How Vulcan Materials performed in 2017

By |  February 17, 2018

Vulcan Materials Co. released its full-year 2017 results, reporting that total revenues were up about 8 percent and that aggregate sales jumped $134 million on the year to $3.1 billion.

In the fourth quarter, Vulcan’s revenues were 12 percent higher compared with the prior year’s fourth quarter. Aggregate sales were up 8 percent in the quarter, the company reports.

Vulcan’s 2017 gross profit was $1.0 billion, in line with the prior year.

“Fourth-quarter aggregates shipments showed encouraging momentum,” says Tom Hill, chairman and CEO of Vulcan. “Same-store daily shipment rates were up 8 percent in November and 11 percent in December after being down 3 percent in storm-impacted October.”

Hill

In the fourth quarter, total aggregate shipments grew 7 percent and aggregate pricing, adjusted for mix, improved 2 percent, the company adds. Aggregate production costs were negatively affected by lingering effects from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, as well as by Tropical Storm Nate, rising diesel and distribution costs, and production inefficiencies at certain facilities.

Fourth-quarter shipments improved considerably in California and across the Southeast, the company adds, with most markets experiencing double-digit gains. In contrast, shipment rates continued to lag in Houston and other storm-impacted Gulf Coast markets.

“We expect fourth-quarter shipment growth to continue into 2018,” says Hill, who offered additional insights on the year ahead in a call with investors. “Private demand in Vulcan-served markets continues to recover, and public demand appears to be firming up after a disappointing 2017. The pricing climate for our materials remains positive, supported by solid demand visibility, rising diesel prices, rising cement prices and expanding contractor margins.”

Kevin Yanik

About the Author:

Kevin Yanik is editor-in-chief of Pit & Quarry. He can be reached at 216-706-3724 or kyanik@northcoastmedia.net.

Comments are closed