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Columbus McKinnon Posts Q1 Fiscal 2026 Results

Columbus McKinnon Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCO), a premier designer and manufacturer of intelligent motion solutions for material handling, has released its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026, ending June 30, 2025. The company faced significant challenges due to global tariff policies but managed to uphold a solid performance overall.

Financial Overview

In the first quarter, Columbus McKinnon reported orders amounting to $258.6 million, marking a modest increase of 2% compared to the same period last year. Notably, project-related orders surged by 8%, underscoring demand within specific sectors. The company's backlog also showed a robust performance, rising by $67.3 million or 23% to reach $360.1 million, with a book-to-bill ratio of 1.1x, indicating strong order growth.

However, net sales totaled $235.9 million, reflecting a decrease of $3.8 million or 1.6% compared to last year. The company reported a net loss of $1.9 million, translating to a net loss margin of (0.8%). This loss includes $8.1 million in acquisition-related expenses and a $4.2 million impact from tariffs, as well as costs associated with business realignment.

Despite these setbacks, Columbus McKinnon recorded an adjusted EBITDA of $30.8 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 13.0%. This divergence between the adjusted and GAAP metrics highlights the significant impact of tariffs and restructuring costs on the company’s bottom line.

Strategic Outlook

David J. Wilson, President and CEO, remarked, "The first quarter largely played out as expected, fostering sustained order growth despite tariffs challenging our near-term results." His comments underscore Columbus McKinnon's confidence in navigating current market uncertainties through strong operational execution and effective cost management. The company anticipates a $10 million tariff impact in the first half of the fiscal year, consistent with prior guidance.

Despite the challenges posed by tariffs, Wilson remained optimistic about customer demand and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to its strategic goals. The substantial $360 million backlog illustrates a solid future order pipeline, further reinforced by the company’s historical ability to adapt and grow in varying market conditions.

The ongoing Kito Crosby acquisition is also on the horizon, which promises to bolster Columbus McKinnon’s market position through enhanced scale and synergies. As the company strives to integrate this acquisition, it remains focused on leveraging its operational strengths and delivering long-term shareholder value.

Key Metrics

In light of the first quarter’s performance, key financial metrics are as follows:

• - Orders: $258.6 million (up 2%)
• - Net Sales: $235.9 million (down 1.6%)
• - Net Loss: $(1.9) million (margin: (0.8%))
• - Adjusted EBITDA: $30.8 million (margin: 13.0%)
• - Backlog: $360.1 million (up 23%)

Going forward, Columbus McKinnon has affirmed its fiscal 2026 guidance, which projects net sales to be flat to slightly up, despite any impacts from the upcoming acquisition and tariffs. The company intends to continue prioritizing debt reduction while balancing returns through dividends, optimizing its capital allocation strategy.

With the first quarter results behind and a promising order backlog ahead, Columbus McKinnon stands poised to navigate the complexities of the current economic landscape while focusing on growth and profitability going forward.

For further details, Columbus McKinnon will host a conference call at 10:00 AM Eastern Time today to discuss results and strategies, which will be accessible via their investor relations website. Investors and stakeholders can monitor developments as the company seeks to innovate and inspire in the intelligent motion solutions arena.