Avner Applbaum

Chief Executive Officer, President & Director, Valmont

Search every verified Avner Applbaum interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. At the Gabelli 16th Annual Omaha Value Investor Conference on May 17, 2025, Applbaum stated that his initial focus as CEO was renewing the company's emphasis on its core business, embedding commercial and operational excellence. He said the company is now moving into a phase of accelerating growth by investing in plants to capitalize on what he described as "undeniable mega trends." Applbaum noted that the utility infrastructure market is "booming" and that Valmont is on a three-year program to invest about $100 million in capital expenditures for growth, which he said would generate over $100 million in annual new revenue. Applbaum discussed the company's approach to tariffs and trade uncertainty, stating that Valmont is "cost neutral and earnings neutral" due to localized supply chains and sourcing US steel. He highlighted that the telecom business grew 30% year-over-year in the prior quarter and is one of the company's highest margin businesses. Regarding capital allocation, Applbaum said the company is disciplined and focused on return on invested capital (ROIC), with a $700 million share repurchase authorization planned over three to five years, of which $75 million had been purchased in the first few weeks of the first quarter. He expressed optimism about the company's future, citing potential for mid-single-digit growth over several years and operating margins approaching 15%.