaker #5: Okay.

Greg Burns: Okay.

Speaker #4: Almost all.

Jennifer Sherman: Almost all.

Speaker #5: Okay. Okay. Perfect. And then, in your municipal, publicly funded markets, I know there was a lot of federal money coming post-pandemic into that market.

Greg Burns: Okay. Okay, perfect. In your municipal publicly funded markets, I know there was a lot of federal money coming post-pandemic, you know, into that market. I assume a lot of that's been allocated and spent. Is there any concern that we might see kind of a slowdown in them, in those end markets?

Speaker #5: I assume a lot of that's been allocated and spent. So is there any concern that we might see kind of a slowdown in those end markets?

Speaker #4: Yeah. I'll start with we've talked about before. We didn't see any kind of meaningful contributions in '23. I mean, I'm sorry, in 2024 or in '25 from those pandemics.

Jennifer Sherman: Yeah, I'll start with you know, as we've talked about before, we didn't see any kind of meaningful contributions in 2023, I mean, I'm sorry, in 2024 or in 2025 from those pandemic infrastructure projects are still ongoing. We expect those to be ongoing for several years. Again, within that public funded revenue bucket, water taxes is an important part of that. That's our largest single product line, which supports purchases of sewer cleaners and other types of municipal vacuum trucks, and we find that to be, you know, that to be a growing revenue stream. Our general municipal exposure would really be around street sweepers, some of our multipurpose tractors, a small portion of our public safety systems, and then a portion of refuse.

Speaker #4: Infrastructure projects are still ongoing. We expect those to be ongoing for several years. Again, within that public-funded revenue bucket, water taxes is an important part of that.

Speaker #4: That's our largest single product line, which supports purchases of sewer cleaners and other types of municipal vacuum trucks. And we find that to be a growing revenue stream.

Speaker #4: Our general municipal exposure would really be around street sweepers, some of our multipurpose tractors, small portion of our public safety systems, and then a portion of refuse.

Jennifer Sherman: Again, you know, as we talked about in the prepared remarks, we saw, you know, strong orders in Q4 for sewer cleaners, street sweepers. You know, again, we feel we've baked this into our outlook. It is really, frankly, the diversification within that public funded revenue stream that is important to look at, with respect to the order trends.

Speaker #4: So again, as we talked about in the prepared remarks, we saw strong orders in Q4 for sewer cleaners, street sweepers, so again, we feel we've baked this into our outlook.

Speaker #4: And it is really, frankly, the diversification within that public-funded revenue stream that is important to look at with respect to the order trends.

Speaker #5: Okay. Thank you.

Greg Burns: Okay. Thank you.

Speaker #2: Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the floor back over to Jennifer Sherman for any closing remarks.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the floor back over to Jennifer Sherman for any closing remarks.

Operator: Thank you. There are no further questions at this time. I would like to turn the floor back over to Jennifer Sherman for any closing remarks.

Speaker #4: Thank you. Again, we would like to express our thanks to our shareholders, customers, employees, distributors, and dealers for their continued support. Thank you for joining us today and we'll talk to you next quarter.

Jennifer Sherman: Thank you. Again, we would like to express our thanks to our shareholders, customers, employees, distributors, and dealers for their continued support. Thank you for joining us today, and we'll talk to you next quarter.

[Company Representative] (Federal Signal Corp): This concludes today's conference. We thank you for your participation. You may disconnect your lines.

Operator: This concludes today's conference. We thank you for your participation. You may disconnect your lines.

Q4 2025 Federal Signal Corp Earnings Call

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