UFP Industries, Inc. has recently announced fourth quarter 2024 results including net sales of $1.46 billion, net earnings attributable to controlling interest of $68.0 million, and earnings per diluted share of $1.12. The company also announced net sales of $6.7 billion and earnings per diluted share of $6.77 for fiscal 2024. These results include the impact of impairment charges and severances of approximately $0.11 per diluted share (net of income taxes) associated with ongoing actions to reduce capacity and personnel costs due to lower overall market demand, and a gain on the sale of real estate of approximately $.03 per diluted share (net of income taxes).
“The second half of 2024 proved more challenging than expected, as we continued to face softer demand and a more competitive pricing environment in the fourth quarter. Despite these market headwinds, 2024 marked the 70th consecutive profitable year for the company, which highlights the resiliency of our businesses and our people. It has been an incredible pleasure to work with and help lead such a great team, and I am grateful for their hard work and determination, with the goal of always being the best. In times like these, they are addressing challenges head-on and making the tough decisions that will enable us to grow further and faster when our markets find a more stable footing. Although we expect the challenging economy to persist in 2025, our balanced business model, variable incentive compensation program, growth and improvement strategies, and strong balance sheet will help drive our success. I am very confident that Will Schwartz, Mike Cole and our great team of leaders will drive even greater success in the future while maintaining the team culture of employee growth and opportunity in pursuit of elite performance.”
Matthew J. Missad, Executive Chairman, UFP Industries
On December 29, 2024, Will Schwartz replaced Matt Missad as CEO, and Landon Tarvin succeeded Will as president of UFP Retail Solutions. Additionally, Will added the role of president, and CFO Mike Cole expanded his duties to include president of corporate services.
“I feel honored to step into the role as CEO at UFP Industries and help build on the company’s incredibly rich history. Our team is focused on investing in our most promising growth opportunities and businesses that will generate the highest long-term returns. Bringing new, value-added products to market remains a key focus across the enterprise, and we’ll showcase a few of our latest innovations, including our new Deckorators product lines made with Surestone technology, at the International Builders’ Show next week. We’ll also prioritize improving the value we bring to our customers and driving returns across our portfolio through investments in automation, new value-added product introductions, and plant optimization. Finally, as we manage through this uncertain environment, we will carefully manage our profitability and remain on track to achieve cost savings of $60 million by the end of 2026.”
Will Schwartz, CEO, UFP Industries
Fourth Quarter 2024 Highlights (comparisons on a year-over-year basis except where noted):
- Net sales of $1.46 billion decreased 4 percent due to a 4 percent decrease in selling prices.
- New product sales of $102 million were 7.0 percent of total sales compared to 7.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2023.
- Net earnings attributable to controlling interests of $68.0 million represents a 34 percent decrease from last year.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $132.7 million in the quarter or 9.1 percent of sales, compared to $165.6 million or 10.9 percent of sales for the same period a year ago.
Fiscal 2024 Highlights
- Net sales of $6.7 billion decreased 8 percent due to a 1 percent decrease in organic unit sales and a 7 percent decrease in selling prices. The price of Southern Yellow Pine (SYP), which comprises approximately two-thirds of our lumber purchases, decreased 14 percent and contributed to the decrease in our selling prices.
- New product sales of $505 million were 7.6 percent of total sales compared to 7.9 percent in fiscal 2023. Many products that were considered new products in 2023 were sunset and not included in 2024 totals. In 2024, the company also increased the margin threshold for new products, disqualifying certain product lines because they no longer met the company’s growth and margin requirements to be classified as new products.
- Net earnings attributable to controlling interests of $414.6 million represents a 19 percent decrease from last year.
- Adjusted EBITDA was $682.3 million for the year or 10.3 percent of sales, compared to $810 million or 11.2 percent of sales for the same period a year ago.
Capital Allocation
UFP Industries maintains a strong balance sheet with nearly $1.2 billion in cash as of December 28, 2024, compared to $1.1 billion in cash at the end of 2023. As of December 28, 2024, the company had approximately $2.5 billion of liquidity consisting of cash, remaining availability under the revolving credit facility, and remaining borrowing capacity provided by a shelf agreement with certain lenders. The company’s return-focused approach to capital allocation includes the following:
- Acquisitions and Organic Growth. The company seeks strategic acquisitions and invests in organic growth opportunities when acquisition targets are not available at valuations that will allow us to meet or exceed targeted return rates. On December 23, 2024, the company acquired C&L Wood Products, Inc. (C&L), a manufacturer of pallets based in Hartselle, Alabama. C&L expands the geographic footprint of the company’s PalletOne subsidiary into northern Alabama and central Tennessee.
In 2024, the company announced up to $1 billion in capital investments through 2028 for automation, technology upgrades, geographic expansion and increased capacity at existing facilities, specifically for its Deckorators and Site Built business units and its Packaging segment. The company expects to invest approximately $350 million in capital projects in 2025.
- Dividend payments. On February 13, 2025, the UFP Industries Board of Directors approved a quarterly dividend payment of $0.35 per share, a 6 percent increase over the quarterly dividend of $0.33 per share paid throughout 2024. The dividend is payable on March 17, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 3, 2025.
- Share repurchases. On July 24, 2024, the UFP Industries Board of Directors authorized the company to repurchase up to $200 million of shares through July 31, 2025. Since that date, the company repurchased 9,322 shares for $1 million at an average share price of $111.81 under this new authorization during the fourth quarter; during January 2025, 62,900 shares were repurchased for $7.0 million at an average share price of $111.27.