Form 8-K - Current report

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


June 7, 2024			(June 5, 2024)

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

GREIF, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Delaware	001-00566	31-4388903
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)


425 Winter Road, Delaware Ohio			43015
(Address of principal executive offices)			(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (740) 549-6000

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report: Not Applicable

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of Each Class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Class A Common Stock	GEF	New York Stock Exchange
Class B Common Stock	GEF-B	New York Stock Exchange

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Section 2 – Financial Information

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

On June 5, 2024, Greif, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press release (the “Earnings Release”) announcing the financial results for its second quarter ended April 30, 2024. The full text of the Earnings Release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

The Earnings Release includes various non-GAAP financial measures, including measures such as net income excluding the impact of certain adjustments, earnings per diluted Class A share excluding the impact of certain adjustments, consolidated adjusted EBITDA, adjusted free cash flow and net debt. Management of the Company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate ongoing operations and believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are useful to investors. The exclusion of the impact of the identified adjustments enable management and investors to perform meaningful comparisons of current and historical performance of the Company. Management of the Company also believes that the exclusion of the impact of the identified adjustments provides a stable platform on which to compare the historical performance of the Company and that investors desire this information.

The non-GAAP financial measures included in the Earnings Release should be read together with our financial results. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered an alternative or substitute for, and should not be considered superior to, our reported financial results. Accordingly, users of this financial information should not place undue reliance on the non-GAAP financial measures included in the Earnings Release.

Section 7 – Regulation FD

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

i.Transcript of Conference Call

On June 6, 2024, management of the Company held a conference call with interested investors and financial analysts (the “Conference Call”) to discuss the Company’s financial results for its second quarter ended April 30, 2024. The file transcript of the Conference Call is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Section 9 – Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)Exhibits.


Exhibit No.			Description
99.1			Press release issued by Greif Inc. on June 5, 2024 announcing the financial results for its second quarter ended April 30, 2024.
99.2			File transcript of conference call with interested investors and financial analysts held by management of Greif Inc. on June 6, 2024.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


	GREIF, INC.
Date: June 7, 2024	By	/s/ Lawrence A. Hilsheimer
		Lawrence A. Hilsheimer, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

Greif Reports Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Results

DELAWARE, Ohio (June 5, 2024) – Greif, Inc. (NYSE: GEF, GEF.B), a global leader in industrial packaging products and services, today announced fiscal second quarter 2024 results.

Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Financial Highlights:

(all results compared to the second quarter of 2023 unless otherwise noted)

•Net income decreased 60.1% to $44.4 million or $0.77 per diluted Class A share compared to net income of $111.2 million or $1.90 per diluted Class A share. Net income, excluding the impact of adjustments(1), decreased 53.9% to $47.9 million or $0.82 per diluted Class A share compared to net income, excluding the impact of adjustments, of $103.8 million or $1.77 per diluted Class A share.

•Adjusted EBITDA(2) decreased 25.7% to $169.9 million compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $228.6 million.

•Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $123.3 million to $87.5 million. Adjusted free cash flow(3) decreased by $126.5 million to a source of $59.0 million.

•Total debt of $2,916.1 million increased by $626.9 million, primarily to fund the acquisition of Ipackchem. Net debt(4) increased by $589.4 million to $2,720.1 million. Our leverage ratio(5) increased to 3.44x from 2.53x sequentially, and increased from 2.25x in the prior year quarter.

Strategic Actions and Announcements

•On March 26, 2024, Greif announced completion of its acquisition of Ipackchem. This acquisition is another key milestone in our strategic objective to grow a global leading platform in high-performance small plastic containers.

•Greif will host its Investor Day in New York City on December 11th, 2024. Further information, including a save the date and formal invitations will be provided closer to the date.

CEO Commentary

“We are excited to present another quarter of solid progress on our Build to Last Strategy, including completing our Ipackchem acquisition and achieving multiple other milestones on our Build to Last missions,” stated Ole Rosgaard, Chief Executive Officer of Greif. “These missions, enabled by operating excellence, are structurally improving our operating efficiency, creating significant operating leverage as we saw continued signs of demand improvement in many of our key regions and end markets during the quarter. On the demand side, our second quarter results exceeded our expectations, however results were impacted by significant negative price or cost in our paper business from the continued delayed recognition of announced price increases. For the time being, we continue to monitor and manage the improving demand alongside our customers, while strictly managing costs to ensure value creation.”

Build to Last Mission Progress

Our customer satisfaction index (CSI)(6) is a key metric we utilize to ensure continued customer service excellence, with a long-term goal of a CSI score greater than 95.0. Our consolidated CSI score was 92.6 at the end of the fiscal second quarter 2024. The CSI score for the Paper Packaging & Services business segment was 93.7 and for the Global Industrial Packaging segment was 91.4.

Each year Greif conducts a Gallup Engagement Survey as part of our mission to Create Thriving Communities through exemplary colleague engagement. In April we concluded our 2023 survey and achieved an engagement score of 84, which is again within the top quartile of all manufacturing organizations. Additionally, this year, due to our exemplary workplace culture, we are honored to have received from Gallup the 2024 Exceptional Workplace Award. Thank you to our over 14,000 colleagues globally for their continued passion for Greif and commitment to each other.

Aligned to our mission of Protecting Our Future, in April Greif released its 15th annual Sustainability Report, which is available for review at https://www.greif.com/sustainability/. We encourage our investors to please review this report, which includes key milestones achieved in 2023 as well as an update on our progress towards our 2030 sustainability goals.

(1) Adjustments that are excluded from net income before adjustments and from earnings per diluted Class A share before adjustments are acquisition and integration related costs, restructuring charges, non-cash asset impairment charges, (gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net, (gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net, and fiscal year-end change costs.

(2) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, plus interest expense, net, plus income tax (benefit) expense, plus depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, plus acquisition and integration related costs, plus restructuring charges, plus non-cash asset impairment charges, plus (gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net, plus (gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net, plus fiscal year-end change costs.

(3) Adjusted free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less cash paid for purchases of properties, plants and equipment, plus cash paid for acquisition and integration related costs, plus cash paid for integration related Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems and equipment, plus cash paid for taxes related to Tama, Iowa mill divestment, plus cash paid for fiscal year-end change costs.

(4) Net debt is defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents.

(5) Leverage ratio for the periods indicated is defined as net debt divided by trailing twelve month EBITDA, each as calculated under the terms of the Company’s Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of March 1, 2022, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2022 (the “2022 Credit Agreement”).

(6) CSI, an internal metric, is designed to enhance our customer’s experience.

Note: A reconciliation of the differences between all non-GAAP financial measures used in this release with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included in the financial schedules that are a part of this release. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to supplement and should be read together with our financial results. They should not be considered an alternative or substitute for, and should not be considered superior to, our reported financial results. Accordingly, users of this financial information should not place undue reliance on these non-GAAP financial measures.

Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Segment Results:

(all results compared to the second quarter of 2023 unless otherwise noted)

Net sales are impacted mainly by the volume of primary products(7) sold, selling prices and product mix, and the impact of changes in foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar. The table below shows the percentage impact of each of these items on net sales for our primary products for the fiscal second quarter of 2024 as compared to the prior year quarter for the business segments with manufacturing operations. Net sales from completed acquisitions of Centurion Container, Reliance and Ipackchem’s primary products are not included in the table below, but will be included in their respective segments starting in the upcoming fiscal third quarter for Centurion Container, the fiscal first quarter of 2025 for Reliance and fiscal third quarter of 2025 for Ipackchem.


Net Sales Impact - Primary Products	Global Industrial Packaging		Paper Packaging & Services
Currency Translation	(2.4)	%	—	%
Volume	1.7	%	2.2	%
Selling Prices and Product Mix	2.7	%	(5.1)	%
Total Impact of Primary Products	2.0	%	(2.9)	%

Global Industrial Packaging

Net sales increased by $56.6 million to $804.8 million primarily due to higher volumes, higher average selling prices and contribution from recent acquisitions.

Gross profit increased by $3.6 million to $181.5 million. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to the same factors that impacted net sales, offset by higher raw material, transportation and manufacturing costs.

Operating profit decreased by $27.9 million to $83.4 million primarily due to higher SG&A expenses related to higher compensation expenses, costs incurred for strategic investments, and amortization expenses from recent acquisitions, and a $9.8 million gain recognized during the second quarter of 2023 related to our previously held minority ownership interest in Centurion, partially offset by the same factors that impacted gross profit.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $2.9 million to $118.3 million primarily due to higher SG&A expenses, partially offset by the same factors that impacted gross profit.

Paper Packaging & Services

Net sales increased by $6.0 million to $560.8 million primarily due to higher volumes and contribution from recent acquisitions, partially offset by lower average selling prices.

Gross profit decreased by $45.4 million to $86.0 million. The decrease in gross profit was primarily due to higher raw material, transportation and manufacturing costs, partially offset by the same factors that impacted net sales.

Operating profit decreased by $55.0 million to $12.6 million primarily due to the same factors that impacted gross profit and higher SG&A expenses related to higher incentive expenses and costs incurred for strategic investments.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $55.9 million to $49.0 million primarily due to the same factors that impacted operating profit.

Tax Summary

During the second quarter, we recorded an income tax rate of 24.9 percent and a tax rate excluding the impact of adjustments of 25.0 percent. Note that the application of FIN 18 frequently causes fluctuations in our quarterly effective tax rates. For fiscal 2024, we expect our tax rate to range between 8.0 to 12.0 percent and our tax rate excluding adjustments to range between 10.0 to 14.0 percent.

Dividend Summary

On June 3, 2024, the Board of Directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.52 per share of Class A Common Stock and $0.78 per share of Class B Common Stock. Dividends are payable on July 1, 2024, to stockholders of record at the close of business on June 18, 2024.

(7) Primary products are manufactured steel, plastic and fibre drums; new and reconditioned intermediate bulk containers; jerrycans and other small plastics; linerboard, containerboard, corrugated sheets and corrugated containers; and boxboard and tube and core products.

Company Outlook


(in millions)			Fiscal 2024 Outlook Reported at Q2
Adjusted EBITDA			$675 - $725
Adjusted free cash flow			$175 - $225

Note: Fiscal 2024 net income guidance, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted EBITDA, is not provided in this release due to the potential for one or more of the following, the timing and magnitude of which we are unable to reliably forecast: gains or losses on the disposal of businesses or properties, plants and equipment, net; non-cash asset impairment charges due to unanticipated changes in the business; restructuring-related activities; acquisition and integration related costs; and ongoing initiatives under our Build to Last strategy. No reconciliation of the 2024 guidance of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure which excludes restructuring charges, acquisition and integration related costs, non-cash asset impairment charges, (gain) loss on the disposal of properties, plants, equipment and businesses, net, and fiscal year-end change costs, is included in this release because, due to the high variability and difficulty in making accurate forecasts and projections of some of the excluded information, together with some of the excluded information not being ascertainable or accessible, we are unable to quantify certain amounts that would be required to be included in net income, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, without unreasonable efforts. A reconciliation of the 2024 guidance of adjusted free cash flow to fiscal 2024 forecasted net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, is included in this release.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss second quarter 2024 results on June 6, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). Participants may access the call using the following online registration link: https://register.vevent.com/register/BId4d57ab13c4d43f4a56915b7eb8b00d8. Registrants will receive a confirmation email containing dial in details and a unique conference call code for entry. Phone lines will open at 8:00 a.m. ET on June 6, 2024. A digital replay of the conference call will be available two hours following the call on the Company’s web site at http://investor.greif.com.

Investor Relations contact information

Bill D’Onofrio, Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations, 614-499-7233. Bill.Donofrio@greif.com

About Greif

Greif is a global leader in industrial packaging products and services and is pursuing its vision: to be the best performing customer service company in the world. The Company produces steel, plastic and fibre drums, intermediate bulk containers, reconditioned containers, jerrycans and other small plastics, containerboard, uncoated recycled paperboard, coated recycled paperboard, tubes and cores and a diverse mix of specialty products. The Company also manufactures packaging accessories and provides filling, packaging and other services for a wide range of industries. In addition, Greif manages timber properties in the southeastern United States. The Company is strategically positioned in over 35 countries to serve global as well as regional customers. Additional information is on the Company’s website at www.greif.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “aspiration,” “objective,” “project,” “believe,” “continue,” “on track” or “target” or the negative thereof and similar expressions, among others, identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, expectations and other information currently available to management. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements have a reasonable basis, the Company can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those forecasted, projected or anticipated, whether expressed or implied.

Such risks and uncertainties that might cause a difference include, but are not limited to, the following: (i) historically, our business has been sensitive to changes in general economic or business conditions, (ii) our global operations subject us to political risks, instability and currency exchange that could adversely affect our results of operations, (iii) the current and future challenging global economy and disruption and volatility of the financial and credit markets may adversely affect our business, (iv) the continuing consolidation of our customer base and suppliers may intensify pricing pressure, (v) we operate in highly competitive industries, (vi) our business is sensitive to changes in industry demands and customer preferences, (vii) raw material, price fluctuations, global supply chain disruptions and increased inflation may adversely impact our results of operations, (viii) energy and transportation price fluctuations and shortages may adversely impact our manufacturing operations and costs, (ix) we may encounter difficulties or liabilities arising from acquisitions or divestitures, (x) we may incur additional rationalization costs and there is no guarantee that our efforts to reduce costs will be successful, (xi) several operations are conducted by joint ventures that we cannot operate solely for our benefit, (xii) certain of the agreements that govern our joint ventures provide our partners with put or call options, (xiii) our ability to attract, develop and retain talented and qualified employees, managers and executives is critical to our success, (xiv) our business may be adversely impacted by work stoppages and other labor relations matters, (xv) we may be subject to losses that might not be covered in whole or in part by existing insurance reserves or insurance coverage and general insurance premium and deductible increases, (xvi) our business depends on the uninterrupted operations of our facilities, systems and business functions, including our information technology and other business systems, (xvii) a cyber-attack or a security breach involving customer, employee, supplier or Company information and data privacy risks and costs of compliance with new regulations may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, (xviii) we could be subject to changes to our tax rates, the adoption of new U.S. or foreign tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities, (xix) we have a significant amount of goodwill and long-lived assets which, if impaired in the future, would adversely impact our results of operations, (xx) changing climate, global climate change regulations and greenhouse gas effects may adversely affect our operations and financial performance, (xxi) we may be unable to achieve our greenhouse gas emission reduction targets by 2030, (xxii) legislation/regulation related to environmental and health and safety matters and corporate social responsibility could negatively impact our operations and financial performance, (xxiii) product liability claims and other legal proceedings could adversely affect our operations and financial performance, and (xxiv) we may incur fines or penalties, damage to our reputation or other adverse consequences if our employees, agents or business partners violate, or are alleged to have violated, anti-bribery, competition or other laws.

The risks described above are not all-inclusive, and given these and other possible risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. For a detailed discussion of the most significant risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those forecasted, projected or anticipated, see “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our most recently filed Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

All forward-looking statements made in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by reference to such risk factors. Except to the limited extent required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

UNAUDITED


	Three months ended April 30,				Six months ended April 30,
(in millions, except per share amounts)	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net sales	$	1,371.0	$	1,308.9	$	2,576.8	$	2,579.9
Cost of products sold	1,100.9		997.1		2,085.1		2,016.5
Gross profit	270.1		311.8		491.7		563.4
Selling, general and administrative expenses	167.2		137.2		313.0		276.6
Acquisition and integration related costs	11.5		4.6		14.1		12.1
Restructuring charges	(6.8)		2.4		(1.1)		4.8

Non-cash asset impairment charges	0.4		1.3		1.7		1.8
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(0.3)		(5.0)		(3.0)		(5.0)
(Gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net	—		(9.8)		—		(64.4)
Operating profit	98.1		181.1		167.0		337.5
Interest expense, net	30.2		23.4		54.4		46.2


Other (income) expense, net	(0.4)		2.9		8.7		6.2
Income before income tax (benefit) expense and equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net	68.3		154.8		103.9		285.1
Income tax (benefit) expense	17.0		39.1		(21.2)		76.8
Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	(0.7)		(0.3)		(1.2)		(0.8)
Net income	52.0		116.0		126.3		209.1
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(7.6)		(4.8)		(14.7)		(8.0)
Net income attributable to Greif, Inc.	$	44.4	$	111.2	$	111.6	$	201.1
Basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Class A common stock	$	0.77	$	1.91	$	1.94	$	3.46
Class B common stock	$	1.15	$	2.88	$	2.90	$	5.19
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Class A common stock	$	0.77	$	1.90	$	1.94	$	3.44
Class B common stock	$	1.15	$	2.88	$	2.90	$	5.19
Shares used to calculate basic earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Class A common stock	25.8		25.8		25.7		25.7
Class B common stock	21.3		21.5		21.3		21.6
Shares used to calculate diluted earnings per share attributable to Greif, Inc. common shareholders:
Class A common stock	25.9		26.2		25.8		26.0
Class B common stock	21.3		21.5		21.3		21.6

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

UNAUDITED


(in millions)	April 30, 2024		October 31, 2023
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	196.0	$	180.9
Trade accounts receivable	772.0		659.4
Inventories	411.7		338.6
Other current assets	234.5		190.2
	1,614.2		1,369.1
Long-term assets
Goodwill	1,968.3		1,693.0
Intangible assets	980.1		792.2

Operating lease right-of-use assets	334.4		290.3
Other long-term assets	276.5		253.6
	3,559.3		3,029.1
Properties, plants and equipment	1,655.3		1,562.6
	$	6,828.8	$	5,960.8
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	549.5	$	497.8
Short-term borrowings	37.4		5.4
Current portion of long-term debt	95.8		88.3
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	58.2		53.8
Other current liabilities	285.5		294.0
	1,026.4		939.3
Long-term liabilities
Long-term debt	2,782.9		2,121.4

Operating lease liabilities	278.3		240.2
Other long-term liabilities	568.4		548.3
	3,629.6		2,909.9

Redeemable noncontrolling interests	125.4		125.3
Equity
Total Greif, Inc. equity	2,009.1		1,947.9
Noncontrolling interests	38.3		38.4
Total equity	2,047.4		1,986.3
	$	6,828.8	$	5,960.8

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED


	Three months ended April 30,				Six months ended April 30,
(in millions)	2024		2023		2024		2023
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income	$	52.0	$	116.0	$	126.3	$	209.1
Depreciation, depletion and amortization	65.9		56.6		126.3		111.7
Asset impairments	0.4		1.3		1.7		1.8


Deferred income tax expense (benefit)	(4.2)		0.9		(53.4)		1.6
Other non-cash adjustments to net income	23.1		(1.3)		40.7		(42.4)

Operating working capital changes	(26.7)		31.4		(54.3)		37.7

Increase (decrease) in cash from changes in other assets and liabilities	(23.0)		5.9		(95.3)		(75.8)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	87.5		210.8		92.0		243.7
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Acquisitions of companies, net of cash acquired	(567.6)		(145.6)		(567.6)		(447.5)
Purchases of properties, plants and equipment	(41.0)		(41.8)		(96.6)		(91.1)




Proceeds from the sale of properties, plant and equipment and businesses, net of impacts from the purchase of acquisitions	0.9		6.4		5.9		112.5
Payments for deferred purchase price of acquisitions	—		—		(1.2)		(21.7)
Other	(1.3)		(0.9)		(3.1)		(3.2)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(609.0)		(181.9)		(662.6)		(451.0)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds (payments) on long-term debt, net	596.2		58.0		670.3		361.2
Dividends paid to Greif, Inc. shareholders	(30.0)		(29.0)		(59.7)		(57.9)


Payments for share repurchases	—		(41.8)		—		(59.6)

Tax withholding payments for stock-based awards	(3.8)		(1.3)		(10.6)		(13.7)
Other	(13.6)		(9.8)		(15.1)		(14.4)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	548.8		(23.9)		584.9		215.6

Effects of exchange rates on cash	(10.6)		(7.5)		0.8		3.1
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	16.7		(2.5)		15.1		11.4
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	179.3		161.0		180.9		147.1
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	196.0	$	158.5	$	196.0	$	158.5

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS BY SEGMENT

UNAUDITED


	Three months ended April 30,				Six months ended April 30,
(in millions)	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net sales:
Global Industrial Packaging	$	804.8	$	748.2	$	1,491.4	$	1,454.0
Paper Packaging & Services	560.8		554.8		1,075.4		1,115.0
Land Management	5.4		5.9		10.0		10.9
Total net sales	$	1,371.0	$	1,308.9	$	2,576.8	$	2,579.9
Gross profit:
Global Industrial Packaging	$	181.5	$	177.9	$	316.8	$	303.2
Paper Packaging & Services	86.0		131.4		170.4		255.6
Land Management	2.6		2.5		4.5		4.6
Total gross profit	$	270.1	$	311.8	$	491.7	$	563.4
Operating profit:
Global Industrial Packaging	$	83.4	$	111.3	$	134.3	$	157.2
Paper Packaging & Services	12.6		67.6		29.4		176.7
Land Management	2.1		2.2		3.3		3.6
Total operating profit	$	98.1	$	181.1	$	167.0	$	337.5
EBITDA(8):
Global Industrial Packaging	$	115.2	$	131.5	$	182.5	$	195.7
Paper Packaging & Services	47.1		100.8		98.8		243.3
Land Management	2.8		2.8		4.5		4.8
Total EBITDA	$	165.1	$	235.1	$	285.8	$	443.8
Adjusted EBITDA(9):
Global Industrial Packaging	$	118.3	$	121.2	$	189.2	$	193.0
Paper Packaging & Services	49.0		104.9		104.5		195.6
Land Management	2.6		2.5		4.2		4.5
Total adjusted EBITDA	$	169.9	$	228.6	$	297.9	$	393.1

(8) EBITDA is defined as net income, plus interest expense, net, plus income tax (benefit) expense, plus depreciation, depletion and amortization. However, because the Company does not calculate net income by segment, this table calculates EBITDA by segment with reference to operating profit by segment, which, as demonstrated in the table of Consolidated EBITDA, is another method to achieve the same result. See the reconciliations in the table of Segment EBITDA.

(9) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, plus interest expense, net, plus income tax (benefit) expense, plus depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, plus acquisition and integration related costs, plus restructuring charges, plus non-cash asset impairment charges, plus (gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net, plus (gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net, plus fiscal year-end change costs.

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

CONSOLIDATED ADJUSTED EBITDA

UNAUDITED


	Three months ended April 30,				Six months ended April 30,
(in millions)	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net income	$	52.0	$	116.0	$	126.3	$	209.1
Plus: Interest expense, net	30.2		23.4		54.4		46.2

Plus: Income tax (benefit) expense	17.0		39.1		(21.2)		76.8
Plus: Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	65.9		56.6		126.3		111.7
EBITDA	$	165.1	$	235.1	$	285.8	$	443.8
Net income	$	52.0	$	116.0	$	126.3	$	209.1
Plus: Interest expense, net	30.2		23.4		54.4		46.2


Plus: Other (income) expense, net	(0.4)		2.9		8.7		6.2
Plus: Income tax (benefit) expense	17.0		39.1		(21.2)		76.8
Plus: Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	(0.7)		(0.3)		(1.2)		(0.8)
Operating profit	$	98.1	$	181.1	$	167.0	$	337.5

Less: Other (income) expense, net	(0.4)		2.9		8.7		6.2
Less: Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	(0.7)		(0.3)		(1.2)		(0.8)
Plus: Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	65.9		56.6		126.3		111.7
EBITDA	$	165.1	$	235.1	$	285.8	$	443.8
Plus: Acquisition and integration related costs	11.5		4.6		14.1		12.1
Plus: Restructuring charges	(6.8)		2.4		(1.1)		4.8

Plus: Non-cash asset impairment charges	0.4		1.3		1.7		1.8
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(0.3)		(5.0)		(3.0)		(5.0)
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net	—		(9.8)		—		(64.4)

Plus: Fiscal year-end change costs	—		—		0.4		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	169.9	$	228.6	$	297.9	$	393.1

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

SEGMENT ADJUSTED EBITDA(10)

UNAUDITED


	Three months ended April 30,				Six months ended April 30,
(in millions)	2024		2023		2024		2023
Global Industrial Packaging
Operating profit	83.4		111.3		134.3		157.2

Less: Other (income) expense, net	—		3.3		9.5		6.9
Less: Equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax	(0.7)		(0.3)		(1.2)		(0.8)
Plus: Depreciation and amortization expense	31.1		23.2		56.5		44.6
EBITDA	$	115.2	$	131.5	$	182.5	$	195.7
Plus: Acquisition and integration related costs	11.5		2.5		14.1		7.5
Plus: Restructuring charges	(8.6)		0.8		(7.7)		2.9
Plus: Non-cash asset impairment charges	0.4		1.0		0.4		1.5
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(0.2)		(4.7)		(0.3)		(4.7)
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net	—		(9.9)		—		(9.9)

Plus: Fiscal year-end change costs	—		—		0.2		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	118.3	$	121.2	$	189.2	$	193.0
Paper Packaging & Services
Operating profit	12.6		67.6		29.4		176.7

Less: Other (income) expense, net	(0.4)		(0.4)		(0.8)		(0.7)
Plus: Depreciation and amortization expense	34.1		32.8		68.6		65.9
EBITDA	$	47.1	$	100.8	$	98.8	$	243.3
Plus: Acquisition and integration related costs	—		2.1		—		4.6
Plus: Restructuring charges	1.8		1.6		6.6		1.9
Plus: Non-cash asset impairment charges	—		0.3		1.3		0.3
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	0.1		—		(2.4)		—
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net	—		0.1		—		(54.5)

Plus: Fiscal year-end change costs	—		—		0.2		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	49.0	$	104.9	$	104.5	$	195.6
Land Management
Operating profit	2.1		2.2		3.3		3.6
Plus: Depreciation and depletion expense	0.7		0.6		1.2		1.2
EBITDA	$	2.8	$	2.8	$	4.5	$	4.8


Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(0.2)		(0.3)		(0.3)		(0.3)


Adjusted EBITDA	$	2.6	$	2.5	$	4.2	$	4.5
Consolidated EBITDA	$	165.1	$	235.1	$	285.8	$	443.8
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA	$	169.9	$	228.6	$	297.9	$	393.1

(10) Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income, plus interest expense, net, plus income tax (benefit) expense, plus depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, plus acquisition and integration related costs, plus restructuring charges, plus non-cash asset impairment charges, plus (gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net, plus (gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net, plus fiscal year-end change costs. However, because the Company does not calculate net income by segment, this table calculates adjusted EBITDA by segment with reference to operating profit by segment, which, as demonstrated in the table of consolidated adjusted EBITDA, is another method to achieve the same result.

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW(11)

UNAUDITED


	Three months ended April 30,				Six months ended April 30,
(in millions)	2024		2023		2024		2023
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	87.5	$	210.8	$	92.0	$	243.7
Cash paid for purchases of properties, plants and equipment	(41.0)		(41.8)		(96.6)		(91.1)
Free cash flow	$	46.5	$	169.0	$	(4.6)	$	152.6
Cash paid for acquisition and integration related costs	11.5		4.6		14.1		12.1
Cash paid for integration related ERP systems and equipment(12)	0.6		1.0		0.9		2.3

Cash paid for taxes related to Tama, Iowa mill divestment	—		10.9		—		10.9
Cash paid for fiscal year-end change costs	0.4		—		0.4		$	—
Adjusted free cash flow	$	59.0	$	185.5	$	10.8	$	177.9

(11) Adjusted free cash flow is defined as net cash provided by operating activities, less cash paid for purchases of properties, plants and equipment, plus cash paid for acquisition and integration related costs, plus cash paid for integration related ERP systems and equipment, plus cash paid for taxes related to Tama, Iowa mill divestment, plus cash paid for fiscal year-end change costs.

(12) Cash paid for integration related ERP systems and equipment is defined as cash paid for ERP systems and equipment required to bring the acquired facilities to Greif’s standards.

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

NET INCOME, CLASS A EARNINGS PER SHARE AND TAX RATE BEFORE ADJUSTMENTS

UNAUDITED


(in millions, except for per share amounts)	Income before Income Tax (Benefit) Expense and Equity Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates, net		Income Tax (Benefit) Expense		Equity Earnings		Non-Controlling Interest		Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Greif, Inc.		Diluted Class A Earnings Per Share		Tax Rate
Three months ended April 30, 2024	$	68.3	$	17.0	$	(0.7)	$	7.6	$	44.4	$	0.77	24.9	%
Acquisition and integration related costs	11.5		2.9		—		—		8.6		0.14
Restructuring charges	(6.8)		(1.7)		—		—		(5.1)		(0.09)

Non-cash asset impairment charges	0.4		0.1		—		—		0.3		—
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(0.3)		—		—		—		(0.3)		—




Excluding adjustments	$	73.1	$	18.3	$	(0.7)	$	7.6	$	47.9	$	0.82	25.0	%

Three months ended April 30, 2023	$	154.8	$	39.1	$	(0.3)	$	4.8	$	111.2	$	1.90	25.3	%
Acquisition and integration related costs	4.6		1.1		—		—		3.5		0.07
Restructuring charges	2.4		0.5		—		—		1.9		0.03

Non-cash asset impairment charges	1.3		0.3		—		—		1.0		0.01
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(5.0)		(0.4)		—		—		(4.6)		(0.08)
(Gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net	(9.8)		(0.6)		—		—		(9.2)		(0.16)



Excluding adjustments	$	148.3	$	40.0	$	(0.3)	$	4.8	$	103.8	$	1.77	27.0	%

Six months ended April 30, 2024	$	103.9	$	(21.2)	$	(1.2)	$	14.7	$	111.6	$	1.94	(20.4)	%
Acquisition and integration related costs	14.1		3.5		—		—		10.6		0.17
Restructuring charges	(1.1)		(0.3)		—		—		(0.8)		(0.01)

Non-cash asset impairment charges	1.7		0.4		—		—		1.3		0.02
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(3.0)		(0.7)		—		—		(2.3)		(0.04)



Fiscal year-end change costs	0.4		0.1		—		—		0.3		0.01
Excluding adjustments	$	116.0	$	(18.2)	$	(1.2)	$	14.7	$	120.7	$	2.09	(15.7)	%

Six months ended April 30, 2023	$	285.1	$	76.8	$	(0.8)	$	8.0	$	201.1	$	3.44	26.9	%
Acquisition and integration related costs	12.1		2.9		—		—		9.2		0.16
Restructuring charges	4.8		1.1		—		0.1		3.6		0.06

Non-cash asset impairment charges	1.8		0.4		—		—		1.4		0.02
(Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(5.0)		(0.4)		—		—		(4.6)		(0.08)
(Gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net	(64.4)		(19.4)		—		—		(45.0)		(0.77)



Excluding adjustments	$	234.4	$	61.4	$	(0.8)	$	8.1	$	165.7	$	2.83	26.2	%

The impact of income tax (benefit) expense and non-controlling interest on each adjustment is calculated based on tax rates and ownership percentages specific to each applicable entity.

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

NET DEBT

UNAUDITED


(in millions)	April 30, 2024		January 31, 2024		April 30, 2023
Total debt	$	2,916.1	$	2,291.8	$	2,289.2
Cash and cash equivalents	(196.0)		(179.3)		(158.5)
Net debt	$	2,720.1	$	2,112.5	$	2,130.7

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

GAAP TO NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION

LEVERAGE RATIO

UNAUDITED


Trailing twelve month credit agreement EBITDA (in millions)	Trailing Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2024		Trailing Twelve Months Ended 1/31/2024		Trailing Twelve Months Ended 4/30/2023
Net income	$	296.3	$	360.3	$	457.8
Plus: Interest expense, net	104.5		97.7		77.1

Plus: Income tax expense	19.8		41.9		148.4
Plus: Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense	245.2		235.9		214.3
EBITDA	$	665.8	$	735.8	$	897.6
Plus: Acquisition and integration related costs	21.0		14.1		17.2
Plus: Restructuring charges	12.8		22.0		10.6

Plus: Non-cash asset impairment charges	20.2		21.1		10.4
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of properties, plants and equipment, net	(0.5)		(5.2)		(11.4)
Plus: (Gain) loss on disposal of businesses, net	0.4		(9.4)		(61.6)
Plus: Non-cash pension settlement charges	3.5		3.5		—
Plus: Fiscal year-end change costs	0.4		0.4		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	723.6	$	782.3	$	862.8
Credit agreement adjustments to EBITDA(13)	38.2		5.0		19.0
Credit agreement EBITDA	$	761.8	$	787.3	$	881.8

Adjusted net debt (in millions)	For the Period Ended 4/30/2024		For the Period Ended 1/31/2024		For the Period Ended 4/30/2023
Total debt	$	2,916.1	$	2,291.8	$	2,289.2
Cash and cash equivalents	(196.0)		(179.3)		(158.5)
Net debt	$	2,720.1	$	2,112.5	$	2,130.7
Credit agreement adjustments to debt(14)	(97.0)		(122.6)		(145.7)
Adjusted net debt	$	2,623.1	$	1,989.9	$	1,985.0

Leverage ratio	3.44x		2.53x		2.25x

(13) Adjustments to EBITDA are specified by the 2022 Credit Agreement and include equity earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of tax, certain acquisition savings, deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, income and expense in connection with asset dispositions, and other items.

(14) Adjustments to net debt are specified by the 2022 Credit Agreement and include the European accounts receivable program, letters of credit, balances for swap contracts, and other items.

GREIF, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

PROJECTED 2024 GUIDANCE RECONCILIATION

ADJUSTED FREE CASH FLOW

UNAUDITED


	Fiscal 2024 Guidance Range
(in millions)	Scenario 1		Scenario 2
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	322.0	$	388.0
Cash paid for purchases of properties, plants and equipment	(178.0)		(200.0)
Free cash flow	$	144.0	$	188.0
Cash paid for acquisition and integration related costs	26.8		30.8
Cash paid for integration related ERP systems and equipment	3.0		5.0
Cash paid for fiscal year-end change costs	1.2		1.2

Adjusted free cash flow	$	175.0	$	225.0

Exhibit 99.2

Greif, Inc.
Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Results Conference Call

June 6, 2024

COMPANY PARTICIPANTS

Ole G. Rosgaard – Greif, Inc., President, Chief Executive Officer & Director

Lawrence A. Hilsheimer – Greif, Inc., Chief Financial Officer & Executive Vice President

Bill D'Onofrio – Greif, Inc., Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development

OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Brian Joseph Butler – Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division

Gabrial Shane Hajde – Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division

George Leon Staphos - BofA Securities, Research Division

Matthew T. Krueger - Robert W. Baird & Company, Incorporated, Research Division

Michael Andrew Roxland – Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division

MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION SECTION

Operator

Good day, and thank you for standing by. Welcome to the Greif, Inc. Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call.

Please be advised that today's conference is being recorded. I would now like to hand the conference over to your speaker today, Bill D'Onofrio, Vice President of Investor Relations and Corporate Development. Please go ahead.

Bill D’Onofrio

Vice President of Investor Relations & Corporate Development

Thank you, and good day, everyone. Welcome to Greif's Fiscal Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call. During the call today, our Chief Executive Officer, Ole Rosgaard, will provide you with an update on our second quarter results driven by our Build to Last strategy as well as current business trends. Our Chief Financial Officer, Larry Hilsheimer, will provide an overview of our financial results and our fiscal full year guidance. In accordance with Regulation Fair Disclosure, please ask questions regarding topics you consider important because we are prohibited from discussing material nonpublic information with you on an individual basis.

Please turn to Slide 2. During today's call, we will make forward-looking statements involving plans, expectations and beliefs related to future events. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Additionally, we will be referencing certain non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP metrics that can be found in the appendix of today's presentation. I'll now turn the presentation over to Ole on Slide 3.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Thanks, Bill. Hello, everyone, and thank you for joining us. We are excited to discuss another successful quarter for Greif underpinned by solid execution across the business through the Greif Business System. Before we dive into our results, I would like to widen our lens and discuss key updates on our Build to Last strategy, specifically touching on each of our 4 missions for value creation. This will help contextualize our continued solid performance despite the persistence and rare headwinds our business has recently faced as well as why we believe Greif is positioned for near and long-term outperformance.

First, I will discuss our Creating Thriving Communities and Delivering Legendary Customer Service pillars through the principles of the service-profit chain. I will then touch on how we Protect Our Future for our customers and our communities. Larry will discuss our quarter results and how we Ensure Financial Strength through strategic capital allocation.

As a reminder to all, our vision is to be the best-performing customer service company in the world. We consider our primary customers to be our end product customers, our supply chain partners, our colleagues, and our financial stakeholders. Everything we do focuses on improving our service to these customers through dedication to the principles of the service-profit chain, which I'll now discuss on Slide 4.

Our service-profit chain has created a competitive advantage for Greif through investing in our people, creating a flywheel for value creation as colleagues are engaged and dedicated to providing legendary customer service. Customers recognize the value Greif delivers from a differentiated product and service standpoint. This culminates in an improved customer loyalty and

increased share of wallet over time. Due to our steadfast conviction in the power of this value creation model, we monitor engagement of our colleagues and customers very closely.

Net Promoter Score measures customers' willingness to actively promote on our behalf, not simply a passive satisfaction in our products. Our Net Promoter Score continued to consistently improve with each survey. Our most recent score of 68 completed this April is well above the average across the manufacturing sector of 49, which reflects that our customers advocate strongly on our behalf.

We likewise measure colleague engagement through an independent survey conducted by Gallup. This score likewise has continuously improved and the most recent result of the 85th percentile puts Greif in the top tier of engagement among all manufacturing companies. We are proud to have been awarded the 2024 Exceptional Workplace Award by Gallup in recognition of our people-first culture.

This award follows from last quarter when we were named for the second year in a row among Newsweek's Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces. These statistics are meaningful as they demonstrate our people are with us on our Build to Last journey and, alongside our Greif Business System, are the enablers which drive our performance each quarter and are fundamentally changing how we operate and deliver results as a company.

Let's now discuss Protecting Our Future on Slide 5. At Greif, sustainability is ingrained in our culture, our processes, systems, and relationships with our customers and suppliers. It's our belief that in order to provide legendary customer service, we must understand the needs of our customers and create solutions alongside them. This both continuously improves our own sustainability journey and also improves customer loyalty and share of wallet over time.

This quarter, we released our 15th Annual Sustainability Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of our 2030 targets as well as recent milestones and progress. Sustainability is another way in which Greif differentiates through the service-profit chain and has bolstered our profitable growth over time. We encourage all our stakeholders to read our latest sustainability report, which is available at www.greif.com/sustainability.

Please turn to Slide 6. This dedication to the service-profit chain and its resulting value creation flywheel has enabled us to accelerate our growth and transform our portfolio for the future. As we announced at our 2022 Investor Day, and have discussed often since, we are pursuing an acquisition strategy to become a global leader in high-performance, high-margin small plastic containers and jerrycans. This product group has an addressable market of over $3 billion and is favorably exposed to secular growth markets such as flavors and fragrances, food and beverage, pharma and ag chem.

In March, we completed our acquisition of Ipackchem, and in doing so, have now solidified the global platform that we committed to growing within the high-performance portion of that $3 billion addressable market. Integration into Greif is going well, and we are confident in our ability to capture the $7 million of synergies previously communicated. As a reminder, the primary synergy opportunities in the form of raw material scale advantage and expected and planned elimination of executive leadership overlap, both of which are already largely in effect.

We are extremely pleased with our investments and value creation underway. However, I'll also note that given recent short-term softness in the global packaging markets, our revised fiscal '24 guidance reflects an expectation of smaller contribution for the 6- month ownership in fiscal '24 than previously communicated run rate.

Additionally, earnings for fiscal year '24 will be impacted by a onetime expected $8.4 million inventory reevaluation expense, approximately $6.7 million of which was included in the second quarter results. The combined operating expertise of our Greif and legacy Ipackchem colleagues working together over the past 60 days has further strengthened our conviction in the solid organic growth fundamentals of the business as well as long-term earnings power of the capital we have invested in the small plastic and jerrycan markets.

Please turn to Slide 7 as we shift gears to the quarter and a discussion of our recent operating environment. In the past 3 months, we have seen a continuation of the same mixed demand trends as in recent quarters. In APAC, which, as a reminder, is approximately 5% of total company net sales, we were seeing positive demand signals in Q1. However, in Q2, trends reversed after the market's strong demand expectations for Chinese New Year fell short of expectations and a quick but significant destocking occurred. That lower level of demand has thus far persisted into Q3.

In EMEA, Greif's largest GIP market, positive demand trends have continued for the second quarter in a row with growth coming broadly across end markets, but notably in chemical and lubricant demand. In the Americas, LatAm was flat year-over-year with mixed demand. However, we are encouraged that LatAm saw the same growth in chemical markets as EMEA despite slower demand from ag chem.

North America, likewise, remains mixed, but has improved overall on a sequential basis. Although overall chemical demand remains weak in that region, we anticipate continued sequential demand improvements in Q3 in North America as well as LatAm and EMEA, which is reflected in our revised guidance. We'll be monitoring our key end markets closely and responding to real-time demand changes to ensure we fully capture opportunities as they present themselves.

Lastly, our North American paper business continues a slow but steady improvement in containerboard, driven by our bulk box business, which feeds into e-commerce channels, offset by softer, although sequentially improving tube & core demand, driven by stronger construction and film core volumes. We also expect this modest improvement trend to continue.

In May, we saw that continuation with our paper business showing modest improvement, led by construction and film demand in URB, and anticipate continued improvements in containerboard, driven by the opening of our Dallas sheetfeeder. GIP EMEA, North America and LatAm all show sequential improvement over April, with APAC demand mixed with slower China demand and stronger Southeast Asia demand.

Overall, when talking to our customers, there is generally positivity. However, it remains coupled with our customers indicating continued short visibility to their own demand, resulting in uncertainty to the duration of these improving demand trends. For that reason, we are continuing to be prudent on cost management, while also monitoring end markets closely for more clearly defined signs of improvements. And with that, I will now turn it over to Larry to walk you through our detailed financial results on Slide 8.

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Thank you, Ole, and thank you all for joining our call. Our second quarter results reflect improving, but still weak demand and the extremely challenging price/cost dynamics in our paper business, resulting in $170 million of adjusted EBITDA, $59 million of free cash flow, and adjusted EPS of $0.82 per share. As Ole mentioned, we are leaning on the Greif Business System to serve our customers with excellence, manage costs, and diligently monitor our business for signs of an inflection.

Greif Business System champions for continuous improvement, accelerates plant modernization and automation as well as creates value through Gemba and Six Sigma programs. Using these tools, we continue to drive structural cost out and build productivity gains that not only help optimize our current business, but also provides the foundation to accelerate integration and synergy capture as we grow through acquisitions.

While managing the present, we are also growing for the future through the Ipackchem acquisition and through high-value capital projects such as our recently opened Dallas sheetfeeder. These investments are critical to our long-term vision and strategy and will position us well for outperformance once markets return to a normalized state. We are reinstating the guidance range given our confidence in our view of the remainder of our fiscal year. We are pleased to raise the low end from our prior $610 million to $675 million and at a high end of $725 million.

Before discussing guidance assumptions, let me provide a segment performance update, starting on Slide 9. For GIP, continuing weak but improving demand led to a year-over-year sales decline of $57 million and margin compression of 1.5% year-over-year. In addition, SG&A costs were up year-over-year, in line with our expectations communicated in our Q4 call. This is primarily a result of D&A step-up on new acquisitions as well as our ongoing strategic investments in IT and global operating excellence, which while expensed, we view as strategic capital we are investing for long-term margin improvement.

Despite the incremental cost of these investments, margins rallied strongly by over 4.4% on a sequential basis from fiscal Q1 2024. As Ole touched on, EMEA continued to improve, underpinned by strong lube and chemical markets. The Americas remained flat to down as lube and chemical demand improvement has not yet been seen. However, North America has seen overall sequential improvement, and we do anticipate that recovery to continue into the second half of our fiscal year.

Please turn to Slide 10 for PPS results. The continued delayed recognition of announced price increases combined with the rising OCC costs has led to a significant margin compression of over 10% despite flat sales. Our PPS team is continuing to manage controllables well, including successful price increase implementation on our non-index based customers. However, the outsized impact of the index-driven price/cost dynamic, which we still view to not be in sync with real market trends, is a headwind we have and we'll continue to aggressively work to offset.

On the volume side, in containerboard, we are seeing modest improvement, while the tube and core end markets remain flat to down. While managing the present, we are also continuing to invest in the future within this product group, resulting in SG&A cost inflation for similar strategic initiatives as discussed with GIP.

Please turn to Slide 11 for our updated guidance and outlook. As previously stated, we are providing a guidance EBITDA range of $675 million to $725 million, reflecting an increase of $65 million on the low end. The high end of our guidance range reflects recognition of our announced paper price increases as well as continued margin improvement in GIP. By contrast, the low end of our guidance range assumes no paper price recognition, slight further OCC cost inflation, and no margin improvement in GIP.

On the volume side, our guidance change of $22 million to $62 million of EBITDA assumes further contribution of the improving volume trends across most of our products and end markets. As Ole mentioned earlier, our incremental EBITDA contribution from Ipackchem is less than previously disclosed run rate due to a full year impact of purchase accounting of $8.4 million as well as short-term slowness in the global agro markets. Lastly, we anticipate volume related as well as inflationary transport and manufacturing headwinds of $19 million to $39 million of EBITDA relative to prior guidance.

As for free cash flow, we are leaving our previous guidance unchanged as our midpoint at $200 million for the full year. We anticipate that the increase in our EBITDA guidance midpoint of $90 million will not result in incremental cash flow within fiscal '24. The drivers of this are, at the midpoint, higher spend on strategic CapEx and efficiency-related maintenance projects of $20 million; higher cash interest, primarily related to the acquisition of Ipackchem of $25 million; higher cash taxes of $26 million related to improved earnings; as well as the failure of Congress to extend favorable tax provisions; higher working capital needs to address improving demand of $32 million, partially offset by a favorable $13 million of other miscellaneous cash items. As Ole mentioned in his remarks, while we continue to monitor our business near term, it is critical we also maintain a long-term lens and invest for the future.

As such, I would like to discuss capital allocations on Slide 12. Under Build to Last, which we define as fiscal '22 through present, we have deployed over $2.6 billion of capital. Our capital allocation framework is simple. We first invest in two non-negotiables, our safety and maintenance CapEx, which keeps our cash machine running, and our regular and increasing dividend. While critical, these uses are not a significant portion of total cash generated in that same time frame, and so the rest we devoted towards growing our business and increasing shareholder return. On the growth side, the recent majority has come through developing the leading global small plastics platform, which Ole discussed in his remarks. The long-term benefits of this business are substantial, and we are encouraged by the successful execution of the transactions, our integration progress and synergy realization.

We balance growth with debt reduction at times when it is necessary to temporarily increase our leverage above our long-term target of leverage ratio in the range of 2x to 2.5x in order to capitalize on long-term value-accretive growth opportunities such as Ipackchem. Given our current leverage, we anticipate in the short term prioritizing incremental debt reduction. We have confidence in the value creation benefits of our capital deployment under Build to Last, and we'll plan to dive deeper into this topic at our upcoming Investor Day in December.

With that, I'll turn things back to Ole for closing on Slide 13.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Thank you, Larry. I appreciate each of you taking the time to listen to my opening remarks on our strategy. I hope that I clearly communicated the value creation, which is occurring through leveraging what we do best, customer service, to drive growth and transform our business.

Our recent capital investments and internal initiatives are setting the stage for the next wave of accelerated growth at Greif. Our Greif Business System and dedication to the service-profit chain have combined to create a flywheel of success, which is driving growth and our disciplined capital allocation framework. We have an Investor Day upcoming this December, and plan to discuss in greater detail the changes we are currently making through the Greif Business System to transform our organization for breakout success.

Operator, will you please open the lines for Q&A.

QUESTION AND ANSWER SECTION

Operator

Our first question will come from Ghansham Panjabi with Baird.

Matthew T. Krueger

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division

This is Matt Krueger sitting in for Ghansham. So I guess I just wanted to start off with a quick question on volumes. Can you provide some added detail on the volume cadence across both business segments during the quarter. And then just some early thoughts on how the third fiscal quarter has kicked off would be really helpful as well.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Let me give you some comments. Let me sort of zoom out first and give you kind of a regional overview year-on-year. And then we can go into substrates and I'll make some comments perhaps on the end markets. So if you look at it regionally, so the strongest market was EMEA, where we saw an 8% growth, and it's also our largest GIP market. LatAm was flat. We were a little bit weaker in North America, minus 5%, and we were down 11% in APAC.

The broad improvement we saw in EMEA was across our industrial end markets for the second straight quarter, mostly in bulk chemicals and lubes. In LatAm, we saw pockets of strength both in bulk chemical and paints & coatings. And as I mentioned, we had some softness in ag chem like we've seen in most other places. And again, in North America, we see continued slow bulk and commodity developments and ag chem demand is down.

But sequentially, from Q1, we do see improvements, and I made some comments earlier on APAC. Q2 volumes were negatively impacted by seasonality from the Chinese New Year and weaker demand from food and bev. If we look at substrates year-on-year, the strongest substrate was plastic, where we have invested in IBC and we are up low teens year-on-year. Steel is

flat, but it's actually improving up to 10% sequentially. And we're down low singles in fiber, but we are improving again sequentially and it's up 10%.

And as I said, the end markets are really bulk chemicals, lubricants, where we see strong developments. If we look at also the economic indicators of the global PMI was above 50 for the last 4 months, including May, which is positive and which is reflected. And these positive signals that we've seen exiting makes us very positive for the future. We stay connected to our customers, our supply chain partners, and as demand hopefully keeps increasing, we will react quickly like we have done in EMEA.

Matthew T. Krueger

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated, Research Division

Great. That's very helpful. And then just a follow-up. I wanted to touch on price/cost a bit. Can you provide an updated view on the absolute price/cost expectation for the year? If you could provide some detail on how that performed this quarter and what you would expect from the upcoming 2 quarters, that would be helpful as well. It seems like we could be reaching kind of a peak price/cost pain point across your business given the pricing initiatives you have in the market. I just want to check the validity of that statement.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Yes, that's a great question. I think Larry will be good to answer that.

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Yes. Look, I mean, clearly, as we looked at what price/cost we had relative to Q2 '23, major impact year-over-year price/cost squeeze of about $49 million in paper and about positive $17-odd million actually in GIP. So $12 million of volume benefit in GIP and $27 million of volume benefit in PPS. So, trends on volumes are good, price-cost squeeze is very harmful to us. And then looking at going from our former guidance to current guidance, we show, from that $610 million low end that we gave, actually, price/cost benefit in our GIP business of about $39 million and volume of $27 million.

Within PPS, at midpoint, $16 million price/cost lift from prior where we were and $15 million. If I'm going from prior year to where we are now, obvious squeeze numbers going from the $819 million of last year to $700 million of this year within the PPS business. Major squeeze clearly on OCC of roughly $100 million, URB at $5 million of pressure, and containerboard about flat. And then in our GIP business, price/cost about $59 million positive, and volume about $30 million positive. So hopefully, that's what you're looking for, Matt.

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of George Staphos with Bank of America Securities

George Leon Staphos

BofA Securities, Research Division

Congratulations on the quarter. I wanted to go to Slide 11, where you have the waterfall. And Larry and Ole, if we look at the volume pickup in your guidance, recognizing there are no guarantees in life, things could move more positively, things could move more negatively, where are you right now in terms of that $22 million to $62 million, would you say, roughly, in terms of the volume pickup that in turn informed your improvement in your guidance?

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Yes. I would say, George, where we're at in the trend right now is right smack in the middle of that. And so what we did is build a range around it based on, as Ole mentioned in his comments, there's still some nervousness in some of our customers. But there's also some areas where we're seeing there's potential optimism. So we've built a range around what we thought was possible for the rest of the year.

George Leon Staphos

BofA Securities, Research Division

Larry and Ole, I probably missed this, but if you could, either by end market or by substrate, maybe both, could you just give us kind of a quick where are you year-on-year early in fiscal 3Q in terms of trends you're seeing at the moment on volume?

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

You mean at the end of May?

George Leon Staphos

BofA Securities, Research Division

Yes.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

So exit trends in May were generally positive, George. Steel and containerboard, they kept improving throughout Q2. Plastic and URB was a bit more mixed on a month-to-month basis during the quarter. But if we look at GIP and then EMEA, they remain sequentially strong, as I mentioned, but also with North America and LatAm improving, containerboard continued to improve and will soon start benefiting from our Dallas sheetfeeder, which by the way is operational and is producing a sheet that's being sold. And in URB, we continue to see construction and film demand increasing in May despite the mixed demand in all our end markets.

George Leon Staphos

BofA Securities, Research Division

Okay. My last two, and I'll turn it over. Just if you could, Ole, give us a bit more color or remind us what you said in terms of year- on-year sell in paper. It sounded like containerboard was, all right, not gangbusters, but up modestly year-on-year. Sequentially, tube and core URB was getting better, but still down. If you could sort of affirm that and discuss what you're seeing early in May there? And then what kind of price/cost should we expect out of steel and GIP in particular the rest of the year? Do you have improving or sequentially decelerating benefits there.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Yes. So on steel, so that will generally keep improving, and I'll maybe touch upon that a little bit later on what we're doing internally, self-help. In tube and core, as I mentioned, film costs are positive as well as construction, which by the way our biggest end segment is paper costs. We haven't really seen any major recovery there. Whilst we are doing well in paper costs, we're also selling to other paper companies and we haven't seen a pickup there yet. But hopefully, we'll see that soon.

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Mike Roxland with Truist Securities.

Michael Andrew Roxland

Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division

First question I just had on Slide 11. I think, Larry, if I heard you correctly, you mentioned there the $19 million to $39 million of manufacturing headwinds, and that's new. What's driving that?

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

The predominant driver of that is volume. So with volume pick-up, you get more incremental transport costs and then a little bit of additional manufacturing costs just volume-driven.

Michael Andrew Roxland

Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division

Got you. Perfect. And then also just can you talk about the pent-up operating leverage in the business that could be released maybe once global volumes start to normalize? And certainly, you're in early stages, depending on region, and so we're seeing the volume improvement. Once everything, let's say, is firing all cylinders, what's this pent-up operating leverage that could potentially be released and positively impact the business?

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Basically, as this volume picks up, predominant costs are going to end up occurring in addition to transport as just the raw material costs. But your value add is going to be about 50%. But I'd say generally, just assume excess of 20% gross margin pickup on incremental volume. And if you look back, if we get a return to '22 volume levels, we would end up picking up about $160 million of EBITDA. And that doesn't even factor in the incremental EBITDA from getting to full run rate on all of our acquisitions and getting back on price cost where we need to be on paper. So we see a path back with returning economic conditions to well over $900 million of EBITDA.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Let me also just touch on our internal initiatives on cost savings and the impact of our right business systems. So we're operating at a high level, and we're always looking for what we call internally aggregation of marginal gains across our 250 locations. Our sourcing team, as an example, recently finalized a targeted review in North America, in a particular area, which reduced total spend for this area by an estimated 8%. They also did a recent review of certain global indirect material spend, which resulted in an estimated run rate cost savings of 5%. We also recently conducted, as an example, two full-scope steel plant operational excellence reviews, which these plans were previously underperforming to our expectations.

And these reviews, they include a full value stream mapping and Lean Six Sigma review, and by focusing on raw material usage and reducing scrap, each of these two plants have seen a sustained EBITDA margin increase of approximately 800 bps relative to their prior performance. I visited a plant recently who have, over the past few years, made a significant improvement on their NPS and Gallup scores. And when you look at the profitability trend for that plant, it correlates extremely well with these things, and their plant performance is now top tier. So the application of these types of marginal gains, they are a big part of our improved structural margin profiles. So we are truly playing on the entire piano, as you can hear, spanning from operational and commercial excellence initiatives to supply chain and sourcing, and I should also mention our automation efforts, which is reflected in our earnings.

Michael Andrew Roxland

Truist Securities, Inc., Research Division

And then one more quick follow-up. How many of your facilities could be subject to those types of reviews? I mean, how much further runway do you have in terms of improving plant level profitability like that?

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Yes. To be honest with you, previously, I thought, okay, there must be a limit somewhere, but I keep getting surprised and we have a Gemba and we have a Six Sigma program. And just to give you an idea of the size of our Six Sigma program, we have nearly 700 participants across the globe.

Today, we have 400 white belts, 170 yellow belts, 130 green belts, and we have 10 black belts. And they all have projects of a certain magnitude driving savings to the bottom line and when you look at -- we have deployed this in 250 plants. The things I see, and I mentioned some of them, the things I see surprises me, hey, we really find that sort of saving there. It's just amazing.

And you're looking at years and years of runway on these initiatives. And you can say, okay, you find like $300,000 here and $700,000 there, but when you add it up, and that's why we call it aggregation of marginal gains, it becomes big numbers over time.

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Brian Butler with Stifel.

Brian Joseph Butler

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division

You talked about getting to the $900 million EBITDA. I was hoping we could maybe just talk about maybe high level, what are those components that get you there and just kind of walk through it, the price/cost, volume, and if there's anything else from the $700 million?

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

The single largest component of that is just getting back to volume levels of '22. And that alone is a $160 million driver at current margin rates. So we look good little bit on volume recovery sequentially, but you look at a 2-year stack, volumes are still significantly off, and obviously, that's evidenced in the economic data with PMI statistics and everything else. So getting back to that kind of volume level drives a huge amount of earnings lift for us. And so as Ole mentioned, we undertake all these operational improvement areas to really change our structural cost drivers, so that we can even tweak that more and cover other inflationary costs.

The secondary element is clearly getting back to what we consider much needed, well deserved price/cost in our paper business as evidenced by the price increases we recently announced, and those things can drive a big pickup as well. And then just getting full run rate and performance level back on the acquisitions we've done, and then also this new Dallas sheetfeeder business and our containerboard business. You put all those elements together, and it drives you easily over that $900 million figure.

Brian Joseph Butler

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division

Okay. And you mentioned the recent kind of URB price increases? How much of that is in the $40 to $70. Is the low end 0 and the high end 100%, or some other mix?

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Look, we really expect that we should get full recognition of these price increases. They are needed and deserving. The inflationary costs we've had in all of our production of paper grades is substantial and we obviously need to earn appropriate returns on the capital. But yes, look, we're also pragmatic and we still remain burdened by this archaic survey system utilized by RISI. Plus again, we'd love them to become very relevant, move to a data-driven automated system to correctly report the true market, but as a result, we hedge the upside.

I mean, our guidance would have no recognition. And our upside, we've put in a range to deal with the RISI system, and we also have timing issues related to any time they recognize. So you look at the $50 linerboard and $80 medium that we have effective June 1. That's recognized this month. It would start to come through the P&L in late July. And the $50 and $70 in URB effective July 18.

If that gets recognized timely, then we'd start benefiting in late August to September. So there's some play in that upside. If we got everything immediately when we roll it out, then there'd be even more upside.

Brian Joseph Butler

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division

And when you think about kind of like the midpoint of what you're assuming there, if that was a rollover, what's the benefit in the '25 perspective of incremental EBITDA that you would be able to capture?

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Yes. If you look at our pricing in general, I'd just say a $10 impact on containerboard is $700,000 a month, so roughly $8 million annually, and URB is $0.5 million a month to $6 million annually. So that should give you the numbers to back into whatever your assumptions would be.

Brian Joseph Butler

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division

Okay. And then one last one, maybe on the capital expenditures. That kind of increased a little bit on the updated guidance. Maybe break that out, is that all Ipackchem? Or are there other growth initiatives that you're spending that $20 million on?

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Very little Ipackchem at all. What it really is, is you had some inflationary costs on the Dallas sheetfeeder as a strategic growth project that ran that up slightly over, but that at full blown going to generate about $2 million of EBITDA a month when fully operational. So money well spent in our estimation. And then frankly, we were producing more cash and some of our engineering group came to us and said, hey, look, there's some high need safety and maintenance projects that we really think we should pull forward. And we didn't want to take the risk of not spending on that kind of thing. And since we had the cash capital available, we said, move it forward.

Brian Joseph Butler

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated, Research Division

Okay. Nice quarter.

Operator

Our next question comes from the line of Gabe Hajde with Wells Fargo.

Gabrial Shane Hajde

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division

Just a housekeeping question on the $8.4 million that you called out, Larry. Was that backed out as a one timer? Or are you flowing that through? I know it's noncash.

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Yes, we flow it through. I mean, it's accounting. We have to mark to basically sales price any finished goods inventory we acquire. So had Ipackchem gone forward with it, it would have been profit, but for us, it's not. So that's a 1-year thing. No.

Gabrial Shane Hajde

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division

Okay. And then I wanted to ask a question about, I guess, Southeast Asia or maybe China specifically. If memory serves on the GIP side, you guys have, I think, 4 remaining plants there. But when we look at, I don't know, EV production and all these different things, it seems like some activity more than others is fairly robust. And again, I know you guys are being selective about customers and what you're doing over there. Can you just talk about appetite to grow over there or maybe limiting factors that prevent you from deploying more capital in Southeast Asia in general. I know, obviously, it's a returns-oriented mindset, but just curious about that.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Yes, first of all, we have a very disciplined approach to the way we deploy cash. And as Larry mentioned earlier, when somebody comes with request for safety CapEx, we never say no. And then we have our cash machine, which is our steel network and other assets, and we need to maintain them, and we do that, and then we have dividends. And then after that, we then start looking at growth CapEx.

We have a periodic review of all the requests that come in, and then we apply filters such as ROI and payback and so on. But we also look at the geopolitical aspect of it. And I would say, China is not the country that's of the highest priority in terms of geopolitical aspects. So if there is a choice, we would likely do it elsewhere. We have invested in maintenance, safety, and some upgrades for automation in China. But I would be amiss to say that we've just built a new IBC plant in Malaysia. So it's more the surrounding region we are investing in terms of APAC.

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Yes. The thing I would add, Gabe, is Ipack does have some operations in China. Whenever we assess any kind of projects, we always have, as Ole mentioned, geopolitical as part of our risk factors. Now what does that mean mechanically in our capital decisioning process? It means the hurdle rate for us investing in some place like that is much higher. So if it can't meet the hurdle rate, we aren’t getting it done. And then the other thing is part of our enterprise risk management program, as we look at those kind of things, and we did this in Ipackchem, you look at what happens if something goes wrong, what's your next plan? And so we have plans to deal with anything that could evolve as best as we would be able to.

Gabrial Shane Hajde

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division

Appreciate that. One last one.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Just one last comment on that. So bear in mind, we operate in 41 countries across the globe. So we've done that for decades. So what happens on the geopolitical stage is really part of our disciplined operating system, but we always focus on that. And since we are talking about APAC, we do have growth plans in that region. And as a result, Matt Leahy has been promoted to lead that region, and he's actually already in place to do that.

Gabrial Shane Hajde

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Research Division

I haven't heard you guys talk about IBC deployment here recently. I appreciate, obviously, the manufacturing backdrop hasn't supported that. Just curious if that's part of a little bit of a tick-up in CapEx and/or, on the flip side, maybe you guys have built out that infrastructure. I think I understand those lines pretty well, but that you're positioned to service your customers on the IBC side when demand does, in fact, inflect?

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

I mean, we've continued to expand on our IBC network, not through acquisition, but primarily organic. We've deployed blow molds and new lines throughout last year and also this year. And I said that in September we will formally open our new IBC plant in Malaysia.

Last year, we opened a new IBC plant in Turkey, and we have put additional lines in many of these existing facilities. So this is an area where we've continued to grow, and it's also part of our M&A strategy, because it's resin-based, it's high margin. So it's a very attractive market for us to grow in. And we do that and request our customers as well that when they expand, they tend to come and ask if we could provide them the service on certain locations.

Lawrence Allen Hilsheimer

Executive VP & CFO

Yes. And Gabe, you'll remember this, but just to remind everybody, we increased our equity ownership of Centurion last year significantly. And we continue to explore opportunities with other IBC recyclers around the world. Most of them are relatively small, but they fill out our footprint. And we continue to have dialogues around those in many geographies.

Operator

I will now hand the microphone over to Ole Rosgaard for closing comments.

Ole G. Rosgaard

President, CEO & Director

Thank you. Yes, before we end the call, I just want to thank you all for the questions and your continued interest in Greif. We're very proud of our global Greif team for utilizing the Greif Business System to its fullest, as you've heard, and creating significant operating leverage during this temporary sluggish demand environment.

We are equally excited to realize the outperformance we have positioned the business to capture through Build to Last and we'll continue to execute with excellence and provide you with the legendary customer service, for which we are known. Thank you to all of our colleagues, our customers and stakeholders for your dedication, loyalty and commitment to Greif. Have a great day.

Operator

This concludes today's conference call. Thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

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Security Exchange Name	NYSE