Q2 2026 Brady Corp Earnings Call

February 19, 2026

Operator: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Brady Corporation Q2 2026 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are on a listen-only mode. After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star one one on your telephone. You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Ann Thornton, Chief Financial Officer. Please go ahead.

Speaker #1: Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Brady Corporation second quarter 2026 earnings conference call. At this time, all participants are on a listen-only mode.

Speaker #1: After the speaker's presentation, there will be a question-and-answer session. To ask a question during the session, you will need to press star one one on your telephone.

Speaker #1: You will then hear an automated message advising your hand is raised. To withdraw your question, please press star 11 again. Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded.

Speaker #1: I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Ann Thornton, Chief Financial Officer. Please go ahead.

Speaker #2: Thank you. Good morning, and welcome to the Brady Corporation fiscal 2026 second quarter earnings conference call. The slides for this morning's call are located on our website at www.bradycorp.com/investors.

Ann Thornton: Thank you. Good morning, and welcome to the Brady Corporation Fiscal 2026 Q2 Earnings Conference Call. The slides for this morning's call are located on our website at www.bradycorp.com/investors. We will begin our prepared remarks on slide number 3. Please note that during this call, we may make comments about forward-looking information. Words such as expect, will, may, believe, forecast, and anticipate are just a few examples of words identifying a forward-looking statement. It's important to note that forward-looking information is subject to various risk factors and uncertainties, which could significantly impact expected results. Risk factors were noted in our news release this morning and in Brady's fiscal 2025 Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC in September. Also, please note that this teleconference is copyrighted by Brady Corporation and may not be rebroadcast without the consent of Brady.

Speaker #2: We will begin our prepared remarks on slide number 3. Please note that during this call, we may make comments about forward-looking information. Words such as "expect," "will," "may," "believe," "forecast," and "anticipate" are just a few examples of words identifying a forward-looking statement.

Speaker #2: It's important to note that forward-looking information is subject to various risk factors and uncertainties, which could significantly impact expected results. Risk factors were noted in our news release this morning and in Brady's fiscal 2025 Form 10-K, which was filed with the SEC in September.

Speaker #2: Also, please note that this teleconference is copyrighted by Brady Corporation and may not be rebroadcast without the consent of Brady. We will be recording this call and broadcasting it on the Internet.

Ann Thornton: We will be recording this call and broadcasting it on the Internet. As such, your participation in the Q&A session will constitute your consent to being recorded. I'll now turn the call over to Brady's President and Chief Executive Officer, Russell Shaller. Russell?

Speaker #2: As such, your participation in the Q&A session will constitute your consent to being recorded. I'll now turn the call over to Brady's president and chief executive officer, Russell Shaller.

Speaker #2: Russell?

Speaker #3: Thanks, Ann. Thank you for joining today. We released our fiscal 2026 second quarter results this morning, and I'm pleased to report that this marks our 20th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth.

Russell Shaller: Thanks, Ann. Thank you for joining today. We released our fiscal 2026 Q2 results this morning, and I'm pleased to report that this marks our 20th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth. Top-line growth is a key metric, and achieving this milestone for 5 straight years of quarterly sales growth demonstrates the strength of Brady's business model. This quarter, we also improved our growth margin, our cash generation was incredibly strong, and we grew adjusted earnings per share 9%. I'm proud of the team and proud of our first half of the year. Brady's core mission is to create new world-class products to serve our industrial customers. Just last week, we launched an exciting new product that's unlike any other on the market, the i4311 Transportable Industrial Desktop Label Printer.

Speaker #3: Top-line growth is a key metric, and achieving this milestone for five straight years of quarterly sales growth demonstrates the strength of Brady's business model.

Speaker #3: This quarter, we also improved our gross margin, our cash generation was incredibly strong, and we grew adjusted earnings per share 9%. I'm proud of the team and proud of our first half of the year.

Speaker #3: Brady's core mission is to create new world-class products to serve our industrial customers. Just last week, we launched an exciting new product that's unlike any other on the market: the I-4311 transportable industrial desktop label printer.

Speaker #3: This is the first transportable printer that can print on materials up to 4 inches wide. It has an all-day battery, is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, and includes our LabelSense software technology.

Russell Shaller: This is the first transportable printer that can print on materials that are up to four inches wide. It has an all-day battery, it's Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-enabled, and includes our Label Sense software technology. The difference maker with this new printer is that it adds portability when our customers need to print on larger adhesive back materials, which greatly expands the use cases for our customers. With the i4311, our customers can set up shop anywhere, and they can print up to 5,000 labels on a single charge on hundreds of different specialty materials across Wire ID, safety and facility ID, and product ID. The battery is rechargeable and can be easily swapped out, maximizing productivity at all times.

Speaker #3: The difference maker with this new printer is that it adds portability when our customers need to print on larger adhesive back materials, which greatly expands the use cases for our customers.

Speaker #3: With the I-4311, our customers can set up shop anywhere, and they can print up to 5,000 labels on a single charge on hundreds of different specialty materials across wire ID, safety and facility ID, and product ID.

Speaker #3: The battery is rechargeable and can be easily swapped out, maximizing productivity at all times. And just like our entire printer lineup, the I-4311 is incredibly versatile and ideal for a wide variety of applications, including both indoor and outdoor uses, safety and OSHA requirements, harsh environments, lean manufacturing, electrical and data comms, and lab applications.

Russell Shaller: And just like our entire printer lineup, the i4311 is incredibly versatile and ideal for a wide variety of applications, including both indoor and outdoor uses, safety and OSHA requirements, harsh environments, lean manufacturing, electrical and datacom, and lab applications. This is just one of the many examples of our R&D developments, which span our printers to RFID, to optical image recognition, to lasers and more. I've always been most excited about Brady's commitment to R&D. When I first joined Brady a bit over a decade ago, we spent roughly 3% of our revenue on R&D. This has grown to almost 6% in 2026, while our pre-tax earnings have more than tripled over the same period. To keep this trend going, we just hired Jane Li as our new CTO in January.

Speaker #3: This is just one of the many examples of our R&D developments which span our printers to RFID to optical image recognition to lasers and more.

Speaker #3: I've always been most excited about Brady's commitment to R&D. When I first joined Brady, a bit over a decade ago, we spent roughly 3% of our revenue on R&D.

Speaker #3: This has grown to almost 6% in 2026, while our pre-tax earnings have more than tripled over the same period. To keep this trend going, we just hired Jane Lee as our new CTO in January.

Speaker #3: I'm personally delighted to have her on Brady's leadership team, where she's bringing a wealth of insights to improve our technical roadmap. And as always, we are committed to helping our customers in their journey to identify products in a safe working environment.

Russell Shaller: I'm personally delighted to have her on Brady's leadership team, where she's bringing a wealth of insights to improve our technical roadmap. As always, we are committed to helping our customers in their journey to identify products in a safe working environment. Now I'll turn it over to Ann to provide more details on our financial results. Ann?

Speaker #3: Now I'll turn it over to Ann to provide more details on our financial results. Ann?

Speaker #2: Thanks, Russell. Our financial results were strong once again in the second quarter. Organic sales were up 1.6%, and as Russell just mentioned, this was our 20th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth as a company.

Ann Thornton: Thanks, Russell. Our financial results were strong once again in Q2. Organic sales were up 1.6%, and as Russell just mentioned, this was our 20th consecutive quarter of organic sales growth as a company, which was led by the top-line performance in our Americas and Asia region. The Americas and Asia grew 3.1% organically, which was partially offset by a slight organic decline of 1.1% in the Europe and Australia region. We also reported strong growth in our adjusted pre-tax income, as well as our adjusted diluted earnings per share in the quarter, while funding a significant increase in research and development. We finished the quarter in a net cash position, which allows us to continue to invest in both organic opportunities and strategic acquisitions to continue to drive shareholder value into the future.

Speaker #2: Which was led by the top-line performance in our Americas and Asia region. The Americas and Asia grew 3.1% organically. Which was partially offset by a slight organic decline of 1.1% in the Europe and Australia region.

Speaker #2: We also reported strong growth in our adjusted pre-tax income, as well as our adjusted diluted earnings per share in the quarter. While funding is significant increase in research and development.

Speaker #2: And we finished the quarter in a net cash position, which allows us to continue to invest in both organic opportunities and strategic acquisitions to continue to drive shareholder value into the future.

Speaker #2: Slide number 4 details our quarterly sales trends. Organic sales grew 1.6% this quarter, acquisitions added 2.3%, and foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.8% for total sales growth of 7.7%.

Ann Thornton: Slide number 4 details our quarterly sales trends. Organic sales grew 1.6% this quarter, acquisitions added 2.3%, and foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.8%, for total sales growth of 7.7%. Slide number 5 details our quarterly gross margin trending. Our gross profit margin was 50.6% this quarter, compared to 49.3% in the second quarter of last year. Last year, we took actions to streamline our cost structure, and we closed manufacturing facilities in Beijing, China, and Buffalo, New York, and we reorganized our overhead structure in Europe. Adjusting for the one-time charges in gross margin in last year's Q2, our gross margin, gross profit margin would have been 49.8% in last year's second quarter.

Ann Thornton: Slide number 4 details our quarterly sales trends. Organic sales grew 1.6% this quarter, acquisitions added 2.3%, and foreign currency translation increased sales by 3.8%, for total sales growth of 7.7%. Slide number 5 details our quarterly gross margin trending. Our gross profit margin was 50.6% this quarter, compared to 49.3% in the Q2 of last year. Last year, we took actions to streamline our cost structure, and we closed manufacturing facilities in Beijing, China, and Buffalo, New York, and we reorganized our overhead structure in Europe. Adjusting for the one-time charges in gross margin in last year's Q2, our gross margin, gross profit margin would have been 49.8% in last year's Q2.

Speaker #2: Slide number 5 details our quarterly gross margin trending. Our gross profit margin was 50.6% this quarter, compared to 49.3% in the second quarter of last year.

Speaker #2: Last year, we took actions to streamline our cost structure and we closed manufacturing facilities in Beijing, China, and Buffalo, New York, and we reorganized our overhead structure in Europe.

Speaker #2: Adjusting for the one-time charges in gross margin in last year's Q2, our gross profit margin would have been 49.8% in last year's second quarter.

Speaker #2: You can see the gross margin benefit from cost reduction actions in our results, along with our sales growth coming from our highly engineered products.

Ann Thornton: You can see the gross margin benefit from cost reduction actions in our results, along with our sales growth coming from our highly engineered products, both of which led to the improvement in gross profit margin from 49.8% last year to 50.6% this year. Turning to slide 6, this details our SG&A expense trending. SG&A was $107.9 million this quarter, compared to $105.9 million in Q2 last year. As a percent of sales, SG&A decreased to 28.1% of sales from 29.7% last year.

Speaker #2: Both of which led to the improvement in gross profit margin from 49.8% last year to 50.6% this year. Turning to slide number 6, this details our SG&A expense trending.

Speaker #2: SG&A was 107.9 million this quarter compared to 105.9 million in the second quarter last year. As a percent of sales, SG&A decreased to 28.1% of sales from 29.7% last year.

Speaker #2: If you exclude amortization expense from the current and prior year, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization costs that we incurred last year, then SG&A was 26.7% of sales this quarter compared to 27.3% of sales last quarter.

Ann Thornton: If you exclude amortization expense from the current and prior year, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization costs that we incurred last year, then SG&A was 26.7% of sales this quarter, compared to 27.3% of sales last quarter, a decline of 60 basis points. We're seeing the benefits of our facility closure and other cost structure actions that we took last year, while we continue to invest in growth through targeted additions to our sales force, as well as expanding in certain geographies. Moving to slide number seven, this details the trending of our investments in research and development. We continue to increase our investment in new products within our organic business, with products like i4311 that Russell just described, as well as products from our acquisitions from last year.

Speaker #2: A decline of 60 basis points. We're seeing the benefits of our facility closure and other cost structure actions that we took last year, while we continue to invest in growth through targeted additions to our sales force, as well as expanding in certain geographies.

Speaker #2: Moving to slide number 7, this details the trending of our investments in research and development. We continue to increase our investment in new products within our organic business with products like the I-4311 that Russell just described.

Speaker #2: As well as products from our acquisitions from last year. R&D expense was $24.3 million, or 6.3% of sales this quarter, which was an increase from $18.7 million, or 5.2% of sales in last year's second quarter.

Ann Thornton: R&D expense was $24.3 million, or 6.3% of sales this quarter, which was an increase from $18.7 million, or 5.2% of sales in last year's second quarter. We funded a nearly 30% increase in R&D in the quarter and still improved profitability. For the second half of this year, we do expect R&D as a percent of sales to be around 5.5% of sales, which would put us slightly below 6% of sales for the full fiscal year of 2026. Slide 8 shows the trending of our pretax earnings. Pretax earnings on a GAAP basis increased 19.1% from $52 million to $62 million in the quarter.

Ann Thornton: R&D expense was $24.3 million, or 6.3% of sales this quarter, which was an increase from $18.7 million, or 5.2% of sales in last year's Q2. We funded a nearly 30% increase in R&D in the quarter and still improved profitability. For the second half of this year, we do expect R&D as a percent of sales to be around 5.5% of sales, which would put us slightly below 6% of sales for the full fiscal year of 2026. Slide 8 shows the trending of our pretax earnings. Pretax earnings on a GAAP basis increased 19.1% from $52 million to $62 million in the quarter.

Speaker #2: We funded an unyearly 30% increase in R&D in the quarter and still improved profitability. For the second half of this year, we do expect R&D as a percent of sales to be around 5.5% of sales, which would put us slightly below 6% of sales for the full fiscal year 2026.

Speaker #2: Slide number 8 shows the trending of our pre-tax earnings. Pre-tax earnings on a GAAP basis increased 19.1%, from $52 million to $62 million in the quarter.

Speaker #2: If you exclude amortization from both periods and exclude the facility closure and other reorganization charges we incurred last year, pre-tax earnings increased 7.7% from 62.4 million to 67.2 million.

Ann Thornton: If you exclude amortization from both periods and exclude the facility closure and other reorganization charges we incurred last year, pretax earnings increased 7.7% from $62.4 million to $67.2 million. Turning to slide 9, this details the trending of our net income and earnings per share. Our net income increased 19.1% from $40.3 million to $48.1 million. Excluding amortization from both periods, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization charges from last year, net income increased 8% from $48.1 million to $52 million. GAAP diluted earnings per share was $1.01, compared to $0.83 last year.

Speaker #2: Turning to slide number 9, this details the trending of our net income and earnings per share. Our net income increased 19.1% from 40.3 million to 48.1 million.

Speaker #2: Excluding amortization from both periods, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization charges from last year, net income increased 8% from 48.1 million to 52 million.

Speaker #2: Gap diluted earnings per share was $1.01 compared to 83 cents last year. Excluding amortization from both periods and the facility closure and other reorg charges from last year, our adjusted diluted earnings per share grew to $1.09 this year from $1 last year.

Ann Thornton: Excluding amortization from both periods and the facility closure and other reorg charges from last year, our adjusted diluted earnings per share grew to $1.09 this year from $1.00 last year, an increase of 9%. Our results continue to benefit from sales growth in our highest gross margin products, as well as from the cost reduction actions that we took last year in certain areas of our business. Moving to slide 10, this details our cash generation. Operating cash flow increased 34.7% to $53.3 million in Q2 of this year, compared to $39.6 million in Q2 of last year. Free cash flow increased 30.5% to $42.3 million in Q2 of this year, compared to $32.5 million in last year's Q2.

Speaker #2: An increase of 9%. Our results continue to benefit from sales growth in our highest gross margin products, as well as from the cost reduction actions that we took last year in certain areas of our business.

Speaker #2: Moving to slide number 10, this details our cash generation. Operating cash flow increased 34.7% to $53.3 million in the second quarter of this year.

Speaker #2: Compared to 39.6 million in the second quarter of last year. And free cash flow increased 30.5% to 42.3 million in Q2 of this year, compared to 32.5 million in last year's Q2.

Speaker #2: Year to date, our cash flow from operating activities is up nearly 38% versus last year, which demonstrates our high-quality earnings and our consistent focus on cash-based decision-making.

Ann Thornton: Year to date, our cash flow from operating activities is up nearly 38% versus last year, which demonstrates our high-quality earnings and our consistent focus on cash-based decision-making. Slide number 11 outlines the impact that our cash generation has had on our balance sheet. As of January 31, we were in a net cash position of $97.8 million. Our approach to capital allocation is consistent, and that is to always fund organic sales growth and efficiency opportunities. This includes investing in new product development, sales-generating resources, capability-enhancing CapEx, and improvements in automation. We have the ability to invest throughout the economic cycle, so that we're always positioned to grow the top line and our profitability. And we're focused on consistently increasing our dividends.

Speaker #2: Slide number 11 outlines the impact that our cash generation has had on our balance sheet. As of January 31st, we were in a net cash position of $97.8 million.

Speaker #2: Our approach to capital allocation is consistent, and that is to always fund organic sales growth and efficiency opportunities. This includes investing in new product development, sales-generating resources, capability-enhancing CapEx, and improvements in automation.

Speaker #2: We have the ability to invest throughout the economic cycle so that we're always positioned to grow the top line and our profitability. And we're focused on consistently increasing our dividends.

Speaker #2: At the beginning of this fiscal year, we announced our 40th consecutive annual dividend increase, which was a very exciting milestone for us as a company.

Ann Thornton: At the beginning of this fiscal year, we announced our 40th consecutive annual dividend increase, which was a very exciting milestone for us as a company. From here, we're disciplined and opportunistic in our approach to both acquisitions and share buybacks. We're focused on identifying acquisitions with clear synergies, and we have the financial strength to do all of this, to fund our organic business, our dividend, M&A opportunities, and share buybacks. So far this year, we've purchased 121,000 shares for $9 million, which works out to an average price of $74.23 per share. Moving to slide 12, this details our fiscal 2026 guidance.

Speaker #2: From here, we're disciplined in opportunistic in our approach to both acquisitions and share buybacks. We're focused on identifying acquisitions with clear synergies and we have the financial strength to do all of this, to fund our organic business, our dividend, M&A opportunities, and share buybacks.

Speaker #2: So far this year, we've purchased 121,000 shares for $9 million. Which works out to an average price of $74.23 per share. Moving to slide number 12, this details our fiscal 2026 guidance.

Speaker #2: We're increasing the bottom end of our full-year fiscal 2026 previously announced adjusted diluted EPS guidance range from $4.90 to $5.15 per share to $4.95 to $5.15 per share.

Ann Thornton: We're increasing the bottom end of our full year fiscal 2026 previously announced adjusted diluted EPS guidance range from $4.90 to $5.15 per share, to $4.95 to $5.15 per share. We're increasing the bottom end of our full year GAAP EPS guidance range from $4.57 to $4.82 per share, to $4.62 to $4.82 per share. Our adjusted diluted EPS guidance range represents a range of growth of between 7.6% to 12% compared to 2025. We expect organic sales growth in the low single-digit percentages for the year ending 31 July 2026.

Speaker #2: And we're increasing the bottom end of our full-year GAAP EPS guidance range from $4.57 to $4.82 per share, to $4.62 to $4.82 per share.

Speaker #2: Our adjusted diluted EPS guidance range represents growth of between 7.6% and 12% compared to 2025. We expect organic sales growth in the low single-digit percentages for the year ending July 31, 2026.

Speaker #2: Other elements of our guidance include depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $44 million. Capital expenditures of approximately $45 million. And a full-year income tax rate of approximately 21%.

Ann Thornton: Other elements of our guidance include depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $44 million, capital expenditures of approximately $45 million, and a full year income tax rate of approximately 21%. Our income tax rate generally tends to be slightly lower in the Q4 compared to our full year expectation, which is based upon our historical profit mix and the expected timing of other discrete adjustments. Potential risks to our guidance, among others, include potential strengthening of the US dollar, inflationary pressures that we're unable to offset in a timely enough manner, or an overall slowdown in economic activity. Now I'll turn it back over to Russell to cover our regional results and to provide some closing thoughts before our Q&A. Russell?

Speaker #2: Our income tax rate generally tends to be slightly lower in the fourth quarter compared to our full-year expectation. Which is based upon our historical profit mix and the expected timing of other discrete adjustments.

Speaker #2: Potential risks to our guidance, among others, include potential strengthening of the US dollar, inflationary pressures that we're unable to offset in a timely enough manner, or an overall slowdown in economic activity.

Speaker #2: Now I'll turn it back over to Russell to cover our regional results and to provide some closing thoughts before Q&A. Russell.

Speaker #1: Thanks, Ann. Slide 13 details the financial results of America's and Asia region. Sales were $251.6 million this quarter, up 7.6 from Q2 last year.

Russell Shaller: Thanks, Ann. Slide thirteen details the financial results of our Americas and Asia region. Sales were $251.6 million this quarter, up 7.6% from Q2 last year. Organic sales growth was 3.1%, acquisitions added 3.5%, and foreign currency translation increased sales 1%. We grew sales in most of our major product lines, with growth once again led by our wire identification product line at nearly 8% in the quarter. Data centers are an ideal use case for our specialty wire ID solutions, and this has been a growth leader for us. Asia continues its streak of strong performance with organic growth of 14.2%. Our business in India continues to lead Asia, with nearly 25% organic sales growth this quarter.

Speaker #1: Organic sales growth was 3.1%, acquisitions added 3.5%, and foreign currency translation increased sales 1%. We grew sales in most of our major product lines with growth once again led by our wire identification product line and nearly 8% in the quarter.

Speaker #1: Data centers are an ideal use case for our specialty wire ID solutions, and this has been a growth leader for us. Asia continues its strength of strong performance with organic growth of 14.2%.

Speaker #1: Our business in India continues to lead Asia with nearly 25% organic sales growth this quarter. We expanded into the North and West regions of India over the last several years, and India is now our second largest business in Asia.

Russell Shaller: We expanded into north and west regions of India over the last several years, and India is now our second-largest business in Asia. Our reported segment profit in Americas and Asia region increased 16.9% to $53.8 million, and segment profit as a percentage of sales increased from 19.7% to 21.4% in Q2. If you exclude the impact of amortization in both the current quarter and last year's Q2, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization activities from last year, segment profit increased 11.3%. Our sales growth in engineered products, as well as our cost reduction activities from last year, have led to improved profitability. Tariffs are still a headwind in the US compared to last year's Q2.

Speaker #1: Our reported segment profit in America's and Asia region increased 16.9% to 53.8 million. And segment profit as a percentage of sales increased from 19.7% to 21.4% in the second quarter.

Speaker #1: If you exclude the impact of amortization in both the current quarter and last year's Q2, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization activities from last year, segment profit increased 11.3%.

Speaker #1: Our sales growth in engineered products, as well as our cost reduction activities from last year, have led to improved profitability. Tariffs are still a headwind in the US compared to last year's second quarter.

Speaker #1: We're constantly taking steps to mitigate the effects and halfway through the year, we continue to expect the full-year incremental impact to be at the low end of the range we initially provided.

Russell Shaller: We're constantly taking steps to mitigate the effects, and halfway through the year, we continue to expect the full year incremental impact to be at the low end of the range we initially provided, which was approximately $8 million. Slide 14 details the financial results of our Europe and Australia region. Sales were $132.5 million in the quarter. Organic sales declined 1.1%, and foreign currency translated added 9%, for a total growth of 7.9% in the region. The manufacturing environment in Europe has been weak for the last several quarters, and we're feeling the effects of that. But we still saw growth in our Wire ID product line in the quarter, so we're benefiting from the data center expansion in this key product line in Europe and Australia as well.

Speaker #1: Which was approximately $8 million. Slide 14 details the financial results of our Europe and Australia region. Sales were $132.5 million in the quarter. Organic sales declined 1.1% and foreign currency translation added 9%, for a total growth of 7.9% in the region.

Speaker #1: The manufacturing environment in Europe has been weak for the last several quarters, and we're feeling the effects of that. But we still saw growth in our wire ID product line in the quarter.

Speaker #1: So we're benefiting from the data center expansion in this key product line in Europe and Australia as well. We saw sales declines in Safety and Facility ID and Product ID, which are more closely tied to general manufacturing and automotive.

Russell Shaller: We saw sales declines in safety, facility ID, and product ID, which are more closely tied to general manufacturing and automotive. Despite the weak macro activity in the region, we reported significant improvement in segment profit once again this quarter. Our reported segment profit in Europe and Australia increased 35.5% in the quarter to $15.4 million, and segment profit as a percentage of sales increased from 9.3% to 11.6%. If you exclude the impact of amortization in both the current quarter and last year's Q2, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization activities from last year, segment profit increased 10.6% compared to the prior year. We took several actions last year to reduce our cost structure in both Europe and Australia, and we're seeing the benefits in our results this year.

Speaker #1: Despite the weak macro activity in the region, we reported significant improvement in segment profit once again this quarter. Our reported segment profit in Europe and Australia increased 35.5% in the quarter to 15.4 million.

Speaker #1: And segment profit as a percentage of sales increased from 9.3 to 11.6%. If you exclude the impact of amortization in both the current quarter and last year's Q2, as well as the facility closure and other reorganization activities from last year, segment profit increased 10.6% compared to the prior year.

Speaker #1: We took several actions last year to reduce our cost structure in both Europe and Australia and we're seeing the benefits in our results this year.

Speaker #1: We're positioned for increased profitable growth when manufacturing activity picks up in the region. I know we're on the right track halfway through the year.

Russell Shaller: We're positioned for increased profitable growth when manufacturing activity picks up in the region. I know we're on the right track halfway through the year. We're growing sales, we're improving profitability, and we're generating increased cash flow, all while investing in our products. I'm really looking forward to our customers' reactions to the brand-new i4311 transportable label printer, and we have a lot more to come in our product pipeline. We work hard to help our customers operate a safe and productive workplace in any industry, anywhere in the world. Product marking and identification requirements are rapidly changing, with the upcoming GS1 standards and the European Union product labeling requirements being only a couple of examples. This means that our customers are facing a more extensive set of identification requirements that call for both the knowledge and the solutions to be able to comply.

Speaker #1: We're growing sales, we're improving profitability, and we're generating increased cash flow, all while investing in our products. I'm really looking forward to our customers' reactions to the brand-new I-4311 transportable label printer.

Speaker #1: And we have a lot more to come in our product pipeline. We work hard to help our customers operate a safe and productive workplace.

Speaker #1: In any industry, anywhere in the world. Product marketing and identification requirements are rapidly changing. With the upcoming GS1 standards and the European Union product labeling requirements being only a couple of examples.

Speaker #1: This means that our customers are facing a more extensive set of identification requirements that call for both the knowledge and the solutions to be able to comply.

Speaker #1: This is exactly where Brady excels. Our goal is to provide our customers with easy-to-use products that meet complex requirements in situations with a high cost of failure.

Russell Shaller: This is exactly where Brady excels. Our goal is to provide our customers with easy-to-use products that meet complex requirements in situations with a high cost of failure. We value our customers, and our number one focus is to provide them with solutions that keep them coming back to Brady.... We've reported a strong first half of 2026. We have momentum in our Americas and Asia region, and we've nearly returned to growth in Europe and Australia. Our acquisitions added Direct Part Marking and inkjet printing capabilities to our product portfolio, helping us achieve our objective, which is to provide easy-to-use solutions for all of our customers' identifications need. With that, I'd like to turn it over for Q&A. Operator, would you please provide instructions to our listeners?

Speaker #1: We value our customers, and our number one focus is to provide them with solutions that keep them coming back to Brady. We've reported a strong first half of 2026.

Speaker #1: We have momentum in our Americas and Asia region. And we've nearly returned to growth in Europe and Australia. Our acquisitions added direct part marking and inkjet printing capabilities to our product portfolio, helping us achieve our objective, which is to provide easy-to-use solutions for all of our customers' identifications need.

Speaker #1: With that, I'd like to turn it over for Q&A. Operator, would you please provide instructions to our listeners?

Speaker #2: Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, please press star on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced.

Operator: Thank you. As a reminder, to ask a question, please press star one one on your telephone and wait for your name to be announced. To withdraw your question, please press star one one again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Steve Ferazani with Sidoti. Your line is now open.

Speaker #2: To withdraw your question, please press star one again. Please stand by while we compile the Q&A roster. Our first question comes from the line of Steve Ferrazzani with Sidoti.

Speaker #2: Your line is now open.

Speaker #3: Morning, Russell. Morning, Ann. Thanks for the detail on the call. I wanted to start with what to us was a negative surprise, which was the organic sales growth in the Americas.

Steve Ferazani: Morning, Russell. Morning, Ann. Thanks for the detail on the call. I wanted to start with, you know, what I consider to us was a negative surprise was the organic sales growth in the Americas. I mean, down to only just over 1%. If I group that with what you're doing in Europe and Australia, it looks like if I combine those, your organic growth is completely dependent on Asia right now, despite the fact you're investing, you know, 6% plus sales in R&D. Was this a one quarter blip, or, or where is the growth gonna be?

Speaker #3: I mean, down to only just over 1%. I mean, if I group that with what you're doing in Europe and Australia, it looks like if I combine those, your organic growth is completely dependent on Asia right now, despite the fact you're investing 6% plus sales in R&D.

Speaker #3: Was this a one-quarter blip, or where is the growth going to be?

Speaker #4: Oh, hey, Steve. Our organic growth in the Americas and Asia region this quarter was actually up 3.1%.

Ann Thornton: Hey, Steve. Our organic growth in the Americas and Asia region this quarter was actually up 3.1%.

Steve Ferazani: I'm speaking specifically about the Americas. That's what I'm saying. If you put the Americas and group them with Australia and Europe, net, that's probably gonna be down, which means all your organic growth came from Asia.

Speaker #3: I'm speaking specifically about the Americas. That's what I'm saying. If you put the Americas and group them with Australia and Europe, net, that's probably going to be down, which means all your organic growth came from Asia.

Speaker #4: Gotcha. Gotcha. My apologies, I missed that. Yeah. The Americas on its own was up 1.4%, and Asia on its own was up 14.2%. So, we did take the big step back in the momentum on organic growth in the Americas on its own in the quarter.

Ann Thornton: Gotcha. Gotcha. My apologies, I missed that. Yeah, the Americas on its own was up 1.4%, and Asia on its own was up 14.2%. So we did take the bit setback in the momentum on organic growth in the Americas on its own in the quarter.

Speaker #3: Yeah, that's all I'm asking. Was that a one-quarter blip, or what's the trend here? What are you seeing as you late in the quarter from orders and now into pretty deep into Q3?

Steve Ferazani: Yeah, and that's what I'm asking is, was that a one-quarter blip, or what's the trend here? What are you seeing as you late in the quarter from orders and now into pretty deep into Q3?

Speaker #5: Yeah, so we feel like we're headed in a better direction for us. November was actually a little bit on the weak side in the Americas.

Russell Shaller: Yeah, so we feel like we're headed in a better direction for us. November was actually a little bit on the weak side in the Americas. But as we exited the quarter, we definitely saw some improvement. You know, I think there is still some struggling out there with US manufacturing. Certainly not as bad as Europe, but it has not been as robust as we would have expected.

Speaker #5: But as we exited the quarter, we definitely saw some improvement. I think there is still some struggling out there with U.S. manufacturing, and certainly not as bad as Europe.

Speaker #5: But it is not been as robust as we would have expected.

Speaker #3: And how much of that 1.4% growth in the Americas was priced versus volume?

Steve Ferazani: How much of that 1.4% growth in the Americas was price versus volume?

Speaker #5: Virtually no price.

Russell Shaller: Virtually no price.

Speaker #3: It was virtually no price. Okay. What do you think gets you back to a growth trajectory? Is it going to be completely macro-dependent?

Steve Ferazani: It was virtually no price. Okay. What do you think gets you back to a growth trajectory? Is it gonna be completely macro dependent?

Speaker #5: Yeah. We correlate very tightly. Particularly in America, to US manufacturing capacity utilization, which right now is in the 78, 77% range. We see something closer to 80 as very stimulative for us.

Russell Shaller: Yeah, we, we correlate very tightly, particularly in America, to US manufacturing capacity utilization, which right now is in the 78, 77% range.

Steve Ferazani: Yeah.

Russell Shaller: We see something closer to 80 as very stimulative for us. It's starting to trend up a little bit, but it's still not at a point that we would like.

Speaker #5: It's starting to trend up a little bit, but it's still not at a point that we would like.

Speaker #3: Okay, and then if I can ask about the very healthy margins again—it sounds like you weren't that aggressive on pricing, so it sounds like more of a mix.

Steve Ferazani: Okay. And then, if I can ask about the very healthy margins again. It sounds like you weren't that aggressive on pricing, so it sounds like more of a mix for this quarter.

Speaker #3: For this quarter?

Speaker #5: Yeah, it's a mix, as you can imagine. Our more commoditized products have actually done less well compared to our engineered products. So while I'll say the empty calories of our commoditized products have clearly gone down year over year, the engineered products have more than compensated for that, which has, in turn, bumped up our margins.

Russell Shaller: Yeah, it's a mix. As you can imagine, you know, our more commoditized products have actually done less well compared to our engineered products. So, you know, while I'll say the empty calories of our commoditized products have clearly gone down year-over-year, the engineered products have more than compensated for that, which, in turn, bumped up our margins.

Speaker #3: Right. Okay. Thanks, Russell. Thanks, Ann.

Steve Ferazani: Great. Okay. Thanks, Russell. Thanks, Ann.

Speaker #4: Thanks, Steve.

Ann Thornton: Thanks, Steve.

Speaker #2: Our next question comes from the line of Keith Housem with North Coast Research. Your line is now open.

Operator: Our next question comes from the line of Keith Housum with North Coast Research. Your line is now open.

Speaker #6: Good morning, guys. Appreciate the opportunity as always. Russell, you have confidence in Europe and Australia returning to growth here in the second half of the year.

Keith Housum: Good morning, guys. Appreciate the opportunity, as always. You know, Russell, you're confident in Europe and Australia returning to growth here in the second half of the year. I guess, what's giving you some of that confidence?

Speaker #6: I guess, what's given you some of that confidence?

Speaker #5: So I was actually in Europe two weeks ago and kind of was taking a tour of the pulse of manufacturing over there. It feels like there will be modest— I mean, and when I mean modest, they'll go from a contraction to maybe a 1% growth.

Russell Shaller: So, you know, I was actually in Europe two weeks ago and kind of was taking the pulse of manufacturing over there. It feels like there will be modest... I mean, and when I mean modest, they'll go from a contraction to maybe a 1% growth. You know, I'm not saying by any stretch of the imagination that we saw something super robust, but I'm hoping that they actually hit bottom towards the end of last calendar year, and they're starting to see a recovery. So, you know, I think there's still an awful lot of headwinds in Europe in terms of energy prices and some of their policies of manufacturing.

Speaker #5: I'm not saying by any stretch of the imagination that we saw something super robust, but I'm hoping that they actually hit bottom towards the end of last calendar year and they're starting to see a recovery.

Speaker #5: So, I think there's still an awful lot of headwinds in Europe in terms of energy prices and some of their policies. Due to manufacturing, it's no surprise if you read about heavy manufacturing in Europe—it's been particularly hard hit by energy prices and the influx of lower-cost Chinese products.

Russell Shaller: You know, it's no surprise if you read about heavy manufacturing in Europe has been particularly hard hit by energy prices and the influx of lower-cost Chinese products. So, you know, we're hoping they're doing it. You know, we also are seeing some growth in some of the non-core European countries. Middle East is doing pretty well for us. Poland and Eastern Europe also doing well, Scandinavia. Unfortunately, those economies are not quite as big as Germany, France, and UK, which largely are still struggling.

Speaker #5: So we're hoping they're doing it. And we also are seeing some growth in some of the non-core European countries, Middle East is doing pretty well for us.

Speaker #5: Poland and Eastern Europe are also doing well, as is Scandinavia. Unfortunately, those economies are not quite as big as Germany, France, and the UK, which largely are still struggling.

Speaker #6: Yep, got it. Okay. And then the Growth Tech acquisition is probably a year and a half behind you. You guys have added Mecca—or Miko, I apologize for the way you say it.

Keith Housum: ... Yep, got it. Okay. And then, you know, the Gravotech acquisition is probably a year and a half behind you. You guys have added Meco or Meco, apologize for the way you say it. And how is that performing for you guys? I know you guys had some, you know, restructuring you guys were doing there, but how are we doing in terms of growth trajectory?

Keith Housum: Yep, got it. Okay. And then, you know, the Gravotech acquisition is probably a year and a half behind you. You guys have added Meco or Meco, apologize for the way you say it. And how is that performing for you guys? I know you guys had some, you know, restructuring you guys were doing there, but how are we doing in terms of growth trajectory?

Speaker #6: And how is that performing for you guys? I know you guys had some restructuring you were doing there, but how are we doing in terms of growth trajectory?

Speaker #5: Yeah. So it's absolutely from a technology perspective, it has done 100% of what we wanted. We wanted to have that capability for direct part marking.

Russell Shaller: Yeah. So it's absolutely from a technology perspective, it has done 100% of what we wanted. We wanted to have that capability for direct part marking, which we see as a significant growth potential, particularly if you look at European digital passports and some of the initiatives here in the United States to have unique part traceability. I think in the short term, we're definitely seeing a little bit of an impact of European automotive. They do serve the European automotive market, and manufacturing in Europe, particularly in Germany, has been pretty hard hit. In fact, is still below where they were in 2019. So there's one slice of Gravotech related to automotive that I think has been weak, but the rest of the business is doing well.

Speaker #5: Which we see as a significant growth potential, particularly if you look at European digital passports and some of the initiatives here in the United States to have unique part traceability.

Speaker #5: I think, in the short term, we're definitely seeing a little bit of an impact from European automotive. They do serve the European automotive market.

Speaker #5: And manufacturing in Europe, particularly in Germany, has been pretty hard hit. In fact, it's still below where they were in 2019. So there's one slice of Gravitech related to automotive that I think has been weak, but the rest of the business is doing well.

Speaker #5: And actually, the luxury personalization segment is doing the best amongst that group.

Russell Shaller: Actually, the luxury personalization segment is doing the best among that group.

Speaker #6: Interesting. Okay. Appreciate that. Just to get this question out there because I'll ask it to everybody. I know your printers use a small amount of memory.

Keith Housum: Interesting. Okay, appreciate that. You know, just to get this question out there, because I'll ask everybody. I know your printers use a small amount of memory. Any issues you guys are facing in terms of pricing or shortages on memory?

Speaker #6: Any issues you guys are facing in terms of pricing or shortages of memory?

Speaker #5: So, no issues so far on memory. We tried to lock up supplies for a long period of time. We're a memory-light user. Will it affect our Bombatini bit?

Russell Shaller: So no, no issues, so far on memory. We, you know, we try to lock up supplies for a long period of time. We're, we're a memory light user, you know, will it affect our BOM a teeny bit? Yeah, probably. But, you know, we're not anywhere near, say, the usage of a tablet or a mobile computer or something like that. So, you know, at the margin, it's just a very, very small effect.

Speaker #5: Yeah, probably. But we're not anywhere near say the usage of a tablet or a mobile computer or something like that. So at the margin, it's just a very, very small effect.

Speaker #6: Gotcha. Okay. And I appreciate your commentary—R&D and R&Ds and investment for the longer term—but maybe you can help reconcile it for investors, because, again, we did see 1.1% organic growth, or 1.6%, whatever it was—probably less than what we expected.

Keith Housum: Gotcha. Okay, and I appreciate your commentary on R&D, and R&D is an investment for the longer term, but maybe help reconcile it for investors because, again, we did see, you know, 1.1% organic growth or 1.6, whatever it was, you know, probably less than what we expected, but yet R&D has, you know, a significant investment. How should we reconcile the increase in the R&D versus the, I guess, the declining, you know, organic growth?

Speaker #6: But yet, R&D has significant investment. How should we reconcile the increase in R&D versus the, I guess, the declining organic growth?

Speaker #5: So you need to compare it to our gross margin. If I look at our non-engineered products, we're probably collectively in the 40% gross margin now. Fortunately, that's a small percentage of our portfolio.

Russell Shaller: So you need to compare it to our gross margin. If I look at our non-engineered products, we're probably collectively in the 40% gross margin. Now, fortunately, that's a small percentage of our portfolio versus the engineered products are mid-50s and higher. I wish all of our products had the engineering behind them. So, you know, we continue to do that. I think that is 100% of Brady's growth story over the last decade, and it was a part of what I said. You know, for us, engineering is a multiyear journey. The investments we're making today are things that pay back in three years. I would never look at engineering and R&D on a quarterly basis. It's kind of irrelevant.

Speaker #5: Versus the engineered products are mid-50s and higher. I wish all of our products had the engineering behind them, so we continue to do that.

Speaker #5: I think that is 100% of Brady's growth story. Over the last decade—and it was a part of what I said—for us, engineering is a multi-year journey.

Speaker #5: The investments we're making today are things that pay back in three years. We never look at engineering and R&D on a quarterly basis, as that's kind of irrelevant.

Speaker #5: I would look at it more of the journey Brady's been on in the last 10 years, where we've tripled our operating income while R&D has gone from 3 to 6 percent.

Russell Shaller: I would look at it more of the journey Brady's been on in the last 10 years, where we've tripled our operating income while R&D has gone from 3% to 6%. So I wish we can keep that trend going for the next decade. And again, I am super delighted to have our new CTO joined. I can't say enough about the experiences. She's bringing in a more connected ecosystem. She came from Honeywell, and I think that is... She will help us get to the next level in the coming years.

Speaker #5: So I wish we can keep that trend going for the next decade. And again, I am super delighted to have our new CTO joined.

Speaker #5: I can't say enough about the experiences she's bringing in a more connected ecosystem. She came from Honeywell. And I think that is she will help us get to the next level in the coming years.

Speaker #6: Great, thanks. Last question for me. As I think about the European business, it probably has always had a little more of the commodity-type products, but it's been more defensible and the pricing has been better on that.

Keith Housum: Great. Thanks. Last question from me. As I think about the European business, it probably has always had a little more of the commodity products, but it's been more defensible and the pricing's been better on that. Any signs or concerns that that pricing for the commodity type of products might be breaking down?

Speaker #6: Any signs or concerns that that pricing for the commodity-type of products might be breaking down?

Speaker #5: Yeah, so that has always been an issue in the UK—much, much less so in the other countries. We've seen it, and we continue to see some deterioration in the UK.

Russell Shaller: Yeah. So that was always, has been an issue in the UK, much, much less so in the other countries. You know, we've seen it. We continue to see some deterioration in the UK, but it's also the backdrop of the overall UK economy, which isn't awesome as well. So, you know, as Brady goes on, I wouldn't say that there's any trend there that is, catastrophic. It's just the long term, revolving of Brady out of commodity products into manufactured products. You know, it's a journey we've been on for years. It will continue to happen. Unfortunately, it is a little bit of drag on our overall growth, but we're gonna get through it, and, that's, that's kind of the story of Brady.

Speaker #5: But it's also the backdrop of the overall UK economy, which isn't awesome as well. So as Brady goes on, I wouldn't say that there's any trend there that is catastrophic.

Speaker #5: It's just the long-term revolving of Brady out of commodity products into manufactured products. It's a journey we've been on for years. It will continue to happen, unfortunately.

Speaker #5: It is a little bit of a drag on our overall growth. But we're going to get through it, and that's kind of the story of Brady.

Speaker #6: Great. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.

Keith Housum: Great. Thanks, guys. Appreciate it.

Speaker #1: Thank you. And I'm currently showing no further questions at this time. I now like to hand the call back over to Russell Shaller for closing remarks.

Operator: Thank you. I'm currently showing no further questions at this time. I'd now like to hand the call back over to Russell Shaller for closing remarks.

Speaker #6: Perfect. Thank you for your time and participation today. We actually did the first half of 2026 with momentum going into the second half of the year.

Russell Shaller: Perfect. Thank you for your time and participation today. We exited the first half of 2026 with momentum going into the second half of the year. We're investing in new product development, and it's our highly engineered products that drive organic sales growth and profitability improvement. We have more products in our pipeline that are focused on solving our customers' problems in the simplest way possible, which also gives us the opportunity to engage with a broader set of customers and markets. Despite the tariff environment and the decline in manufacturing activity in Europe and Australia, we still grew our organic sales for the 20th straight quarter in a row. We're improving our productivity while increasing our investment in R&D. We keep our focus on what we control, and we move forward with the long term, always in focus.

Speaker #6: We're investing in new product development, and it's our highly engineered products that drive organic sales growth and profitability improvement. We have more products in our pipeline that are focused on solving our customers' problems in the simplest way possible.

Speaker #6: Which also gives us the opportunity to engage with a broader set of customers and markets. Despite the tariff environment and the decline in manufacturing activity in Europe and Australia, we still grew organic sales for the 20th straight quarter in a row.

Speaker #6: We're improving our productivity while increasing our investment in R&D. We keep our focus on what we control, and we move forward with the long term always in focus.

Speaker #6: I continue to be optimistic about this year and our ability to deliver improved results for our shareholders. Thank you for your time this morning.

Russell Shaller: I continue to be optimistic about this year and our ability to deliver improved results for our shareholders. Thank you for your time this morning. Operator, you may disconnect the call.

Speaker #6: Operator, you may disconnect the call.

Operator: This concludes today's conference. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

Q2 2026 Brady Corp Earnings Call

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