Hexcel's Q4 2024 Earnings Call: Key Contradictions in A350 Production, MAX Destocking, and Divestitures

Commercial Aerospace Sales Growth:
- Hexcel's Commercial Aerospace sales in Q4 2024 increased 4.6% year-over-year on a constant currency basis.
- The growth was driven by increased sales on the Boeing 787, Airbus A320neo, and A350 programs, offset by a decrease in Boeing 737 MAX sales.
- The demand for air travel exceeded pandemic levels, and aircraft backlogs at both Boeing and Airbus were near record levels, contributing to the sales increase.

Industrial Sales Challenges:
- Hexcel's industrial sales in Q4 2024 decreased 14.8% compared to the same period in 2023.
- The decline was due to softness across all industrial submarkets, except for recreation, and was exacerbated by growing competition from Chinese automakers and higher financing costs.
- The company announced plans to divest its Neumarkt, Austria site focused on wind and industrial applications, reflecting the challenges in the industrial sector.

Space & Defense Growth and Future Opportunities:
- Space & Defense sales increased 7.6% in Q4 2024, with a full-year increase of 4.6%.
- The growth was driven by programs such as the F-35, CH-53K, and classified projects, but also reflected a decline in the V-22 program.
- The business is well-positioned for future growth due to Hexcel's unique position as the only vertically-integrated U.S. domestic corporation providing advanced lightweight composite materials.

R&D and Future Growth Initiatives:
- Hexcel is allocating 3% of its revenue to R&D, focusing on developing materials for future platforms and improving production techniques to support high-rate production.
- The company plans to leverage its advanced materials science expertise in potential M&A opportunities and is exploring opportunities to grow in emerging EV toll markets and new aircraft like the Boeing 777X and Falcon 10X.
- Long-term growth will be driven by the launch of next-generation commercial and defense aircraft, with a focus on refining production processes to support high-rate production requirements.

Financial Guidance and Margin Challenges:
- 2025 sales guidance is for $1.95 billion to $2.05 billion, with adjusted EPS between $2.05 and $2.25, reflecting 5% sales growth and 6% adjusted EPS growth.
- The guidance includes challenges in margin expansion due to growing into existing headcount and higher R&D costs, with additional pressure from the ERP system implementation.
- The company forecasts a strong cash conversion ratio, supported by managed capital expenditures below $100 million over the next few years.