Universal (UVV) Small-Cap Virtual Conference summary

Company Overview and Strategic Direction

• Operates as a global B2B agriproducts supplier with a presence in over 30 countries across five continents, focusing on both tobacco and plant-based ingredients.

• Core business is global leaf tobacco supply, providing consistent cash flows and forming the backbone of operations.

• Growth strategy centers on maximizing tobacco business, expanding plant-based ingredients, increasing sales volumes, and pursuing value chain opportunities through organic growth and acquisitions.

• Emphasizes operational efficiencies, financial management, leveraging technology (including AI), and connecting tobacco and ingredients businesses.

• Maintains a flexible supply chain with sustainability practices embedded throughout operations.

Tobacco Business Strengths and Market Dynamics

• Holds a leading, defensible position among global leaf suppliers, with operational scale, sustainability programs, and a broad customer base.

• Maintains strong relationships with contracted farmers, ensuring reliable sourcing, quality, and traceability.

• Key strengths include sourcing, agronomy, processing, logistics, and the ability to process a wide range of tobacco products, including next-generation items like liquid nicotine.

• Invests in grower education, seed R&D, and robust monitoring to ensure quality and compliance.

• Seasonality impacts financial results, with most sales and shipments occurring in the second half of the fiscal year.

Ingredients Business Development and Growth

• Entered the plant-based ingredients market through strategic acquisitions, including FruitSmart, Silva International, and Shank's Extracts.

• Offers a broad, primarily plant-based portfolio including juices, purees, dehydrated vegetables, herbs, spices, flavors, and nutraceuticals, with customized solutions and innovative technology.

• Invested in R&D, product development, and facility expansion, including a $30+ million upgrade for extracts and flavors.

• Achieves synergies across acquired companies and invests in advanced processing and packaging technologies.

• Targets diverse end markets such as food, beverage, animal nutrition, food service, retail, and specialty ingredients.