SunOpta successfully implemented pass-through pricing for nearly all tariff impacts as of July 31, ensuring customers are billed for tariff increases.
Management highlighted a $1.6 million tariff headwind in gross profit due to timing lag, which they are actively managing.
The company plans to continue passing along tariff costs until recovery of any timing differences, with an expectation of full pass-through in the near future.
Greg Gaba explained that the tariff impact in Q2 was about 90 basis points, with an anticipated $2 million impact in Q3 from recent tariff changes.
Management reaffirmed confidence that operational efficiencies will offset tariff headwinds, aiming to fully recover costs by Q4.
Impact of Tariffs on Business Operations and Pricing Strategy
The company has implemented a multifaceted approach to managing tariffs, including diversifying suppliers, accelerating tariff cost reductions, leveraging scale for savings, driving internal cost efficiencies through automation, and implementing targeted price increases in Q3.
Tariff costs are currently impacting inventory costs immediately, but the effect on cost of goods sold (COGS) will be seen starting in Q4 due to inventory accounting methods.
Price increases to offset tariff costs are scheduled for Q3, with positive effects on net sales beginning then, but gross margins expected to decline in Q4 as tariff costs are recognized in COGS.
The company has a strong liquidity position ($656 million in total liquidity) and is managing debt levels to navigate tariff-related uncertainties.
Automotive revenue increased by 19% sequentially despite only a 14% increase in deliveries, driven primarily by improved ASPs due to the new Model Y.
Energy generation and storage margins improved sequentially, achieving the highest gross profit for the business yet, despite reduced deployments.
Margins improved sequentially due to better mix, higher fixed cost absorption, and despite increased costs from tariffs.
Operating cash flows increased sequentially but higher CapEx resulted in $146 million of free cash flow for the quarter.
Operating expenses grew sequentially due to investments in AI projects, employee-related costs including stock-based compensation, and depreciation for AI compute.
Other income grew sequentially, primarily from a $284 million mark-to-market gain on Bitcoin holdings in Q2 compared to a $125 million loss in Q1.
Tariff costs increased by approximately $300 million sequentially, with two-thirds impacting automotive and the rest energy, with full impact expected in coming quarters.
Dafinchi