Quanta Services Q1 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
May 4, 2023

There are 13 speakers on the call.

Operator

Welcome to Quanta Services First Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. A question and answer session will follow the formal presentation. Please note this conference is being recorded. At this time, I'll turn the conference over to Kip Rupp, Vice President, Investor Relations.

Operator

Kip, you may now begin.

Speaker 1

Thank you, and welcome, everyone, to the Quanta Services Q1 2023 earnings conference call. This morning, we issued a press release announcing our first and commentary that we will discuss this morning. Additionally, we will use a slide presentation this morning to accompany our prepared remarks, which is viewable through the call's webcast is also available on the Investor Relations section of the Quanta Services website. Please remember that information reported on this call speaks only as of today, May 4, 2023, and therefore, you are advised that any time sensitive information may no longer be accurate as of any replay of this call. This call will include forward looking statements intended to qualify under the Safe Harbor from liability established by the Private Thank you, Carrie's Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including all statements reflecting expectations, intentions, You should not place undue reliance on these statements as they involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict or beyond Quanta's control, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Speaker 1

We will also present certain historical and forecasted non GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations of those financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are included in our earnings release and slide presentation. Please see Slide 2 and the appendix of the slide presentation for additional information regarding our forward looking statements and non GAAP financial measures. Lastly, if you would like to be notified when Quanta publishes news releases and other information, please sign up for e mail alerts through the Investor Relations section of quantaservices.com. We also encourage investors and others interested in our company to follow Quanta IR and Quanta Services on With that, I would like to now turn the call over to Mr.

Speaker 1

Duke Austin, Quanta's President and CEO. Duke?

Speaker 2

Thanks, Kipp. Good morning, everyone, and welcome to Quanta Services' Q1 2023 earnings conference call. On the call today, I will provide operational and strategic commentary and will then turn it over to Jayshree Desai, Quanta's CFO, provide a review of our Q1 results and full year 2023 financial expectations. Following Jayshree's comments, we welcome your questions. Before we begin reviewing our financial results, I would like to briefly highlight the recognition that Quanta recently received From Engineering News Record, a leading engineering and construction industry publication.

Speaker 2

ENR selected Quanta for its prestigious and highest honor, The award of excellence. WANO was selected for its safety leadership with our innovative capacity model, a unique safety and training program that is designed To not only create a work environment that prevents incidents, but also build in the capacity to fail safely and that focuses on learning from mistakes in order to drive improved outcomes. Quanta is changing how we, our customers and the industry think about safety excellence, And I want to congratulate Quanta employees for their dedication to safety and their shared success in being recognized with this award. Our first quarter results, which include double digit revenue growth and adjusted diluted EPS of 1 $0.24 Demonstrate a good start to the year. More importantly, we continue to enhance our self perform model and remain on track to achieve our full year 2023 and multi year expectations.

Speaker 2

Additionally, total backlog at the quarter end was $25,300,000,000 A record and considerably higher than the same period last year. Notably, we see opportunity to significantly increase backlog as we move through the year, Driven by our base business and larger energy transition projects such as the Sunsea transmission and Sunsea wind projects we announced this morning. We believe we are in the early stages of capitalizing on significant opportunities across our service lines, which are driven by our collaborative Solution based approach that is designed to ultimately benefit consumers. Additionally, the growth of the programmatic spending With existing and new customers and favorable megatrends provide greater flexibility into our near and long term growth outlook. Our Electric Power Infrastructure Solutions segment continued to perform well and generated record quarterly revenues.

Speaker 2

Demand for our services is strong, driven by broad based business activity from utility grid modernization, grid security And system hardening initiatives, as well as our reputation for consistent and safe execution. We continue to work with our customers to provide them with resources to meet their capital deployment initiatives and to help them address supply chain constraints. As we have discussed over the past several quarters, Our view is that the electric power grid will require significant upgrade and modernization to handle the energy transition. We also believe that electric vehicle penetration could increase at a faster rate than expected, which could create significant grid constraints that we believe are underappreciated by many. We expect the issue in the near term The medium term in most regions will not be generation load supply availability, but the inability to move supply to areas With accelerating EV driven load demand through the current distribution system.

Speaker 2

According to estimates from UBS, United States EV Car penetration is expected to be more than quadruple from approximately 4% in 2025 Approximately 19% by 2,030. We believe this developing grid capacity challenge will be acutely impacted as commercial fleets, Medium and heavy duty trucks and buses become increasingly electrified. For example, yesterday Navistar, A long standing key partner to Quanta for medium and heavy duty trucks announced a partnership with us to provide its customers a turnkey Battery electric vehicle product and charging infrastructure solution that enables fleets to deploy battery EVs quickly and efficiently. The partnership intends to leverage Navistar's approach to delivering fully integrated e mobility solutions to its customers With Quanta's expertise in assessing and designing EV charging infrastructure and building the interconnecting EV battery charging infrastructure into the power grid. 1 understands infrastructure and its partnership agreement with Navistar is an example of the unique vantage point we have into the growing challenges With the power grid, as the energy transition and electrification of everything accelerates.

Speaker 2

As we have discussed on prior calls, to meaningfully reduce carbon emissions and increase electrification of The economy will require substantial incremental investment in transmission, substation and renewable generation facilities to produce And transport clean power and to ensure grid reliability due to the growth of intermittent power added to the system. One of the strategic reasons we acquired Blattner was because we believe the addition of utility scale renewable generation solutions to Quanta's holistic grid solutions We'll transform our ability to collaborate early with our customers on their energy transition strategies over the coming decades and create a value proposition unique in the industry. To that end, this morning we announced Quantum was selected by Pattern Energy to provide comprehensive infrastructure solutions for the Sunsea transmission and Sunsea wind projects, Which together compromise the largest clean energy infrastructure project in the United States history. Quanta will leverage the capabilities of multiple operating companies to execute these projects for Pattern Energy. We believe these project awards Validate the power of our combined high voltage transmission and renewable generation solutions and demonstrate the value of our collaborative approach to As expected, normal seasonality in the solar panel supply chain and regulatory hurdles from last year resulted in a slow start our renewable generation project activities in the Q1.

Speaker 2

However, these dynamics are improving and renewable Project activity is accelerating, which we expect to continue throughout the year. For example, At the end of April, we were in various levels of construction on 28 utility scale renewable generation projects. Further, we are in active discussions with clients about projects in 2024 and beyond and are focused on scaling our resources and capacity Handle what we expect to be record levels of new renewable generation capacity additions over the coming decade at least. Additionally, we are pursuing 1,000,000,000 of dollars of high voltage transmission projects that are designed to support current We are pleased with the performance of our underground utility and infrastructure solutions segment in the Q1, which delivered double digit revenue growth and record levels Our first quarter profitability demonstrating solid execution across our operations in the segment. Our Industrial Services operations executed well experienced strong demand following 2 years of deferred activity during the pandemic.

Speaker 2

We also experienced solid demand for our gas utility Pipeline Integrity Operations, which are executing well and are driven by regulated spin to modernize systems, reduce methane emissions, ensure environmental compliance And approve safety and reliability. We continue to believe our operational portfolio is a strategic advantage. It provides us the ability to ship resources across service lines and geographies, which we believe will become increasingly important as the energy transition accelerates. We believe our portfolio approach positions us well to allocate resources to the opportunities. We find the most economical and attractive to achieve operating efficiencies that enhance our operational and financial consistency.

Speaker 2

The energy transition towards a reduced economy continues to progress and we believe is gaining pace. Quanta is successfully executing on our strategic initiatives to drive sustainable and resilient operational excellence, Total cost solutions for our clients, consistent profitable and value consistent profitable growth and value for our stakeholders, all of which gives us confidence in our ability to deliver on our 2023 and multiyear financial expectations. We are focused on operating the business for the long term and expect to continue to distinguish ourselves through safe execution and best in class field leadership. We will pursue opportunities to enhance Quanta's base business and leadership position in the industry and provide innovative solutions to our customers. We believe Quanta's diversity, unique operating model and entrepreneurial mindset form the foundation that will allow us to continue to generate long term value for all our stakeholders.

Speaker 2

I will now turn the call over to Jayshree Desai, our CFO, for her review of our Q1 results and 2023 expectations. Jayshree?

Speaker 3

Thanks, Duke, and good morning, everyone. Today, we announced record first quarter revenues of $4,400,000,000 Net income attributable Common stock was $95,000,000 or $0.64 per diluted share and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.24 Our first quarter electric power revenues were $2,300,000,000 and operating income margins were 9.2%, consistent with views provided on last quarter's call and reflecting successful execution across the segment. Our base business continues to lead the way for the segment Renewable Energy Infrastructure segment revenues for Q1 2023 were $1,000,000,000 with operating income margins of 3.5%. Revenues in the quarter were better than expected due to the acceleration of construction activities as our renewable customers move forward with projects. As we mentioned on our last call, we anticipated Q1 renewable revenues to be the segment's lowest of the year and the lower volumes would create fixed Cost absorption pressure on segment margins.

Speaker 3

In light of that expected pressure, from a margin perspective, we are pleased with the results from the bulk of our project activities. The overall segment margin was affected, however, by the large renewable transmission project in Canada, which we've discussed on prior calls. With over 90% of the project complete as of March 31, construction activities were quite successful during the quarter and we believe we are positioned to achieve substantial completion After the next winter build season. Yet despite the significant progress, access delays, logistics and other issues outside of our control Increased our costs on the project, negatively impacting quarter margins by approximately 120 basis points. We are working collaboratively with the customer to recover the financial impacts associated with these and other issues and are confident in an equitable outcome.

Speaker 3

Underground Utility and Infrastructure segment revenues were $1,100,000,000 for the quarter and operating income margins were 5.7%. Continued strength from our base business operations drove the performance with margins exceeding expectations benefiting from improved fixed cost absorption For additional commentary comparing Q1 'twenty three to Q1 'twenty two, Please refer to the slides accompanying this call. With regard to backlog, we continue to achieve record levels. At March 31, 2023, backlog was $25,300,000,000 an increase of $1,200,000,000 compared to December 31, and did not include amounts related to SunZIA, which we announced this morning and was awarded subsequent to the quarter end. Our 12 month backlog is also at a record level of $14,600,000,000 which we believe is another indicator of the steady Growing demand for our base business solutions.

Speaker 3

Our end markets remain robust with opportunities that can lead to new record levels of backlog in subsequent quarters. For the Q1 of 2023, as expected, we had negative free cash flow of $31,000,000 driven by working capital demands from the aforementioned Canadian renewables project as well as a ramp up of work activities following the holidays, which is typical for the Q1. DSO measured 77 days for the Q1 of 2023, lower than our historical average, aided by favorable billing arrangements associated with certain awards during the quarter. Regarding the Canadian Renewable Transmission Project, the contract asset balance grew during Q1 'twenty three and continues to pressure DSO. Positive discussions with the customer regarding portions of the balance are ongoing, which represents approximately 5 to 6 days of DSO as of March 31, and we are increasingly confident in our position.

Speaker 3

As of March 31, 2023, we had total of approximately $1,800,000,000 and a debt to EBITDA ratio of 2.5 as calculated under our credit agreement. The decrease in liquidity and increased leverage profile is due to roughly $450,000,000 of capital deployed on acquisitions in the Q1. We expect continued earnings growth and cash generation to support our ability to efficiently delever over the coming quarters, while continuing Create stockholder value through incremental capital deployment. Turning to our guidance. We had a nice start to the year with record first quarter revenues Given that strength, we are raising our revenue expectations for the year by $200,000,000 While our expectations for full year adjusted diluted earnings per share attributable to common stock are unchanged, ranging between $6.75 and $7.25 From a segment perspective, we continue to see Electric segment revenues $10,000,000,000 $10,100,000,000 for the year, with full year margins between 10.7% and 11.3%.

Speaker 3

We expect segment margins to be somewhat pressured in the Q2 due to challenging weather conditions throughout the northern and western parts of North America. Regarding our Renewables segment, given the strength of the Q1 and increased project awards, we are raising our full year revenue expectations for the segment by $200,000,000 Ranging between $4,500,000,000 $4,700,000,000 We continue to expect margins around 8.5% for the year with 2nd quarter margins in the upper single digits. The increase in Renewables is being offset by a reduction in our underground segment due to a shift in the expected Our segment revenue expectations are unchanged, but we now expect full year margins to range between 7% and 7.5%. We slightly modified other aspects of our guidance, the details of which are included in our outlook summary, which can be found in the Financial Information section of our IR website atquantaservices.com. Looking ahead, our end markets continue to strengthen, led by utilities modernizing their infrastructure We believe we are uniquely positioned to deliver comprehensive solution to the markets we serve and to create significant shareholder value through organic growth And Strategic Capital Investment.

Speaker 3

I'll now turn it back to the operator for Q and A. Operator?

Operator

Thank you. We'll now be conducting a question and answer session. One moment please while we poll for questions. Thank you. Our first question is from the line of Andy Kaplowitz with Citigroup.

Operator

Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 4

Hey, good morning, everyone.

Speaker 2

Good morning.

Speaker 4

Duke, your backlog has been accelerating over the last few quarters. It seems like you are announcing more large projects. Are you just generally seeing an acceleration in these types of projects? And would you expect their frequency to continue? And then I know you talked about backlog continuing to increase.

Speaker 4

Does the higher backlog in your view raise the probability that Quanta could deliver that higher end? I think you had told us at the Analyst Day like 15%

Speaker 2

Yes. Thanks, Andy. I think when we look at the market and especially the larger Projects within the market, there's a significant amount that you got to get through permitting, you got to get through a lot of different things. More importantly, If you're going to transition, the need for transmission in North America for that matter is significant, way more than what people estimate. I think you hear it quite a bit if we're moving towards the transition we are.

Speaker 2

So that said, we do see large projects across the board, but You have multiyear projects as well with existing customers that are also addressing this need to Provide load to the load centers from the areas where you have renewables. So those things along with what you're doing with EV penetration and things like Certainly increasing. Our dialogue with customers is robust. The amount of capital necessary to go where we want to go I don't see a path to get to anywhere near where we want to go in 2030, 2,040, 2050 Without significant infrastructure build across this grid, it's not meant to handle the modernization, the penetration of electric vehicles and what we're trying to do from a carbon Environment without modernizing this infrastructure in a significant way.

Speaker 4

Are we at least trending towards your higher end Target that you talked about last year, longer term?

Speaker 2

And Andy, you can see our backlog growing. We don't even have Sun Z in and it will go up significantly. I think it will go up significantly every single quarter throughout the year. It may not be perfect CAGR, but it will grow Through this year, and I don't see that stopping. I mean, we've given you good guidance on a multiyear 10% type growth at the EPS line with Ability to grow 15, I stand by today, even more so.

Speaker 5

Appreciate it.

Operator

Our next question is from the line of Adam Thalhimer with Thompson Davis. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 6

Hey, good morning, guys. Congrats on a strong start to the year.

Speaker 3

Good morning. Hey, Duke, at

Speaker 6

a high level, where do things stand with renewable with the renewables supply chain?

Speaker 2

I think it's getting better. I mean, you still hear Congress and even today or yesterday, I can't remember, you start to see things around Your reliance on China for panels, and I do think that will continue to play through this. But all in all, for what we see, for what we have, we certainly have risk adjusted kind of how we're guiding this year. So I do think we've watched it. We know what panels are in.

Speaker 2

We know what Panels aren't in. I do believe that has alleviated a bit and will continue. So the supply chain has gotten better in many ways. Certainly, if there's any kind of regulation or things like that, it could change. But I do see more of for that matter, everything being More onshore than offshore, and I do think that's a good trend for us in the way that we think about providing the solutions.

Speaker 2

Jayshree can comment.

Speaker 3

No, I have nothing more to add. That's right. I think it is opening up. We're seeing the supply chain, the panel manufacturers make Do a better job of ensuring that they're meeting the requirements under the tariff provisions. But yes, if there is any sort of regulation, Any sort of anti China sentiment that continues to push through that can obviously affect the supply chain again.

Operator

Okay. Thanks, guys. The next question is from the line of Alex Rygiel with B. Riley. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 1

Thank you, gentlemen. A real quick question here. Where do you stand on the percentage of revenue generated

Speaker 2

I think in general, About 85% still. I think that remains the work mix for us. If we get more material concentric, We'll make some comment on it. Today, it's the same for about 85% of the business is still self performed. We like that.

Speaker 2

We like that mix. I think it will continue. We certainly to have certainty in our projects and To the client on delivery times and on for our ability to provide earnings power, we need to be able to self perform About that mix and the constraints that we have, no one understands those, and we have to make sure We can operate through any kind of issue. So that's about the mix you'll see.

Speaker 1

And then secondly, can you talk a little bit about the Competitive environment,

Speaker 5

particularly as

Speaker 1

it relates to Senzia and congratulations on that. But how many bidders were on that? And how does that compare to a few years ago?

Speaker 2

Yes. Honestly, I don't have any idea. I know we had great collaboration with the client. It was a collaborative effort. And I believe it shows What the Blattner acquisition did for us, when you put both of us together, what we can do together, what we can do for the client, The synergies that we can create for a client in a project like this, I would say it's proof of concept, it's proof of what Can be done with the client to the ultimate consumer, and I don't think there is anyone that can do what we can do with these type of projects based upon History based upon what we're able to really think through for early in construction, we can certainly create impacts and solutions

Operator

Our next question is from the line of Justin Hauck with Robert W. Baird. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 7

Great. Thanks. So I guess I had a couple of questions on SunZIA, just because it's been out there obviously forever, it's had all kinds of moving pieces on Financing side and the regulatory side, I'm just curious, is there anything that it still has outstanding that it needs To receive to start construction in 4Q or is that pretty much all cleared up? And then I guess related to that, is there any contribution that you're

Speaker 2

Yes, we have some revenue Our guidance this year from it, it was in our uncommitted prior to the award. But that said, it's minimal. And I don't We don't see a pullback or a path where it doesn't go. So there's a lot of commitments being made here. Feel like the project is a GoPro.

Speaker 2

It's a great project on Pattern's of longtime customer of Bladner's and ours for that matter. So we're confident. We've worked hard with the client to make Sure that this project is a showcase for them and us and the industry what can be done through hard work. And Yes, it's a long, long project. It took a long time.

Speaker 2

It shouldn't take this long in America to build infrastructure. So certainly, It's we're glad to get across the finish line for everyone.

Speaker 7

Okay, great. That's helpful. And then I guess my second question Just on the Canadian renewable job, you said it's 90% complete and you're expecting it to complete with the next winter build. So does that mean that for the next couple of quarters, there's really no contribution on that and so we shouldn't think of that as kind of a source of potential pressure and It won't start up again until we get back to next winter when it completes. Is that the right way to think about it?

Speaker 2

Yes, a little bit on the project. That's the way to think about it, but a little bit on that project Just so we can discuss it a bit, it's a project that we did through the pandemic. And it's a No one has done in Northern Climes like this where we've taken people off fuel and putting them on renewable power. I think it's significant in the way you think about the Northern Clines and what can be done. Our people worked through a pandemic and built this.

Speaker 2

And so that said, no one's ever done that. No one's ever so the way that we're thinking through it, we've taken a prudent approach, We've taken a prudent approach to the way we've looked at it. All I can say is we can build things in Northern Clines better than anyone in the world. I'm confident in our position. I think it's much better than what we have, but we took a prudent approach to it.

Speaker 2

We'll continue to do so. I don't think you'll see any more Fluctuations, unless it goes the other way, I feel confident in where we're at and it was our decision really to make We de risked the rest of the year and the rest of the job with the approach that we've taken. So we're extremely happy with our people. This build was significant for us in a COVID free environment of what's possible. Our productivity rates and everything else were off the chart.

Speaker 2

So real pleased with how we finished up, and I do believe it will pay dividends in the long term.

Speaker 5

Okay, great. Thanks. Perfect.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Operator

Our next question is from the line of Steven Fisher with UBS. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 5

Thanks. Good morning. Congrats on Sunzia. I just wanted to follow-up on that last point there. I mean, it seems to be A reminder that things can happen on these renewable projects.

Speaker 5

And so how can we get comfortable That these risks can be reasonably controlled, what comfort can you give investors that Sun Tzu is not going to be an execution overhang? I know you Platner has done other work in New Mexico before. You're taking great efforts to derisk the business, but Obviously, it's a big huge project. We do have a margin impact this quarter from renewables project. So what comfort can you give investors that is not going to be an execution overhang now.

Speaker 5

Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Steve. Tunzea is right down the middle for us, Both from we just got off a wind project with Pattern, did really nicely. We built line across that part of the world many, many times, Not concerned. What I can't control is a pandemic. So if our project has a 24 month pandemic in it, don't know how to address that yet.

Speaker 2

I'll let you know when we get done with all the settlements on the claim. But the one in Canada, We worked through a 24 month pandemic in a camp in the most northern territory in North America. So and by the way, like Every other project up there is off the rails. So look at Coastal Gas, look at Transmontane, what they did compared to what we've done, I like our chances. So I know we know what we're doing on large projects and this one's right down the middle.

Speaker 2

I expect many more of them to come.

Operator

Okay. Thank you. The next question is from the line of Chad Dillard with Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 5

Hi, good morning guys.

Speaker 3

Good morning. So

Speaker 8

first of all, can you talk about What is the mix of small versus large projects today, particularly on electric transmission? And then like with the recent slate of large wins that you've had over the couple Where do you think that mix goes over the next couple of years? And what I'm ultimately trying to understand is like how should we think about the margin impact

Speaker 2

I think when you look at it, it's about the same between 80%, 85% Base business, the way we've laid it out, large projects will grow significantly and our base business will grow significantly. We're signing much larger MSA type programmatic spends than the projects that you're seeing. It's just they're over multi years. This So, Zia is over, I think we get done in 'twenty six. End of 'twenty six, the line goes a little faster, 'twenty five.

Speaker 2

But that said, We have multiyear type MSAs type agreements with our current customers that are longer in nature, that are much bigger. So We continue to see both the base as well as these larger projects as we've talked about the stacking effect due to the transition and all the things that we're able to accomplish there The company is in front of it, and I do believe the outlook looks good. And certainly, our strategies are 5 years out and I like where we're at. I think we're right on track, maybe a little better.

Speaker 8

That's helpful. And then secondly, can you give a little more color on the Navistar partnership? Is this something where It's exclusive for Quanta. And then just like at what stage of the sales cycle is Quanta brought in? And is this like the type of like program

Speaker 2

Yes. When we look at the Navistar contract, I think it's just how we relate With our not only us, but our suppliers, we collaborate. And that collaboration leads to other things that we can do together, Such as try to create the safest truck in the industry, which I think is where this started, it was trying to create the safest truck. What can we do with Automated driving, what can we do with other things? And then it led to, well, what can we do together to build the infrastructure necessary to go to Electric vehicles.

Speaker 2

That said, if you think about Navistar's their amount of market share in school buses in every School District across North America, it's significant. Many of the school districts load, once you put buses in the end, you go to an EV Type bus, it will pull more load at the bus depot than the town. So when you start thinking through that and you start thinking all the school districts That are out there, I think it's a significant build. It's meaningful for the company. And if we work together, we work with our utility clients and municipalities.

Speaker 2

On the front end of this, we can certainly do it cost effective and create an environment that allows everyone to move towards carbon free.

Speaker 8

Great. Thank you.

Operator

Our next question is from the line of Jamie Cook with Credit Suisse.

Speaker 9

Congrats on SunZIA. I guess, first question, Is there any way you could size the number of projects or in dollars what you're bidding on, where you're bidding both the transmission And the renewable side sort of like Senzia, so we can see how many more opportunities that are out there. And to what degree are you worried I know you've been investing in labor for some period of time and you always have, but that you need to ramp your investment in labor even more and could that be a risk Margins in the short term. And then my second modeling question is just on within renewables, understanding the Q1 margins were below your And you explained that fine, but I think you've maintained your renewable margin guidance for the year despite the Q1 Being lower, so I'm wondering if that implies potentially the rest of the business is performing at a level slightly better than you expected? Thanks.

Speaker 2

Good morning, Jamie. So I do think when you think about that we're on, call it, 25 renewable projects today, All those have interconnections. The discussions with the customer are usually when we didn't have Blattner, you weren't Combining that, you were really we were doing a lot of interconnections for the utilities or for the developers. Some are going towards A combined approach, I think the more we show the economics around it, the more we think through it, the Bigger the project, certainly the more economical it is for us to think through both wind, solar and interconnection with the client, And we do that quite a bit. As far as the there's significant amount of projects out there that are ongoing or from utilities Driving wind towards the west on the East Coast coming down from Canada, where You're absolutely bringing load, wind, whether we're on the wind side or not, usually we're on both sides of it.

Speaker 2

If they combine it, it's better. I think it's our job to show the client the economics around that and how we see it. And Is that the ultimate project for the consumer at the end? Can we do it cheaper and more efficient? So I do think I like our chances.

Speaker 2

Sunziq is certainly a highlight of what can be done. And I think it's that when you collaborate early, you get those kind of results and everyone wins. As far as the margins on renewables, I think a lot of that was the Canadian project pulling it down a bit. I do believe When you start to scale the way we're scaling, what happened in the renewable business across the board, you had a stop of 6 months, 9 months, Where no one did much because of all the regulations in 'twenty two and that and also the IRA coming in. As the IRA comes in, You're going to get on more of a run rate base rate that you can see and you'll stack on top of that as you grow.

Speaker 2

I don't think you'll have this cadence You have where you're growing from the Q1 significantly into the second, into the third and the fourth, and you get more obviously, for us, We have to perform on the backside, much better than we did on the front. And I believe everything in our historicals, nothing on the backside is out of any historical margins. In fact, it's right down the middle for us on the backside of this. And I think that should create You'll have some seasonality in the Q1, but your Q4 is going to obviously grow. You have some impacts in the second Due to the way that we're mobilizing our projects and things of that nature, but it should smooth on out into 'twenty four and beyond.

Speaker 3

And we are seeing better performance in the rest of our business, Jamie, when you see the impact of the Canadian project at 120 basis points, the rest of the business, we were pleased, as I said, that is the performance there because margins are doing better than we expected. And as Duke said, as we move out of the Q1 into the second, third, you're going to have more volumes, you're going to have better fixed cost Absorption and you're going to just have better productivity as a result of getting into better climates.

Speaker 9

Well, not to push you. I'm just wondering if The back half margin has implied double digit if that's a new run rate going forward given just what you're seeing in the market?

Speaker 2

We don't have enough history, Jamie, to give you that. If I can get 12 months worth of run clean on renewables, I'll be in a much better place to give you some dialogue. But it certainly will run If you do the math, you've got to be in double digits on the back half.

Speaker 9

Okay. Thank you.

Operator

Our next question is from the line of Marc Bianchi with TD Cowen. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 10

Hi, thank you. How much should Sunzia contribute to backlog here in the, I guess, 2nd and And then how is your how does that constrain if at all your bandwidth to take on additional work? Is there A level where backlog gets filled up and you're probably just going to continue to work on that level for several quarters?

Speaker 2

I think we'll continue to grow backlog. We're not going to comment on how big the job was. We said it's the largest renewable project in North America, so it's Quite large. We'll put it in backlog next quarter and you can infer what that looks like. But that said, in general, as far as we hear a lot around Constraints, the company has grown about 1,000 employees a quarter.

Speaker 2

We're roughly Very close to 50,000 today, and I do think that growth continues. We were set up to meet the demands out there. I've not seen The demand outpaced our ability to grow and grow in an efficient way where we can certainly Put the resources on the projects and anything that we've seen, anything we've seen in the market, anything out there we're bidding on, we can certainly handle and handle more of I challenge the supply chain to catch our ability to perform the labor because that's where the problem is.

Speaker 1

Great. Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Operator

Our next question is from the line of Neil Mehta with Goldman Sachs.

Speaker 5

I guess my first question is just around the cash flow, free cash flow Progression over the course of the year and how we should be thinking about the $750,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 guidance and whether you're on track and whether you're targeting to where Within that band, do you see yourself being?

Speaker 3

Yes. Hi, Neil. Yes, We are tracking toward that $750,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 We still feel good about it. Our Q1 was negative, which is typical for us in the Q1 given the working capital requirements coming back From the holidays ramping up, we did also have a little bit of pressure in the Q1 with some retain As well as some material procurement that impacted our DPOs. But again, well within our expectations And moving forward, as the work increases, we've got more renewable projects coming through.

Speaker 3

You're going to see that cash flow and The revenue come in as a result. Our expectations are still within that $750,000,000 to $1,000,000,000 I think around the midpoint is where Neil, If you're asking me today where we are, that midpoint is right down the middle and where we would be. And so we feel good about where we are today and see no reason to change that.

Speaker 5

Okay. That's really helpful. And then the follow-up is just on one of the core competencies and capabilities of your organization has been around making strategic acquisitions, not just large ones like Flattner, but also Smaller bolt on ones as well. What's the opportunity set in the M and A market for tuck ins Recognizing big strategic ones are probably less likely as you are working to integrate Flattner right now?

Speaker 2

We made 3 in the Q1. I think they're extremely strategic. So that said, it addresses the mid market solar and many other things. So our ability to think Differently and to get in front of these type trends as well as families that want to perpetuate their business. I do believe we'll have the ability to do that.

Speaker 2

We'll certainly weigh that against organic growth on the way that we're thinking about the market. So There's opportunities for sure and I'll go back to cash flow. If we grow the business for every 100 We grow, we pull cash out. I think it's around $12,000,000 of free cash, somewhere in there. So don't like if we grow another $500,000,000 of guidance, You're going to pull out another $70,000,000 of cash, dollars 60,000,000 of cash.

Speaker 2

So just that happens. We Got to make sure that everyone understands that as our if we grow more than what we say, it does pull cash. Thanks, T.

Operator

Our next question is from the line of Sean Eastman with KeyBanc Capital Markets. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 11

Hi, team. So it's great to see the Blattner kind of revenue synergy story coming together with this Doug, you had alluded to the economics to solution. Could you give us a little more color on that and kind of what the go to market pitch is? And what The benefit to the customer is here.

Speaker 2

Yes. I mean, I just there's a lot of synergies, Sean. It's kind of like the Coke secret sauce, I'm not going to tell you what it looks like and what the ingredients are. So the issue is for us, If you get us in early, our ability to put a construction led engineering package together is what I think leads The industry forward, not only from a safety standpoint, just the way we think about supply chains, everything along The build, so it's just our ability really to think through how we're going to build something and then make sure the engineering matches and Where we build all kinds of different things from logistics to everything else and we know a ton. And look, we know who's going to build it.

Speaker 2

So we know the craft that's going to build it. We know the superintendents that are going to build it. When they sit with the customer early,

Speaker 11

Okay, interesting. And then a little bit more granular, we haven't hit on the underground segment. The Q1 margin performance was quite a bit better than we expected. And then I think the guidance for the full year has come down. So just want to And what's happening under the hood around that mix shift you described?

Speaker 2

I just think in the underground when we look at it, I think the way we see capital spend at our customers, You can see some pull in from gas LDC into maybe electric or electric underground more so in the outer half of the year. The total portfolio rises. You may have some impacts on a little overhead here or there on your gas. Your industrial business on the back half, We need to watch it. We have good visibility for 6 months and then you can't see the back half, so you're hesitant on Putting something forward that is not there at this point.

Speaker 2

So we'll be we'll watch the underground business. That I do think that mix shift happens and you're going to see some portfolio adjustments, year over year all the time because The difference between electric and electric crude doing renewables or electric crude doing electric is It's nothing. It's the same. You just it's the work type, who you're working for primarily or what you're doing with the work. So that said, I mean, we could grow the electric side of the business faster than the renewable side at times and the renewable side faster than the electric at times.

Speaker 2

I just that was going to blend in, and the underground business is the same thing. We can be doing telecom one day and gas The next, that's the beauty of the portfolio. And I think if you if we get operating leverage, if what the company is doing right, We'll continue to see some work mix shifts in the underground, but you're going to higher margins in electric and telecom. It's a good thing.

Speaker 11

Okay, interesting. Thanks. I'll turn it over.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question is from the Michael Dudas with Vertical Research. Please proceed with your question.

Speaker 12

Good morning. Good morning, Kith, Duke and Jayshree.

Speaker 3

Good morning. Good morning.

Speaker 12

Yes, following up on you mentioned telecom, maybe you could share, it seems like your Revenue expectations remain what they have been. What are some of the trends you're seeing? Anything that's been more beneficial Aquanta and could you see is there any visibility into say 2024

Operator

on some of

Speaker 12

the programs and where you guys can

Speaker 2

Yes, Mike, we're starting to see more and more programs from your non traditional customers. So I think the RDOF money is starting to hit a bit. And look, we're real close to $1,000,000,000 this year at double digits, which is what we're trying to accomplish. We're very, very close. It wouldn't surprise me if we surpass it.

Speaker 2

I think we paced the growth right. I think we've grown purposefully there, And we'll continue to take advantage of the market. That said, we're not investing a lot in that from acquisitions or things like that. It's Primarily around organic growth at this point. So it allows us to really expand Other things against that market.

Speaker 2

So we're pacing our growth. I do big opportunities in 20 24% really and beyond. 23% is nice, but we'll continue to watch it. It does get fickle at times. Thanks, Stu.

Speaker 2

Thanks. You bet.

Operator

The next question is from the line of Brent Thielman with D. A. Davidson. Please proceed with your

Speaker 6

Hey, thanks for taking the question. Hey, Duke, curious the outlook for sort of other new wind Bookings opportunity, it seems like solar has kind of been the hot market last few years. Wondering if you're seeing RFPs picking up in wind and Maybe that's another significant lever, I guess, beyond Senvia for bookings in the coming quarters years. And I guess, off that too, are the economics of those Projects more attractive than solar? Because it seems like it'd be a less saturated sort of competitive environment given the technical necessities there.

Speaker 2

Yes. I mean, we're seeing more opportunities in the outer years and when I mean, the curves, the way the curves work and what we need to settle. Your battery projects are going to pick up significantly to handle some of the intermittent fees as well as the wind in certain areas. You have to have transmission interconnects and things of that So a lot of it's the transmission queues. As you get these larger lines built, you'll start to see more wind behind them.

Speaker 2

But they're not going to build the wind if they don't have anywhere to put it. And repowering certainly is a big business that we'll continue to see. That repowering market is nice. And I'll let Jayshree comment on the rest of it.

Speaker 3

And the only thing I'd add to Duke's comment is, it is wind is Starting to get some momentum. I still think, and we're still seeing that it's more back half weighted, as projects have to get through the permitting and interconnection queues. And for all the reasons Duke mentioned about the complexities of moving that wind power to where the load is, it just it's harder and it takes more time. And you have the IRA coming in as well, which will allow for more wind and have wind be as competitive as solar. But again, the projects have to move Through the development cycle to be ready to be built.

Speaker 3

But in terms of economics, no, I think we are comfortable with both. Well, Glatner especially has a strong history in building wind and now solar, and they've proven themselves to be successful in both.

Speaker 2

Okay. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Our final question this morning will be from the line of Marc Bianchi with C. D. Cowen, please proceed with your question.

Speaker 10

Hi, thanks. I wanted to ask on the back half renewable margins here. You mentioned the, I think, 100 and 20 basis point burden in the Q1. I'm curious what that Canadian project would be burdening the back half by just so we could get a sense of what it would look like once that's out of the backlog.

Speaker 2

Yes, I think it's not material, if anything, on the back half. It's in the 'twenty two A bit. So I think when you look at 'twenty two, it's down a bit and it won't Canadian has been an impact in that segment. So there's not near there's not as much Canadian content in the back half of our year. And so we're confident in the historic Performance of both sides of the business to be able to perform double digits in the backside of this of the year.

Speaker 2

Okay.

Speaker 10

Okay, super. Thanks so much.

Speaker 2

Thank

Operator

you. At this time, we've reached the end of our question and answer session. I'll turn the floor over to management for closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Yes. I want to mainly thank our people in the field. We had a really, really nice quarter through tough winter, 50 foot of snow in places. These guys, women and men perform in Northern Clines better than anyone in the world and what they do every day is remarkable. They're building the nation's grid, and I'm real proud of where they're at from a safety standpoint and where we're at.

Speaker 2

And I'd like to thank them and you for participating in our conference call, we appreciate your questions and ongoing interest in Quanta Services. Thank you. This concludes our call.

Operator

Thank you. You may now disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation.

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Earnings Conference Call
Quanta Services Q1 2023
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