Strategic Initiatives to Strengthen Market Position Amid Industry Uncertainty
GrafTech outlined a series of strategic initiatives focused on increasing sales volume, regaining market share, improving pricing, reducing costs, and strengthening liquidity.
The company is actively shifting sales towards higher-priced regions, notably increasing U.S. sales volume by 38% year-over-year in Q2.
Despite flat demand, the company is outperforming broader market trends through disciplined execution and strategic geographic focus.
Portfolio Transformation and Focus on High-Growth Infrastructure Vertical
The company has divested the Thermal Management business and acquired Trachte and EPG, reshaping its portfolio to focus on high-growth infrastructure verticals such as power utilities, data centers, and renewables.
Infrastructure now accounts for over 40% of sales, with data centers and power utilities each approximately 20%.
The transformation aims to balance short-cycle and long-cycle businesses, positioning the company for accelerated growth and value creation.
Transformation and Margin Expansion in Industrial Segment
The Industrial segment achieved a record adjusted operating margin of 25.1%, up 90 basis points from the previous year, driven by The Win Strategy.
The company expects a 700 basis point margin expansion from FY '19 through FY '26, demonstrating significant margin resilience even during negative organic growth periods.
The portfolio's shift towards longer cycle, secular trend, and aftermarket revenues is a key factor, with 67% now in these categories.
International and diversified industrial businesses are using cost reduction and efficiency tools to sustain margin growth amid market challenges.
The transformation includes acquisitions and international distribution growth, with an aim for 85% of the portfolio to be longer cycle, secular, and aftermarket by FY '29.
Dafinchi