About Cabling Installation & Maintenance

Our mission: Bringing practical business and technical intelligence to today's structured cabling professionals

For more than 30 years, Cabling Installation & Maintenance has provided useful, practical information to professionals responsible for the specification, design, installation and management of structured cabling systems serving enterprise, data center and other environments. These professionals are challenged to stay informed of constantly evolving standards, system-design and installation approaches, product and system capabilities, technologies, as well as applications that rely on high-performance structured cabling systems. Our editors synthesize these complex issues into multiple information products. This portfolio of information products provides concrete detail that improves the efficiency of day-to-day operations, and equips cabling professionals with the perspective that enables strategic planning for networks’ optimum long-term performance.

Throughout our annual magazine, weekly email newsletters and 24/7/365 website, Cabling Installation & Maintenance digs into the essential topics our audience focuses on.

  • Design, Installation and Testing: We explain the bottom-up design of cabling systems, from case histories of actual projects to solutions for specific problems or aspects of the design process. We also look at specific installations using a case-history approach to highlight challenging problems, solutions and unique features. Additionally, we examine evolving test-and-measurement technologies and techniques designed to address the standards-governed and practical-use performance requirements of cabling systems.
  • Technology: We evaluate product innovations and technology trends as they impact a particular product class through interviews with manufacturers, installers and users, as well as contributed articles from subject-matter experts.
  • Data Center: Cabling Installation & Maintenance takes an in-depth look at design and installation workmanship issues as well as the unique technology being deployed specifically for data centers.
  • Physical Security: Focusing on the areas in which security and IT—and the infrastructure for both—interlock and overlap, we pay specific attention to Internet Protocol’s influence over the development of security applications.
  • Standards: Tracking the activities of North American and international standards-making organizations, we provide updates on specifications that are in-progress, looking forward to how they will affect cabling-system design and installation. We also produce articles explaining the practical aspects of designing and installing cabling systems in accordance with the specifications of established standards.

Cabling Installation & Maintenance is published by Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

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TREX Q2 Deep Dive: New Products and Manufacturing Efficiency Offset Margin Pressures

TREX Cover Image

Composite decking and railing products manufacturer Trex Company (NYSE: TREX) reported Q2 CY2025 results beating Wall Street’s revenue expectations, with sales up 3% year on year to $387.8 million. On the other hand, next quarter’s revenue guidance of $300 million was less impressive, coming in 1% below analysts’ estimates. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.73 per share was 2.8% above analysts’ consensus estimates.

Is now the time to buy TREX? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

Trex (TREX) Q2 CY2025 Highlights:

  • Revenue: $387.8 million vs analyst estimates of $377.1 million (3% year-on-year growth, 2.8% beat)
  • Adjusted EPS: $0.73 vs analyst estimates of $0.71 (2.8% beat)
  • Adjusted EBITDA: $122 million vs analyst estimates of $117.9 million (31.5% margin, 3.5% beat)
  • Revenue Guidance for Q3 CY2025 is $300 million at the midpoint, below analyst estimates of $303.1 million
  • Operating Margin: 26.4%, down from 31.1% in the same quarter last year
  • Organic Revenue rose 3% year on year vs analyst estimates of flat growth (351 basis point beat)
  • Market Capitalization: $6.55 billion

StockStory’s Take

Trex’s second quarter results were marked by solid execution despite unfavorable weather and a soft repair and remodel market. Management attributed the quarter’s performance to the strong demand for its composite and aluminum railing products, continued market share gains from wood alternatives, and new product introductions across decking lines. CEO Bryan Fairbanks highlighted that “products launched within the last 36 months continue to represent 22% of quarterly sales, significantly ahead of the 13% contribution in the same period last year,” emphasizing the role of recent product innovation and expanded offerings in offsetting external challenges.

Looking ahead, Trex’s outlook is shaped by ongoing production efficiency initiatives, the ramp-up of its Arkansas manufacturing facility, and expectations for continued market share gains in wood-to-composite conversions. Management remains cautious regarding consumer spending and the broader housing environment, but believes operational improvements and a robust new product pipeline support the company’s growth targets. CFO Brenda Lovcik noted, “We expect strong year-over-year comparisons in the second half, driven by improved production levels from level loading and the ongoing benefits of our continuous improvement initiatives,” suggesting that execution on these fronts will be critical in the coming quarters.

Key Insights from Management’s Remarks

Management attributed the quarter’s performance to a combination of resilient demand for new products, operational enhancements, and share gains from wood alternatives, while also acknowledging ongoing cost pressures and strategic investments.

  • New product traction: Products introduced within the past three years accounted for 22% of quarterly sales, with expanded offerings in the Lineage and Select decking lines and the integration of heat-mitigating technology supporting growth.
  • Manufacturing efficiency gains: The new Arkansas plastic processing facility exceeded initial production and yield expectations, delivering cost reductions by lessening reliance on external plastic pellet purchases and supporting sustainability efforts.
  • Level-loading production strategy: Trex’s shift to a steady production model reduced volatility in quarterly results but led to lower gross margins in the first half; management expects benefits in the second half as operational efficiency improves.
  • Channel and market expansion: Strong dealer conversions and increased penetration in the Western U.S. drove sales momentum, while home center partners gained additional shelf space for Trex’s expanded railing portfolio.
  • Price actions and cost headwinds: A mid-single-digit price increase was implemented across many decking products to offset tariffs and input cost inflation, although margin pressures remained due to one-time expenses and production shifts.

Drivers of Future Performance

Trex’s forward-looking guidance hinges on optimizing production efficiency, expanding product lines, and managing ongoing consumer and macroeconomic uncertainties.

  • Production and cost optimization: Management expects the Arkansas facility and level-loading strategy to yield higher gross margins and EBITDA in the second half, as one-time costs decline and manufacturing output stabilizes.
  • Ongoing product innovation: Continued launches of decking and railing products with features like heat-mitigating technology are expected to drive market share gains from wood and support revenue growth, even in a subdued repair and remodel environment.
  • Market and consumer risks: Management remains watchful of consumer sentiment and housing market softness, with CEO Bryan Fairbanks noting that persistent economic unease could limit demand growth, especially among lower-end consumers.

Catalysts in Upcoming Quarters

In the upcoming quarters, the StockStory team will be monitoring (1) the continued ramp-up and efficiency gains from the Arkansas manufacturing facility, (2) the pace of new product launches and their adoption in both Pro and DIY channels, and (3) the company’s ability to defend and expand distribution with key home center and dealer partners. Execution on cost control and successful management of consumer demand fluctuations will also be key indicators.

Trex currently trades at $61.12, down from $64.48 just before the earnings. In the wake of this quarter, is it a buy or sell? Find out in our full research report (it’s free).

Stocks That Trumped Tariffs

Donald Trump’s April 2025 "Liberation Day" tariffs sent markets into a tailspin, but stocks have since rebounded strongly, proving that knee-jerk reactions often create the best buying opportunities.

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