Axalta Coating Systems (axta) First Quarter 2021 Financial Results
earlier pandemic restriction effects, with notable strength continuing in Energy Solutions tied to wind
energy customers.
New product launches in Industrial Coatings also continued this quarter. The Energy Solutions
business expanded its position in electronic transformer and small motor applications with the launch of
a low VOC waterborne impregnating resin, Voltahyd 2251. The Wood business launched its newest
range of waterborne UV curing primer/color systems designed for surfaces used in the construction of
interior cabinets. In General Industrial, Imron 2100 HG-C; a high gloss, high solids, low 2.1 VOC
clearcoat was introduced, featuring exceptional appearance, premium outdoor weatherability, and
excellent ease of application. In Axalta's Powder business, we expanded the Alesta® product line with
the introduction of the "Alesta ID Degassing" powder coating, offering premium performance on
challenging anticorrosion treated metal (hot dipped galvanized) used across the fencing market.
The Performance Coatings segment reported Q1 Adjusted EBIT of $117 million, a 47.6% increase
versus $79 million in Q1 2020, driven by lower operating expenses, stronger volumes and associated
drop-through to earnings, offset slightly by lower price-mix effects. The Adjusted EBIT margin for the
segment increased from 12.3% in Q1 2020 to 16.6% in the first quarter, again highlighting the success
in cost containment through the period while volumes have continued to rebound.
Performance Coatings Demand Environment
Refinish
The refinish market in Q1 was variable but improved later in the period,
particularly in North America
Traffic indicators improving from bottom in January:
- U.S. miles driven down -7%, body shop activity down -12%; insurance
claims continue to lag
"
U.S. data showed solid sequential monthly recovery into April which may be
first month of near-normal traffic since Q1 2020
"
Europe miles driven down -15% in March, recovering in sequential months
after a dip in January; body shop activity also recovered through March but
dipping in April aligned with extended COVID restrictions
For Asia, most countries have seen traffic above pre-COVID traffic levels
since Q4 and stable during Q1
Industrial
Latin America miles driven in Brazil slipped in Q1 with higher case count
and restrictions; Mexico still -10% below normal
Broad-based global industrial demand recovery; notable growth from Energy
Solutions, Powder, and General Industrial
Strong market backdrop with support from U.S. home building and remodeling,
global automotive demand, and broader industrial recovery across sectors
Slide 6: Performance Demand Environment
Regarding the Performance Coatings demand environment, Axalta benefited from continued sequential
recovery during first quarter, notably across broader industrial coatings markets while Refinish demand
was largely stable sequentially.
AXALTA
In Refinish, U.S. vehicle traffic was approximately 7% below prior year levels in the quarter, with a
stronger exit rate in March. U.S. collision claims were fairly consistent with the third and fourth quarter,
down -24% suggesting that accidents have not translated to claims at a coincident rate. Gauged by
body shop activity, Axalta saw approximately 12% declines across customer shops served, which is
also consistent with the overall levels seen during the fourth quarter.
Sensitivity: Business Internal
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