Positive Momentum With The Dowlais Acquisition
DETROIT, May 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dauch Corporation ("Dauch") (NYSE: DCH; LSE: DCH) today reported its financial results for the first quarter 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Results
-- Sales of $2.38 billion
-- Net loss attributable to Dauch of $(100.3) million, or (4.2)% of sales
-- Adjusted EBITDA* of $308.5 million, or 13.0% of sales
-- Diluted loss per share of $(0.52); Adjusted earnings per share* of $0.34
-- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities of $(64.4) million;
Adjusted free cash flow use of $(40.8) million
"The company's first quarter results highlighted a strong start for the new Dauch Corporation," said Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, David C. Dauch. "As we begin to capture integration synergies and leverage our combined operational strengths, we are excited about the compelling value and long--term strategic benefits of this transformational acquisition."
The acquisition of Dowlais Group plc (subsequently renamed Dowlais Group Limited) ("Dowlais") was the primary driver of year-over-year changes in financial results.
The company's sales in the first quarter of 2026 were $2.38 billion as compared to $1.41 billion in the first quarter of 2025.
The company's net loss attributable to Dauch in the first quarter of 2026 was $(100.3) million, or $(0.52) per share and (4.2)% of sales, as compared to a net income of $7.1 million, or $0.06 per share and 0.5% of sales in the first quarter of 2025.
Adjusted earnings per share in the first quarter of 2026 was $0.34 compared to Adjusted earnings per share of $0.22 in the first quarter of 2025.
In the first quarter of 2026, Adjusted EBITDA was $308.5 million, or 13.0% of sales, as compared to $177.7 million, or 12.6% of sales, in the first quarter of 2025.
The company's net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the first quarter of 2026 was use of $(64.4) million as compared to $55.9 million for the first quarter of 2025.
The company's Adjusted free cash flow for the first quarter of 2026 was a use of $(40.8) million as compared to a use of $(3.9) million for the first quarter of 2025.
* For the three months ended March 31, 2026, based in part on our recent Business Combination and to more effectively measure our global business profile, we revised our definition of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EPS to exclude the impact of unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on acquired U.S. Private Placement Notes, mark-to-market on nondesignated foreign exchange derivatives assumed as part of the Business Combination with Dowlais, gains and losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment, and amortization of the acquisition intangible asset attributable to our investment in Shanghai GKN HUAYU Driveline Systems Co Limited $(SDS)$. In addition, specific to adjusted EPS, amortization of intangible expense related to acquisitions are also excluded. Refer to endnotes (a) and (b) for additional detail. The aforementioned items are non-cash adjustments.
Dauch's Updated 2026 Financial Outlook
Dauch's full year 2026 financial targets which include a partial year contribution from Dowlais (as of February 3, 2026 close) are as follows:
-- Sales in the range of $10.3 - $10.8 billion vs. $10.3 - $10.7 billion
prior.
-- Adjusted EBITDA in the range of $1.3 - $1.425 billion vs. $1.3 - $1.4
billion prior.
-- Adjusted EBITDA includes synergy benefits of $50 - $75 million, equating
to a run rate of greater than $100 million by the end of year one.
-- Equity income from our China JV (which is included in Adjusted EBITDA) in
the range of $65 - $75 million.
-- Adjusted free cash flow in the range of $235 - $325 million.
-- Capital expenditures in the range of 4.5% to 5% of sales.
-- Restructuring cash payments of $110 - $150 million.
-- Synergy implementation cash payments of $100 - $125 million.
These targets are based on the following assumptions for 2026:
-- Production outlook:
North America Europe China Global
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
15.0 million 16.7 million 32.3 million 91.4 million
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
-- Production estimates of key programs that we support and the current
operating environment.
-- No changes to USMCA and mitigation of a majority of incremental tariff
costs.
First Quarter 2026 Conference Call Information
A conference call to review Dauch's first quarter results is scheduled for today at 10:00 a.m. ET. Interested participants may listen to the live conference call by logging onto Dauch's investor web site at www.dauch.com or calling (877) 883-0383 from the United States or (412) 902-6506 from outside the United States with access code 5671631. A replay will be available one hour after the call is completed until May 15, 2026 by dialing (855) 669-9658 from the United States or (412) 317-0088 from outside the United States. When prompted, callers should enter replay access code 7522883.
Non-GAAP Financial Information
In addition to the results reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) included within this press release, Dauch has provided certain information, which includes non-GAAP financial measures such as Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted earnings per share and Adjusted free cash flow. Such information is reconciled to its most directly comparable GAAP measure in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission rules and is included in the attached supplemental data.
Certain of the forward-looking financial measures included in this earnings release are provided on a non-GAAP basis. A reconciliation of non-GAAP forward-looking financial measures to the most directly comparable forward-looking financial measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP has been provided. The amounts in these reconciliations are based on our current estimates and actual results may differ materially from these forward-looking estimates for many reasons, including potential event driven transactional and other non-core operating items and their related effects in any future period, the magnitude of which may be significant.
Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to management, investors, and banking institutions in their analysis of Dauch's business and operating performance. Management also uses this information for operational planning and decision-making purposes.
Non-GAAP financial measures are not and should not be considered a substitute for any GAAP measure. Additionally, non-GAAP financial measures as presented by Dauch may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
Definition of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Dauch defines Adjusted earnings per share to be diluted earnings (loss) per share excluding the impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, gains or losses on the derivative associated with our Business Combination with Dowlais, net interest on debt held in escrow, gains or losses on equity securities, impairment charges, unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on acquired U.S. Private Placement Notes, mark-to-market on nondesignated foreign exchange derivatives assumed as part of the Business Combination with Dowlais, gains and losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment, amortization of the acquisition intangible asset attributable to our investment in SDS, net of tax, amortization of intangible assets from acquisitions, and non-recurring items, including the tax effect thereon.
Dauch defines EBITDA to be earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. As revised, Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA excluding the impact of restructuring and acquisition-related costs, debt refinancing and redemption costs, gains or losses on the derivative associated with our Business Combination with Dowlais, interest income on debt held in escrow, gains or losses on equity securities, impairment charges, unrealized foreign exchange gains and losses on acquired U.S. Private Placement Notes, mark-to-market on nondesignated foreign exchange derivatives assumed as part of the Business Combination with Dowlais, gains and losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment, amortization of the acquisition intangible asset attributable to our investment in SDS, net of tax, and non-recurring items.
Dauch defines free cash flow to be net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures net of proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as free cash flow excluding the impact of cash payments for restructuring and acquisition-related costs and interest income on debt held in escrow.
Company Description
Dauch Corporation is a premier Driveline and Metal Forming supplier serving the global automotive industry with a powertrain-agnostic product portfolio that supports electric, hybrid, and internal combustion vehicles. The company is headquartered in Detroit, MI, with operations that span 24 countries and more than 175 locations. Formed through the acquisition of Dowlais and its subsidiaries - GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy, Dauch unites deep engineering roots with global manufacturing capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit to move mobility forward. Visit www.dauch.com to learn more.
Forward-Looking Statements
In this earnings release, we make statements concerning our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, and future events or performance. Such statements are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and relate to trends and events that may affect our future financial position and operating results. The terms such as "will," "may," "could, " "would," "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "project, " "target," and similar words or expressions, as well as statements in future tense, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as a guarantee of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indications of the times at, or by, which such performance or results will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management's good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events and are subject to risks and may differ materially from those expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause such differences include, but are not limited to: global economic conditions, including the impact of inflation, recession or recessionary concerns, or slower growth in the markets in which we operate; reduced purchases of our products by General Motors Company $(GM)$, Stellantis N.V. (Stellantis) and Ford Motor Company (Ford) or other customers; reduced demand for our customers' products (particularly light trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) produced by GM, Stellantis and Ford); our ability to consummate strategic initiatives and successfully integrate acquisitions and joint ventures; risks related to disruptions to ongoing business operations as a result of the business combination with Dowlais, including disruptions to management time; potential liabilities or litigation relating to, or assumed in, the business combination with Dowlais; our ability to respond to changes in technology, increased competition, including as a result of the ongoing proliferation of Chinese original equipment manufacturers in certain regions in which we operate, or pricing pressures; our ability to develop and produce new products that reflect market demand; lower-than-anticipated market acceptance of new or existing products; our ability to attract new customers and programs for new products; risks inherent in our global operations (including tariffs and the potential consequences thereof to us, our suppliers, and our customers and their suppliers, adverse changes in trade agreements, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), compliance with customs and trade regulations, immigration policies, political stability or geopolitical conflicts, taxes and other law changes, potential disruptions of production and supply, and currency rate fluctuations); supply shortages and the availability of natural gas or other fuel and utility sources in certain regions, labor shortages, including increased labor costs, or price increases in raw material and/or freight, utilities or other operating supplies for us or our customers as a result of pandemic or epidemic illness, geopolitical conflicts, natural disasters or otherwise; a significant disruption in operations at one or more of our key manufacturing facilities; risks inherent in transitioning our business from internal combustion engine vehicle products to hybrid and electric vehicle products; our ability to realize the expected revenues from our new and incremental business backlog; negative or unexpected tax consequences, including those resulting from tax litigation; risks related to a failure of our information technology systems and networks, including cloud-based applications, and risks associated with current and emerging technology threats, and damage from computer viruses, unauthorized access, cyber attacks, including increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks incorporating use of artificial intelligence, and other similar disruptions; our ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid work stoppages; our suppliers', our customers' and their suppliers' ability to maintain satisfactory labor relations and avoid or minimize work stoppages; price volatility in, or reduced availability of, fuel; cost or availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, research and development (R&D) or other general corporate purposes including acquisitions, as well as our ability to comply with financial covenants; our customers' and suppliers' availability of financing for working capital, capital expenditures, R&D or other general corporate purposes; an impairment of our goodwill, other intangible assets, or long-lived assets if our business or market conditions indicate that the carrying values of those assets exceed their fair values; liabilities arising from warranty claims, product recall or field actions, product liability and legal proceedings to which we are or may become a party, or the impact of product recall or field actions on our customers; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to successfully launch new product programs on a timely basis; risks of environmental issues, including impacts of climate-related events, that could result in unforeseen issues or costs at our facilities, or risks of noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations, including reputational damage; our ability to achieve the level of cost reductions required to sustain global cost competitiveness or our ability to recover certain cost increases from our customers; our ability to protect our intellectual property and successfully defend against assertions made against us; adverse changes in laws, government regulations or market conditions affecting our products or our customers' products; our ability or our customers' and suppliers' ability to comply with regulatory requirements and the potential costs of such compliance; changes in liabilities arising from pension and other postretirement benefit obligations; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in key positions and functions; and other unanticipated events and conditions that may hinder our ability to compete. It is not possible to foresee or identify all such factors and we make no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement.
For more information:
Investor Contact
David H. Lim
Head of Investor Relations
(313) 758-2006
david.lim@aam.com
Media Contact
Christopher M. Son
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
(313) 758-4814
chris.son@aam.com
Or visit the Dauch website at www.dauch.com.
DAUCH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026 2025
------------------ ------------------
(in millions, except per share data)
Net sales $ 2,378.9 $ 1,411.3
Cost of goods sold 2,153.5 1,237.4
Gross profit 225.4 173.9
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 137.3 90.9
Amortization of intangible assets 22.9 20.6
Restructuring and
acquisition-related costs 98.9 19.7
Operating income (loss) (33.7) 42.7
Interest expense (89.6) (42.9)
Interest income 12.1 5.6
Other income (expense):
Debt refinancing and redemption
costs (3.0) (3.3)
Gain on Business Combination
Derivative 12.9 21.9
Income from equity-method
affiliates 10.3 0.1
Other expense, net (28.6) (3.0)
------------------ ------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes (119.6) 21.1
Income tax expense (benefit) (19.6) 14.0
------------------ ------------------
Net income (loss) $ (100.0) $ 7.1
Net income attributable to
noncontrolling interests (0.3) --
------------------ ------------------
Net income (loss) attributable to
Dauch $ (100.3) $ 7.1
================== ==================
Diluted earnings (loss) per share $ (0.52) $ 0.06
================== ==================
DAUCH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2026 December 31, 2025
---------------------- ----------------------
(Unaudited)
ASSETS (in millions)
----------------------------
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,008.2 $ 708.9
Restricted cash -- 1,496.6
Accounts receivable, net 1,535.1 733.0
Inventories, net 1,004.1 466.4
Prepaid expenses and other 344.3 230.1
Total current assets 3,891.7 3,635.0
Property, plant and
equipment, net 4,209.3 1,591.5
Deferred income taxes 320.1 235.9
Goodwill 648.8 174.4
Other intangible assets, net 370.4 375.2
GM postretirement cost
sharing asset 117.7 116.0
Operating lease right-of-use
assets 183.5 122.3
Investments in equity-method
affiliates 911.3 12.1
Other assets and deferred
charges 619.3 407.8
---------------------- ----------------------
Total assets $ 11,272.1 $ 6,670.2
====================== ======================
LIABILITIES AND
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
----------------------------
Current liabilities
Current portion of
long-term debt $ -- $ 10.4
Accounts payable 1,641.9 718.3
Accrued compensation and
benefits 548.7 254.9
Deferred revenue 32.8 38.5
Current portion of
operating lease
liabilities 39.7 24.7
Accrued expenses and other 524.5 187.2
Total current liabilities 2,787.6 1,234.0
Long-term debt, net 5,156.7 4,039.1
Deferred revenue 42.1 33.9
Deferred income taxes 224.5 9.1
Long-term portion of
operating lease
liabilities 145.5 100.1
Postretirement benefits and
other long-term
liabilities 1,412.1 614.0
---------------------- ----------------------
Total liabilities 9,768.5 6,030.2
Total Dauch stockholders'
equity 1,498.3 640.0
Noncontrolling interest in
subsidiaries 5.3 --
Total stockholders' equity 1,503.6 640.0
---------------------- ----------------------
Total liabilities and
stockholders' equity $ 11,272.1 $ 6,670.2
====================== ======================
DAUCH CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026 2025
--------------- ---------------
(in millions)
Operating activities
Net income (loss) $ (100.0) $ 7.1
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
to net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities
Depreciation and amortization 181.8 112.2
Other (146.2) (63.4)
--------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities (64.4) 55.9
--------------- ---------------
Investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (103.6) (69.3)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and
equipment 0.9 0.6
Acquisition of business, net of cash
acquired (331.6) (0.6)
Proceeds from sale of business, net 20.8 --
Proceeds from disposition of affiliates -- 30.1
Settlement of Business Combination
Derivative 65.9 --
Other 0.1 (1.0)
--------------- ---------------
Net cash used in investing activities (347.5) (40.2)
--------------- ---------------
Financing activities
Net debt activity (761.3) (15.8)
Other (14.2) (8.2)
--------------- ---------------
Net cash used in financing activities (775.5) (24.0)
--------------- ---------------
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash (9.9) 4.6
--------------- ---------------
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and
restricted cash (1,197.3) (3.7)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
at beginning of period 2,205.5 552.9
--------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 1,008.2 $ 549.2
=============== ===============
DAUCH CORPORATION
SUPPLEMENTAL DATA
(Unaudited)
The supplemental data presented below is a reconciliation of certain
financial measures which is intended to facilitate analysis of Dauch
Corporation business and operating performance.
Earnings before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and
amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA(a)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026 2025(1)
--------------- ---------------
(in millions)
Net income (loss) $ (100.0) $ 7.1
Interest expense 89.6 42.9
Income tax expense (benefit) (19.6) 14.0
Depreciation and amortization 181.8 112.2
--------------- ---------------
EBITDA 151.8 176.2
Restructuring and acquisition-related
costs 98.9 19.7
Debt refinancing and redemption costs 3.0 3.3
Gain on Business Combination Derivative (12.9) (21.9)
Unrealized foreign exchange loss on
acquired U.S. Private Placement Notes 10.9 --
Mark-to-market on nondesignated foreign
exchange derivatives assumed as part of
the Business Combination with Dowlais 15.6 --
Loss on disposal of property, plant and
equipment 3.7 0.4
Interest income on debt in escrow (4.6) --
Amortization of acquisition intangible
asset attributable to SDS 4.4 --
Non-recurring items:
Acquisition-related fair value inventory
adjustment 37.7 --
Adjusted EBITDA $ 308.5 $ 177.7
=============== ===============
(1) The amounts in the table above are presented based upon our revised
definition of Segment Adjusted EBITDA and amounts that were reported under the
previous definition have been recast. Please refer to note (a) on page 12.
In connection with the Business Combination with Dowlais, the Company acquired
long-term debt in the form of Dowlais U.S. Private Placement Notes, as well as
nondesignated foreign exchange derivatives, which result in unrealized foreign
exchange gains and losses recognized in our condensed consolidated Statement
of Operations. The Company adjusts for these gains and losses as they are not
reflective of our core operating performance. In addition, our equity-method
investment in SDS resulted in a basis difference that was attributed to
intangible asset and is amortized through equity-method income and losses. The
Company adjusts for this non-cash amortization as it is not reflective of our
proportionate share of earnings in SDS.
Adjusted earnings per share(b)
Three Months Ended
March 31,
2026 2025(1)
--------------- ---------------
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