Advertisement
Australia markets closed
  • ALL ORDS

    8,153.70
    +80.10 (+0.99%)
     
  • ASX 200

    7,896.90
    +77.30 (+0.99%)
     
  • AUD/USD

    0.6518
    -0.0017 (-0.26%)
     
  • OIL

    83.11
    +1.76 (+2.16%)
     
  • GOLD

    2,242.00
    +29.30 (+1.32%)
     
  • Bitcoin AUD

    108,639.09
    +3,287.97 (+3.12%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • AUD/EUR

    0.6038
    +0.0008 (+0.12%)
     
  • AUD/NZD

    1.0904
    +0.0024 (+0.22%)
     
  • NZX 50

    12,105.29
    +94.63 (+0.79%)
     
  • NASDAQ

    18,251.30
    -29.54 (-0.16%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • Dow Jones

    39,777.12
    +17.04 (+0.04%)
     
  • DAX

    18,492.49
    +15.40 (+0.08%)
     
  • Hang Seng

    16,541.42
    +148.58 (+0.91%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,168.07
    -594.66 (-1.46%)
     

Eagle Materials Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2023 Results

Record annual revenue of $2.1 billion, up 15%

Record annual EPS of $12.46, up 36%

Record fourth quarter revenue of $470.1 million, up 14%

Record fourth quarter EPS of $2.79, up 47%

DALLAS, May 18, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Eagle Materials Inc. (NYSE: EXP) today reported financial results for fiscal year 2023 and the fiscal fourth quarter ended March 31, 2023. Notable items for the fiscal year and quarter are highlighted below. (Unless otherwise noted, all comparisons are with the prior fiscal year or prior year’s fiscal fourth quarter, as applicable.)

Full Year Fiscal 2023 Highlights

  • Record Revenue of $2.1 billion, up 15%

  • Net Earnings of $461.5 million, up 23%

  • Record diluted earnings per share of $12.46, up 36%

  • Adjusted EBITDA of $781.5 million, up 19%

    • Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by excluding non-routine items and certain non-cash expenses in the manner described in Attachment 6

  • Repurchased 3.1 million shares of Eagle’s common stock for $388 million

ADVERTISEMENT

Fourth Quarter Fiscal 2023 Highlights

  • Record Revenue of $470.1 million, up 14%

  • Net Earnings of $100.4 million, up 35%

  • Record diluted earnings per share of $2.79, up 47%

  • Adjusted EBITDA of $171.7 million, up 30%

    • Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure calculated by excluding non-routine items and certain non-cash expenses in the manner described in Attachment 6

  • Repurchased 528,000 shares of Eagle’s common stock for $74 million

Commenting on the annual results, Michael Haack, President and CEO, said, "We are pleased to announce another exceptional quarter and year at Eagle. We achieved record financial results and made strong progress on all strategic priorities. During the fiscal year, we expanded gross margins by 190 bps to 29.8%, reported record earnings per share of $12.46, generated operating cash flow of $542 million, and repurchased 3.1 million shares of our common stock for $388 million. We also increased production of our eco-friendly Portland Limestone Cement product and integrated several acquisitions which should improve our already enviable low-cost producer position. At the end of the fiscal year, debt was $1.1 billion, and our net leverage ratio (net debt to Adjusted EBITDA) was 1.4x, giving us substantial financial flexibility for disciplined capital allocation."

"Employee health, safety and environmental stewardship remain core objectives, and we demonstrated meaningful progress in all areas over the year. We released our updated Environmental and Social Disclosure report, which is available on our website. In fiscal 2023, our safety performance continued to outpace the industry average, and we achieved the lowest recordable injury rate in the company’s history. We also made significant progress in reducing our carbon footprint with the increased production and sale of our Portland Limestone Cement product, which has a lower carbon intensity than standard cement with similar performance attributes."

Mr. Haack concluded, "Looking ahead, we anticipate continued attractive fundamentals in our markets, despite headwinds relating to higher interest rates and affordability constraints in single-family residential construction. Among the favorable demand factors we expect will affect our results in future periods are projected funding increases for infrastructure projects and healthy demand for heavy industrial projects and multi-family residential construction. We remain well-positioned to capitalize on these conditions given our geographical footprint across the US heartland and fast-growing Sunbelt and our financial strength and flexibility."

Capital Allocation Priorities

Eagle remains dedicated to a disciplined capital allocation process to enhance shareholder value. Consistent with our track record, our allocation priorities remain unchanged, as follows: 1. investing in growth opportunities that meet our strict financial return standards and are consistent with our strategic focus; 2. operating capital investments to maintain and strengthen our low-cost producer positions; and 3. returning excess cash to shareholders, primarily through our share repurchase program.

In the past five fiscal years, we have invested nearly $858 million in acquisitions, $478 million in organic capital expenditures, and $1.7 billion in share repurchases and dividends.

Segment Financial Results

Heavy Materials: Cement, Concrete and Aggregates

Fiscal 2023 revenue in the Heavy Materials sector, which includes Cement, Concrete and Aggregates, as well as Joint Venture and intersegment Cement revenue, was $1.3 billion, an 11% increase. Heavy Materials annual operating earnings increased 7% to $297.0 million, primarily because of higher Cement net sales prices.

Fiscal 2023 Cement revenue, including Joint Venture and intersegment revenue, was up 7% to $1.1 billion, and Cement operating earnings increased 7% to $278.8 million. The annual revenue and earnings increases reflect higher net sales prices, the effect of which was partially offset by a decrease in the volume of cement sold.

The average annual net Cement sales price for the year increased 13% to $134.36 per ton. Cement sales volume for the year was down 5% to 7.1 million tons.

Fourth quarter Cement revenue, including Joint Venture and intersegment revenue, was up 14% to $213.8 million. Operating earnings increased 59% to $45.3 million, reflecting higher net sales prices, partially offset by higher operating costs, namely energy. The average net Cement sales price for the quarter increased 16% to $147.50 per ton. Cement sales volume for the quarter was down 3% to 1.3 million tons.

Fiscal 2023 revenue from Concrete and Aggregates increased 35% to $239.5 million, reflecting higher sales prices and Concrete volume as well as the contribution of approximately $44.5 million from the acquired business in northern Colorado. Concrete and Aggregates reported fiscal 2023 operating earnings of $18.3 million, down 1%, reflecting higher operating costs primarily related to diesel fuel.

Fourth quarter Concrete and Aggregates revenue was $53.1 million, an increase of 43%, due to higher pricing and Concrete sales volume as well as the contribution of approximately $10 million from the acquired business in northern Colorado. Fourth quarter operating earnings were $2.6 million, a 74% increase, reflecting higher pricing and sales volume.

Light Materials: Gypsum Wallboard and Paperboard

Fiscal 2023 revenue in the Light Materials sector, which includes Gypsum Wallboard and Paperboard, increased 22% to $980.9 million, reflecting improved Wallboard sales volume and pricing. Gypsum Wallboard annual sales volume was a record 3.1 billion square feet (BSF), up 4%, and the average Gypsum Wallboard net sales price increased 22% to $232.31 per MSF. Paperboard annual sales volume was down 2% to 326,000 tons.

Fiscal 2023 Light Materials operating earnings were $377.7 million, an increase of 38%, driven principally by higher Wallboard pricing, the effects of which were partially offset by increased operating costs primarily related to energy.

Fourth quarter Light Materials revenue increased 11% to $244.2 million, reflecting higher Wallboard pricing and a small increase in Wallboard sales volume. Gypsum Wallboard sales volume increased 1% to 756 million square feet (MMSF), while the average Gypsum Wallboard net sales price increased 17% to $239.39 per MSF. Paperboard sales volume for the quarter was down 2% to 80,000 tons. The average Paperboard net sales price for the fourth quarter was $550.52 per ton, down 12%, consistent with the pricing provisions in our long-term sales agreements.

Fourth quarter operating earnings in the sector were $99.4 million, an increase of 29%, reflecting higher Wallboard sales volume and pricing as well as lower costs for recycled paper.

Details of Financial Results

We conduct one of our cement plant operations through a 50/50 joint venture, Texas Lehigh Cement Company LP (the Joint Venture). We use the equity method of accounting for our 50% interest in the Joint Venture. For segment reporting purposes only, we proportionately consolidate our 50% share of the Joint Venture’s revenue and operating earnings, which is consistent with the way management organizes the segments within Eagle for making operating decisions and assessing performance.

In addition, for segment reporting purposes, we report intersegment revenue as a part of a segment’s total revenue. Intersegment sales are eliminated on the Consolidated Statement of Earnings. Refer to Attachment 3 for a reconciliation of these amounts.

About Eagle Materials Inc.

Eagle Materials Inc. manufactures and distributes Portland Cement, Gypsum Wallboard, Recycled Gypsum Paperboard, and Concrete and Aggregates from more than 70 facilities across the US. Eagle’s corporate headquarters is in Dallas, Texas.

Eagle’s senior management will conduct a conference call to discuss the financial results, forward looking information and other matters at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (7:30 a.m. Central Time) on Thursday, May 18, 2023. The conference call will be webcast on the Eagle website, eaglematerials.com. A replay of the webcast and the presentation will be archived on the site for one year.

Forward-Looking Statements. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the context of the statements and generally arise when the Company is discussing its beliefs, estimates or expectations as to future events. These statements are not historical facts or guarantees of future performance but instead represent only the Company’s belief at the time the statements were made regarding future events which are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the Company’s control. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecast in such forward-looking statements. The principal risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company’s actual performance include the following: the cyclical and seasonal nature of the Company’s businesses; fluctuations in public infrastructure expenditures; adverse weather conditions; the fact that our products are commodities and that prices for our products are subject to material fluctuation due to market conditions and other factors beyond our control; the availability and fluctuations in the cost of raw materials; changes in the costs of energy, including, without limitation, natural gas, coal and oil (including diesel), and the nature of our obligations to counterparties under energy supply contracts, such as those related to market conditions (for example, spot market prices), governmental orders and other matters; changes in the cost and availability of transportation; unexpected operational difficulties, including unexpected maintenance costs, equipment downtime and interruption of production; material nonpayment or non-performance by any of our key customers; inability to timely execute announced capacity expansions; difficulties and delays in the development of new business lines; governmental regulation and changes in governmental and public policy (including, without limitation, climate change and other environmental regulation); possible outcomes of pending or future litigation or arbitration proceedings; changes in economic conditions or the nature or level of activity in any one or more of the markets or industries in which the Company or its customers are engaged; severe weather conditions (such as winter storms, tornados and hurricanes) and their effects on our facilities, operations and contractual arrangements with third parties; competition; cyber-attacks or data security breaches; increases in capacity in the gypsum wallboard and cement industries; changes in the demand for residential housing construction or commercial construction or construction projects undertaken by state or local governments; the availability of acquisitions or other growth opportunities that meet our financial return standards and fit our strategic focus; risks related to pursuit of acquisitions, joint ventures and other transactions or the execution or implementation of such transactions, including the integration of operations acquired by the Company; general economic conditions, including inflation and recessionary conditions; and changes in interest rates and the resulting effects on the Company and demand for our products. For example, increases in interest rates, decreases in demand for construction materials or increases in the cost of energy (including, without limitation, natural gas, coal and oil) or the cost of our raw materials could affect the revenue and operating earnings of our operations. In addition, changes in national or regional economic conditions and levels of infrastructure and construction spending could also adversely affect the Company’s result of operations. Finally, any forward-looking statements made by the Company are subject to the risks and impacts associated with natural disasters, pandemics or other unforeseen events, including, without limitation, the COVID-19 pandemic and responses thereto designed to contain its spread and mitigate its public health effects, as well as their impact on economic conditions, capital and financial markets. These and other factors are described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022 and subsequent quarterly and annual reports upon filing. These reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements made herein are made as of the date hereof, and the risk that actual results will differ materially from expectations expressed herein will increase with the passage of time. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement to reflect future events or changes in the Company’s expectations.

Attachment 1 Consolidated Statement of Earnings
Attachment 2 Revenue and Earnings by Lines of Business
Attachment 3 Sales Volume, Net Sales Prices and Intersegment and Cement Revenue
Attachment 4 Consolidated Balance Sheets
Attachment 5 Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization by Lines of Business
Attachment 6 Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA
Attachment 7 Reconciliation of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA

Attachment 1

Eagle Materials Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Earnings

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

Quarter Ended
March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Revenue

$

470,127

$

413,117

$

2,148,069

$

1,861,522

Cost of Goods Sold

334,736

313,941

1,508,803

1,341,908

Gross Profit

135,391

99,176

639,266

519,614

Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated JV

11,843

7,703

35,474

32,488

Corporate General and Administrative Expenses

(15,686)

(13,815)

(53,630)

(46,801)

Loss on Early Retirement of Senior Notes

-

-

-

(8,407)

Other Non-Operating Income

1,743

3,132

2,654

9,073

Earnings Before Interest and Income Taxes

133,291

96,196

623,764

505,967

Interest Expense, net

(10,329)

(5,982)

(35,171)

(30,873)

Earnings Before Income Taxes

122,962

90,214

588,593

475,094

Income Tax Expense

(22,606)

(15,898)

(127,053)

(100,847)

Net Earnings

$

100,356

$

74,316

$

461,540

$

374,247

NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic

$

2.81

$

1.91

$

12.54

$

9.23

Diluted

$

2.79

$

1.90

$

12.46

$

9.14

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING

Basic

35,724,101

38,867,550

36,798,354

40,547,048

Diluted

36,012,770

39,208,296

37,052,942

40,929,712

Attachment 2

Eagle Materials Inc.

Revenue and Earnings by Lines of Business

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

Quarter Ended
March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Revenue*

Heavy Materials:

Cement (Wholly Owned)

$

172,784

$

155,926

$

927,637

$

880,280

Concrete and Aggregates

53,109

37,234

239,516

177,122

225,893

193,160

1,167,153

1,057,402

Light Materials:

Gypsum Wallboard

219,490

189,316

872,471

692,152

Gypsum Paperboard

24,744

30,641

108,445

111,968

244,234

219,957

980,916

804,120

Total Revenue

$

470,127

$

413,117

$

2,148,069

$

1,861,522

Segment Operating Earnings

Heavy Materials:

Cement (Wholly Owned)

$

33,477

$

20,720

$

243,288

$

227,068

Cement (Joint Venture)

11,843

7,703

35,474

32,488

Concrete and Aggregates

2,559

1,469

18,259

18,467

47,879

29,892

297,021

278,023

Light Materials:

Gypsum Wallboard

91,335

71,051

352,499

261,476

Gypsum Paperboard

8,020

5,936

25,220

12,603

99,355

76,987

377,719

274,079

Sub-total

147,234

106,879

674,740

552,102

Corporate General and Administrative Expense

(15,686)

(13,815)

(53,630)

(46,801)

Loss on Early Retirement of Senior Notes

-

-

-

(8,407)

Other Non-Operating Income

1,743

3,132

2,654

9,073

Earnings Before Interest and Income Taxes

$

133,291

$

96,196

$

623,764

$

505,967

*Excluding Intersegment and Joint Venture Revenue listed on Attachment 3

Attachment 3

Eagle Materials Inc.

Sales Volume, Net Sales Prices and Intersegment and Cement Revenue

(unaudited)

Sales Volume

Quarter Ended
March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

Change

2023

2022

Change

Cement (M Tons):

Wholly Owned

1,086

1,128

-4%

6,399

6,711

-5%

Joint Venture

210

209

0%

734

823

-11%

1,296

1,337

-3%

7,133

7,534

-5%

Concrete (M Cubic Yards)

335

270

+24%

1,545

1,333

+16%

Aggregates (M Tons)

576

342

+68%

2,909

1,525

+91%

Gypsum Wallboard (MMSFs)

756

750

+1%

3,065

2,944

+4%

Paperboard (M Tons):

Internal

37

35

+6%

152

144

+6%

External

43

47

-9%

174

190

-8%

80

82

-2%

326

334

-2%

Average Net Sales Price*

Quarter Ended
March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

Change

2023

2022

Change

Cement (Ton)

$

147.50

$

126.71

+16%

$

134.36

$

119.13

+13%

Concrete (Cubic Yard)

$

136.51

$

124.13

+10%

$

133.34

$

120.97

+10%

Aggregates (Ton)

$

13.07

$

11.12

+18%

$

11.53

$

10.45

+10%

Gypsum Wallboard (MSF)

$

239.39

$

204.20

+17%

$

232.31

$

190.76

+22%

Paperboard (Ton)

$

550.52

$

628.96

-12%

$

590.67

$

558.28

+6%

*Net of freight and delivery costs billed to customers

Intersegment and Cement Revenue

(dollars in thousands)

Quarter Ended
March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Intersegment Revenue:

Cement

$

6,544

$

4,558

$

32,915

$

22,915

Paperboard

21,016

22,585

92,835

82,086

$

27,560

$

27,143

$

125,750

$

105,001

Cement Revenue:

Wholly Owned

$

172,784

$

155,926

$

927,637

$

880,280

Joint Venture

34,453

26,876

113,518

103,899

$

207,237

$

182,802

$

1,041,155

$

984,179

Attachment 4

Eagle Materials Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

March 31,

2023

2022

ASSETS

Current Assets –

Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

15,242

$

19,416

Accounts and Notes Receivable, net

195,052

176,276

Inventories

291,882

236,661

Federal Income Tax Receivable

16,267

7,202

Prepaid and Other Assets

3,060

3,172

Total Current Assets

521,503

442,727

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

1,662,061

1,616,539

Investments in Joint Venture

89,111

80,637

Operating Lease Right of Use Asset

20,759

23,856

Notes Receivable

7,382

8,485

Goodwill and Intangibles

466,043

387,898

Other Assets

14,143

19,510

$

2,781,002

$

2,579,652

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Current Liabilities –

Accounts Payable

$

110,408

$

113,679

Accrued Liabilities

86,472

86,754

Current Portion of Long-Term Debt

10,000

-

Operating Lease Liabilities

6,009

7,118

Total Current Liabilities

212,889

207,551

Long-Term Liabilities

66,543

67,911

Bank Credit Facility

157,000

200,000

Bank Term Loan

182,500

-

2.500% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2031

739,532

738,265

Deferred Income Taxes

236,844

232,369

Stockholders’ Equity –

Preferred Stock, Par Value $0.01; Authorized 5,000,000

Shares; None Issued

-

-

Common Stock, Par Value $0.01; Authorized 100,000,000 Shares;

Issued and Outstanding 35,768,376 and 38,710,929 Shares,
respectively.

358

387

Capital in Excess of Par Value

-

-

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Losses

(3,547)

(3,175)

Retained Earnings

1,188,883

1,136,344

Total Stockholders’ Equity

1,185,694

1,133,556

$

2,781,002

$

2,579,652

Attachment 5

Eagle Materials Inc.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization by Lines of Business

(dollars in thousands)

(unaudited)

The following table presents depreciation, depletion and amortization by lines of business for the quarters and fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Quarter Ended
March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Cement

$

20,750

$

20,077

$

81,643

$

79,560

Concrete and Aggregates

4,459

2,314

17,413

9,656

Gypsum Wallboard

5,205

5,546

21,744

22,024

Paperboard

3,745

3,705

14,942

14,721

Corporate and Other

706

691

2,812

2,850

$

34,865

$

32,333

$

138,554

$

128,811

Attachment 6

Eagle Materials Inc.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

We present Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and Adjusted EBITDA to provide more consistent comparison of operating performance from period to period. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure that provides supplemental information regarding the operating performance of our business without regard to financing methods, capital structures or historical cost basis. Adjusted EBITDA is also a non-GAAP financial measure that further excludes the impact from non-routine items, such as purchase accounting on inventory costs and losses on early retirement of Senior Notes (Non-routine Items) and stock-based compensation. Management uses EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as alternative bases for comparing the operating performance of Eagle from period to period and for purposes of its budgeting and planning processes. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies because other companies may not calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner. Neither EBITDA nor Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income, cash flow from operations, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity in accordance with GAAP. The following shows the calculations of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and reconciles them to net earnings in accordance with GAAP for the quarters and fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:

Quarter Ended
March 31,

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

Net Earnings, as reported

$

100,356

$

74,316

$

461,540

$

374,247

Income Tax Expense

22,606

15,898

127,053

100,847

Interest Expense

10,329

5,982

35,171

30,873

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

34,865

32,333

138,554

128,811

EBITDA

$

168,156

$

128,529

$

762,318

$

634,778

Northern Colorado purchase accounting 1

-

-

2,067

-

Loss on early Retirement of Senior Notes

-

-

-

8,407

Stock-based Compensation 2

3,519

3,627

17,155

14,264

Adjusted EBITDA

$

171,675

$

132,156

$

781,540

$

657,449

1 Represents the cost impact of the fair value markup of acquired inventory.

2 The increase in stock-based compensation is due to the retirement of two senior executives during the first quarter of fiscal 2023.

Attachment 7

Eagle Materials Inc.

Reconciliation of Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA

(unaudited)

(dollars in thousands)

GAAP does not define "Net Debt" and it should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow or liquidity measures defined by GAAP. We define Net Debt as total debt minus cash and cash equivalents to indicate the amount of total debt that would remain if the Company applied the cash and cash equivalents held by it to the payment of outstanding debt. The Company also uses "Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA," which it defines as Net Debt divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months, as a metric of its current leverage position. We present this metric for the convenience of the investment community and rating agencies who use such metrics in their analysis, and for investors who need to understand the metrics we use to assess performance and monitor our cash and liquidity positions.

Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,

2023

2022

Total debt, excluding debt issuance costs

$

1,099,500

$

950,000

Cash and cash equivalents

15,242

19,416

Net Debt

$

1,084,258

$

930,584

Adjusted EBITDA

781,540

657,449

Net Debt to Adjusted EBITDA

1.4x

1.4x

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230518005049/en/

Contacts

For additional information, contact at 214-432-2000.

Michael R. Haack
President and Chief Executive Officer

D. Craig Kesler
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Robert S. Stewart
Executive Vice President, Strategy, Corporate Development and Communications