Summit Materials, Inc. announced results for the first quarter ended March 30. Net revenue increased $366.0 million, or 89.9% in the first quarter to $773.2 million, including the partial quarter impact of the Argos USA assets. In the quarter, $378.5 million of revenue was recognized from recent acquisitions which more than offset a decrease of $21.7 million in net revenue related to divestitures. Organic prices increased across all lines of business.
Operating loss increased in the first quarter to $44.9 million, driven exclusively by $61.3 million of transaction and integration costs related to the Argos USA transaction. Summit’s operating margin percentage for the three months ended March 30, decreased to (5.8)% from (3.8)%, from the comparable period a year ago primarily reflecting the aforementioned transaction and integration costs related to the Argos USA transaction.
Net loss attributable to Summit Inc. increased to $66.9 million, or $(0.40) per basic share, compared to $30.8 million, or $(0.26) per basic share in the comparable prior year period. Summit reported adjusted diluted net loss of $19.9 million, or $(0.12) per adjusted diluted share, compared to an adjusted diluted net loss of $30.7 million, or $(0.26) per adjusted diluted share, in the prior year period.
Anne Noonan
“I am delighted to report that our transformative combination with Argos USA is off to a strong start as we effectively, swiftly and safely move to integrate our two businesses,” remarked Anne Noonan, Summit Materials president and CEO. “This progress, together with a better than anticipated first quarter, improved synergy visibility, and a positive outlook allows us to increase the lower end of our full year 2024 guidance range. Today’s updated outlook reflects our view that pricing momentum is healthy and persistent across our businesses, cost headwinds are decelerating, and demand conditions, in general, are accommodating of material margin expansion in 2024. We expect this, combined with meaningful synergies, self-help operational improvements, and a more profitable portfolio will catalyze superior value creation for Summit shareholders. Moreover, with our leverage well below target we have a balance sheet that complements a promising pipeline of accretive, aggregates-oriented acquisition targets and the organization is well positioned to continue its financial and strategic progress in the year ahead.”
Aggregates net revenues increased by $1.9 million to $145.5 million in the first quarter. Aggregates adjusted cash gross profit margin was 40.5% in the first quarter as compared to 35.0% in the prior year period. Aggregates sales volume decreased 7.3% in the first quarter. Organic aggregates sales volumes decreased 8.3% reflecting poor weather conditions in many markets and restrained residential activity.
Average selling prices for aggregates increased 10.8%, reflecting both carry-over pricing from 2023 as well as price increases implemented across markets to start the year. Pricing growth was strongest in the East Segment, but both the West and East Segments recognized double-digit price increase over the prior year period.
Cement Segment net revenues increased to $231.8 million in the first quarter. Cement Segment adjusted cash gross profit margin increased to 30.6% in the first quarter, compared to 9.6% in the prior year period, driven by pricing gains, operational efficiencies, and favorable year-on-year kiln fuel costs.
Sales volume of cement increased 416.0% on a nominal basis and decreased 2.7% organically on unfavorable weather conditions. Organic average selling prices increased 5.6% in the first quarter due pricing actions implemented in 2023 and price increases that went into effect at the beginning of 2024.
Products net revenues were $359.1 million in the first quarter, up 100.0% versus the prior year period. Products adjusted cash gross profit margin decreased to 12.3% in the first quarter. Organic average sales price for ready-mix concrete increased 8.3%, driven by pricing growth across all markets, including key markets of Houston and Salt Lake City.
Organic sales volumes of ready-mix concrete decreased 15.1% due to reduced residential activity. Organic average selling prices for asphalt increased 5.8%, due to pricing gains both the West and East Segment. Organic asphalt sales volume increased 9.4%, fueled by public infrastructure growth.
