Knife River Corp (KNF)
SIC breadcrumb: Mining > SIC Major Group 14 > SIC 1400 Mining & Quarrying of Nonmetallic Minerals (No Fuels)
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1955520. Latest filing source: 0001955520-26-000003.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Business
Read KNF's verbatim Item 1 Business section from its latest 10-K: Business.
Risk Factors
Read KNF's verbatim Item 1A Risk Factors from its latest 10-K: Risk Factors.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 3,146,012,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-20 |
| Net income | 157,074,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-20 |
| Assets | 3,650,113,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-20 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-20. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001955520.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 2,228,930,000 | 2,534,729,000 | 2,830,350,000 | 2,899,005,000 | 3,146,012,000 | |
| Net income | 129,755,000 | 116,220,000 | 182,872,000 | 201,678,000 | 157,074,000 | |
| Operating income | 191,077,000 | 194,295,000 | 296,397,000 | 316,194,000 | 285,874,000 | |
| Gross profit | 346,949,000 | 360,894,000 | 538,935,000 | 569,829,000 | 577,329,000 | |
| Diluted EPS | 2.29 | 2.05 | 3.23 | 3.55 | 2.76 | |
| Operating cash flow | 181,240,000 | 207,444,000 | 335,726,000 | 322,324,000 | 278,475,000 | |
| Capital expenditures | 174,229,000 | 178,162,000 | 124,283,000 | 172,427,000 | 348,041,000 | |
| Assets | 2,181,824,000 | 2,294,319,000 | 2,599,813,000 | 2,851,202,000 | 3,650,113,000 | |
| Liabilities | 1,265,730,000 | 1,333,801,000 | 1,375,117,000 | 2,009,173,000 | ||
| Stockholders' equity | 878,244,000 | 952,844,000 | 1,028,589,000 | 1,266,012,000 | 1,476,085,000 | 1,640,940,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 219,324,000 | 236,799,000 | 73,821,000 | |||
| Free cash flow | 7,011,000 | 29,282,000 | 211,443,000 | 149,897,000 | -69,566,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 5.82% | 4.59% | 6.46% | 6.96% | 4.99% | |
| Operating margin | 8.57% | 7.67% | 10.47% | 10.91% | 9.09% | |
| Return on equity | 13.62% | 11.30% | 14.44% | 13.66% | 9.57% | |
| Return on assets | 5.95% | 5.07% | 7.03% | 7.07% | 4.30% | |
| Liabilities / equity | 1.23 | 1.05 | 0.93 | 1.22 | ||
| Current ratio | 1.18 | 2.63 | 2.67 | 2.54 |
Industry Peer Context
Net margin peer context
Operating margin peer context
ROE peer context
ROA peer context
Financial Bridges
Income statement bridge from reported figures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Revenue: accession 0001955520-26-000003; concept Revenues; source concepts us-gaap:Revenues | Gross profit: accession 0001955520-26-000003; concept GrossProfit; source concepts us-gaap:GrossProfit | Operating income: accession 0001955520-26-000003; concept OperatingIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss | Net income: accession 0001955520-26-000003; concept NetIncomeLoss; source concepts us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Free cash flow = operating cash flow - capital expenditures
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts FY 2025. Operating cash flow: accession 0001955520-26-000003; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities | Capital expenditures: accession 0001955520-26-000003; concept PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets | Free cash flow: accession 0001955520-26-000003; concept NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets; source concepts us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets
Financial Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: OperatingIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: GrossProfit. Source concepts: us-gaap:GrossProfit.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: Assets. Source concepts: us-gaap:Assets.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: Liabilities. Source concepts: us-gaap:Liabilities.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: StockholdersEquity. Source concepts: us-gaap:StockholdersEquity.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue. Source concepts: us-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2025 ended 2025-12-31; accession 0001955520-26-000003; filed 2026-02-20. Concept: NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities - PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities; us-gaap:PaymentsToAcquireProductiveAssets.
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-05. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001955520.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-03-31 | -41,320,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 785,189,000 | 1.00 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-06-30 | 56,836,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 1,090,372,000 | 2.58 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 646,888,000 | 20,701,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 329,590,000 | -47,629,000 | -0.84 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-03-31 | -47,629,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 806,906,000 | 1.37 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-06-30 | 77,929,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 1,105,293,000 | 2.60 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 657,216,000 | 23,273,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 353,471,000 | -68,710,000 | -1.21 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-03-31 | -68,710,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 833,759,000 | 0.89 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-06-30 | 50,603,000 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 1,203,717,000 | 2.52 | reported discrete quarter | |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 755,064,000 | 32,030,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 410,131,000 | -79,176,000 | -1.40 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-030688; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: Revenues. Source concepts: us-gaap:Revenues.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-030688; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: NetIncomeLoss. Source concepts: us-gaap:NetIncomeLoss.
Figure provenance: SEC companyfacts. Latest point: FY 2026 ended 2026-03-31; accession 0001628280-26-030688; filed 2026-05-05. Concept: EarningsPerShareDiluted. Source concepts: us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted.
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001628280-26-030688.
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act"). Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation those statements that are identified by the words "anticipates," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts" and similar expressions, and include statements concerning plans, projections, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions (many of which are based, in turn, upon further assumptions) and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. From time to time, Knife River Corporation ("Knife River," the "Company," "we," "our," or "us") may publish or otherwise make available forward-looking statements of this nature, including statements related to its Competitive EDGE strategy (EDGE) implemented to improve margins and to execute on other strategic initiatives aimed at generating long-term profitable growth, shareholder value creation, expected long-term goals, expected backlog margin, acquisitions, financing plans, expected federal and state funding for infrastructure or other proposed strategies.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and are believed to have a reasonable basis, including without limitation, management's examination of historical operating trends, data contained in our records and other data available from third parties. Nonetheless, our expectations, beliefs or projections may not be achieved or accomplished and changes in such assumptions and factors could cause actual future results to differ materially.
Any forward-looking statement contained in this document speaks only as of the date on which the statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances that occur after the date on which the statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all the factors, nor can it assess the effect of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. All forward-looking statements, whether written or oral and whether made by or on behalf of our Company, are expressly qualified by the risk factors and cautionary statements reported in the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of the Company's 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K (Annual Report) and subsequent filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Company Overview
At Knife River, we are a people-first construction materials and contracting services company. We provide construction materials and contracting services to build safe roads, bridges, airport runways and other critical infrastructure needs that connect people with where they want to go and with the supplies they need. We also champion a positive workplace culture by focusing on safety, training, compensation and work-life balance.
We are one of the leading providers of crushed stone and sand and gravel in the United States and operate through four reportable segments across 15 states: West, Mountain, Central and Energy Services. The geographic segments primarily provide aggregates, asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as related contracting services such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt paving, concrete construction, site development and grading. The Energy Services segment produces and supplies liquid asphalt and related services, primarily for use in asphalt road construction.
As an aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services company, we have 1.3 billion tons of aggregate reserves supporting our vertically integrated business strategy. About 35 percent of these aggregates are used internally to support value-added downstream products like ready-mix concrete and asphalt, as well as contracting services such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt paving, concrete construction, bridges and in some segments the manufacturing of prestressed concrete products. Our strategically located aggregate sites and associated asphalt and ready-mix plants near mid-sized, higher-growth markets offer transportation advantages, enabling competitive pricing and higher margins. We serve both public and private markets, with public projects making up most of our work and providing stability through economic cycles, which helps offset the cyclical nature of the private markets.
22
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We provide various products and services and operate a variety of facility types, including aggregate quarries and mines, ready-mix concrete plants, asphalt plants and distribution facilities, in the following states:
•West: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington
•Mountain: Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming
•Central: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas
•Energy Services: California, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming
The following table presents a summary of products and services provided, as well as modes of transporting those products:
| Products and Services | Modes of Transportation | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precast/ | |||||||||||
| Ready-Mix | Construction | Prestressed | Liquid | Heavy | |||||||
| Aggregates | Asphalt | Concrete | Services | Concrete | Asphalt | Cement | Equipment | Trucking | Rail | Barge | |
| West | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |
| Mountain | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||
| Central | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||
| Energy Services | X | X | X |
Market Conditions and Outlook
Federal and state funding remains strong for a majority of our markets with approximately 80 percent of our historical contracting services revenue each year coming from public-sector projects, enhancing stability through market cycles. For more information on factors that may negatively impact our business, see the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in Part I of the Company's 2025 Annual Report.
Backlog. Our contracting services backlog was as follows:
| March 31, 2026 | March 31, 2025 | December 31, 2025 | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||
| West | $ | 180.3 | $ | 242.1 | $ | 203.6 | ||
| Mountain | 500.4 | 418.3 | 395.7 | |||||
| Central | 488.1 | 278.3 | 432.8 | |||||
| $ | 1,168.8 | $ | 938.7 | $ | 1,032.1 |
Expected margins on backlog at March 31, 2026, were lower compared to the expected margins on backlog at March 31, 2025. Of the $1.2 billion of backlog at March 31, 2026, we expect to complete approximately $914 million in the 12 months following March 31, 2026. Approximately 88 percent of our backlog at March 31, 2026, is related to publicly funded projects, including street and highway construction projects, which are driven primarily by public works projects for state departments of transportation (DOT). Further, there continues to be infrastructure development, as discussed in the following section on Public Funding, which is expected to continue to provide bidding opportunities in our markets.
Period-over-period increases or decreases in backlog may not be indicative of future revenues, margins, net income or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion and amortization (EBITDA). See the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in Part I of the Company's 2025 Annual Report for a list of factors that can cause revenues to be realized in periods and at levels that are different from originally projected.
Public Funding. Funding for public projects is dependent on federal and state funding, such as appropriations to the Federal Highway Administration. Currently, states have continued moving forward with allocating funds from federal programs, such as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which is authorized to provide $1.2 trillion in funding from 2022 through 2026. As of March 2026, approximately 43 percent of IIJA formula funding had yet to be spent in our 15 state operating market. While each market is unique, the DOT budgets in most of the states where we operate remain strong. Eleven of our 15 states have record DOT budgets for the 2026 fiscal year, representing a combined 15 percent increase over 2025.
In 2025, the American Society of Civil Engineers published its 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, assigning the United States roads a "D+" grade and estimating that between 2024 and 2033, the country will require more funding than what is currently authorized. It is estimated that a total of $2.2 trillion in funding will be needed for our roadway systems to reach a state of good repair during that time period.
Profitability. The management team consistently monitors profit margins and has adopted a proactive approach in supporting long-term profitability objectives and creating shareholder value. In 2023, we launched our EDGE initiatives and established specialized
23
Index
teams to deliver training, support higher-margin bidding opportunities across regions and pursue targeted growth opportunities. Process Improvement Teams ("PIT Crews") have focused on improving operational efficiencies, reducing production costs across our materials product lines and optimizing product quality. In addition, we are rolling out new technologies designed to increase productivity and provide enhanced, real-time visibility into daily operations.
We could be subject to downward pressure on our margins due to competitive forces and fluctuations in the prices of raw materials, including diesel fuel, gasoline, natural gas, liquid asphalt, cement and steel. To help offset these pressures, we have utilized various mitigation strategies, such as dynamic pricing, energy escalation clauses in our contracting services contracts, securing materials in advance including the prepurchasing of diesel, fuel surcharges and pursuing other cost-saving measures. During the first quarter of 2026, our teams were successful with these mitigating controls and we have not seen a material impact to our results of operations as a result of the conflict in Iran. We will continue to monitor the effects these economic conditions could have on our business.
Growth. Our management team continues to evaluate growth opportunities, both through organic growth and acquisitions they believe will generate shareholder value. Our business development team is focused on our growth with materials-led businesses in mid-size, higher growth markets, and has several targets at various stages of completion in our acquisition pipeline. During the first quarter of 2026, we finalized three acquisitions within the Mountain region. Two of these transactions will allow us to broaden our presence in Montana, enhancing our ability to supply aggregates and ready-mix concrete to the expanding market in western Montana. Additionally, the acquisition of Morgan Asphalt marks our entry into the Utah market. This acquisition includes aggregate crushing and production operations with reserves projected to last over 30 years, an asphalt manufacturing facility and a range of contracting services such as asphalt paving, excavation and grading, serving both public and private sector customers.
In addition, we are investing in multiple organic projects, including an aggregates expansio
[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Among other things, those financial statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the financial data included in the following discussion. Certain percentages presented in this discussion and analysis are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts and therefore may not recalculate from the rounded numbers used for disclosure purposes. This discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, operations and industry that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements regarding management’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Future results and financial condition may differ materially from those currently anticipated as a result of the factors described under the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Overview
At Knife River, we are a people-first construction materials and contracting services company. We provide construction materials and contracting services to build safe roads, bridges and airport runways, and other critical infrastructure needs that connect people with where they want to go and with the supplies they need. We also champion a positive workplace culture by focusing on safety, training, compensation and work-life balance.
We are one of the leading providers of crushed stone and sand and gravel in the United States and operate through four reportable segments, across 14 states: West, Mountain, Central and Energy Services. The geographic segments primarily provide aggregates, asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as related contracting services such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt paving, concrete construction, site development and grading. The Energy Services segment produces and supplies liquid asphalt and related services, primarily for use in asphalt road construction.
As an aggregates-based construction materials and contracting services provider in the United States, our 1.3 billion tons of aggregate reserves provide the foundation for a vertically integrated business strategy, with approximately 35 percent of our aggregates in 2025 being used internally to support value-added downstream products (ready-mix concrete and asphalt) and contracting services (heavy-civil construction, laydown, asphalt paving, concrete construction, site development and grading services, bridges, and in some segments the manufacturing of prestressed concrete products). Our aggregate sites and associated asphalt and ready-mix plants are primarily in strategic locations near mid-sized, higher-growth markets, providing us with a transportation advantage for our materials that supports competitive pricing and increased margins. We provide our products and services to both public and private markets, with public markets tending to be more stable across economic cycles, which helps offset the cyclical nature of the private markets.
34
Index
We provide various products and services and operate a variety of facility types, including aggregate quarries and mines, ready-mix concrete plants, asphalt plants and distribution facilities in the following states:
•West: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington
•Mountain: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
•Central: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas
•Energy Services: California, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming
The following table presents a summary of products and services provided, as well as modes of transporting those products:
| Products and Services | Modes of Transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregates | Asphalt | Ready-MixConcrete | ConstructionServices | Precast/PrestressedConcrete | LiquidAsphalt | Cement | HeavyEquipment | Trucking | Rail | Barge | |||||||||||
| West | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||
| Mountain | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||
| Central | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||
| Energy Services | X | X | X |
Basis of Presentation
On May 31, 2023, we became a stand-alone publicly traded company. Prior to the Separation, we operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Centennial and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of MDU Resources and not as a stand-alone company. The financial statements for all periods are presented on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions between the businesses comprising Knife River have been eliminated in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements. For additional information related to the basis of presentation, see Item 8 - Note 1.
In January 2025, we made a change to our organizational structure to better align with our business strategy. We reorganized our business segments to reflect changes in the way our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance, makes operating decisions and allocates resources. Our former Pacific and Northwest operating segments were combined to form the new West operating segment. Our former North Central and South operating segments were combined to form the new Central operating segment. The reorganization resulted in four operating segments: West, Mountain, Central and Energy Services, each of which is also a reportable segment. Each segment’s performance is evaluated based on segment results without allocating corporate expenses, which include corporate costs associated with accounting, legal, treasury, business development, information technology, human resources, and other corporate expenses that support the operating segments. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the current reportable segment presentation.
35
Index
Market Conditions and Outlook
Our markets remain resilient, and construction activity remains generally strong. Approximately 80 percent of our contracting services revenue each year comes from public-sector projects, enhancing stability through market cycles. For more information on factors that may negatively impact our business, see the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors."
Backlog. Contracting services backlog was as follows as of December 31:
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| West | $ | 203.6 | $ | 230.2 | $ | 247.4 | ||||
| Mountain | 395.7 | 339.9 | 256.7 | |||||||
| Central | 432.8 | 175.5 | 158.1 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 1,032.1 | $ | 745.6 | $ | 662.2 |
Backlog as of December 31, 2025, was 38 percent percent higher than the prior period with lower expected margins. Of the $1.0 billion of backlog at December 31, 2025, we expect to complete an estimated $768.8 million, or 75 percent, during 2026. Approximately 89 percent of our backlog as of December 31, 2025, relates to publicly funded projects, including street and highway construction projects, which are driven primarily by public works projects for state departments of transportation. Further, there continues to be infrastructure development across our segments, which is expected to provide bidding opportunities in our markets throughout 2026.
Period-over-period increases or decreases in backlog may not be indicative of future revenues, margins, net income or EBITDA. For a discussion of EBITDA and EBITDA margin, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this section. While we believe the current backlog of work remains firm, prolonged delays in the receipt of critical supplies and materials, among other things, could result in customers seeking to delay or terminate existing or pending agreements and could reduce expected margins. See the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for a list of factors that can cause revenues or margins to be realized in periods and at levels that are different from originally projected.
Public Funding. Funding for public projects is dependent on federal and state funding, such as appropriations to the Federal Highway Administration. States have moved forward with allocating funds from federal programs, such as the IIJA, which is authorized to provide $1.2 trillion in funding from 2022 through 2026. As of November 2025, approximately 46 percent of IIJA formula funding had yet to be distributed in our 14-state operating market.
Additionally, DOT budgets in most of the states where we operate remain strong, with ten of our 14 states having record DOT budgets going into the 2026 fiscal year. The North Dakota DOT’s estimated bid lettings for their 2026 construction program is between $745 million and $810 million, which is a significant increase over their 2025 bid lettings of $345 million. We have already seen our contracting services backlog increase in North Dakota, year-over-year, and expect more work yet to bid. Oregon is the one Knife River state that has not finalized its budget for the current biennium, however, their budget has been legislatively approved and is expected to be approximately $6 billion, just short of the record funding from the previous biennium. The Oregon DOT expects its 2026 asphalt paving volumes will be comparable to 2025. We continue to monitor legislative activity in all of our states as they address their infrastructure needs.
In early 2025, the American Society of Civil Engineers published its 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, assigning the United States roads a "D+" grade and estimating that between 2024 and 2033, the country will require more funding than what is currently authorized. It is estimated that a total of $2.2 trillion in funding will be needed for our roadway systems to reach a state of good repair during that time period.
Profitability. Our management team continually monitors our margins and has been proactive in applying strategies to increase margins to support our long-term profitability goals and to create shareholder value. In 2023, we began implementing EDGE initiatives and established teams to deliver training, assist with targeting higher-margin bidding opportunities across the regions and pursue growth opportunities, as well as identifying ways to
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increase efficiencies and reduce costs. The Materials Process Improvement Team (Materials PIT Crew) has rolled out new technologies and training programs to boost productivity and control costs across the product lines and provide more real-time visibility into daily operations.
Under the current tariff environment, we did not experience a material direct impact in 2025. We have clauses in most of our quotes that allows for us to pass-through increased costs associated with tariffs to our customers, and to date, we have been substantially successful with passing those costs on. We continue to closely monitor the effects and changes to these announcements.
Growth. Our management team continues to evaluate growth opportunities, both through organic growth and acquisitions they believe will generate shareholder value. Our business development team is focused on our growth with materials-led businesses in mid-size, higher-growth markets, and has several targets at various stages of completion in our acquisition pipeline. In 2025, we successfully completed the acquisition and integration of five companies expanding our footprint within existing markets, which was an investment of $611.7 million. As a result of these acquisitions, we added approximately 30 years of aggregate reserves, 29 ready-mix plants, 5 asphalt plants and a fleet of equipment and vehicles, as well as skilled construction, materials production and delivery professionals. We expect the additions made to our company in 2025 will provide meaningful volume and margin growth in future periods, as well as provide synergies across the segments. For more information on our acquisitions, see Item 8 - Note 3.
In addition, we continue to invest in multiple organic projects, including an aggregates expansion project in South Dakota that will increase our production capabilities in the Sioux Falls market. This project is scheduled to be operational in 2027. In the first quarter of 2025, we completed construction of a processing plant to manufacture polymer-modified asphalt (PMA) and increased our liquid asphalt storage capacity at our South Dakota terminal, which has allowed us to more cost effectively supply this market. In Twin Falls, Idaho, we are greenfielding new ready-mix operations, which allows us to build a local team in this market, and are expected to be fully operational in the first quarter of 2026.
Consolidated Overview
Revenue includes revenue from the sale of construction materials and contracting services. Revenue for construction materials is recognized at a point in time when delivery of the products has taken place. Contracting services revenue is recognized over time using an input method based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress on a project.
Cost of revenue includes all material, labor and overhead costs incurred in the production process for our products and services. Cost of revenue also includes depreciation, depletion and amortization attributable to the assets used in the production process.
Gross profit includes revenue less cost of revenue, as defined above, and is the difference between revenue and the cost of making a product or providing a service, before deducting selling, general and administrative expenses, income taxes, interest expense and other expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include the costs for estimating, bidding and business development, as well as costs related to corporate and administrative functions. Selling expenses can vary depending on the volume of projects in process and the number of employees assigned to estimating and bidding activities. Other general and administrative expenses include outside services; information technology; depreciation and amortization; training, travel and entertainment; office supplies; healthcare; allowance for expected credit losses; gains or losses on the sale of assets; expenses for the transition services agreement with MDU Resources in 2023; and other miscellaneous expenses.
Other income (expense) includes net periodic benefit costs for our benefit plan expenses, other than service costs; interest income; realized and unrealized gains and losses on our nonqualified benefit plan investments; earnings or losses on joint venture arrangements; and other miscellaneous income or expenses, including income related to the transition services agreement with MDU Resources in 2023.
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Income tax expense consists of corporate income taxes related to our net income. Income taxes are presented at the corporate services level and not at the individual segments. The effective tax rate can be affected by many factors, including changes in tax laws, regulations or rates, new interpretations of existing laws or regulations and changes to our overall levels of income before income tax.
The discussion that follows focuses on the key financial measures we use to evaluate the performance of our business at the consolidated level, which include revenue, EBITDA and EBITDA margin. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures as these are measures of profitability used by management and our chief operating decision maker to assess operating results. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
Comparison for the Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs 2024% change | 2024 vs 2023% change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 3,146.0 | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | 9 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 2,568.7 | 2,329.2 | 2,291.4 | 10 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 577.3 | 569.8 | 538.9 | 1 | % | 6 | % | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 291.5 | 253.6 | 242.5 | 15 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 285.8 | 316.2 | 296.4 | (10) | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | 81.9 | 55.2 | 58.1 | 48 | % | (5) | % | |||||||||||
| Other income | 9.3 | 10.0 | 7.0 | 7 | % | 43 | % | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 213.2 | 271.0 | 245.3 | (21) | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||
| Income taxes | 56.1 | 69.3 | 62.4 | (19) | % | 11 | % | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 157.1 | $ | 201.7 | $ | 182.9 | (22) | % | 10 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA* | $ | 484.3 | $ | 454.3 | $ | 422.0 | 7 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA* | $ | 496.5 | $ | 463.0 | $ | 432.4 | 7 | % | 7 | % |
__________________
*EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
The following tables summarize our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023.
| Revenues | EBITDA1 | EBITDA margin1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| West | $ | 1,210.1 | $ | 1,185.3 | $ | 1,128.3 | $ | 234.1 | $ | 209.7 | $ | 177.3 | 19.3 | % | 17.7 | % | 15.7 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Mountain | 644.0 | 663.1 | 634.0 | 99.6 | 113.5 | 103.2 | 15.5 | % | 17.1 | % | 16.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Central | 1,004.8 | 818.1 | 825.0 | 159.6 | 131.6 | 116.6 | 15.9 | % | 16.1 | % | 14.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Services | 338.0 | 275.7 | 292.3 | 54.9 | 60.2 | 78.1 | 16.2 | % | 21.8 | % | 26.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment totals | 3,196.9 | 2,942.2 | 2,879.6 | 548.2 | 515.0 | 475.2 | 17.1 | % | 17.5 | % | 16.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Services and Eliminations | (50.9) | (43.2) | (49.3) | (63.9) | (60.7) | (53.2) | N.M. | N.M. | N.M. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,146.0 | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 484.3 | $ | 454.3 | $ | 422.0 | 15.4 | % | 15.7 | % | 14.9 | % |
__________________
1EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2N.M: not meaningful
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| Revenues | Gross profit | Gross margin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 617.1 | $ | 556.1 | $ | 547.9 | $ | 114.1 | $ | 114.3 | $ | 109.7 | 18.5 | % | 20.6 | % | 20.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 779.4 | 655.5 | 653.9 | 133.6 | 106.0 | 101.2 | 17.1 | % | 16.2 | % | 15.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Asphalt | 421.0 | 441.5 | 452.4 | 65.4 | 68.2 | 61.5 | 15.5 | % | 15.4 | % | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liquid asphalt | 296.0 | 238.9 | 253.2 | 49.5 | 51.5 | 69.7 | 16.7 | % | 21.6 | % | 27.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other* | 279.8 | 265.8 | 249.0 | 60.4 | 53.3 | 47.9 | 21.6 | % | 20.1 | % | 19.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contracting services | 1,383.9 | 1,358.2 | 1,307.3 | 154.3 | 176.5 | 148.9 | 11.2 | % | 13.0 | % | 11.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Internal sales | (631.2) | (617.0) | (633.4) | — | — | — | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 3,146.0 | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 577.3 | $ | 569.8 | $ | 538.9 | 18.4 | % | 19.7 | % | 19.0 | % |
__________________
*Other includes cement, merchandise, fabric, spreading and other products and services that individually are not considered to be a major line of business.
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales (thousands): | ||||||||||
| Aggregates (tons) | 32,494 | 31,832 | 33,637 | |||||||
| Ready-mix concrete (cubic yards) | 3,913 | 3,484 | 3,837 | |||||||
| Asphalt (tons) | 6,334 | 6,454 | 6,760 | |||||||
| Average selling price: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates (per ton)* | $ | 18.99 | $ | 17.47 | $ | 16.29 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete (per cubic yard) | $ | 199.17 | $ | 188.11 | $ | 170.42 | ||||
| Asphalt (per ton) | $ | 66.47 | $ | 68.40 | $ | 66.92 |
__________________
*The average selling price includes freight and delivery and other revenues.
2025 Compared to 2024
Revenue
Revenue increased $247.0 million, largely driven by contributions of acquired companies, as well as price increases of mid-single digits on aggregates, ready-mix concrete and cement across our legacy operations. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased asphalt sales volumes and pricing, primarily due to decreased asphalt paving work.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $7.5 million while gross margin decreased 130 basis points. The improved gross profit was a result of contributions of acquired companies and higher gross profit on ready-mix concrete and cement across our legacy operations as pricing increases outpaced costs. Contracting services margins decreased 180 basis points as we saw lower margins on work due to the type of work and liquid asphalt continued to see a reduction in gross margin as a result of reduced market pricing. Further driving down gross margin was the impact of selling acquired inventory after markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting of $3.4 million to the aggregates product line and $295,000 to the liquid asphalt product line.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses was 9.3% in 2025, compared to 8.7% in 2024. This increase was largely driven by increased costs from recently acquired companies, including $12.9 million of purchase accounting-related intangible asset amortization, and $4.4 million higher acquisition-
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related transaction costs. These increases were offset in part by higher asset sale gains of $12.5 million on the sale of non-strategic assets and equipment throughout the company.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $26.7 million due primarily to higher average debt balances with the issuance of a new $500 million Term Loan B in March of 2025 and borrowings under our revolving credit facility during the year, offset by slightly lower average interest rates.
Other Income
Other income decreased $700,000, primarily due to a $4.3 million decrease in interest income on lower cash balances, offset by a one-time gain of $3.5 million on the bargain purchase of an aggregate quarry operation in the West segment.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense decreased $13.2 million corresponding with lower income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate for 2025 was 26.3 percent, compared to 25.6 percent in 2024. The increase in our effective tax rate for the current year was largely due to increased non-deductible compensation expenses and a mix of state income taxes. For a reconciliation of the federal tax rate to our effective tax rate, see Item 8 - Note 16.
2024 Compared to 2023
Revenue
Revenue improved $68.7 million as pricing increased during the year as a result of our pricing initiatives across all product lines, except liquid asphalt. In 2024, we saw price increases of low-double-digits for ready-mix concrete, high-single-digits for aggregates and low-single digits for asphalt. Our contracting services revenue also increased, as we benefited from additional public-agency work and timing of projects. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased ready-mix, aggregate and asphalt sales volumes, primarily due to EDGE-related initiatives of quality over quantity of work, timing of projects and lower demand for private projects. Liquid asphalt revenue decreased due to lower pricing as a result of reduced supply input costs across our market areas.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved by $30.9 million while gross margin improved 70 basis points. Contracting services margins increased 160 basis points as we saw an increase in revenues along with improved bid margins and favorable project execution during the year. Also contributing to the improvement was higher margins on asphalt, aggregates and ready-mix concrete as higher sales prices outpaced costs while volumes declined as we continue to choose quality of work over quantity of work. Liquid asphalt continued to see a reduction in gross profit, as a result of lower revenues due to the pricing decrease.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
As a percentage of revenues, selling, general and administrative expenses was 8.7% in 2024, compared to 8.6% in 2023.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $2.9 million due primarily to lower average debt balances, offset by higher average interest rates.
Other Income
Other income increased $3.0 million, primarily due to increased interest income on higher cash balances.
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Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased $6.9 million corresponding with higher income before income taxes. Our effective tax rate for 2024 was 25.6 percent, compared to 25.5 percent in 2023. For a reconciliation of the federal tax rate to our effective tax rate, see Item 8 - Note 16.
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Business Segment Financial and Operating Data
A discussion of key financial data from our business segments follows. We provide segment level information by revenue, EBITDA and EBITDA margin as these are measures of profitability used by management and our chief operating decision maker to assess operating results.
In January 2025, we made a change to our organizational structure to better align with our business strategy. We reorganized our business segments to reflect changes in the way our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance, makes operating decisions and allocates resources. Our former Pacific and Northwest operating segments were combined to form the new West operating segment. Our former North Central and South operating segments were combined to form the new Central operating segment. The reorganization resulted in four operating segments: West, Mountain, Central and Energy Services, each of which is also a reportable segment. Each segment’s performance is evaluated based on segment results without allocating corporate expenses, which include corporate costs associated with accounting, legal, treasury, information technology, human resources, and other corporate expenses that support the operating segments. Prior periods presented have been recast to conform to the current reportable segment presentation.
| Results of Operations – West | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs 2024% change | 2024 vs 2023% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 1,210.1 | $ | 1,185.3 | $ | 1,128.3 | 2 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 234.1 | $ | 209.7 | $ | 177.3 | 12 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 19.3 | % | 17.7 | % | 15.7 | % |
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 296.3 | $ | 297.1 | $ | 294.7 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 346.7 | 313.6 | 305.7 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 131.8 | 135.3 | 135.5 | |||||||
| Other* | 177.2 | 167.4 | 158.5 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 470.4 | 466.7 | 426.7 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (212.3) | (194.8) | (192.8) | |||||||
| $ | 1,210.1 | $ | 1,185.3 | $ | 1,128.3 |
__________________
*Other includes merchandise, transportation services and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2025 Compared to 2024
Our revenue increased $24.8 million in 2025, as a result of more available public-agency and private contracting services work as well as increased ready-mix concrete volumes and pricing in our California market compared to prior year. Hawaii experienced increased ready-mix concrete and cement pricing and volumes of $36.4 million driven by increased market demand, while Alaska saw its aggregate and ready-mix concrete volumes increase by $8.3 million due to stronger demand in the private sector. Partially offsetting these increases was decreased volumes throughout most Oregon product lines due to less secured public-agency and private work.
We saw an increase in both EBITDA of $24.4 million and EBITDA margin of 160 basis points. These improvements were primarily driven by higher cement and ready-mix concrete gross profit of $17.5 million due to market demand in Hawaii and Alaska, as well as more available work and favorable project execution in California with a $14.4 million increase in contracting services gross profit. In addition, the segment benefitted from a one-time
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gain of $3.5 million on the bargain purchase of an aggregate quarry operation in the first quarter of 2025 and higher asset sale gains of $3.5 million. Offsetting, was a decrease in Oregon contracting services margin due to less available agency work and less market demand, which also impacted aggregates and ready-mix concrete margins. Higher selling, general and administrative costs, mostly attributed to increased labor-related costs, also reduced EBITDA.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue increased $57.0 million in 2024, largely the result of EDGE-related pricing initiatives on all product lines, which together contributed $76.5 million as well as higher demand for contracting services work primarily driven by large public agency-related construction projects. Partially offsetting the increases were lower aggregate and ready-mix sales volumes due to EDGE-related pricing initiatives and lower demand in the residential and commercial markets.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $32.4 million and EBITDA margin of 200 basis points in 2024. These improvements resulted from higher contracting services gross profit of $18.3 million due to favorable job execution, efficiencies gained at our Spokane prestress facility and more available public agency work. We also benefited from improved ready-mix concrete margins as a result of increased pricing and favorable project execution in southern Oregon and increased asphalt margins due to lower asphalt oil and variable production costs. In addition, our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $5.3 million due to the absence of a non-cash asset impairment in 2023 of $5.8 million on certain aggregate sites, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; higher gains on the sale of equipment; lower bad debt expenses, offset in part by higher payroll-related costs due to additional staffing.
| Results of Operations – Mountain | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs 2024% change | 2024 vs 2023% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 644.0 | $ | 663.1 | $ | 634.0 | (3) | % | 5 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 99.6 | $ | 113.5 | $ | 103.2 | (12) | % | 10 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 15.5 | % | 17.1 | % | 16.3 | % |
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 95.2 | $ | 101.8 | $ | 100.5 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 124.6 | 117.1 | 120.5 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 99.0 | 120.9 | 112.9 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 435.7 | 459.0 | 433.0 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (110.5) | (135.7) | (132.9) | |||||||
| $ | 644.0 | $ | 663.1 | $ | 634.0 |
2025 Compared to 2024
Our revenue decreased $19.1 million in 2025, primarily due to decreased contracting services work in Montana and Wyoming, which also contributed to lower aggregate and asphalt volumes of $12.7 million and $9.2 million, respectively. The decrease was driven by less available asphalt paving work as a result of competitive bid dynamics and the type and location of available DOT projects throughout the region. Partially offsetting this decrease was an increase in aggregate and ready-mix pricing of $13.2 million and higher contracting services revenue of $6.7 million in our Idaho market due to larger DOT projects.
We saw a decrease in EBITDA of $13.9 million and EBITDA margin of 160 basis points in 2025. Our contracting services division experienced lower margins throughout the segment due to less secured work, while
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favorable project execution partially offset this decrease. Lower gross profit on aggregates and asphalt were largely the result of lower volumes due to fewer construction projects and higher repairs and maintenance costs. Partially offsetting the decline was $3.6 million of higher asset sales gains in the year and higher ready-mix concrete gross profit, largely due to increased pricing.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue improved $29.1 million in 2024, primarily from an increase in Idaho public agency construction work and airport work, which drove increases in both contracting services revenue and asphalt volumes. We also benefited from the continued implementation of our EDGE-related pricing initiative throughout all product lines, which contributed $24.6 million in additional revenue. Offsetting these increases were lower ready-mix concrete volumes of $14.4 million due to a decrease in demand for residential and commercial work, as well as lower aggregates sales volumes of $11.0 million, largely due to the timing of wind energy projects and lower internal sales from the lack of large aggregate projects in 2024.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $10.3 million and EBITDA margin of 80 basis points in 2024. These increases are the result of higher pricing across all product lines from our EDGE-related pricing initiatives outpacing cost increases. Gross profit on contracting services and asphalt also benefited from the increase in public agency construction work and airport work, as previously mentioned. Partially offsetting the increase were lower aggregates and ready-mix concrete volumes of $4.9 million, as previously discussed. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.2 million, largely due the absence of asset sale gains in 2023 and higher payroll-related costs.
| Results of Operations – Central | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs 2024% change | 2024 vs 2023% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 1,004.8 | $ | 818.1 | $ | 825.0 | 23 | % | (1) | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 159.6 | $ | 131.6 | $ | 116.6 | 21 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 15.9 | % | 16.1 | % | 14.1 | % |
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 225.6 | $ | 157.2 | $ | 152.7 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 308.1 | 224.8 | 227.7 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 190.2 | 185.3 | 204.0 | |||||||
| Other* | 35.2 | 31.7 | 28.8 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 477.8 | 432.5 | 447.6 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (232.1) | (213.4) | (235.8) | |||||||
| $ | 1,004.8 | $ | 818.1 | $ | 825.0 |
__________________
*Other includes merchandise and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2025 Compared to 2024
Revenue increased $186.7 million in 2025, largely driven by contributions from acquired companies, as well as the impact of our legacy operations price increases in the aggregate product line of $12.5 million and ready-mix product line of $6.5 million. Partially offsetting the increase was 6 percent less contracting services work in our northern states due to unfavorable weather in the second and third quarters and the timing of North Dakota DOT bid lettings, which also caused decreased aggregate volumes.
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We saw an increase in EBITDA of $28.0 million while EBITDA margin decreased 20 basis points in 2025. The EBITDA improvement is largely a result of acquired companies as well as increased asset sales gains of $5.5 million. Offsetting this increase was less contracting services work largely due to unfavorable weather in most parts of the segment and the timing of North Dakota DOT bid lettings. In addition, the impact of selling acquired inventory after markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting of $3.4 million negatively impacted the aggregate product line.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue decreased $6.9 million in 2024, as a result of lower asphalt and ready-mix concrete volumes and $15.1 million less contracting services revenues, largely due to our EDGE-related initiative of quality of work over quantity of work. We also saw less contracting services work and asphalt sales volumes in our northern states in 2024 related to the timing of projects with more work completed in late 2023 due to favorable weather later in the construction season. Partially offsetting the decrease in volumes was the benefit of higher prices on ready-mix concrete and asphalt of $24.4 million with the continued implementation of EDGE-related pricing initiatives. Overall, our aggregate sales volumes across the segment increased $4.7 million.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $15.0 million and EBITDA margin of 200 basis points in 2024. These improvements are the result of increased margins across all product lines, largely due to continued EDGE-related pricing initiatives. Our contracting services work contributed an additional $4.9 million of gross profit, largely due to higher margin work, disciplined project bidding and favorable project execution. Offsetting these increases were higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $5.4 million, largely due to additional payroll-related costs of $5.7 million, due in part to additional staffing, and increased professional services fees, offset by higher gains on the sale of non-strategic assets in Texas of $2.3 million.
| Results of Operations – Energy Services | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2025 vs 2024% change | 2024 vs 2023% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 338.0 | $ | 275.7 | $ | 292.3 | 23 | % | (6) | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 54.9 | $ | 60.2 | $ | 78.1 | (9) | % | (23) | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 16.2 | % | 21.8 | % | 26.7 | % |
| 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Liquid asphalt | $ | 296.0 | $ | 238.9 | $ | 253.2 | ||||
| Other* | 53.5 | 50.6 | 49.3 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (11.5) | (13.8) | (10.2) | |||||||
| $ | 338.0 | $ | 275.7 | $ | 292.3 |
__________________
*Other includes transportation services, fabric, spreading and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2025 Compared to 2024
Our revenue increased $62.3 million in 2025, largely due to contributions from the acquisition of Albina Asphalt in November 2024. In addition, the new polymer modified asphalt processing plant in South Dakota contributed an additional $15.4 million in revenue. These increases were partially offset by lower volumes in our
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legacy operations due to less carry over work from 2024 as well as lower pricing driven by current liquid asphalt market pricing.
Our EBITDA decreased $5.3 million and EBITDA margin decreased 560 basis points in 2025. The decrease in EBITDA was driven by reduced market pricing mentioned above as well as planned and required maintenance costs of $1.9 million to our railcar fleet, continued tank and equipment repair costs at our terminals and the impact of selling acquired inventory after markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting for Albina of $295,000. Partially offsetting the decrease was earnings from the addition of Albina Asphalt.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue decreased $16.6 million in 2024, largely due to lower pricing as a result of reduced supply input costs across our market areas. Liquid asphalt sales volumes were up 4 percent, primarily from strong demand in California and Texas, which were partially offset by decreased volumes in the Midwest due to less carry over jobs year-over-year. The acquisition of Albina during the fourth quarter of 2024 also contributed additional liquid asphalt sales volumes.
Our EBITDA decreased $17.9 million and EBITDA margin decreased 490 basis points in 2024. The decrease in EBITDA was driven by reduced market pricing bringing our margins back within a normal range and an increase in operating costs, primarily $1.5 million in plant repairs at our California terminal. Higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $735,000, largely due to higher payroll-related costs with the addition of Albina employees in the fourth quarter of 2024, also reduced EBITDA.
Corporate Services and Eliminations
Corporate Services includes all expenses related to the corporate functions of our company, as well as insurance activity of our captive insurer; interest expense on a majority of our long-term debt; interest income; and unrealized gains and losses on investments for our nonqualified benefit plans.
2025 Compared to 2024
Corporate Services had negative EBITDA of $63.9 million, or $3.2 million less EBITDA in 2025, compared to the prior year. Corporate Services had increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $2.8 million, which was primarily due to higher due diligence and integration costs related to corporate development and completed acquisitions of $4.4 million and increased stock-based compensation expense for the management team and board of directors due to additional participants. In addition, salaries and burden were higher for the year due to additional staff, however, these were mostly offset by lower incentive accruals. We also had a benefit of $3.8 million primarily due to the lack of one-time costs incurred in the prior year consisting of insurance costs related to the Separation and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources.
2024 Compared to 2023
Corporate Services contributed negative EBITDA of $60.7 million, or $7.5 million less EBITDA in 2024, compared to the prior year. Corporate Services had increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $7.0 million. The increase in costs for non-Separation related expenses totaled $7.4 million, which was primarily due to higher due diligence and integration costs related to corporate development and completed acquisitions of $7.5 million and higher information technology costs of $3.4 million. These costs were partially offset by lower payroll-related costs of $2.4 million, largely due to lower bonus accruals, and a reduction in insurance loss reserves at our captive insurer of $2.6 million. As a result of the Separation, we experienced higher recurring costs as a publicly traded company of $6.3 million, including payroll-related costs of $9.5 million, largely due to additional staff and stock-based compensation expenses for the management team and board of directors; information technology costs of $2.8 million; professional services of $1.8 million; and fees of $750,000 primarily related to fees on new debt issued in conjunction with the Separation, partially offset by a reduction in general corporate expenses from MDU Resources of $8.9 million. We also incurred less one-time costs of $6.5 million primarily consisting of insurance costs related to the Separation and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2025, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $73.8 million and working capital of $582.9 million. Working capital is calculated as current assets less current liabilities. We have a centralized cash management model and intend to use cash on hand and third-party credit facilities to fund day-to-day operations. We believe we have sufficient liquid assets, cash flows from operations and borrowing capacity to meet our financial commitments, debt obligations and anticipated capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Given the seasonality of our business, we typically experience significant fluctuations in working capital needs and balances throughout the year. Working capital requirements generally increase in the first half of the year as we build up inventory and focus on preparing equipment and facilities for our construction season. Working capital levels then typically decrease as the construction season winds down and we collect on receivables.
The ability to fund our cash needs will depend on the ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and obtain debt financing. We rely on access to capital markets as sources of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by cash flows from operations, particularly in the first half of the year due to the seasonal nature of our business. Our principal uses of cash in the future will be to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of debt and strategic business development transactions.
Debt Financing Activities
The following table summarizes our outstanding debt facilities at December 31, 2025:
| Facility | Facility Limit | Amount Outstanding | Letters of Credit | Expiration Date | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Revolving credit agreement1 | $ | 500.0 | $ | — | $ | 23.4 | 3/7/2030 | |||||||
| Term loan A | 275.0 | 259.7 | — | 3/7/2030 | ||||||||||
| Term loan B | 500.0 | 496.3 | — | 3/8/2032 | ||||||||||
| Senior notes | 425.0 | 425.0 | — | 5/1/2031 |
__________________
1 Outstanding letters of credit reduce the amount available under the revolving credit agreement.
On March 7, 2025, we entered into an amendment to our senior secured credit agreement to increase our revolving credit facility from $350 million to $500 million and extend the maturity to March 7, 2030, refinance our existing $275 million Term Loan A with a maturity of March 7, 2030, and provide for a new Term Loan B in an aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million with a maturity date of March 8, 2032. Each facility has a SOFR-based interest rate. The Term Loan A has a mandatory annual amortization of 2.50 percent for years one and two, 5.00 percent for years three and four and 7.50 percent in the fifth year. The Term Loan B has a mandatory annual amortization of $5.0 million. We used the proceeds from the issuance of the new Term Loan B to fund a portion of Strata's purchase price. Separately, we increased the total commitments under our existing revolving credit facility for future expenditures. For more information on the debt agreements and covenant restrictions, see Item 8 - Note 9.
In order to borrow under the debt instruments, we must be in compliance with the applicable covenants and certain other conditions, all of which we are in compliance at December 31, 2025. In the event that we do not comply with the applicable covenants and other conditions, we would be in default on our agreements and alternative sources of funding may need to be pursued and there can be no assurance that, if needed, we will be able to secure additional debt or equity financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. For additional information on our debt, see Item 8 - Note 9.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2025, we had aggregate outstanding letters of credit issued under our revolving credit facility in the amount of $23.4 million. Other than these letters of credit further discussed in Item 8 - Note 18, we do
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not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material impact on current or future financial conditions, results of operations or cash flows.
Capital Expenditures
We are committed to disciplined capital allocation, including reinvesting in our company to maintain fixed assets, improve operations and grow our business.
In 2025, we spent $169.5 million on the replacement of construction equipment and plant improvements. Additionally, we spent $788.6 million on growth initiatives in 2025, which comprised of $610.0 million on acquisitions and $178.6 million on aggregate expansions and greenfield projects. In connection with the Strata acquisition, we also received proceeds of $14.5 million on the sale of four ready-mix plant operations in 2025. Capital expenditures for 2025 were funded by internally generated funds and debt borrowings.
For 2026, we expect capital expenditures for maintenance and improvement to be between $170 million and $235 million and approximately $130 million for organic growth projects and aggregate reserve additions. Our capital expenditure expectations should be considered preliminary and subject to further evaluation and authorization as the year progresses.
Capital expenditures for future acquisitions and future growth opportunities would be incremental to our outlined capital program; these opportunities are dependent upon economic and other competitive conditions. It is anticipated that capital expenditures for 2026 will be funded by various sources, including, but not limited to, internally generated cash and debt.
Cash Flows
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 278.5 | $ | 322.3 | $ | 335.7 | |||||
| Investing activities | (913.7) | (294.8) | (117.9) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | 477.5 | (8.7) | 34.4 | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (157.7) | 18.8 | 252.2 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of year | 281.1 | 262.3 | 10.1 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of year | $ | 123.4 | $ | 281.1 | $ | 262.3 |
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Operating activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 157.1 | $ | 201.7 | $ | 182.9 | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | 209.5 | 137.4 | 128.8 | ||||||||
| Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions: | |||||||||||
| Receivables | (44.0) | 14.1 | (54.8) | ||||||||
| Due from related-party | — | — | 16.1 | ||||||||
| Inventories | (13.4) | (44.3) | 3.7 | ||||||||
| Other current assets | (9.1) | 10.9 | (19.6) | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | (15.0) | 7.3 | 33.1 | ||||||||
| Due to related-party | — | — | (7.3) | ||||||||
| Other current liabilities | (9.3) | (4.0) | 49.0 | ||||||||
| Pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions | (.6) | (2.7) | (1.8) | ||||||||
| Other noncurrent changes | 3.3 | 1.9 | 5.6 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 278.5 | $ | 322.3 | $ | 335.7 |
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2025, decreased $43.8 million, largely related to higher working capital needs. Cash used by working capital components increased $74.8 million in 2025. This increased usage of cash was primarily the result of higher working capital needs due to the acquisitions in 2025, as discussed in Business Segment Financial and Operating Data; timing of taxes paid; increased software maintenance and licenses; and fluctuations in the timing of payment on accounts payable.
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $13.4 million, largely related to higher working capital needs. Cash used by working capital components increased $36.1 million in 2024. This increased usage of cash was driven largely by higher accrued compensation due in part to additional employees associated with the Separation; higher liquid asphalt and aggregate volumes as well as higher costs of aggregate inventory; timing of prepaid insurance due to Separation; the removal of all related-party balances due to the Separation; and fluctuations in the timing of payment on accounts payable. In addition, stronger collections on receivable balances during 2024 and higher net income partially offset the decrease in cash.
Investing activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | (348.1) | $ | (172.4) | $ | (124.3) | |||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (610.0) | (131.0) | — | ||||||||
| Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | 47.5 | 12.0 | 8.3 | ||||||||
| Investments | (3.1) | (3.4) | (1.9) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (913.7) | $ | (294.8) | $ | (117.9) |
The increase in cash used in investing activities from 2025 to 2024 was primarily due to additional investments to grow our company. We spent $479.0 million more on acquisitions in 2025, which includes the acquisition of Strata. We also spent $175.6 million more on capital expenditures, including the replenishment of depleting aggregate reserves and greenfield projects. The increase in cash usage was offset in part by proceeds from the sale of ready-mix operations as part of the Strata acquisition in the Central segment as discussed in Item 8 - Note 3 and the sale of non-strategic assets in both the West and Central segments.
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The increase in cash used in investing activities from 2024 to 2023 was primarily due to the completion of six acquisitions in 2024 and higher capital expenditures, including a liquid asphalt expansion project, aggregate reserve replacements and routine replacement of construction equipment. The increase in cash usage was offset in part by additional proceeds from asset sales, largely as a result of the sale of non-strategic assets in Texas in 2024.
Financing activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Issuance of long-term related-party notes, net | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 205.3 | |||||
| Issuance of long-term debt | 500.0 | — | 700.0 | ||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (8.8) | (7.0) | (3.6) | ||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | (11.1) | — | (16.7) | ||||||||
| Tax withholding on stock-based compensation | (2.6) | (1.7) | — | ||||||||
| Net transfers to Centennial | — | — | (850.6) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | 477.5 | $ | (8.7) | $ | 34.4 |
The increase in cash flows provided by financing activities from 2025 to 2024 was largely related to the funding of a new Term Loan B in March of 2025. Offsetting the cash provided by long-term debt were higher debt issuance costs associated with the amendment of our senior secured credit agreement to increase our revolving credit facility capacity, extend the maturity date of the revolving credit facility and Term Loan A, and the issuance of a new Term Loan B. For further information, see Item 8 - Note 9.
The increase in cash flows used in financing activities from 2024 to 2023 was largely related to changes in our debt structure in 2023 as a result of the Separation, which included the issuance of senior notes, term loans, and a revolving credit facility and a transfer of the majority of the proceeds to Centennial.
Material Cash Requirements
For more information on our contractual obligations on long-term debt, operating leases and purchase commitments, see Item 8 - Notes 9, 10 and 18. At December 31, 2025, our material cash requirements under these obligations were as follows:
| Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities1 | $ | 11.7 | $ | 34.9 | $ | 238.3 | $ | 896.2 | $ | 1,181.1 | ||||||||
| Estimated interest payments2 | 75.8 | 148.7 | 134.7 | 48.4 | 407.6 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 17.5 | 24.3 | 9.7 | 9.4 | 60.9 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments | 42.9 | 66.0 | 34.8 | 10.5 | 154.2 | |||||||||||||
| $ | 147.9 | $ | 273.9 | $ | 417.5 | $ | 964.5 | $ | 1,803.8 |
__________________
1Unamortized debt issuance costs are excluded from the table.
2Represents the estimated interest payments using our long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2025, assuming current interest rates and consistent amounts outstanding until their respective maturity dates over the periods indicated in the table above.
Material short-term cash requirements include repayment of outstanding borrowings and interest payments on those agreements, payments on operating lease agreements, payment of obligations on purchase commitments and asset retirement obligations. At December 31, 2025, the current portion of asset retirement obligations was $14.2 million and was included in other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Our material long-term cash requirements include repayment of outstanding borrowings and interest payments on those agreements, payments on operating lease agreements, payment of obligations on purchase commitments and asset retirement obligations. At December 31, 2025, we had total liabilities of $78.8 million related to asset
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retirement obligations that are excluded from the table above. Due to the nature of these obligations, we cannot determine precisely when the payments will be made to settle these obligations. For more information, see Item 8 - Note 11.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Our company has noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans for certain employees. Plan assets consist of investments in equity and fixed income securities. Various assumptions are used in calculating the benefit expense (income) and liability (asset) related to the pension plans. Actuarial assumptions include assumptions about the discount rate and expected return on plan assets. For 2025, we assumed a discount rate of 5.2 percent and long-term rate of return on our qualified defined pension plan assets of 6.0 percent. Decreased discount rates for 2025 compared to 2024 resulted in actuarial losses, offset in part by higher than expected asset sale gains. Differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results are deferred and amortized into expense when the accumulated differences exceed 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets. Therefore, this change in asset values will be reflected in future expenses of the plans beginning in 2026. The funded status of the plans did not change significantly with the increase in assets because the liabilities increased as well due to the decrease in the discount rate.
At December 31, 2025, the pension plans’ assets exceeded the plans’ accumulated benefit obligations by approximately $53,000. Pretax pension expense (income) reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, was $349,000, $289,000 and $343,000, respectively. Our pension expense is currently projected to be approximately $637,000 in 2026. We do not expect to make any pension plan contributions in 2026, as the plan is fully funded and is based on using a full yield curve. There were no minimum required contributions for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2023. During 2024, we contributed $2.1 million to our pension plans which was driven by additional discretionary contributions to increase the funded status of the plans. For more information on our pension plans, see Item 8 - Note 17.
New Accounting Standards
For information regarding new accounting standards, see Item 8 - Note 2, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We have prepared our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management reviews these estimates and assumptions based on historical experience, changes in business conditions and other relevant factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates are defined as estimates that require management to make assumptions about matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and changes in the estimates could have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. Our critical accounting estimates are subject to judgments and uncertainties that affect the application of the significant accounting policies discussed in Item. 8 - Note 2. As additional information becomes available, or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, our financial position or results of operations may be materially different when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of the following critical accounting estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The recognition of revenue requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue. The accuracy of revenues reported on the audited consolidated financial statements depends on, among other things,
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management’s estimates of total costs to complete projects because we use the cost-to-cost measure of progress on contracting services contracts for revenue recognition.
To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts, we evaluate whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one single contract and whether the combined or single contract should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation. For most contracts, the customer contracts with us to provide a significant service of integrating a complex set of tasks and components into a single project. Hence, our contracts are generally accounted for as one performance obligation.
We recognize contracting services revenue over time using an input method based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress for contracts because it best depicts the transfer of assets to the customer which occurs as we incur costs on the contract. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the costs incurred are compared with total estimated costs of a performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionately to the costs incurred. This method depends largely on the ability to make reasonably dependable estimates related to the extent of progress toward completion of the contract, contract revenues, and contract costs. Since contract prices are generally set before the work is performed, the estimates pertaining to every project could contain significant unknown risks such as volatile labor, material and fuel costs, weather delays, adverse project site conditions, unforeseen actions by regulatory agencies, performance by subcontractors, job management and relations with project owners. Changes in estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, our total contracting services revenue was $1.4 billion, $1.4 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.
Several factors are evaluated in determining the bid price for contract work. These include, but are not limited to, the complexities of the job, past history performing similar types of work, seasonal weather patterns, competition and market conditions, job site conditions, workforce safety, reputation of the project owner, availability of labor, materials and fuel, project location and project completion dates. As a project commences, estimates are continually monitored and revised as information becomes available and actual costs and conditions surrounding the job become known. If a loss is anticipated on a contract, the loss is immediately recognized.
Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new or changes the existing enforceable rights and obligations. Generally, contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct from the existing contract due to the significant integration of services provided in the context of the contract and are accounted for as if they were part of that existing contract. The effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and the measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
Our contracts for contracting services generally contain variable consideration including liquidated damages, performance bonuses or incentives, claims, unpriced change orders and penalties or index pricing. The variable amounts usually arise upon achievement of certain performance metrics or change in project scope. We estimate the amount of revenue to be recognized on variable consideration using one of the two prescribed estimation methods, the expected value method or the most likely amount method, depending on which method best predicts the most likely amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to or expect to incur. Assumptions as to the occurrence of future events and the likelihood and amount of variable consideration are made during the contract performance period, using estimates of variable consideration and assessment of anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to management. We only include variable consideration in the estimated transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Changes in circumstances could impact management’s estimates made in determining the value of variable consideration recorded. When determining if the variable consideration is constrained, we consider if factors exist that could increase the likelihood or the magnitude of a potential reversal of revenue. We update our estimate of the transaction price each reporting period and the effect of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
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We believe our estimates surrounding the cost-to-cost method are reasonable based on the information that is known when the estimates are made. We have contract administration, accounting and management control systems in place that allow our estimates to be updated and monitored on a regular basis. Because of the many factors that are evaluated in determining bid prices, it is inherent that our estimates have changed in the past and will continually change in the future as new information becomes available for each job.
Business Combinations
We account for acquisitions on the audited consolidated financial statements starting from the date of the acquisition, which is the date that control is obtained. The acquisition method of accounting requires acquired assets and liabilities assumed be recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The estimation of fair values of acquired assets and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and various assumptions. Although independent appraisals may be used to assist in the determination of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, the appraised values may be based on significant estimates provided by management. The amounts and useful lives assigned to depreciable and amortizable assets compared to amounts assigned to goodwill, which is not amortized, can affect the results of operations in the period of and periods subsequent to a business combination.
In determining fair values of acquired assets and liabilities assumed, we use various observable inputs for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and various unobservable inputs, which includes the use of valuation models. Fair values are based on various factors including, but not limited to, age and condition of property, maintenance records, auction values for equipment with similar characteristics, recent sales and listings of comparable properties, data collected from drill holes and other subsurface investigations and geologic data. We primarily use the market and cost approaches in determining the fair value of land and property, plant and equipment. A combination of the market and income approaches are used for aggregate reserves and intangibles, primarily a discounted cash flow model. Although we may engage independent third-party consultants to assist with the valuation of aggregate reserves and intangibles, the valuations are based on significant estimates that are approved by management. The process is highly subjective and requires a large degree of management judgement. Assumptions used may vary for each specific business combination due to unique circumstances of each transaction. Assumptions may include discount rate, time period, terminal value and growth rate. The values generated from the discounted cash flow model are sensitive to the assumptions used. Inaccurate assumptions can lead to deviations from the values generated.
There is a measurement period after the acquisition date during which we may adjust the amounts recognized for a business combination. Any such adjustments are recorded in the period the adjustment is determined with the corresponding offset to goodwill. These adjustments are typically based on obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date regarding the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The measurement period ends once we have obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date, but does not extend beyond one year from the date of the acquisition. Once the measurement period has ended, any adjustments to assets acquired or liabilities assumed are recorded in income from continuing operations.
Goodwill
We perform our goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter. In addition, the test is performed on an interim basis whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Examples of such events or circumstances may include a significant adverse change in business climate, weakness in an industry in which our reporting units operate or recent significant cash or operating losses with expectations that those losses will continue.
We have determined that the reporting units for our goodwill impairment test are our operating segments, along with the Prestress component of the West operating segment, as they constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which segment management regularly reviews the operating results. Goodwill impairment, if any, is measured by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the
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carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we must record an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, there were no impairment losses recorded. At October 31, 2025, the fair value of each of our reporting units substantially exceeded the carrying value.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires judgment and the use of significant estimates, which include assumptions about our future revenue, profitability and cash flows, long-term growth rates, amount and timing of estimated capital expenditures, inflation rates, weighted average cost of capital, operational plans, and current and future economic conditions, among others. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a weighted combination of income and market approaches. We believe the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment assessments are reasonable and based on available market information.
A discounted cash flow methodology is used for our income approach. Under the income approach, the discounted cash flow model determines fair value based on the present value of projected cash flows over a specified period and a residual value related to future cash flows beyond the projection period. Both values are discounted using a rate that reflects the best estimate of our weighted average cost of capital.
Under the market approach, we estimate fair value using various multiples derived from enterprise value to EBITDA for comparative peer companies as well as comparable market transaction multiples to EBITDA for each respective reporting unit. These multiples are applied to operating data for each reporting unit to arrive at an indication of fair value. In addition, we add a reasonable control premium when calculating the fair value utilizing the peer multiples, which is estimated as the premium that would be received in a sale in an orderly transaction between market participants.
Significant judgment is used in estimating our five-year forecast. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections are in sync as applicable with our strategy and assumptions. Future projections are heavily correlated with the current year results of operations. Future results of operations may vary due to economic and financial impacts. The long-term growth rates used in the five-year forecast are developed by management based on industry data, management’s knowledge of the industry and management’s strategic plans. The long-term growth rate used was 3 percent in 2025, 2024 and 2023.
Long-Lived Assets Excluding Goodwill
Long-lived assets, which include aggregate reserves and related assets, represent 56 percent of our total assets as of December 31, 2025. We review the carrying values of our long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable.
We test long-lived assets for impairment at a level significantly lower than that of goodwill impairment testing. Long-lived assets or groups of assets are evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows at an individual operation or group of operations collectively serving a local market.
When indications of or triggers for impairment are noted, impairment testing is completed. The impairment testing requires the use of significant estimates, judgments and uncertainties by management, which may vary from actual results. Estimates and judgments may include, among other things, whether triggering events have occurred, estimates of future cash flows, the asset’s useful life, disposal activity obligations, growth and production.
The determination of whether an impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the assets, compared to the carrying value of the assets. If impairment has occurred, the amount of the impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a loss if the carrying value is greater than the fair value.
No impairment losses were recorded in 2025 or 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized non-cash asset impairments of $5.8 million as a result of certain aggregate sites no longer being economically feasible to mine and having no remaining value. Unforeseen events and changes in circumstances could require the recognition of impairment losses at some future date.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This Annual Report includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as total segment measures, as applicable, that are considered non-GAAP measures of financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. The items excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. Therefore, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered substitutes for the applicable GAAP metric.
EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are most directly comparable to the corresponding GAAP measures of net income and net income margin We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to corresponding GAAP measures, are useful to investors by providing meaningful information about operational efficiency compared to our peers by excluding the impacts of differences in tax jurisdictions and structures, debt levels and capital investment. We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful performance measures because they allow for an effective evaluation of our operating performance by excluding stock-based compensation, unrealized gains and losses on benefit plan investments, and the impact of selling acquired inventory after markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting as they are considered non-cash and not part of our core operations. We also exclude the one-time, non-recurring costs associated with the Separation as those are not expected to continue. We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA assist rating agencies and investors in comparing operating performance across operating periods on a consistent basis by excluding items management does not believe are indicative of our operating performance. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are important financial metrics for debt investors who utilize debt to EBITDA and debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratios. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, including total segment measures, as applicable, are useful performance measures because they provide clarity as to our operational results. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP results when evaluating our operating results internally and calculating employee incentive compensation.
EBITDA is calculated by adding back income taxes, interest expense (net of interest income) and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense to net income. EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by revenues. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back unrealized gains and losses on benefit plan investments, stock-based compensation, impact of selling acquired inventory after markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting, and one-time Separation costs, to EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenues. These non-GAAP financial measures are calculated the same for both the segment and consolidated metrics and should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, GAAP financial measures such as net income and net income margin and are intended to be helpful supplemental financial measures for investors’ understanding of our operating performance. Our non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized; therefore, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin measures having the same or similar names.
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The following information reconciles consolidated net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and provides the calculation of EBITDA margin and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Interest expense, net, is net of interest income that is included in other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
| Years ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 157.1 | $ | 201.7 | $ | 182.9 | ||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 193.7 | 136.9 | 123.8 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 77.4 | 46.4 | 52.9 | |||||||
| Income taxes | 56.1 | 69.3 | 62.4 | |||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 484.3 | $ | 454.3 | $ | 422.0 | ||||
| Unrealized gains on benefit plan investments | (2.9) | (2.9) | (2.7) | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 11.4 | 7.8 | 3.1 | |||||||
| Impact of selling acquired inventory after markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting | 3.7 | — | — | |||||||
| One-time separation costs | — | 3.8 | 10.0 | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 496.5 | $ | 463.0 | $ | 432.4 | ||||
| Revenue | $ | 3,146.0 | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | ||||
| Net income margin | 5.0 | % | 7.0 | % | 6.5 | % | ||||
| EBITDA margin | 15.4 | % | 15.7 | % | 14.9 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 15.8 | % | 16.0 | % | 15.3 | % |
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001955520-25-000010.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Among other things, those financial statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the financial data included in the following discussion. Certain percentages presented in this discussion and analysis are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts and therefore may not recalculate from the rounded numbers used for disclosure purposes. This discussion contains forward-looking statements about our business, operations and industry that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements regarding management’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Future results and financial condition may differ materially from those currently anticipated as a result of the factors described under the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Overview
At Knife River, we are a people-first construction materials and contracting services company. We provide construction materials and contracting services to build safe roads, bridges and airport runways, and other critical infrastructure needs that connect people with where they want to go and with the supplies they need. We also champion a positive workplace culture by focusing on safety, training, compensation and work-life balance.
We are one of the leading providers of crushed stone and sand and gravel in the United States and, as of December 31, 2024, operated through six operating segments across 14 states: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South and Energy Services. These operating segments are used to determine our reportable segments and are based on our method of internal reporting and management of our business, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 15. Our reportable segments are: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, Central and Energy Services. The geographic segments primarily provide aggregates, asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as related contracting services such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt paving, concrete construction, site development and grading. The Energy Services segment produces and supplies liquid asphalt and related services, primarily for use in asphalt road construction.
As an aggregates-led construction materials and contracting services provider in the United States, our 1.2 billion tons of aggregate reserves provide the foundation for a vertically integrated business strategy, with
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approximately 37 percent of our aggregates in 2024 being used internally to support value-added downstream products (ready-mix concrete and asphalt) and contracting services (heavy-civil construction, laydown, asphalt paving, concrete construction, site development and grading services, bridges, and in some segments the manufacturing of prestressed concrete products). Our aggregate sites and associated asphalt and ready-mix plants are primarily in strategic locations near mid-sized, high-growth markets, providing us with a transportation advantage for our materials that supports competitive pricing and increased margins. We provide our products and services to both public and private markets, with public markets tending to be more stable across economic cycles, which helps offset the cyclical nature of the private markets.
We provide various products and services and operate a variety of facility types, including aggregate quarries and mines, ready-mix concrete plants, asphalt plants and distribution facilities in the following states:
•Pacific: Alaska, California and Hawaii
•Northwest: Oregon and Washington
•Mountain: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
•Central: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas
•Energy Services: California, Iowa, Nebraska, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming
The following table presents a summary of products and services provided, as well as modes of transporting those products:
| Products and Services | Modes of Transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregates | Asphalt | Ready-MixConcrete | ConstructionServices | Precast/PrestressedConcrete | LiquidAsphalt | Cement | HeavyEquipment | Trucking | Rail | Barge | |||||||||||
| Pacific | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||
| Northwest | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||
| Mountain | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||
| Central | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||
| Energy Services | X | X | X |
Basis of Presentation
On May 31, 2023, we became a stand-alone publicly traded company. Prior to the Separation, we operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Centennial and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of MDU Resources and not as a stand-alone company. The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes for the periods prior to the Separation were prepared on a “carve-out” basis using a legal entity approach in conformity with GAAP and were derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of MDU Resources as if we operated on a stand-alone basis during these periods. For periods subsequent to the Separation, the financial statements are presented on a consolidated basis in conformity with GAAP. For additional information related to the basis of presentation, see Item 8 - Note 1.
Prior to the Separation, we participated in Centennial’s centralized cash management program, including its overall financing arrangements. We also had related party note agreements in place with Centennial for the financing of our capital needs. Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, for the periods prior to the Separation, reflects the allocation of interest on the borrowings associated with the related-party note agreements. Upon the completion of the Separation, we implemented our own financing agreements with lenders. For additional information on our current debt financing, see Item 8 - Note 9.
All intercompany balances and transactions between the businesses comprising Knife River have been eliminated in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
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Market Conditions and Outlook
Our markets remain resilient, and construction activity remains generally strong. Approximately 80 percent of our contracting services revenue each year comes from public-sector projects, enhancing stability through market cycles. For more information on factors that may negatively impact our business, see the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors."
Backlog. Contracting services backlog was as follows as of December 31:
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Pacific | $ | 100.9 | $ | 51.2 | $ | 72.2 | ||||
| Northwest | 129.3 | 196.2 | 210.7 | |||||||
| Mountain | 339.9 | 256.7 | 313.5 | |||||||
| Central | 175.5 | 158.1 | 222.5 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 745.6 | $ | 662.2 | $ | 818.9 |
Backlog as of December 31, 2024, is 13 percent higher than the prior period and expected margins are comparable. Of the $745.6 million of backlog at December 31, 2024, we expect to complete an estimated $630.5 million during 2025. Approximately 86 percent of our backlog as of December 31, 2024, relates to publicly funded projects, including street and highway construction projects, which are driven primarily by public works projects for state departments of transportation. Further, there continues to be infrastructure development, which is expected to provide bidding opportunities in our markets throughout 2025.
Period-over-period increases or decreases in backlog may not be indicative of future revenues, margins, net income or EBITDA. For a discussion of EBITDA and EBITDA margin, see “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” later in this section. While we believe the current backlog of work remains firm, prolonged delays in the receipt of critical supplies and materials, among other things, could result in customers seeking to delay or terminate existing or pending agreements and could reduce expected margins. See the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for a list of factors that can cause revenues or margins to be realized in periods and at levels that are different from originally projected.
Public Funding. Funding for public projects is dependent on federal and state funding, such as appropriations to the Federal Highway Administration. States have moved forward with allocating funds from federal programs, such as the IIJA, which is authorized to provide $1.2 trillion in funding from 2022 through 2026. As of November 2024, approximately 43 percent of IIJA formula funding has yet to be obligated to projects in our market areas. Also in 2024, six of the 14 states where we operate have passed ballot measures to increase their transportation investment. Additionally, DOT budgets in the states where we operate remain strong, which favorably affects our bidding season in early 2025. We continue to monitor the implementation and impact of these legislative items and the state DOT budgets.
Profitability. Our management team continually monitors our margins and has been proactive in applying strategies to increase margins to support our long-term profitability goals and to create shareholder value. In 2023, we began implementing EDGE initiatives and established teams to deliver training, assist with targeting higher-margin bidding opportunities across the regions and pursue growth opportunities, as well as identifying ways to increase efficiencies and reduce costs. In 2023, its first year of operation, the Materials Process Improvement Team (Materials PIT Crew) traveled to 10 locations throughout our operational footprint, visiting 67 individual aggregate, asphalt and ready-mix concrete plants. In 2024, the team traveled to eight additional locations and 58 individual plants, in addition to follow-up trips to sites visited in the prior year. The Materials PIT Crew also hosted a Plant Equipment Best Practices training seminar at our training center in Oregon in December of 2024. This training was attended by approximately 150 front line plant operators and maintenance personnel and was supported by our internal subject matter experts and a number of plant equipment manufacturers. Also in 2024, a broader process improvement framework was established with teams focused on standardization, commercial excellence and operational excellence, due in part to the success of the Materials PIT Crew.
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Acquisitions. Our management team has also continued to evaluate growth opportunities, both through organic growth and acquisitions they believe will generate shareholder value. In 2024, we invested $131.0 million of capital to close on six acquisitions. The acquisitions include aggregate-specific purchases in key markets and expanding our ready-mix and liquid asphalt operations. In November 2024, we purchased the business of Albina Asphalt, which has operations in Washington, Oregon and California and expanded the footprint of our high-margin liquid asphalt materials product line. In December 2024, we also entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Strata Corporation, a leading construction materials and contracting services provider in North Dakota and northwestern Minnesota. The acquisition of Strata is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. In addition to cash on hand, we intend to use a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of a new $500 million Term Loan B facility to fund the purchase of Strata.
Workforce. As a people-first company, we continually take steps to address safety, recruitment and retention of our employees. Safety is one of our core values, and as part of our safety culture, we believe that all incidents and injuries are preventable. We continue to advance our culture of safety through engagement, and empowering our team members to take action and make meaningful changes that improve the well-being of themselves and others.
Focusing on the development and retention of our employees is key to our success. We continue to deploy resources to attract, develop and retain qualified and diverse talent. As the United States faces shortages in the availability of individuals to fill careers in our industry, we have taken significant steps to showcase construction as a career of choice.
We own and operate a state-of-the-art training facility, the Knife River Training Center, which is used corporate-wide to enhance the skills of both our new and existing employees through classroom education and hands-on experience. One of the most popular courses at the Knife River Training Center is the commercial driver's license training, which is helping to address an industry-wide labor shortage. The training facility also offers a variety of courses around leadership development for all our employees.
We employ professional instructors as part of our Training and Development team, which is based out of the Knife River Training Center. This team has a long-standing tradition of offering quality training to both frontline and leadership-level employees. In 2024, the team provided training to nearly 1,100 students through 74 separate courses. Training courses include: commercial driver’s license/new truck driver, experienced truck driver, new and experienced equipment operator, sales, leadership/facilitator development and construction industry engagement.
Consolidated Overview
Revenue includes revenue from the sale of construction materials and contracting services. Revenue for construction materials is recognized at a point in time when delivery of the products has taken place. Contracting services revenue is recognized over time using an input method based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress on a project.
Cost of revenue includes all material, labor and overhead costs incurred in the production process for our products and services. Cost of revenue also includes depreciation, depletion and amortization attributable to the assets used in the production process.
Gross profit includes revenue less cost of revenue, as defined above, and is the difference between revenue and the cost of making a product or providing a service, before deducting selling, general and administrative expenses, income taxes, interest expense and other expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include the costs for estimating, bidding and business development, as well as costs related to corporate and administrative functions. Selling expenses can vary depending on the volume of projects in process and the number of employees assigned to estimating and bidding activities. Other general and administrative expenses include outside services; information technology; depreciation and amortization; training, travel and entertainment; office supplies; healthcare; allowance for expected credit losses; gains or losses on the sale of assets; expenses for the transition services agreement with MDU Resources; and other miscellaneous expenses.
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Other income (expense) includes net periodic benefit costs for our benefit plan expenses, other than service costs; interest income; realized and unrealized gains and losses on our nonqualified benefit plan investments; earnings or losses on joint venture arrangements; and other miscellaneous income or expenses, including income related to the transition services agreement with MDU Resources.
Income tax expense consists of corporate income taxes related to our net income. Income taxes are presented at the corporate services level and not at the individual segments. The effective tax rate can be affected by many factors, including changes in tax laws, regulations or rates, new interpretations of existing laws or regulations and changes to our overall levels of income before income tax.
The discussion that follows focuses on the key financial measures we use to evaluate the performance of our business at the consolidated level, which include revenue, EBITDA and EBITDA margin. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures as these are measures of profitability used by management and our chief operating decision maker to assess operating results. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
Comparison for the Years Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023% change | 2023 vs 2022% change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | 2 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 2,329.2 | 2,291.4 | 2,173.8 | 2 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 569.8 | 538.9 | 360.9 | 6 | % | 49 | % | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 253.6 | 242.5 | 166.6 | 5 | % | 46 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 316.2 | 296.4 | 194.3 | 7 | % | 53 | % | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | 55.2 | 58.1 | 30.1 | (5) | % | 93 | % | |||||||||||
| Other (expense) income | 10.0 | 7.0 | (5.4) | (43) | % | 230 | % | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 271.0 | 245.3 | 158.8 | 10 | % | 54 | % | |||||||||||
| Income taxes | 69.3 | 62.4 | 42.6 | 11 | % | 46 | % | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 201.7 | $ | 182.9 | $ | 116.2 | 10 | % | 57 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA* | $ | 454.3 | $ | 422.0 | $ | 306.7 | 8 | % | 38 | % | ||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA* | $ | 463.0 | $ | 432.4 | $ | 313.4 | 7 | % | 38 | % |
__________________
*EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
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The following tables summarize our operating results for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
| Revenues | EBITDA1 | EBITDA margin1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific | $ | 493.1 | $ | 462.2 | $ | 418.1 | $ | 59.9 | $ | 56.2 | $ | 44.0 | 12.1 | % | 12.2 | % | 10.5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Northwest | 692.4 | 666.1 | 600.2 | 149.8 | 121.1 | 103.9 | 21.6 | % | 18.2 | % | 17.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mountain | 663.1 | 634.0 | 542.0 | 113.5 | 103.2 | 72.6 | 17.1 | % | 16.3 | % | 13.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Central | 818.1 | 825.0 | 779.8 | 131.6 | 116.6 | 86.6 | 16.1 | % | 14.1 | % | 11.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Services | 275.7 | 292.3 | 238.4 | 60.2 | 78.1 | 28.3 | 21.8 | % | 26.7 | % | 11.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment totals | 2,942.4 | 2,879.6 | 2,578.5 | 515.0 | 475.2 | 335.4 | 17.5 | % | 16.5 | % | 13.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Services and Eliminations | (43.4) | (49.3) | (43.8) | (60.7) | (53.2) | (28.7) | N.M. | N.M. | N.M. | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | $ | 454.3 | $ | 422.0 | $ | 306.7 | 15.7 | % | 14.9 | % | 12.1 | % |
__________________
1EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
2N.M: not meaningful
| Revenues | Gross profit | Gross margin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 556.1 | $ | 547.9 | $ | 496.6 | $ | 114.3 | $ | 109.7 | $ | 69.5 | 20.6 | % | 20.0 | % | 14.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 655.5 | 653.9 | 609.5 | 106.0 | 101.2 | 85.9 | 16.2 | % | 15.5 | % | 14.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Asphalt | 441.5 | 452.4 | 427.5 | 68.2 | 61.5 | 41.7 | 15.4 | % | 13.6 | % | 9.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liquid asphalt | 238.9 | 253.2 | 207.5 | 51.5 | 69.7 | 25.4 | 21.6 | % | 27.5 | % | 12.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other* | 265.8 | 249.0 | 199.8 | 53.3 | 47.9 | 38.3 | 20.1 | % | 19.2 | % | 19.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contracting services | 1,358.2 | 1,307.3 | 1,187.7 | 176.5 | 148.9 | 100.1 | 13.0 | % | 11.4 | % | 8.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Internal sales | (617.0) | (633.4) | (593.9) | — | — | — | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | $ | 569.8 | $ | 538.9 | $ | 360.9 | 19.7 | % | 19.0 | % | 14.2 | % |
__________________
*Other includes cement, merchandise, fabric, spreading and other products and services that individually are not considered to be a major line of business.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales (thousands): | ||||||||||
| Aggregates (tons) | 31,832 | 33,637 | 33,994 | |||||||
| Ready-mix concrete (cubic yards) | 3,484 | 3,837 | 4,015 | |||||||
| Asphalt (tons) | 6,454 | 6,760 | 7,254 | |||||||
| Average selling price: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates (per ton)* | $ | 17.47 | $ | 16.29 | $ | 14.61 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete (per cubic yard) | $ | 188.11 | $ | 170.42 | $ | 151.80 | ||||
| Asphalt (per ton) | $ | 68.40 | $ | 66.92 | $ | 58.93 |
__________________
*The average selling price includes freight and delivery and other revenues.
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2024 Compared to 2023
Revenue
Revenue increased $68.7 million as increased pricing added $122.9 million during the year as a result of our pricing initiatives across all product lines, except liquid asphalt. In 2024, we saw price increases of low-double-digits for ready-mix concrete, high-single-digits for aggregates and low-single digits for asphalt. Our contracting services revenue also increased in most regions, particularly in the Mountain, Northwest and Pacific regions, as we benefited from additional public-agency work and timing of projects. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased ready-mix, aggregate and asphalt sales volumes of $120.5 million, primarily due to EDGE-related initiatives of quality over quantity of work, timing of projects and lower demand for private projects. Liquid asphalt revenue decreased due to lower pricing as a result of reduced supply input costs across our market areas.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $30.9 million while gross margin improved 70 basis points. Contracting services margins increased 160 basis points as we saw an increase in revenues along with improved bid margins and favorable project execution during the year. Also contributing to the improvement was higher margins on asphalt, aggregates and ready-mix concrete as higher sales prices outpaced costs while volumes declined as we continue to choose quality of work over quantity of work. Liquid asphalt continued to see a reduction in gross profit, as a result of lower revenues due to the pricing decrease.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $11.1 million. Our reportable segments had higher costs of $4.1 million, which was primarily related to higher payroll-related costs, largely due to additional staffing, competitive wage increases, and higher professional services. These increases were offset in part by higher asset sale gains of $3.4 million and the absence of non-cash asset impairments of $5.8 million on aggregate sites discussed in Item 8 - Note 2.
Corporate Services had increased costs of $7.0 million. The increase in costs for non-Separation related expenses totaled $7.4 million, which was primarily higher due diligence and integration costs related to corporate development and completed acquisitions of $7.5 million and higher information technology costs of $3.4 million. These costs were partially offset by lower payroll-related costs of $2.4 million, largely due to lower bonus accruals, and a reduction in insurance loss reserves at our captive insurer of $2.6 million. As a result of the Separation, we experienced higher recurring costs as a publicly traded company of $6.3 million, including payroll-related costs of $9.5 million, largely due to additional staff and stock-based compensation expenses for the management team and board of directors; information technology costs of $2.8 million; professional services of $1.8 million; and fees of $750,000 primarily related to fees on new debt issued in conjunction with the Separation, partially offset by a reduction in general corporate expenses from MDU Resources of $8.9 million. We also incurred less one-time costs of $6.5 million primarily consisting of insurance costs related to the Separation and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources.
Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $2.9 million due primarily to lower average debt balances, offset by higher average interest rates.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) increased $3.0 million, primarily due to increased interest income on higher cash balances.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased $6.9 million corresponding with higher income before income taxes.
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Index
2023 Compared to 2022
Revenue
Revenue improved $295.6 million as increased pricing added $217.3 million across all regions and product lines, supported by demand, increased market pricing and EDGE-related pricing initiatives. We also saw increased contracting services revenue in most regions, especially in the Mountain and Northwest regions that benefited from strong demand and more available work. Higher liquid asphalt sales volumes also contributed to the increased revenue. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased asphalt, ready-mix concrete and aggregate sales volumes of $69.2 million, primarily attributable to the absence in 2023 of certain impact projects, lower internal sales volumes resulting from the strategy to target improved bid margins, project timing and the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas in December 2022.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved by $178.0 million while gross margin improved 480 basis points. Higher sales prices outpacing costs across our materials product lines contributed $126.0 million in gross profit, which was largely the result of increased market pricing and EDGE-related initiatives, including operating efficiencies and pricing optimization. Higher contracting services margins contributed $48.9 million to gross profit, primarily related to improved bid margins, certain impact projects and job productivity gains. Additionally, liquid asphalt margins benefited from cost improvements and higher sales volumes.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $75.9 million. As a result of the Separation, we experienced increased recurring costs, including payroll-related costs of $12.3 million, largely due to additional staff and stock-based compensation expense for the management team and board of directors; insurance costs of $2.8 million; and professional services of $2.6 million, which were offset in part by a reduction in general corporate expenses from MDU Resources of $7.6 million, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 1. Also, as part of the Separation, we incurred one-time costs of $10.0 million primarily related to professional services, insurance costs and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources. Further contributing to the higher selling, general and administrative costs were increased payroll-related costs of $27.7 million, due in part to higher incentive accruals across the segments based on our performance; non-cash asset impairments of $5.8 million on aggregate sites discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; absence of a gain of $6.7 million recognized in 2022 on the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas; higher office expenses of $2.6 million; increased expected credit losses of $1.5 million directly associated with an increase in receivable balances over 90 days and the absence of bad debt recoveries in 2022; and higher information technology and other costs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $28.0 million due primarily to higher average interest rates. Interest rates were higher as a result of settling related-party notes payable as part of the Separation and entering into new debt agreements with higher interest rates, which resulted in additional interest expense in the period of $29.5 million. Partially offsetting the increase was lower average debt balances. For additional information, see Item 8 - Notes 9 and 19.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) increased $12.4 million, due in part to improved returns on our nonqualified benefit plan investments of $5.5 million; increased interest income of $5.2 million on higher cash balances and on the cash held in escrow for the $425.0 million of senior notes issued prior to the completion of the Separation; and income resulting from the transition services agreement with MDU Resources, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 19.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased $19.8 million corresponding with higher income before income taxes.
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Index
Business Segment Financial and Operating Data
A discussion of key financial data from our business segments follows. We provide segment level information by revenue, EBITDA and EBITDA margin as these are measures of profitability used by management and our chief operating decision maker to assess operating results.
On January 1, 2025, we completed a reorganization of our operating segments, including the management of the segments, to align with our business strategy. In the first quarter of 2025, we will begin reporting our financial information under four operating segments: West, Mountain, Central and Energy Services. Under the new operating structure, the previous Pacific and Northwest operating segments will become the West operating segment and the North Central and South operating segments will become the Central operating segment.
| Results of Operations – Pacific | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023% change | 2023 vs 2022% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 493.1 | $ | 462.2 | $ | 418.1 | 7 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 59.9 | $ | 56.2 | $ | 44.0 | 7 | % | 28 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 12.1 | % | 12.2 | % | 10.5 | % |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 112.3 | $ | 104.8 | $ | 92.3 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 145.8 | 142.3 | 127.5 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 30.7 | 32.2 | 35.7 | |||||||
| Other* | 149.3 | 142.7 | 114.2 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 141.9 | 126.3 | 129.5 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (86.9) | (86.1) | (81.1) | |||||||
| $ | 493.1 | $ | 462.2 | $ | 418.1 |
__________________
*Other includes cement, precast/prestressed concrete, merchandise, and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue increased $30.9 million in 2024. Price increases across all product lines as a result of EDGE-related initiatives and aggregate product mix contributed $36.9 million of additional revenue in 2024. We also had a $15.5 million increase in contracting services, primarily driven by large public agency-related construction projects in northern California. Partially offsetting the increased revenue was reduced volumes of $27.6 million across the remaining product lines, partly due to increased competition in the California market as well as reduced demand in marine construction.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $3.7 million, while EBITDA margin decreased 10 basis points. The increase in EBITDA was due in part to additional gross profit in northern California’s contracting services, primarily related to increased public agency-related construction projects and operational efficiencies recognized during the year. Also contributing to the increase was lower selling, general and administrative expenses of $2.3 million due to a gain of $2.2 million on equipment sales in California and the absence of a non-cash impairment in 2023 of $2.2 million on a leased aggregate site, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 2, offset in part by higher professional services. Gross profit on our construction materials decreased $4.6 million in 2024 as a result of lower volumes and higher production costs.
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Index
2023 Compared to 2022
Our revenue increased $44.1 million in 2023. This increase was across most product lines and was the result of increased prices to cover rising costs and the early stages of EDGE-related pricing implementation, as well as increased sales of higher priced products, adding $32.0 million. We saw strong cement product sales volumes to third-party customers in Alaska and strong aggregate sales volumes of $6.0 million, primarily from increased demand in Hawaii as the local economy continues to regain momentum for public and private work. Ready-mix concrete sales volumes increased in northern California as a result of an acquisition in December 2022, which were offset in part by lower sales volumes in Alaska due to fewer projects over the prior year. Partially offsetting the increased revenues was the absence in 2023 of an impact project in California of $11.2 million, which affected both contracting services workloads and asphalt volumes. Northern California experienced mild weather in the fourth quarter which also contributed to a strong finish to the year.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $12.2 million and EBITDA margin of 170 basis points in 2023. These improvements are the direct result of increased pricing outpacing costs and strong demand, as previously discussed. We also experienced lower fuel and asphalt oil costs. Partially offsetting the increase was higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $11.6 million and lower contracting services gross profit of $1.9 million as a result of cost overruns on a project in California. The increased selling, general and administrative expenses includes higher payroll-related costs of $5.9 million, due in part to higher incentive accruals based on the our performance; a non-cash asset impairment of $2.2 million on a leased aggregate site, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; higher rent expense of $700,000; increased building repairs of $500,000; and other miscellaneous expenses.
| Results of Operations – Northwest | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023% change | 2023 vs 2022% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 692.4 | $ | 666.1 | $ | 600.2 | 4 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 149.8 | $ | 121.1 | $ | 103.9 | 24 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 21.6 | % | 18.2 | % | 17.3 | % |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 184.8 | $ | 189.9 | $ | 171.6 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 167.8 | 163.4 | 158.0 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 104.6 | 103.3 | 97.3 | |||||||
| Other* | 18.1 | 15.8 | 14.8 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 324.8 | 300.4 | 262.7 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (107.7) | (106.7) | (104.2) | |||||||
| $ | 692.4 | $ | 666.1 | $ | 600.2 |
__________________
*Other includes merchandise, transportation services and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue increased $26.3 million in 2024, most of which was due to large public agency-related construction projects driving an increase in contracting services and asphalt sales volumes. In addition, improved pricing on ready-mix concrete and aggregates provided $38.1 million more in revenue. Offsetting the increases were a decrease
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Index
in ready-mix and aggregates sales volumes due to EDGE-related pricing initiatives and lower demand in the residential and commercial markets.
We saw an increase in both EBITDA of $28.7 million and EBITDA margin of 340 basis points. These improvements resulted from higher construction gross profit of $15.5 million due to favorable job execution, efficiencies gained at our Spokane prestress facility and more available public agency work. We also benefited from improved ready-mix concrete margins as a result of increased pricing and favorable project execution in southern Oregon and increased asphalt margins due to lower asphalt oil and variable production costs. In addition, our selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.0 million due to the absence of a non-cash asset impairment in 2023 of $3.6 million on an aggregate site, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; higher gains on the sale of equipment; lower bad debt expense of $500,000; and lower professional services, offset in part by higher payroll-related costs of $3.6 million due to additional staffing.
2023 Compared to 2022
Our revenue increased $65.9 million in 2023, largely the result of EDGE-related pricing initiatives on all product lines, which together contributed $52.0 million. In addition, higher demand for contracting services work related to public agencies and railroad projects, as well as prestress data center and other projects, accounted for an increase in revenues of $37.7 million. Partially offsetting the increases were lower sales volumes across all product lines of $22.2 million, due in large part to the timing of impact projects in 2023 and decreased demand for asphalt paving and residential work.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $17.2 million and EBITDA margin of 90 basis points in 2023. These improvements are the result of higher sales prices outpacing costs across all product lines by $26.1 million, largely resulting from EDGE-related pricing initiatives and product mix, and lower fuel, asphalt oil and equipment costs, which were offset in part by lower volumes across all product lines. Contracting services improved $8.0 million, largely due to the strong backlog of work established and the reduction of job losses as compared to the prior year, which were offset in part by startup costs related to the new prestress facility. We also had higher selling, general and administrative expenses which includes $3.9 million of higher payroll-related costs largely related to higher wages and performance-based incentives; a non-cash asset impairment of $3.6 million on an aggregate site, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; and $3.0 million lower asset sale gains.
| Results of Operations – Mountain | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023% change | 2023 vs 2022% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 663.1 | $ | 634.0 | $ | 542.0 | 5 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 113.5 | $ | 103.2 | $ | 72.6 | 10 | % | 42 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 17.1 | % | 16.3 | % | 13.4 | % |
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Index
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 101.8 | $ | 100.5 | $ | 83.3 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 117.1 | 120.5 | 106.7 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 120.9 | 112.9 | 93.3 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 459.0 | 433.0 | 368.7 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (135.7) | (132.9) | (110.0) | |||||||
| $ | 663.1 | $ | 634.0 | $ | 542.0 |
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue increased $29.1 million in 2024, primarily from an increase in Idaho public agency construction work and airport work, which drove increases in both contracting services revenue and asphalt volumes. We also benefited from the continued implementation of our EDGE-related pricing initiative throughout all product lines, which contributed $24.6 million in additional revenue. Offsetting these increases were lower ready-mix concrete volumes of $14.4 million due to a decrease in demand for residential and commercial work, as well as lower aggregates sales volumes of $11.0 million, largely due to the timing of wind energy projects and lower internal sales from the lack of large aggregate projects in 2024.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $10.3 million and EBITDA margin of 80 basis points in 2024. These increases are the result of higher pricing across all product lines from our EDGE-related pricing initiatives outpacing cost increases. Gross profit on contracting services and asphalt also benefited from the increase in public agency construction work and airport work, as previously mentioned. Partially offsetting the increase were lower aggregates and ready-mix concrete volumes of $4.9 million, as previously discussed. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.2 million, largely due the absence of asset sale gains in 2023 and higher payroll-related costs.
2023 Compared to 2022
Our revenue improved $92.0 million in 2023, 70 percent of which was derived from contracting services from strong demand for public agency, airport and commercial work throughout the region. Pricing momentum across all product lines and throughout the region contributed $40.3 million. The increased pricing was in response to rising costs, demand and growing markets, as well as the early stages of EDGE-related pricing implementation. Aggregate volumes increased in the majority of locations with Wyoming recognizing an increase due to a number of wind energy projects throughout the state and certain areas of Montana saw higher volumes due to four airport projects. Wyoming also experienced wetter weather conditions in 2023 which negatively impacted both ready-mix concrete and asphalt sales volumes, partially contributing to a $7.3 million decrease to revenue.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $30.6 million and EBITDA margin of 290 basis points in 2023. The improvement was the result of higher contracting services revenues and margins contributing profit of $19.7 million due to strong markets for public agency, airport and commercial work, as well as cost savings and job efficiencies. Higher sales prices outpaced costs across all product lines by $11.9 million. In addition, we also experienced lower fuel and equipment costs and had higher gains on asset sales. Partially offsetting the increase was higher selling, general and administrative expenses, as a result of higher payroll-related costs of $2.4 million, including increased incentive accruals based on our performance.
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Index
| Results of Operations – Central | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023% change | 2023 vs 2022% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 818.1 | $ | 825.0 | $ | 779.8 | (1) | % | 6 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 131.6 | $ | 116.6 | $ | 86.6 | 13 | % | 35 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 16.1 | % | 14.1 | % | 11.1 | % |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 157.2 | $ | 152.7 | $ | 149.4 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 224.8 | 227.7 | 217.3 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 185.3 | 204.0 | 201.2 | |||||||
| Other* | 31.7 | 28.8 | 25.0 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 432.5 | 447.6 | 426.8 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (213.4) | (235.8) | (239.9) | |||||||
| $ | 818.1 | $ | 825.0 | $ | 779.8 |
__________________
*Other includes merchandise and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue decreased $6.9 million in 2024 as a result of lower asphalt and ready-mix concrete volumes and $15.1 million less contracting services revenues, largely due to our EDGE-related initiative of quality of work over quantity of work. The north central region also saw less contracting services work and asphalt sales volumes in 2024 related to the timing of projects with more work completed in late 2023 due to favorable weather later in the construction season. Partially offsetting the decrease in volumes was the benefit of higher prices on ready-mix concrete and asphalt of $24.4 million with the continued implementation of EDGE-related pricing initiatives. Overall, our aggregate sales volumes across the segment increased $4.7 million.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $15.0 million and EBITDA margin of 200 basis points in 2024. These improvements are the result of increased margins across all product lines, largely due to continued EDGE-related pricing initiatives. Our contracting services work contributed an additional $4.9 million of gross profit, largely due to higher margin work, disciplined project bidding and favorable project execution. Offsetting these increases were higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $5.4 million, largely due to additional payroll-related costs of $5.7 million, due in part to additional staffing, and increased professional services fees, offset by higher gains on the sale of non-strategic assets in Texas of $2.3 million.
2023 Compared to 2022
Our revenue increased $45.2 million in 2023, as a result of higher selling prices across all product lines providing $76.1 million of additional revenue, largely due to EDGE-related pricing initiatives. Contracting services saw a benefit of $20.8 million from improved bid margins and favorable weather across the regions, a large concrete and asphalt paving job in the north central region and increased paving work in Texas. Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales volumes of $33.0 million across most product lines largely as the regions continue to target improved bid margins on projects which also impacts internal sales volumes and the absence of an impact project in South Dakota. Also, decreased ready-mix concrete and aggregates sales due to a sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas in December 2022 impacted revenue.
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Index
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $30.0 million and EBITDA margin of 300 basis points in 2023. The increase in EBITDA was largely due to higher sales prices across all product lines which contributed $30.0 million and higher contracting services margins of $22.5 million related to improved bid margins, impact projects and job productivity gains. The increase was offset in part by higher selling, general and administrative expenses and decreased sales volumes. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $14.6 million, largely the absence of a gain of $6.7 million recognized in 2022 on the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas; additional payroll-related costs of $6.0 million, due in part to higher incentive accruals based on our performance; and increased insurance costs of $1.4 million.
| Results of Operations – Energy Services | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2024 vs 2023% change | 2023 vs 2022% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 275.7 | $ | 292.3 | $ | 238.4 | (6) | % | 23 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 60.2 | $ | 78.1 | $ | 28.3 | (23) | % | 176 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 21.8 | % | 26.7 | % | 11.9 | % |
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Liquid asphalt | $ | 238.9 | $ | 253.2 | $ | 207.5 | ||||
| Other* | 50.6 | 49.3 | 45.2 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (13.8) | (10.2) | (14.3) | |||||||
| $ | 275.7 | $ | 292.3 | $ | 238.4 |
__________________
*Other includes transportation services, fabric, spreading and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2024 Compared to 2023
Our revenue decreased $16.6 million in 2024, largely due to lower pricing as a result of reduced supply input costs across our market areas. Liquid asphalt sales volumes were up 4 percent, primarily from strong demand in California and Texas, which were partially offset by decreased volumes in the Midwest due to less carryover jobs year-over-year. The acquisition of Albina during the fourth quarter of 2024 also contributed additional liquid asphalt sales volumes.
Our EBITDA decreased $17.9 million and EBITDA margin decreased 490 basis points in 2024. The decrease in EBITDA was driven by reduced market pricing bringing our margins back within a normal range and an increase in operating costs, primarily $1.5 million in plant repairs at our California terminal. Higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $735,000, largely due to higher payroll-related costs with the addition of Albina employees in the fourth quarter of 2024, also reduced EBITDA.
2023 Compared to 2022
Our revenue improved $53.9 million in 2023, largely driven by higher liquid asphalt sales volumes from additional sales opportunities across most of our primary markets, higher sales to other reportable segments and sales late in the year due to favorable weather conditions. Higher liquid asphalt sales prices also positively impacted revenue.
We saw an increase in EBITDA of $49.8 million and EBITDA margin of 1,480 basis points in 2023. This increase was primarily related to increased market pricing and higher sales volumes. Partially offsetting these increases were higher operating costs for scheduled tank repair and maintenance costs and higher selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily $1.4 million of payroll-related costs.
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Index
Corporate Services and Eliminations
Corporate Services includes all expenses related to the corporate functions of our company, as well as insurance activity of our captive insurer; interest expense on a majority of our long-term debt; interest income; and unrealized gains and losses on investments for our nonqualified benefit plans.
2024 Compared to 2023
Corporate Services had negative EBITDA of $60.7 million, or $7.5 million less EBITDA in 2024, compared to the prior year. Corporate Services had increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $7.0 million. The increase in costs for non-Separation related expenses totaled $7.4 million, which was primarily due to higher due diligence and integration costs related to corporate development and completed acquisitions of $7.5 million and higher information technology costs of $3.4 million. These costs were partially offset by lower payroll-related costs of $2.4 million, largely due to lower bonus accruals, and a reduction in insurance loss reserves at our captive insurer of $2.6 million. As a result of the Separation, we experienced higher recurring costs as a publicly traded company of $6.3 million, including payroll-related costs of $9.5 million, largely due to additional staff and stock-based compensation expenses for the management team and board of directors; information technology costs of $2.8 million; professional services of $1.8 million; and fees of $750,000 primarily related to fees on new debt issued in conjunction with the Separation, partially offset by a reduction in general corporate expenses from MDU Resources of $8.9 million. We also incurred less one-time costs of $6.5 million primarily consisting of insurance costs related to the Separation and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources.
2023 Compared to 2022
Corporate Services contributed negative EBITDA of $53.2 million, or $24.5 million less EBITDA in 2023 than the prior year. The decrease was due primarily to higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $31.8 million directly related to the Separation from MDU Resources. In 2023, we experienced increased recurring costs, including payroll-related costs of $12.3 million, largely due to additional staff and stock-based compensation expense for the management team and board of directors; professional services of $2.6 million; fees of $1.2 million, primarily related to fees on the new debt issued in conjunction with the Separation; and insurance costs of $400,000. These recurring costs were offset in part by a reduction in general corporate expenses from MDU Resources of $7.6 million, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 1. Also, as part of the Separation, we incurred one-time costs of $10.0 million primarily related to professional services, insurance costs and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources. Further contributing to higher selling, general and administrative costs were increased payroll-related costs due to higher incentive accruals based on our performance. Partially offsetting these increased costs were improved returns on our nonqualified benefit plan investments of $5.5 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2024, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $236.8 million and working capital of $617.6 million. Working capital is calculated as current assets less current liabilities. We have a centralized cash management model and intend to use cash on hand and third-party credit facilities to fund day-to-day operations. We believe we have sufficient liquid assets, cash flows from operations and borrowing capacity to meet our financial commitments, debt obligations and anticipated capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Given the seasonality of our business, we typically experience significant fluctuations in working capital needs and balances throughout the year. Working capital requirements generally increase in the first half of the year as we build up inventory and focus on preparing equipment and facilities and other start-up costs for our construction season. Working capital levels then typically decrease as the construction season winds down and we collect on receivables.
Our ability to fund our cash needs will depend on the ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and obtain debt financing with competitive rates. We rely on access to capital markets as sources of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by cash flows from operations, particularly in the first half of the year due to the seasonal nature of the industry. Our principal uses of cash in the future will be to fund our operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of debt and strategic business development transactions.
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Index
Debt Financing Activities
| Facility | Facility Limit | Amount Outstanding | Letters of Credit | Expiration Date | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||
| Revolving credit agreement | $ | 350.0 | $ | — | $ | 20.6 | 5/31/2028 | |||||||
| Term loan A | 275.0 | 264.7 | — | 5/31/2028 | ||||||||||
| Senior notes | 425.0 | 425.0 | — | 4/30/2031 |
On April 25, 2023, we issued $425.0 million of 7.75 percent senior notes due May 1, 2031, pursuant to an indenture. On May 31, 2023, we entered into a senior secured credit agreement consisting of a $275.0 million term loan and a $350.0 million revolving credit facility, each with a SOFR-based interest rate and a maturity date of May 31, 2028. Outstanding letters of credit reduce the amount available under the revolving credit agreement. In addition, in the first half of 2025 we expect to enter into a new senior secured Term Loan B facility of $500 million, increase the total commitments under our existing revolving credit facility from $350 million to $500 million and extend the maturity date of our existing senior secured credit facilities from 2028 to 2030.
In order to borrow under the debt instruments, we must be in compliance with the applicable covenants and certain other conditions, all of which we are in compliance at December 31, 2024. In the event that we do not comply with the applicable covenants and other conditions, we would be in default on our agreements and alternative sources of funding may need to be pursued and there can be no assurance that, if needed, we will be able to secure additional debt or equity financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. For additional information on our debt, see Item 8 - Note 9.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2024, we had aggregate outstanding letters of credit issued under our revolving credit facility in the amount of $20.6 million. Other than these letters of credit further discussed in Item 8 - Note 18, we do not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material impact on current or future financial conditions, results of operations or cash flows.
Capital Expenditures
We are committed to disciplined capital allocation, including reinvesting in our company to maintain fixed assets, improve operations and grow our business.
In 2024, we spent $170.5 million, compared to $124.3 million in 2023, on the replacement of depleting aggregate reserves, construction equipment, plant improvements and buildings. In 2024, we spent $132.9 million on six acquisitions, which include aggregate, ready-mix and liquid asphalt operations, and initial greenfield projects. Capital expenditures for 2024 and 2023 were funded by internally generated funds and borrowings under credit facilities.
For 2025, we have estimated capital expenditures for maintenance and improvement to be between $155 million and $215 million and approximately $522 million for the pending acquisition of Strata and organic growth projects. Capital expenditures for future acquisitions and future organic growth opportunities would be incremental to our outlined capital program; these opportunities are dependent upon economic and other competitive conditions. It is anticipated that capital expenditures for 2025 will be funded by various sources, including internally generated cash and debt. In addition to cash on hand, we intend to use a portion of the proceeds from the issuance of a new $500 million Term Loan B facility to fund the purchase of Strata. Separately, we also intend to increase the total commitments under our existing revolving credit facility from $350 million to $500 million and extend the maturity date of our existing senior secured credit facilities from 2028 to 2030.
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Cash Flows
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 322.3 | $ | 335.7 | $ | 207.5 | |||||
| Investing activities | (294.8) | (117.9) | (155.9) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | (8.7) | 34.4 | (55.3) | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 18.8 | 252.2 | (3.7) | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of year | 262.3 | 10.1 | 13.8 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of year | $ | 281.1 | $ | 262.3 | $ | 10.1 |
Operating activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 201.7 | $ | 182.9 | $ | 116.2 | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | 137.4 | 128.8 | 112.4 | ||||||||
| Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions: | |||||||||||
| Receivables | 14.1 | (54.8) | (32.5) | ||||||||
| Due from related-party | — | 16.1 | (8.0) | ||||||||
| Inventories | (44.3) | 3.7 | (31.0) | ||||||||
| Other current assets | 10.9 | (19.6) | — | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | 7.3 | 33.1 | 17.5 | ||||||||
| Due to related-party | — | (7.3) | 3.6 | ||||||||
| Other current liabilities | (4.0) | 49.0 | 21.4 | ||||||||
| Pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions | (2.7) | (1.8) | (.4) | ||||||||
| Other noncurrent changes | 1.9 | 5.6 | 8.3 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 322.3 | $ | 335.7 | $ | 207.5 |
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2024, decreased $13.4 million, largely related to higher working capital needs. Cash used by working capital components increased $36.1 million in 2024. This increased usage of cash was driven largely by higher accrued compensation due in part to additional employees associated with the Separation; higher liquid asphalt and aggregate volumes as well as higher costs of aggregate inventory; timing of prepaid insurance due to Separation; the removal of all related-party balances due to the Separation; and fluctuations in the timing of payment on accounts payable. In addition, stronger collections on receivable balances during 2024 and higher net income partially offset the decrease in cash.
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased $128.2 million, largely related to increased earnings in 2023 and lower working capital needs. Cash provided by working capital components totaled $20.2 million in 2023, compared to $29.0 million in 2022. This decreased usage of cash was driven largely by lower payments on operating expenses at the end of the period and decreased liquid asphalt inventory balances, partially offset by increased accounts receivable balances at the end of the year associated with higher revenues during 2023. In addition, the timing of insurance costs associated with the captive insurer had a positive impact on cash.
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Investing activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | (172.4) | $ | (124.3) | $ | (178.2) | |||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (131.0) | — | 1.7 | ||||||||
| Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | 12.0 | 8.3 | 22.9 | ||||||||
| Investments | (3.4) | (1.9) | (2.3) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (294.8) | $ | (117.9) | $ | (155.9) |
The increase in cash used in investing activities from 2024 to 2023 was primarily due to the completion of six acquisitions in 2024 and higher capital expenditures, including a liquid asphalt expansion project, aggregate reserve replacements and routine replacement of construction equipment. The increase in cash usage was offset in part by additional proceeds from asset sales, largely as a result of the sale of non-strategic assets in Texas in 2024.
The decrease in cash used in investing activities from 2023 to 2022 was primarily due to a reduction in capital expenditures for the prestress facility in Washington that was completed during the third quarter of 2023, offset in part by decreased proceeds from asset sales as a result of the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas in December 2022.
Financing activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Issuance of current related-party notes, net | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 208.0 | |||||
| Issuance (repayment) of long-term related-party notes, net | — | 205.3 | (207.0) | ||||||||
| Issuance of long-term debt | — | 700.0 | — | ||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (7.0) | (3.6) | (.3) | ||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | — | (16.7) | (.8) | ||||||||
| Tax withholding on stock-based compensation | (1.7) | — | — | ||||||||
| Net transfers to Centennial | — | (850.6) | (55.2) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | (8.7) | $ | 34.4 | $ | (55.3) |
The increase in cash flows used in financing activities from 2024 to 2023 was largely related to changes in our debt structure in 2023 as a result of the Separation, which included the issuance of senior notes, term loans, and a revolving credit facility and a transfer of the majority of the proceeds to Centennial. For further information, see Item 8 - Note 9.
The increase in cash flows provided by financing activities from 2023 to 2022 was largely related to the changes in debt as a result of the Separation, which included the issuance of senior notes, term loans and a revolving credit facility, and a transfer of the majority of the proceeds to Centennial.
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Material Cash Requirements
For more information on our contractual obligations on long-term debt, operating leases and purchase commitments, see Item 8 - Notes 9, 10 and 18. At December 31, 2024, our material cash requirements under these obligations were as follows:
| Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities1 | $ | 10.5 | $ | 31.1 | $ | 223.4 | $ | 425.0 | $ | 690.0 | ||||||||
| Estimated interest payments2 | 49.3 | 96.2 | 71.7 | 49.4 | 266.6 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 15.5 | 21.1 | 10.3 | 11.3 | 58.2 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments | 52.8 | 30.7 | 4.0 | 7.6 | 95.1 | |||||||||||||
| $ | 128.1 | $ | 179.1 | $ | 309.4 | $ | 493.3 | $ | 1,109.9 |
__________________
1Unamortized debt issuance costs are excluded from the table.
2Represents the estimated interest payments using our long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2024, assuming current interest rates and consistent amounts outstanding until their respective maturity dates over the periods indicated in the table above.
Material short-term cash requirements include repayment of outstanding borrowings and interest payments on those agreements, payments on operating lease agreements, payment of obligations on purchase commitments and asset retirement obligations. At December 31, 2024, the current portion of asset retirement obligations was $7.1 million and was included in other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Our material long-term cash requirements include repayment of outstanding borrowings and interest payments on those agreements, payments on operating lease agreements, payment of obligations on purchase commitments and asset retirement obligations. At December 31, 2024, we had total liabilities of $59.4 million related to asset retirement obligations that are excluded from the table above. Due to the nature of these obligations, we cannot determine precisely when the payments will be made to settle these obligations. For more information, see Item 8 - Note 11.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
Our company has noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans for certain employees. Plan assets consist of investments in equity and fixed income securities. Various assumptions are used in calculating the benefit expense (income) and liability (asset) related to the pension plans. Actuarial assumptions include assumptions about the discount rate and expected return on plan assets. For 2024, we assumed a discount rate of 5.4 percent and long-term rate of return on our qualified defined pension plan assets of 6.0 percent. Increased discount rates for 2024 compared to 2023 resulted in actuarial gains. Differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results are deferred and amortized into expense when the accumulated differences exceed 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets. Therefore, this change in asset values will be reflected in future expenses of the plans beginning in 2025. The funded status of the plans did not change significantly with the gains on the assets because the liabilities decreased as well due to the increase in the discount rate.
At December 31, 2024, the pension plans’ accumulated benefit obligations exceeded the plans’ assets by approximately $345,000. Pretax pension expense (income) reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, was $289,000, $343,000 and $10,000, respectively. Our pension expense is currently projected to be approximately $350,000 in 2025. We do not expect to make any pension plan contributions in 2025, as the plan is fully funded and is based on using a full yield curve. During 2024, we contributed $2.1 million to our pension plans which was driven by additional discretionary contributions to increase the funded status of the plans. There were no minimum required contributions for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. For more information on our pension plans, see Item 8 - Note 17.
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New Accounting Standards
For information regarding new accounting standards, see Item 8 - Note 2, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We have prepared our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management reviews these estimates and assumptions based on historical experience, changes in business conditions and other relevant factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates are defined as estimates that require management to make assumptions about matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and changes in the estimates could have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. Our critical accounting estimates are subject to judgments and uncertainties that affect the application of the significant accounting policies discussed in Item. 8 - Note 2. As additional information becomes available, or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, our financial position or results of operations may be materially different when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of the following critical accounting estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The recognition of revenue requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue. The accuracy of revenues reported on the audited consolidated financial statements depends on, among other things, management’s estimates of total costs to complete projects because we use the cost-to-cost measure of progress on contracting services contracts for revenue recognition.
To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts, we evaluate whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one single contract and whether the combined or single contract should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation. For most contracts, the customer contracts with us to provide a significant service of integrating a complex set of tasks and components into a single project. Hence, our contracts are generally accounted for as one performance obligation.
We recognize contracting services revenue over time using an input method based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress for contracts because it best depicts the transfer of assets to the customer which occurs as we incur costs on the contract. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the costs incurred are compared with total estimated costs of a performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionately to the costs incurred. This method depends largely on the ability to make reasonably dependable estimates related to the extent of progress toward completion of the contract, contract revenues, and contract costs. Since contract prices are generally set before the work is performed, the estimates pertaining to every project could contain significant unknown risks such as volatile labor, material and fuel costs, weather delays, adverse project site conditions, unforeseen actions by regulatory agencies, performance by subcontractors, job management and relations with project owners. Changes in estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, our total contracting services revenue was $1.4 billion, $1.3 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.
Several factors are evaluated in determining the bid price for contract work. These include, but are not limited to, the complexities of the job, past history performing similar types of work, seasonal weather patterns, competition and market conditions, job site conditions, workforce safety, reputation of the project owner, availability of labor, materials and fuel, project location and project completion dates. As a project commences, estimates are continually
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Index
monitored and revised as information becomes available and actual costs and conditions surrounding the job become known. If a loss is anticipated on a contract, the loss is immediately recognized.
Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. We consider contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new or changes the existing enforceable rights and obligations. Generally, contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct from the existing contract due to the significant integration of services provided in the context of the contract and are accounted for as if they were part of that existing contract. The effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and the measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
Our contracts for contracting services generally contain variable consideration including liquidated damages, performance bonuses or incentives, claims, unpriced change orders and penalties or index pricing. The variable amounts usually arise upon achievement of certain performance metrics or change in project scope. We estimate the amount of revenue to be recognized on variable consideration using one of the two prescribed estimation methods, the expected value method or the most likely amount method, depending on which method best predicts the most likely amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to or expect to incur. Assumptions as to the occurrence of future events and the likelihood and amount of variable consideration are made during the contract performance period, using estimates of variable consideration and assessment of anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to management. We only include variable consideration in the estimated transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Changes in circumstances could impact management’s estimates made in determining the value of variable consideration recorded. When determining if the variable consideration is constrained, we consider if factors exist that could increase the likelihood or the magnitude of a potential reversal of revenue. We update our estimate of the transaction price each reporting period and the effect of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
We believe our estimates surrounding the cost-to-cost method are reasonable based on the information that is known when the estimates are made. We have contract administration, accounting and management control systems in place that allow our estimates to be updated and monitored on a regular basis. Because of the many factors that are evaluated in determining bid prices, it is inherent that our estimates have changed in the past and will continually change in the future as new information becomes available for each job.
Business Combinations
We account for acquisitions on the audited consolidated financial statements starting from the date of the acquisition, which is the date that control is obtained. The acquisition method of accounting requires acquired assets and liabilities assumed be recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The estimation of fair values of acquired assets and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and various assumptions. Although independent appraisals may be used to assist in the determination of the fair value of certain assets and liabilities, the appraised values may be based on significant estimates provided by management. The amounts and useful lives assigned to depreciable and amortizable assets compared to amounts assigned to goodwill, which is not amortized, can affect the results of operations in the period of and periods subsequent to a business combination.
In determining fair values of acquired assets and liabilities assumed, we use various observable inputs for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and various unobservable inputs, which includes the use of valuation models. Fair values are based on various factors including, but not limited to, age and condition of property, maintenance records, auction values for equipment with similar characteristics, recent sales and listings of comparable properties, data collected from drill holes and other subsurface investigations and geologic data. We primarily use the market and cost approaches in determining the fair value of land and property, plant and equipment. A combination of the market and income approaches are used for aggregate reserves and intangibles, primarily a discounted cash flow model. Although we may engage independent third-party consultants to assist with
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the valuation of aggregate reserves and intangibles, the valuations are based on significant estimates that are approved by management. The process is highly subjective and requires a large degree of management judgement. Assumptions used may vary for each specific business combination due to unique circumstances of each transaction. Assumptions may include discount rate, time period, terminal value and growth rate. The values generated from the discounted cash flow model are sensitive to the assumptions used. Inaccurate assumptions can lead to deviations from the values generated.
There is a measurement period after the acquisition date during which we may adjust the amounts recognized for a business combination. Any such adjustments are recorded in the period the adjustment is determined with the corresponding offset to goodwill. These adjustments are typically based on obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date regarding the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. The measurement period ends once we have obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date, but does not extend beyond one year from the date of the acquisition. Once the measurement period has ended, any adjustments to assets acquired or liabilities assumed are recorded in income from continuing operations.
Goodwill
We perform our goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter. In addition, the test is performed on an interim basis whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Examples of such events or circumstances may include a significant adverse change in business climate, weakness in an industry in which our reporting units operate or recent significant cash or operating losses with expectations that those losses will continue.
We have determined that the reporting units for our goodwill impairment test are our operating segments as they constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which segment management regularly reviews the operating results. Goodwill impairment, if any, is measured by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we must record an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, there were no impairment losses recorded. At October 31, 2024, the fair value of each of our reporting units substantially exceeded the carrying value.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires judgment and the use of significant estimates, which include assumptions about our future revenue, profitability and cash flows, long-term growth rates, amount and timing of estimated capital expenditures, inflation rates, weighted average cost of capital, operational plans, and current and future economic conditions, among others. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a weighted combination of income and market approaches. We believe the estimates and assumptions used in our impairment assessments are reasonable and based on available market information.
A discounted cash flow methodology is used for our income approach. Under the income approach, the discounted cash flow model determines fair value based on the present value of projected cash flows over a specified period and a residual value related to future cash flows beyond the projection period. Both values are discounted using a rate that reflects the best estimate of our weighted average cost of capital.
Under the market approach, we estimate fair value using various multiples derived from enterprise value to EBITDA for comparative peer companies as well as comparable market transaction multiples to EBITDA for each respective reporting unit. These multiples are applied to operating data for each reporting unit to arrive at an indication of fair value. In addition, we add a reasonable control premium when calculating the fair value utilizing the peer multiples, which is estimated as the premium that would be received in a sale in an orderly transaction between market participants.
Significant judgment is used in estimating our five-year forecast. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections are in sync as applicable with our strategy and assumptions. Future projections are heavily correlated with the current year results of operations. Future results of operations may vary due to economic and financial impacts. The long-term growth rates used in the five-year forecast are developed by management based on industry
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data, management’s knowledge of the industry and management’s strategic plans. The long-term growth rate used was 3 percent in 2024, 2023 and 2022.
Long-Lived Assets Excluding Goodwill
Long-lived assets, which include aggregate reserves and related assets, represent 55 percent of our total assets as of December 31, 2024. We review the carrying values of our long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable.
We test long-lived assets for impairment at a level significantly lower than that of goodwill impairment testing. Long-lived assets or groups of assets are evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows at an individual operation or group of operations collectively serving a local market.
When indications of or triggers for impairment are noted, impairment testing is completed. The impairment testing requires the use of significant estimates, judgements and uncertainties by management, which may vary from actual results. Estimates and judgements may include, among other things, whether triggering events have occurred, estimates of future cash flows, the asset’s useful life, disposal activity obligations, growth and production.
The determination of whether an impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the assets, compared to the carrying value of the assets. If impairment has occurred, the amount of the impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a loss if the carrying value is greater than the fair value.
No impairment losses were recorded in 2024 or 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized non-cash asset impairments of $5.8 million as a result of certain aggregate sites no longer being economically feasible to mine and having no remaining value. Unforeseen events and changes in circumstances could require the recognition of impairment losses at some future date.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This Annual Report includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, as well as total segment measures, as applicable, that are considered non-GAAP measures of financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. The items excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures are significant components in understanding and assessing financial performance. Therefore, these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered substitutes for the applicable GAAP metric.
EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are most directly comparable to the corresponding GAAP measures of net income and net income margin We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to corresponding GAAP measures, are useful to investors by providing meaningful information about operational efficiency compared to our peers by excluding the impacts of differences in tax jurisdictions and structures, debt levels and capital investment. We believe Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin are useful performance measures because they allow for an effective evaluation of our operating performance by excluding stock-based compensation and unrealized gains and losses on benefit plan investments as they are considered non-cash and not part of our core operations. We also exclude the one-time, non-recurring costs associated with the Separation as those are not expected to continue. We believe EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA assist rating agencies and investors in comparing operating performance across operating periods on a consistent basis by excluding items management does not believe are indicative of our operating performance. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are important financial metrics for debt investors who utilize debt to EBITDA and debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratios. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, including total segment measures, as applicable, are useful performance measures because they provide clarity as to our operational results. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP results when evaluating our operating results internally and calculating employee incentive compensation.
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EBITDA is calculated by adding back income taxes, interest expense (net of interest income) and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense to net income. EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by revenues. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back unrealized gains and losses on benefit plan investments, stock-based compensation and one-time Separation costs to EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenues. These non-GAAP financial measures are calculated the same for both the segment and consolidated metrics and should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, GAAP financial measures such as net income and net income margin and are intended to be helpful supplemental financial measures for investors’ understanding of our operating performance. Our non-GAAP financial measures are not standardized; therefore, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin measures having the same or similar names.
The following information reconciles consolidated net income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA and provides the calculation of EBITDA margin and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Interest expense, net, is net of interest income that is included in other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
| Years ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 201.7 | $ | 182.9 | $ | 116.2 | ||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 136.9 | 123.8 | 117.8 | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 46.4 | 52.9 | 30.1 | |||||||
| Income taxes | 69.3 | 62.4 | 42.6 | |||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 454.3 | $ | 422.0 | $ | 306.7 | ||||
| Unrealized (gains) losses on benefit plan investments | (2.9) | (2.7) | 4.0 | |||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 7.8 | 3.1 | 2.7 | |||||||
| One-time separation costs | 3.8 | 10.0 | — | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 463.0 | $ | 432.4 | $ | 313.4 | ||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,899.0 | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | ||||
| Net income margin | 7.0 | % | 6.5 | % | 4.6 | % | ||||
| EBITDA margin | 15.7 | % | 14.9 | % | 12.1 | % | ||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 16.0 | % | 15.3 | % | 12.4 | % |
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001955520-24-000007.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis should be read together with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Among other things, those historical financial statements include more detailed information regarding the basis of presentation for the financial data included in the following discussion. Certain percentages presented in this discussion and analysis are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts and therefore may not recalculate from the rounded numbers used for disclosure purposes. This discussion contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s business, operations and industry that involve risks and uncertainties, such as statements regarding management’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Future results and financial condition may differ materially from those currently anticipated as a result of the factors described under the sections entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”
Overview
Knife River is a people-first construction materials and contracting services company. The Company provides construction materials and contracting services to build safe roads, bridges and airport runways, and other critical infrastructure needs, that connect people with where they want to go and with the supplies they need. Knife River also champions a positive workplace culture by focusing on safety, training, inclusion, compensation and work-life balance.
Knife River is one of the leading providers of crushed stone and sand and gravel in the United States and operates through six operating segments across 14 states: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, North Central, South and Energy Services. These operating segments are used to determine the Company's reportable segments and are based on the Company's method of internal reporting and management of the business, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 15. The Company's reportable segments are: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, Central and Energy Services. The geographic segments primarily provide aggregates, asphalt and ready-mix concrete, as well as related contracting services such as heavy-civil construction, asphalt paving, concrete construction, site development and grading. The Energy Services segment produces and supplies liquid asphalt and related services, primarily for use in asphalt road construction.
As an aggregates-led construction materials and contracting services provider in the United States, the Company's 1.1 billion tons of aggregate reserves provide the foundation for a vertically integrated business strategy, with approximately 37 percent of its aggregates in 2023 being used internally to support value-added downstream products (ready-mix concrete and asphalt) and contracting services (heavy-civil construction, laydown, asphalt paving, concrete construction, site development and grading services, bridges, and in some segments the
43
manufacturing of prestressed concrete products). Its aggregate sites and associated asphalt and ready-mix plants are primarily in strategic locations near mid-sized, high-growth markets, providing Knife River with a transportation advantage for its materials that supports competitive pricing and increased margins. Knife River provides its products and services to both public and private markets, with public markets tending to be more stable across economic cycles, which helps offset the cyclical nature of the private markets.
The Company provides various products and services and operates a variety of facility types, including aggregate quarries and mines, ready-mix concrete plants, asphalt plants and distribution facilities. The Company operates in the following states:
•Pacific: Alaska, California and Hawaii
•Northwest: Oregon and Washington
•Mountain: Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
•Central: Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas
•Energy Services: California, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming
The following table presents a summary of products and services provided, as well as modes of transporting those products:
| Products and Services | Modes of Transportation | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aggregates | Asphalt | Ready-MixConcrete | ConstructionServices | Precast/PrestressedConcrete | LiquidAsphalt | Cement | HeavyEquipment | Trucking | Rail | Barge | |||||||||||
| Pacific | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||
| Northwest | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | ||||||||||||
| Mountain | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||||
| Central | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | |||||||||||||
| Energy Services | X | X | X |
Basis of Presentation
On May 31, 2023, the Company became a stand-alone publicly traded company. Prior to the Separation, Knife River operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Centennial and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of MDU Resources and not as a stand-alone company. The accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes for the periods prior to the Separation were prepared on a “carve-out” basis using a legal entity approach in conformity with GAAP and were derived from the audited consolidated financial statements of MDU Resources as if the Company operated on a stand-alone basis during these periods. For additional information related to the basis of presentation, see Item 8 - Note 1.
Prior to the Separation, Knife River participated in Centennial’s centralized cash management program, including its overall financing arrangements. Knife River also had related-party note agreements in place with Centennial for the financing of its capital needs, which are reflected as related-party notes payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2022. Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, for the periods prior to the Separation, reflects the allocation of interest on the borrowings associated with the related-party note agreements. Upon the completion of the Separation, Knife River implemented its own financing agreements with lenders. For additional information on the Company's current debt financing, see Item 8 - Note 8.
All intercompany balances and transactions between the businesses comprising Knife River have been eliminated in the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements.
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In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company completed a reorganization of its reporting structure, which resulted in changes being made to the management of its business to best align with its strategies. As a result of the reorganization, the liquid asphalt and related services portion of the Pacific segment’s businesses are now reported under the Energy Services segment. In addition, the North Central and South operating regions have been aggregated into one reportable segment, Central. All periods have been recast to conform with the revised presentation.
Market Conditions and Outlook
Knife River’s markets remain resilient and construction activity remains generally strong despite general and economic challenges in the United States, such as higher interest rates, inflation, transportation disruptions and supply-chain constraints. With approximately 77 percent of its contracting services revenue from public-sector projects, the Company has been able to balance the cyclical nature of its private-sector customers. While Knife River continued to experience inflationary pressures in the past year, price increases have generally outpaced the increased costs. For more information on factors that may negatively impact Knife River's business, see the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors."
Backlog. Knife River’s contracting services backlog was as follows as of December 31:
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Pacific | $ | 51.2 | $ | 72.2 | $ | 66.3 | ||||
| Northwest | 196.2 | 210.7 | 108.0 | |||||||
| Mountain | 256.7 | 313.5 | 208.5 | |||||||
| Central | 158.1 | 222.5 | 228.3 | |||||||
| Total | $ | 662.2 | $ | 818.9 | $ | 611.1 |
Although backlog as of December 31, 2023, is lower than the prior period, expected margins are greater as the Company continues to implement EDGE and pursue higher-margin work. Of the $662.2 million of backlog at December 31, 2023, the Company expects to complete an estimated $610.8 million during 2024. Approximately 84 percent of the Company's backlog as of December 31, 2023, relates to publicly funded projects, including street and highway construction projects, which are driven primarily by public works projects for state departments of transportation. Further, there continues to be infrastructure development, as discussed later, which is expected to provide bidding opportunities in the Company’s markets throughout 2024. Period-over-period increases or decreases in backlog are not indicative of future revenues, margins, net income or EBITDA. While the Company believes the current backlog of work remains firm, prolonged delays in the receipt of critical supplies and materials or continued increases to pricing, among other things, could result in customers seeking to delay or terminate existing or pending agreements and could reduce expected margins. See the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” for a list of factors that can cause revenues to be realized in periods and at levels that are different from originally projected.
Public Funding. Funding for public projects is dependent on federal and state funding, such as appropriations to the Federal Highway Administration. The American Rescue Plan Act enacted in the first quarter of 2021 provides $1.9 trillion in COVID-19 relief funding for states, schools and local governments. States are moving forward with allocating these funds based on federal criteria and state needs, and in some cases, funding of infrastructure projects could positively impact Knife River. Additionally, the IIJA was enacted in the fourth quarter of 2021 and is providing long-term opportunities by designating $131 billion in funding across Knife River’s footprint. In addition to federal funding, 12 out of the 14 states in which Knife River operates have implemented new funding mechanisms for public projects, including projects related to highways, airports and other public infrastructure. Knife River continues to monitor the implementation and impact of these legislative items.
Profitability. Knife River’s management continually monitors its margins and has been proactive in applying strategies to address the inflationary impacts seen across the United States. In 2023, the Company began implementing EDGE to improve margins and to execute on other strategic initiatives aimed at generating long-term profitable growth. As part of this strategy, Knife River has increased its product pricing over the past year and is
45
targeting higher-margin bidding opportunities. Knife River also provided company-wide training on its pricing initiatives in the fourth quarter of 2023. In addition, the Company established dedicated teams that assist with implementing cost-savings initiatives and production modifications to further enhance its gross margin.
Knife River operates in geographically diverse and competitive markets, and strives to maximize efficiencies, including transportation costs and economies of scale, to maintain strong margins. Its margins can experience negative pressure from competition, as well as impacts from the volatility in the cost of raw materials, such as diesel fuel, gasoline, natural gas, liquid asphalt, cement and steel, with fuel, liquid asphalt and cement costs often having the most significant impact on results. Many of these raw materials are subject to factors that are beyond the control of the Company, including global economic and political events and new and changing governmental regulations. The Energy Services segment is susceptible to volatility in liquid asphalt costs, which can impact both cost of sales and revenues, for which the Company cannot reliably predict future pricing. Such volatility and inflationary pressures may have an impact on the Company’s margins, including fixed-price contracting services contracts that are particularly vulnerable to the volatility of energy and material prices. The Company mitigates its exposure to these fluctuations by entering into various purchase commitments, as well as by generally including terms in its contracting services agreements that provide for price adjustments related to variations in raw materials costs.
Knife River's operations can also be significantly impacted by both favorable and unfavorable weather conditions. Unseasonably wet and/or cold weather in the states where it operates can delay the start or cause an early end to the construction season or cause temporary delays on specific projects, while unseasonably dry or warm weather in the states where it operates can allow for a lengthened construction season or allow for early completions on specific projects. Either of these conditions can impact both its construction materials sales and contracting services revenues. In 2023, the Company experienced a longer construction season in the fourth quarter due to mild weather conditions across the western and northern United States. Other variables that can impact Knife River’s margins include the timing of project starts or completions, and declines or delays in new and existing projects due to the cyclical nature of the construction industry. Accordingly, operating results in any particular period may not be indicative of the results that can be expected for any other period.
Workforce. As a people-first company, Knife River continually takes steps to address the challenge of recruitment and retention of employees. Knife River continues to monitor the labor markets and assess additional opportunities to enhance and support its workforce.
To help attract new workers to the construction industry and enhance the skills and safety performance of its current employees, Knife River owns and operates a state-of-the-art training facility. The Knife River Training Center offers hands-on training for construction-related careers, including heavy-equipment operators and truck drivers, in addition to safety and leadership training. One of the most popular courses is CDL training, which is helping to address some of the recent labor shortages and trends. The following table summarizes some of the classes taught at the Knife River Training Center.
| As of December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CDL Training Course: | ||||||
| Classes | 10 | 12 | ||||
| Students | 69 | 85 | ||||
| Earned CDL | 100 | % | 96 | % | ||
| Heavy Equipment Training Courses: | ||||||
| Classes | 39 | 10 | ||||
| Students | 211 | 227 | ||||
| Leadership Courses: | ||||||
| Classes | 11 | 8 | ||||
| Students | 104 | 76 |
_________________
*Heavy equipment includes, but is not limited to, articulated truck, track type tractor, bulldozer, hydraulic excavator, snowcat, backhoe loader, off highway truck, motor grader, roller, wheel loader and skid steer loader.
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Consolidated Overview
Revenue includes revenue from the sale of construction materials and contracting services. Revenue for construction materials is recognized at a point in time when delivery of the products has taken place. Contracting services revenue is recognized over time using an input method based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress on a project.
Cost of revenue includes all material, labor and overhead costs incurred in the production process for Knife River's products and services. Cost of revenue also includes depreciation, depletion and amortization attributable to the assets used in the production process.
Gross profit includes revenue less cost of revenue, as defined above, and is the difference between revenue and the cost of making a product or providing a service, before deducting selling, general and administrative expenses, income taxes, interest expense and other expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include the costs for estimating, bidding and business development, as well as costs related to corporate and administrative functions. Selling expenses can vary depending on the volume of projects in process and the number of employees assigned to estimating and bidding activities. Other general and administrative expenses include outside services; information technology; depreciation and amortization; training, travel and entertainment; office supplies; allowance for expected credit losses; gains or losses on the sale of assets; and other miscellaneous expenses.
Other income (expense) includes net periodic benefit costs for the Company’s benefit plan expenses, other than service costs; interest income; realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments for the Company’s nonqualified benefit plans; earnings or losses on joint venture arrangements; and other miscellaneous income or expenses, including income and expenses related to the transition services agreement with MDU Resources.
Income tax expense consists of corporate income taxes related to the net income of the Company. Income taxes are presented at the corporate services level and not at the individual segments. The effective tax rate can be affected by many factors, including changes in tax laws, regulations or rates, new interpretations of existing laws or regulations and changes to the Company's overall levels of income before income tax.
The discussion that follows focuses on the key financial measures the Company uses to evaluate the performance of its business, which include revenue, gross profit, gross margin, EBITDA and EBITDA margin. Gross margin is calculated by dividing gross profit by revenue. Gross margin reflects the percentage of revenue earned in comparison to cost. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled "Non-GAAP Financial Measures."
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Comparison for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022% change | 2022 vs 2021% change | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | $ | 2,228.9 | 12 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue | 2,291.4 | 2,173.8 | 1,881.9 | 5 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||
| Gross profit | 538.9 | 360.9 | 347.0 | 49 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | 242.5 | 166.6 | 155.9 | 46 | % | 7 | % | |||||||||||
| Operating income | 296.4 | 194.3 | 191.1 | 53 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||
| Interest expense | 58.1 | 30.1 | 19.2 | 93 | % | 57 | % | |||||||||||
| Other (expense) income | 7.0 | (5.4) | 1.3 | 230 | % | (515) | % | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 245.3 | 158.8 | 173.2 | 54 | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||
| Income taxes | 62.4 | 42.6 | 43.4 | 46 | % | (2) | % | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 182.9 | $ | 116.2 | $ | 129.8 | 57 | % | (10) | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA* | $ | 422.0 | $ | 306.7 | $ | 293.4 | 38 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA* | $ | 432.4 | $ | 313.4 | $ | 294.7 | 38 | % | 6 | % |
__________________
*EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
The following tables summarize operating results for the Company for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
| Revenues | Gross profit | Gross margin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific | $ | 462.2 | $ | 418.1 | $ | 396.8 | $ | 77.4 | $ | 54.5 | $ | 63.4 | 16.8 | % | 13.0 | % | 16.0 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Northwest | 666.1 | 600.2 | 478.0 | 133.4 | 106.4 | 87.5 | 20.0 | % | 17.7 | % | 18.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mountain | 634.0 | 542.0 | 479.6 | 109.1 | 77.5 | 71.2 | 17.2 | % | 14.3 | % | 14.8 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Central | 825.0 | 779.8 | 720.9 | 134.8 | 90.5 | 90.0 | 16.3 | % | 11.6 | % | 12.5 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Services | 292.3 | 238.4 | 192.8 | 83.1 | 31.4 | 34.9 | 28.4 | % | 13.2 | % | 18.1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment totals | 2,879.6 | 2,578.5 | 2,268.1 | 537.8 | 360.3 | 347.0 | 18.7 | % | 14.0 | % | 15.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Services and Eliminations | (49.3) | (43.8) | (39.2) | 1.1 | .6 | — | (2.2) | % | (1.5) | % | .1 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | $ | 2,228.9 | $ | 538.9 | $ | 360.9 | $ | 347.0 | 19.0 | % | 14.2 | % | 15.6 | % |
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| Revenues | EBITDA* | EBITDA margin* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pacific | $ | 462.2 | $ | 418.1 | $ | 396.8 | $ | 56.2 | $ | 44.0 | $ | 57.9 | 12.2 | % | 10.5 | % | 14.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Northwest | 666.1 | 600.2 | 478.0 | 121.1 | 103.9 | 80.6 | 18.2 | % | 17.3 | % | 16.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Mountain | 634.0 | 542.0 | 479.6 | 103.2 | 72.6 | 65.0 | 16.3 | % | 13.4 | % | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Central | 825.0 | 779.8 | 720.9 | 116.6 | 86.6 | 81.5 | 14.1 | % | 11.1 | % | 11.3 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Energy Services | 292.3 | 238.4 | 192.8 | 78.1 | 28.3 | 31.5 | 26.7 | % | 11.9 | % | 16.4 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment totals | 2,879.6 | 2,578.5 | 2,268.1 | 475.2 | 335.4 | 316.5 | 16.5 | % | 13.0 | % | 14.0 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate Services and Eliminations | (49.3) | (43.8) | (39.2) | (53.2) | (28.7) | (23.1) | 108.0 | % | 65.4 | % | 59.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | $ | 2,228.9 | $ | 422.0 | $ | 306.7 | $ | 293.4 | 14.9 | % | 12.1 | % | 13.2 | % |
__________________
*EBITDA and EBITDA Margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measures, see the section entitled “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
| Revenues | Gross profit | Gross margin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 547.9 | $ | 496.6 | $ | 444.0 | $ | 109.7 | $ | 69.5 | $ | 60.5 | 20.0 | % | 14.0 | % | 13.6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 653.9 | 609.5 | 584.4 | 101.2 | 85.9 | 81.5 | 15.5 | % | 14.1 | % | 13.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Asphalt | 452.4 | 427.5 | 339.8 | 61.5 | 41.7 | 40.4 | 13.6 | % | 9.8 | % | 11.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Liquid asphalt | 253.2 | 207.5 | 166.1 | 69.7 | 25.4 | 24.5 | 27.5 | % | 12.2 | % | 14.7 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other* | 249.0 | 199.8 | 178.2 | 47.9 | 38.3 | 39.5 | 19.2 | % | 19.2 | % | 22.2 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Contracting services | 1,307.3 | 1,187.7 | 1,017.5 | 148.9 | 100.1 | 100.6 | 11.4 | % | 8.4 | % | 9.9 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Internal sales | (633.4) | (593.9) | (501.1) | — | — | — | — | % | — | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | 2,830.3 | $ | 2,534.7 | $ | 2,228.9 | $ | 538.9 | $ | 360.9 | $ | 347.0 | 19.0 | % | 14.2 | % | 15.6 | % |
__________________
*Other includes cement, merchandise, fabric, spreading and other products and services that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales (thousands): | ||||||||||
| Aggregates (tons) | 33,637 | 33,994 | 33,518 | |||||||
| Ready-mix concrete (cubic yards) | 3,837 | 4,015 | 4,267 | |||||||
| Asphalt (tons) | 6,760 | 7,254 | 7,101 | |||||||
| Average selling price: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates (per ton)* | $ | 16.29 | $ | 14.61 | $ | 13.25 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete (per cubic yard) | $ | 170.42 | $ | 151.80 | $ | 136.94 | ||||
| Asphalt (per ton) | $ | 66.92 | $ | 58.93 | $ | 47.86 |
__________________
*The average selling price includes freight and delivery and other revenues.
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2023 Compared to 2022
Revenue
Revenue improved $295.6 million as increased pricing added $217.3 million in revenue across all regions and product lines, supported by demand, increased market pricing and EDGE-related pricing initiatives. The Company also saw increased contracting services revenue in most regions, especially in the Mountain and Northwest regions that benefited from strong demand and more available work. Higher liquid asphalt sales volumes also contributed to the increased revenue. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased asphalt, ready-mix concrete and aggregate sales volumes of $69.2 million, primarily attributable to the absence in 2023 of certain impact projects, lower internal sales volumes resulting from the strategy to target improved bid margins, project timing and the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas in December 2022.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $178.0 million while gross margin improved 480 basis points. Higher sales prices outpacing costs across its materials product lines contributed $126.0 million in gross profit, which was largely the result of increased market pricing and EDGE-related initiatives, including operating efficiencies and pricing optimization. Higher contracting services margins contributed $48.9 million to gross profit, primarily related to improved bid margins, certain impact projects and job productivity gains. Additionally, liquid asphalt margins benefited from cost improvements and higher sales volumes.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $75.9 million. As a result of the Separation, the Company experienced increased recurring costs, including payroll-related costs of $12.3 million, largely due to additional staff and stock-based compensation expense for the management team and board of directors; insurance costs of $2.8 million; and professional services of $2.6 million, which were offset in part by a reduction in general corporate expenses from MDU Resources of $7.6 million, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 1. Also, as part of the Separation, the Company incurred one-time costs of $10.0 million primarily related to professional services, insurance costs and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources. Further contributing to the higher selling, general and administrative costs were increased payroll-related costs of $27.7 million, due in part to higher incentive accruals across the segments based on the Company’s performance; non-cash asset impairments of $5.8 million on aggregate sites discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; absence of a gain of $6.7 million recognized in 2022 on the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas; higher office expenses of $2.6 million; increased expected credit losses of $1.5 million directly associated with an increase in receivable balances over 90 days and the absence of bad debt recoveries in 2022; and higher information technology and other costs.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $28.0 million due primarily to higher average interest rates. Interest rates were higher as a result of the Company settling related-party notes payable as part of the Separation and entering into new debt agreements with higher interest rates, which resulted in additional interest expense in the period of $29.5 million. Partially offsetting the increase was lower average debt balances. For additional information, see Item 8 - Notes 8 and 19.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) increased $12.4 million, due in part to improved returns on the Company’s nonqualified benefit plan investments of $5.5 million; increased interest income of $5.2 million on higher cash balances and on the cash held in escrow for the $425.0 million of senior notes issued prior to the completion of the Separation; and income resulting from the transition services agreement with MDU Resources, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 19.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense increased $19.8 million corresponding with higher income before income taxes.
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2022 Compared to 2021
Revenue
Revenue increased $305.8 million, largely driven by increased revenues across all product lines as the business benefited from higher average selling prices of nearly $250 million, largely in response to inflationary pressures. Aggregate sales volumes provided an additional $10.2 million, due mainly to recent acquisitions contributing 2.2 million tons, offset in part by lower volumes in certain segments. Asphalt sales volumes increased $7.2 million from higher demand in Minnesota and North Dakota, along with the Mountain and Pacific segments, partially offset by lower volumes in Texas due to less available paving work. Contracting revenues increased $170.2 million across most segments as a result of more available agency and commercial work, recent acquisitions in the Northwest segment contributing $27.9 million, more available paving work in the Mountain segment along with Minnesota and North Dakota and higher contract values in all segments as a result of inflationary pressures.
The business was impacted by lower ready-mix concrete sales volumes of $38.5 million across all segments, resulting from lower residential demand and fewer impact projects. The business also saw decreased volumes for other products, largely related to decreased demand for liquid asphalt.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit increased by $13.9 million and gross margin decreased 140 basis points. The increase in gross profit was primarily as a result of increased average selling prices to offset higher costs, largely due to inflationary pressures. The decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to decreases for asphalt, other products and contracting services due to higher costs discussed later, including higher liquid asphalt, labor and fuel costs. Partially offsetting these decreases were increased gross margins on aggregates and ready-mix concrete as a result of higher average selling prices, as previously discussed, driven by higher operating costs across the segments, mostly the result of inflationary pressures. All lines of business were impacted by the higher costs, which include higher liquid asphalt costs of $59.3 million; higher labor costs of $32.0 million; higher fuel costs of $42.6 million; and higher cement costs of $20.7 million. In addition, contributions from recent acquisitions of $12.9 million had a positive impact on gross margin for the aggregates and contracting services.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $10.7 million, largely resulting from higher payroll-related costs of $11.6 million, partially resulting from inflationary pressures; higher travel expenses of $2.3 million; higher office expenses of $1.7 million; higher professional fees of $1.7 million, partially due to increased legal and audit fees; decreased recovery of bad debt of $1.4 million; and increased safety and training costs. These increases were offset in part by higher net gains on asset sales of $7.5 million.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $10.9 million related to higher debt balances to fund recent acquisitions and higher working capital needs, along with higher average interest rates.
Other Income (Expense)
Other income (expense) decreased $6.7 million, primarily resulting from lower returns on the Company's nonqualified benefit plan investments.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense decreased $800,000 as a result of lower income before income taxes.
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Business Segment Financial and Operating Data
A discussion of key financial data from Knife River’s business segments follows. Knife River provides segment level information by revenue, gross profit, gross margin, EBITDA and EBITDA margin as these are measures of profitability used by management to assess operating results. EBITDA and EBITDA margin are non-GAAP financial measures. For more information and reconciliations to the nearest GAAP measure, see the section entitled “—Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company completed a reorganization of its reporting structure, which has resulted in changes being made to the management of its business to best align with its strategies. Based on how the chief operating decision maker manages the Company, the reportable segments are: Pacific, Northwest, Mountain, Central and Energy Services. The Company also has the Corporate Services segment. The Corporate Services segment provides accounting, legal, treasury, information technology, human resources and certain corporate expenses that support its operating segments. As a result of the reorganization, the liquid asphalt and related services portion of the Pacific segment’s businesses are now reported under the Energy Services segment. In addition, the North Central and South operating regions have been aggregated into one reportable segment, Central. All periods have been recast to conform with the revised presentation.
| Results of Operations – Pacific | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022% change | 2022 vs 2021% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 462.2 | $ | 418.1 | $ | 396.8 | 11 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 77.4 | $ | 54.5 | $ | 63.4 | 42 | % | (14) | % | ||||||||
| Gross margin | 16.8 | % | 13.0 | % | 16.0 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 56.2 | $ | 44.0 | $ | 57.9 | 28 | % | (24) | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 12.2 | % | 10.5 | % | 14.6 | % |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 104.8 | $ | 92.3 | $ | 89.9 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 142.3 | 127.5 | 123.9 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 32.2 | 35.7 | 26.3 | |||||||
| Other* | 142.7 | 114.2 | 104.8 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 126.3 | 129.5 | 127.7 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (86.1) | (81.1) | (75.8) | |||||||
| $ | 462.2 | $ | 418.1 | $ | 396.8 |
__________________
*Other includes cement, precast/prestressed concrete, merchandise, and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2023 Compared to 2022
Revenue
Revenue improved $44.1 million, across most product lines and was higher as a result of increased prices to cover rising costs and from the early stages of EDGE-related pricing implementation, as well as increased sales of higher priced products, adding $32.0 million. The segment saw strong cement product sales volumes to third-party customers in Alaska and strong aggregate sales volumes of $6.0 million, primarily from increased demand in Hawaii as the local economy continues to regain momentum for public and private work. Ready-mix concrete sales volumes
52
increased in northern California as a result of an acquisition in December 2022, which were offset in part by lower sales volumes in Alaska due to fewer projects over the prior year. Partially offsetting the increased revenues was the absence in 2023 of an impact project in California of $11.2 million, which affected both contracting services workloads and asphalt volumes. Northern California experienced mild weather in the fourth quarter which also contributed to a strong finish to the year.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $22.9 million while gross margin improved 380 basis points, largely the result of increased pricing outpacing costs and strong demand, as previously discussed. The segment also experienced lower fuel and asphalt oil costs. Partially offsetting the increase was lower contracting services margins reducing gross profit by $1.9 million as a result of cost overruns on a project in California.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA improved $12.2 million and EBITDA margin improved 170 basis points. These improvements are the direct result of the previously discussed gross profit, offset in part by higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $11.6 million. The increased selling, general and administrative expenses includes higher payroll-related costs of $5.9 million, due in part to higher incentive accruals based on the Company’s performance; a non-cash asset impairment of $2.2 million on a leased aggregate site, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; higher rent expense of $700,000; increased building repairs of $500,000; and other miscellaneous expenses.
2022 Compared to 2021
Revenue
Revenue improved $21.3 million, largely from higher average selling prices for ready-mix concrete, asphalt, aggregates and cement, largely in response to inflationary pressures, contributing approximately $23.2 million. Revenues were also positively impacted from increased asphalt volumes of 9.4 percent, primarily related to a large project in Northern California. Contracting services revenues were up 1.5 percent, which provided an additional $1.9 million during the period, largely in the northern California market from a large project and increases in contract pricing, due in part to inflationary pressures. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased aggregate sales volumes of $3.4 million related to decreased demand in northern California and decreased ready-mix concrete sales volumes of $3.0 million related to decreased demand in Alaska and Hawaii.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit decreased $8.9 million and gross margin decreased 300 basis points. Margins decreased across most product lines and contracting services as a result of a downturn in the Hawaiian economy, a lack of large rock projects and less residential work in California. In addition, the segment experienced higher costs of $30.2 million, largely the result of inflationary pressures, including fuel, labor, material and production costs.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA decreased $13.9 million and EBITDA margin decreased 410 basis points. These decreases were the result of the previously discussed lower gross profit, as well as higher selling, general and administrative costs of $5.8 million, including payroll-related costs of $3.4 million, legal costs of $1.7 million and lower bad debt recovery of $900,000.
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| Results of Operations – Northwest | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022% change | 2022 vs 2021% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 666.1 | $ | 600.2 | $ | 478.0 | 11 | % | 26 | % | ||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 133.4 | $ | 106.4 | $ | 87.5 | 25 | % | 22 | % | ||||||||
| Gross margin | 20.0 | % | 17.7 | % | 18.3 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 121.1 | $ | 103.9 | $ | 80.6 | 17 | % | 29 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 18.2 | % | 17.3 | % | 16.9 | % |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 189.9 | $ | 171.6 | $ | 135.2 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 163.4 | 158.0 | 152.1 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 103.3 | 97.3 | 78.9 | |||||||
| Other* | 15.8 | 14.8 | 12.8 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 300.4 | 262.7 | 187.1 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (106.7) | (104.2) | (88.1) | |||||||
| $ | 666.1 | $ | 600.2 | $ | 478.0 |
__________________
*Other includes merchandise, transportation services and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2023 Compared to 2022
Revenue
Revenue improved $65.9 million, largely the result of EDGE-related pricing initiatives on all product lines, which together contributed $52.0 million. In addition, higher demand for contracting services work related to Agency and railroad projects, as well as prestress data center and other projects, accounted for an increase in revenues of $37.7 million. Partially offsetting the increases were lower sales volumes across all product lines of $22.2 million, due in large part to the timing of impact projects in 2023 and decreased demand for asphalt paving and residential work.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $27.0 million and gross margin improved 230 basis points resulting from higher sales prices outpacing costs across all product lines by $26.1 million, largely resulting from EDGE-related pricing initiatives and product mix, which was offset in part by lower volumes across all product lines, as previously discussed. Contracting services gross profit improved $8.0 million, largely due to the strong backlog of work established and the reduction of job losses as compared to the prior year, which were offset in part by startup costs related to the new prestress facility. In addition, lower fuel, asphalt oil and equipment costs had a positive impact on gross profit.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA improved $17.2 million while EBITDA margin improved 90 basis points. The improvements are the result of increased gross profit, as previously discussed, offset in part by higher selling, general and administrative expenses which includes $3.9 million of higher payroll-related costs largely related to higher wages and performance-based incentives; a non-cash asset impairment of $3.6 million on an aggregate site, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 2; and $3.0 million lower asset sale gains.
54
2022 Compared to 2021
Revenue
Revenue increased $122.2 million, largely related to higher contracting services revenues as a result of higher demand for airport, Agency, commercial and data center projects and inflationary pressures driving up contract values, as well as the benefit from recent acquisitions of $29.0 million. Higher sales prices on all product lines, largely in response to inflationary pressures, also contributed $48.0 million. Aggregate volumes increased 18 percent during the period, largely from recent acquisitions contributing 2.2 million tons. Partially offsetting the increases were decreased ready-mix concrete volumes of $15.0 million or 9 percent, largely related to decreased demand and the absence of a large project.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit increased $18.9 million, primarily as a result of increased sales prices to offset higher costs, largely due to inflationary pressures including costs for energy-related products, raw materials, labor and equipment, while gross margin decreased 60 basis points. The decrease in gross margin was primarily attributable to 36.6 percent lower realized margins on asphalt due to higher raw materials and energy-related costs from inflationary pressures and 10.3 percent lower contracting services margin due to higher equipment costs and lower margin carry-over work from recent acquisitions. Partially offsetting these decreases were increased gross margins for aggregates of 14.4 percent and ready-mix concrete of 11.9 percent as higher average selling prices offset the increased costs as a result of the previously mentioned inflationary pressures.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA increased $23.3 million and EBITDA margin increased 40 basis points. The increase in EBITDA was the direct result of increased gross profit previously discussed and the offset of higher depreciation expense of $11.2 million included in gross profit. Partially offsetting this increase was higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $6.7 million resulting from increased acquisition-related costs, higher bad debt expense and higher labor-related costs, partially the result of inflationary pressures.
| Results of Operations – Mountain | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022% change | 2022 vs 2021% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 634.0 | $ | 542.0 | $ | 479.6 | 17 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 109.1 | $ | 77.5 | $ | 71.2 | 41 | % | 9 | % | ||||||||
| Gross margin | 17.2 | % | 14.3 | % | 14.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 103.2 | $ | 72.6 | $ | 65.0 | 42 | % | 12 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 16.3 | % | 13.4 | % | 13.6 | % |
55
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 100.5 | $ | 83.3 | $ | 72.6 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 120.5 | 106.7 | 100.4 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 112.9 | 93.3 | 69.3 | |||||||
| Other* | — | — | .1 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 433.0 | 368.7 | 323.7 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (132.9) | (110.0) | (86.5) | |||||||
| $ | 634.0 | $ | 542.0 | $ | 479.6 |
__________________
*Other includes products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2023 Compared to 2022
Revenue
Revenue improved $92.0 million, 70 percent of which was derived from contracting services from strong demand for Agency, airport and commercial work throughout the region. Pricing momentum across all product lines and throughout the region contributed $40.3 million. The increased pricing was in response to rising costs, demand and growing markets, as well as the early stages of EDGE-related pricing implementation. Aggregate volumes increased in the majority of locations with Wyoming recognizing an increase due to a number of wind energy projects throughout the state and certain areas of Montana saw higher volumes due to four airport projects. Wyoming also experienced wetter weather conditions in 2023 which negatively impacted both ready-mix concrete and asphalt sales volumes, partially contributing to a $7.3 million decrease to revenue.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $31.6 million and gross margin improved 290 basis points. The improvement was the result of higher contracting services revenues and margins contributing profit of $19.7 million due to strong markets for Agency, airport and commercial work, as well as cost savings and job efficiencies. Higher sales prices outpaced costs across all product lines by $11.9 million. In addition, lower fuel and equipment costs had a positive impact on gross profit.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA improved $30.6 million and EBITDA margin improved 290 basis points which was a result of the increased gross profit previously discussed, along with higher gains on asset sales, offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses, as a result of higher payroll-related costs of $2.4 million, including increased incentive accruals based on the Company’s performance.
2022 Compared to 2021
Revenue
Revenue increased $62.4 million, primarily the result of higher contracting services revenues and higher sales prices across all product lines, largely in response to inflationary pressures, of $41.7 million. Contracting services benefited from higher demand across all markets throughout the region and higher contract pricing in response to inflationary pressures. Asphalt sales volumes increased $4.7 million or 5.4 percent mainly due to stronger demand for paving work in Montana and Wyoming, and aggregate sales volumes increased $2.0 million or 2.4 percent resulting from stronger demand in certain states. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased ready-mix concrete sales volumes of $7.4 million as a result of increased competition.
56
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit increased $6.3 million, primarily as a result of increased sales prices to offset higher costs, largely due to inflationary pressures including costs for energy-related products, raw materials, labor and equipment, while gross margin decreased 50 basis points. The decrease in gross margin was largely attributable to a 14.7 percent decrease in gross margin for contracting services due to increased materials costs and other inflationary pressures, as previously discussed. All other lines of business for this segment saw an increase in gross margin ranging from 4.0 percent to 10.0 percent, which was primarily due to increased selling prices, as previously mentioned.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA increased $7.6 million and EBITDA margin decreased 20 basis points. The increase in EBITDA was directly related to the increase in gross profit, as previously mentioned. The decrease in EBITDA margin was largely the result of the decrease in gross margin previously discussed, as well as higher labor costs in selling, general and administrative expenses. The absence of a gain of $1.3 million on a property sale in Montana during 2021 also negatively impacted both EBITDA and EBITDA margin.
| Results of Operations – Central | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022% change | 2022 vs 2021% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 825.0 | $ | 779.8 | $ | 720.9 | 6 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 134.8 | $ | 90.5 | $ | 90.0 | 49 | % | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Gross margin | 16.3 | % | 11.6 | % | 12.5 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 116.6 | $ | 86.6 | $ | 81.5 | 35 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 14.1 | % | 11.1 | % | 11.3 | % |
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Aggregates | $ | 152.7 | $ | 149.4 | $ | 146.3 | ||||
| Ready-mix concrete | 227.7 | 217.3 | 208.0 | |||||||
| Asphalt | 204.0 | 201.2 | 165.3 | |||||||
| Other* | 28.8 | 25.0 | 22.8 | |||||||
| Contracting services | 447.6 | 426.8 | 379.0 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (235.8) | (239.9) | (200.5) | |||||||
| $ | 825.0 | $ | 779.8 | $ | 720.9 |
__________________
*Other includes merchandise and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2023 Compared to 2022
Revenue
Revenue improved $45.2 million as a result of higher selling prices across all product lines providing $76.1 million of additional revenue, largely due to EDGE-related pricing initiatives. Contracting services saw a benefit of $20.8 million from improved bid margins and favorable weather across the regions, a large concrete and asphalt paving job in the north central region and increased paving work in Texas. Partially offsetting these increases were lower sales volumes of $33.0 million across most product lines largely as the regions continue to target improved bid margins on projects which also impacts internal sales volumes and the absence of an impact project in
57
South Dakota. Also, decreased ready-mix concrete and aggregates sales due to a sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas in December 2022 impacted revenue.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $44.3 million while gross margin improved 470 basis points, largely due to higher sales prices across all product lines which contributed $30.0 million and higher contracting services margins of $22.5 million related to improved bid margins, impact projects and job productivity gains. Partially offsetting the improvement was the impact of decreased sales volumes.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA improved $30.0 million and EBITDA margin improved 300 basis points. The increase in EBITDA was directly related to the increase in gross profit, as previously mentioned. The increase was offset in part by higher selling, general and administrative expenses of $14.6 million, largely the absence of a gain of $6.7 million recognized in 2022 on the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas; additional payroll-related costs of $6.0 million, due in part to higher incentive accruals based on the Company’s performance; and increased insurance costs of $1.4 million.
2022 Compared to 2021
Revenue
Revenue improved $58.9 million, primarily the result of higher selling prices across all product lines of $78.1 million in both north central and south regions, largely in response to inflationary pressures. Also, higher contracting services revenues of $48.8 million was driven largely by higher demand for asphalt paving work in the north central region, which also drove asphalt sales volumes up $5.9 million. Partially offsetting these increases were decreased aggregate and ready-mix concrete sales volumes of $23.9 million as a result of the absence of a few large commercial projects in the South Dakota market during the year and lower demand for residential work in certain markets across the north central region. Lower demand for asphalt paving work in Texas resulted in $14.3 million lower contracting services, aggregates and asphalt revenues.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $500,000 while gross margin decreased 90 basis points primarily due to increased costs, largely due to inflationary pressures including energy-related products, raw materials, labor and equipment. Partially offsetting these decreases were increased margins for aggregates as higher selling prices more than offset the increased costs previously mentioned.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA improved $5.1 million and EBITDA margin decreased 20 basis points. The increase in EBITDA was primarily due to a gain of $6.7 million recognized in 2022 on the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas.
| Results of Operations – Energy Services | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2023 vs 2022% change | 2022 vs 2021% change | |||||||||||||
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 292.3 | $ | 238.4 | $ | 192.8 | 23 | % | 24 | % | ||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 83.1 | $ | 31.4 | $ | 34.9 | 165 | % | (10) | % | ||||||||
| Gross margin | 28.4 | % | 13.2 | % | 18.1 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 78.1 | $ | 28.3 | $ | 31.5 | 176 | % | (10) | % | ||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 26.7 | % | 11.9 | % | 16.4 | % |
58
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||
| Liquid asphalt | $ | 253.2 | $ | 207.5 | $ | 166.1 | ||||
| Other* | 49.3 | 45.2 | 37.7 | |||||||
| Internal sales | (10.2) | (14.3) | (11.0) | |||||||
| $ | 292.3 | $ | 238.4 | $ | 192.8 |
__________________
*Other includes transportation services, fabric, spreading and other products that individually are not considered to be a major line of business for the segment.
2023 Compared to 2022
Revenue
Revenue improved $53.9 million, largely driven by higher liquid asphalt sales volumes from additional sales opportunities across most of its primary markets, higher sales to other reportable segments and sales late in the year due to favorable weather conditions. Higher liquid asphalt sales prices also positively impacted revenue.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit improved $51.7 million while gross margin improved 1,520 basis points, primarily related to increased market pricing and higher sales volumes. Partially offsetting these increases were higher operating costs for scheduled tank repair and maintenance and higher payroll-related costs.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA improved $49.8 million and EBITDA margin improved 1,480 basis points. This increase was directly related to the increased gross profit previously discussed, reduced slightly by higher selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily $1.4 million of payroll-related costs.
2022 Compared to 2021
Revenue
Revenue improved $45.6 million, primarily due to increased market pricing on liquid asphalt. Sales volumes for liquid asphalt declined across most markets, except California where volumes increased 55 percent.
Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Gross profit decreased $3.5 million and gross margin decreased 490 basis points due to significantly higher costs related to inflationary pressures on liquid asphalt, burner fuel and other energy-related products. Also impacting gross profit was increased tank maintenance costs.
EBITDA and EBITDA Margin
EBITDA decreased $3.2 million and EBITDA margin decreased 450 basis points as a direct result of the decreased gross profit previously discussed.
Corporate Services and Eliminations
Corporate Services includes all expenses related to the corporate functions of the Company, as well as insurance activity at the Company’s captive insurer; interest expense on a majority of the Company’s long-term debt; interest income; and unrealized gains and losses on investments for the Company’s nonqualified benefit plans.
During 2023, Corporate Services contributed negative EBITDA of $53.2 million, or $24.5 million less EBITDA compared to the prior year. The decrease was due to higher selling, general and administrative costs of $31.8 million
59
directly resulting from the Separation from MDU Resources. The Company experienced increased recurring costs, including payroll-related costs of $12.3 million, largely due to additional staff and stock-based compensation expense for the management team and board of directors; professional services of $2.6 million; fees of $1.2 million, primarily related to fees on the new debt issued in conjunction with the Separation; and insurance costs of $400,000. These recurring costs were offset in part by a reduction in general corporate expenses from MDU Resources of $7.6 million, as discussed in Item 8 - Note 1. Also, as part of the Separation, the Company incurred one-time costs of $10.0 million primarily related to professional services, insurance costs and the transition services agreement with MDU Resources. Further contributing to higher selling, general and administrative costs were increased payroll-related costs due to higher incentive accruals based on the Company's performance. Partially offsetting these increased costs were improved returns on the Company’s nonqualified benefit plan investments of $5.5 million.
During 2022, Corporate Services contributed negative EBITDA of $28.7 million, or $5.6 million less EBITDA than the prior year. The decrease was due primarily to lower returns on the Company’s nonqualified benefit plan investments of $6.1 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At December 31, 2023, Knife River had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $219.3 million and working capital of $566.3 million. Working capital is calculated as current assets less current liabilities. Following the Separation, Knife River’s cash management, capital structure and liquidity sources have changed significantly. Knife River implemented its own centralized cash management model and intends to use cash on hand and third-party credit facilities to fund day-to-day operations. The Company believes it has sufficient liquid assets, cash flows from operations and borrowing capacity to meet its financial commitments, debt obligations and anticipated capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.
Given the seasonality of its business, the Company typically experiences significant fluctuations in working capital needs and balances throughout the year. Working capital requirements generally increase in the first half of the year as the Company builds up inventory and focuses on preparing equipment and facilities and other start-up costs for its construction season. Working capital levels then typically decrease as the construction season winds down and the Company collects on receivables.
Knife River’s ability to fund its cash needs will depend on the ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and obtain debt financing with competitive rates. Knife River relies on access to capital markets as sources of liquidity for capital requirements not satisfied by cash flows from operations, particularly in the first half of the year due to the seasonal nature of the industry. Knife River’s principal uses of cash in the future will be to fund its operations, working capital needs, capital expenditures, repayment of debt and strategic business development transactions.
On April 25, 2023, Knife River issued $425.0 million of 7.75 percent senior notes due May 1, 2031, pursuant to an indenture. On May 31, 2023, Knife River entered into a senior secured credit agreement consisting of a $275.0 million term loan and a $350.0 million revolving credit facility, each with a SOFR-based interest rate and a maturity date of May 31, 2028. At December 31, 2023, the Company had $697.0 million of gross debt and $329.0 million of available capacity under its revolving credit facility, net of outstanding letters of credit. In order to borrow under the debt instruments, the Company must be in compliance with the applicable covenants and certain other conditions, all of which the Company, as applicable, was in compliance at December 31, 2023. In the event the Company does not comply with the applicable covenants and other conditions, it would be in default on its agreements and alternative sources of funding may need to be pursued and there can be no assurance that, if needed, the Company will be able to secure additional debt or equity financing on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. For additional information on the Company’s debt, see Item 8 - Note 8.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had aggregate outstanding letters of credit issued under its revolving credit facility in the amount of $21.0 million. Other than these letters of credit further discussed in Item 8 - Note 18, the Company does not currently have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material impact on current or future financial conditions, results of operations or cash flows.
60
Capital Expenditures
Knife River’s capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 2023, was $124.3 million compared to $182.0 million, including $6 million on an acquisition, for the year ended December 31, 2022. These expenditures relate primarily to routine replacement and maintenance of vehicles and equipment; building improvements; aggregate reserves; and storage facility updates. The 2023 and 2022 capital expenditures were funded by internally generated funds and borrowings under credit facilities.
The Company expects to spend between $170 million and $180 million on capital expenditures in 2024 consisting of both maintenance and growth projects and excludes acquisitions. The Company continues to evaluate the potential for future acquisitions and other growth opportunities that would be incremental to the outlined capital program; however, these opportunities are dependent upon economic conditions. It is anticipated that all of the funds required for capital expenditures for 2024 will be funded by various sources, including internally generated funds and credit facilities.
Cash Flows
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) | |||||||||||
| Operating activities | $ | 335.7 | $ | 207.5 | $ | 181.2 | |||||
| Investing activities | (117.9) | (155.9) | (398.3) | ||||||||
| Financing activities | 34.4 | (55.3) | 223.8 | ||||||||
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 252.2 | (3.7) | 6.7 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – beginning of year | 10.1 | 13.8 | 7.1 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash – end of year | $ | 262.3 | $ | 10.1 | $ | 13.8 |
Operating activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 182.9 | $ | 116.2 | $ | 129.8 | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | 128.8 | 112.4 | 128.6 | ||||||||
| Changes in current assets and current liabilities, net of acquisitions: | |||||||||||
| Receivables | (54.8) | (32.5) | 15.3 | ||||||||
| Due from related-party | 16.1 | (8.0) | 2.9 | ||||||||
| Inventories | 3.7 | (31.0) | (42.4) | ||||||||
| Other current assets | (19.6) | — | (4.6) | ||||||||
| Accounts payable | 33.1 | 17.5 | (13.9) | ||||||||
| Due to related-party | (7.3) | 3.6 | (1.0) | ||||||||
| Other current liabilities | 49.0 | 21.4 | (21.0) | ||||||||
| Pension and postretirement benefit plan contributions | (1.8) | (.4) | (.4) | ||||||||
| Other noncurrent changes | 5.6 | 8.3 | (12.1) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 335.7 | $ | 207.5 | $ | 181.2 |
Cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2023, increased $128.2 million, largely related to increased earnings in 2023 and lower working capital needs. Cash provided by working capital components totaled $20.2 million in 2023, compared to $29.0 million in 2022. This decreased usage of cash was driven largely by lower payments on operating expenses at the end of the period and decreased liquid asphalt inventory balances, partially offset by increased accounts receivable balances at the end of the year associated with
61
higher revenues during 2023. In addition, the timing of insurance costs associated with the captive insurer had a positive impact on cash.
Cash provided by operating activities totaled $207.5 million in 2022, compared to $181.2 million in 2021. The increased cash provided by operating activities was largely the result of lower working capital needs. Cash used by working capital components totaled $29.0 million in 2022, compared to $64.6 million in 2021. This decreased usage of cash was driven largely by the timing of certain income tax payments during 2021 and the result of higher bonus depreciation related to 2021 acquisitions. Also positively impacting working capital was higher liquid asphalt inventory balances due to higher material costs and higher deferred revenues. Partially offsetting these increases were higher receivables balances, directly resulting from the increased revenues during 2022.
Investing activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | $ | (124.3) | $ | (178.2) | $ | (174.2) | |||||
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | — | 1.7 | (235.2) | ||||||||
| Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | 8.3 | 22.9 | 12.0 | ||||||||
| Investments | (1.9) | (2.3) | (.9) | ||||||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (117.9) | $ | (155.9) | $ | (398.3) |
The decrease in cash used in investing activities from 2023 to 2022 was primarily due to a reduction in capital expenditures for the prestress facility in Washington that was completed during the third quarter of 2023, offset in part by decreased proceeds from asset sales as a result of the sale of non-strategic assets in southeast Texas in December 2022.
The decrease in cash used in investing activities from 2022 to 2021 was primarily the result of decreased cash used in acquisition activity. Also contributing to the decrease was increased proceeds from asset sales.
Financing activities
| Years ended December 31, | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Issuance of current related-party notes, net | $ | — | $ | 208.0 | $ | — | |||||
| Issuance (repayment) of long-term related-party notes, net | 205.3 | (207.0) | 282.0 | ||||||||
| Issuance of long-term debt | 700.0 | — | — | ||||||||
| Repayment of long-term debt | (3.6) | (.3) | (.2) | ||||||||
| Debt issuance costs | (16.7) | (.8) | — | ||||||||
| Net transfers to Centennial | (850.6) | (55.2) | (58.0) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | 34.4 | $ | (55.3) | $ | 223.8 |
The increase in cash flows provided by financing activities from 2023 to 2022 was largely related to the changes in debt as a result of the Separation, which included the issuance of senior notes, term loans and a revolving credit facility, and a transfer of the majority of the proceeds to Centennial. For further information, see Item 8 - Note 8.
The increase in cash flows used in financing activities from 2022 to 2021 was largely the result of decreased issuance of related-party notes as a result of lower working capital needs, as previously discussed.
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Material Cash Requirements
For more information on the Company’s contractual obligations on long-term debt, operating leases and purchase commitments, see Item 8 - Notes 8, 9 and 18. At December 31, 2023, the Company’s material cash requirements under these obligations were as follows:
| Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | More than 5 years | Total | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Long-term debt maturities* | $ | 7.1 | $ | 24.3 | $ | 240.6 | $ | 425.0 | $ | 697.0 | ||||||||
| Estimated interest payments** | 52.7 | 103.3 | 89.9 | 82.3 | 328.2 | |||||||||||||
| Operating leases | 14.1 | 17.5 | 8.3 | 13.3 | 53.2 | |||||||||||||
| Purchase commitments | 59.2 | 55.1 | 3.6 | 8.2 | 126.1 | |||||||||||||
| $ | 133.1 | $ | 200.2 | $ | 342.4 | $ | 528.8 | $ | 1,204.5 |
__________________
*Unamortized debt issuance costs are excluded from the table.
** Represents the estimated interest payments using the Company’s long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 2023, assuming current interest rates and consistent amounts outstanding until their respective maturity dates over the periods indicated in the table above.
Material short-term cash requirements of the Company include repayment of outstanding borrowings and interest payments on those agreements, payments on operating lease agreements, payment of obligations on purchase commitments and asset retirement obligations. At December 31, 2023, the current portion of asset retirement obligations was $6.9 million and was included in other accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Material long-term cash requirements of the Company include repayment of outstanding borrowings and interest payments on those agreements, payments on operating lease agreements, payment of obligations on purchase commitments and asset retirement obligations. At December 31, 2023, the Company had total liabilities of $41.8 million related to asset retirement obligations that are excluded from the table above. Due to the nature of these obligations, the Company cannot determine precisely when the payments will be made to settle these obligations. For more information, see Item 8 - Note 10.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
The Company has noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plans for certain employees. Plan assets consist of investments in equity and fixed income securities. Various assumptions are used in calculating the benefit expense (income) and liability (asset) related to the pension plans. Actuarial assumptions include assumptions about the discount rate and expected return on plan assets. For 2023, the Company assumed a discount rate of 4.83 percent and long-term rate of return on its qualified defined pension plan assets of 6.50 percent. Decreased discount rates for 2023 compared to 2022 resulted in actuarial losses, offset in part by higher than expected asset sale gains. Differences between actuarial assumptions and actual plan results are deferred and amortized into expense when the accumulated differences exceed 10 percent of the greater of the projected benefit obligation or the market-related value of plan assets. Therefore, this change in asset values will be reflected in future expenses of the plans beginning in 2024. The funded status of the plans did not change significantly with the increase in assets because the liabilities increased as well due to the decrease in the discount rate. The Company's benefit obligations for the pension plans also saw a decline in value due to lower discount rates at the end of 2023.
At December 31, 2023, the pension plans’ accumulated benefit obligations exceeded these plans’ assets by approximately $3.2 million. Pretax pension expense (income) reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was $343,000, $10,000 and $(4,000), respectively. The Company’s pension expense is currently projected to be approximately $289,000 in 2024. The Company expects to contribute approximately $912,000 in pension plan contributions in 2024, largely resulting from the Company exhausting its prefunding credits. During 2023, the Company contributed $1.2 million to its pension plans. There were no minimum required contributions for the years ended December 31, 2022 or 2021. For more information on the Company’s pension plans, see Item 8 - Note 17.
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New Accounting Standards
For information regarding new accounting standards, see Item 8 - Note 2, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Critical Accounting Estimates
Knife River has prepared its financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of its financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Management reviews these estimates and assumptions based on historical experience, changes in business conditions and other relevant factors believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates are defined as estimates that require management to make assumptions about matters that are uncertain at the time the estimate was made, and changes in the estimates could have a material impact on Knife River’s financial position or results of operations. Knife River’s critical accounting estimates are subject to judgments and uncertainties that affect the application of its significant accounting policies discussed in Item. 8 - Note 2. As additional information becomes available, or actual amounts are determinable, the recorded estimates are revised. Consequently, Knife River’s financial position or results of operations may be materially different when reported under different conditions or when using different assumptions in the application of the following critical accounting estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The recognition of revenue requires Knife River to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenue. The accuracy of revenues reported on the audited consolidated financial statements depends on, among other things, management’s estimates of total costs to complete projects because Knife River uses the cost-to-cost measure of progress on contracting services contracts for revenue recognition.
To determine the proper revenue recognition method for contracts, Knife River evaluates whether two or more contracts should be combined and accounted for as one single contract and whether the combined or single contract should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation. For most contracts, the customer contracts with Knife River to provide a significant service of integrating a complex set of tasks and components into a single project. Hence, Knife River’s contracts are generally accounted for as one performance obligation.
Knife River recognizes contracting services revenue over time using an input method based on the cost-to-cost measure of progress for contracts because it best depicts the transfer of assets to the customer which occurs as Knife River incurs costs on the contract. Under the cost-to-cost measure of progress, the costs incurred are compared with total estimated costs of a performance obligation. Revenues are recorded proportionately to the costs incurred. This method depends largely on the ability to make reasonably dependable estimates related to the extent of progress toward completion of the contract, contract revenues, and contract costs. Since contract prices are generally set before the work is performed, the estimates pertaining to every project could contain significant unknown risks such as volatile labor, material and fuel costs, weather delays, adverse project site conditions, unforeseen actions by regulatory agencies, performance by subcontractors, job management and relations with project owners. Changes in estimates could have a material effect on Knife River’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Knife River’s total contracting services revenue was $1.3 billion, $1.2 billion and $1.0 billion, respectively.
Several factors are evaluated in determining the bid price for contract work. These include, but are not limited to, the complexities of the job, past history performing similar types of work, seasonal weather patterns, competition and market conditions, job site conditions, workforce safety, reputation of the project owner, availability of labor, materials and fuel, project location and project completion dates. As a project commences, estimates are continually
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monitored and revised as information becomes available and actual costs and conditions surrounding the job become known. If a loss is anticipated on a contract, the loss is immediately recognized.
Contracts are often modified to account for changes in contract specifications and requirements. Knife River considers contract modifications to exist when the modification either creates new or changes the existing enforceable rights and obligations. Generally, contract modifications are for goods or services that are not distinct from the existing contract due to the significant integration of services provided in the context of the contract and are accounted for as if they were part of that existing contract. The effect of a contract modification on the transaction price and the measure of progress for the performance obligation to which it relates, is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
Knife River’s contracts for contracting services generally contain variable consideration including liquidated damages, performance bonuses or incentives, claims, unpriced change orders and penalties or index pricing. The variable amounts usually arise upon achievement of certain performance metrics or change in project scope. Knife River estimates the amount of revenue to be recognized on variable consideration using one of the two prescribed estimation methods, the expected value method or the most likely amount method, depending on which method best predicts the most likely amount of consideration Knife River expects to be entitled to or expects to incur. Assumptions as to the occurrence of future events and the likelihood and amount of variable consideration are made during the contract performance period, using estimates of variable consideration and assessment of anticipated performance and all information (historical, current and forecasted) that is reasonably available to management. Knife River only includes variable consideration in the estimated transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur or when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. Changes in circumstances could impact management’s estimates made in determining the value of variable consideration recorded. When determining if the variable consideration is constrained, Knife River considers if factors exist that could increase the likelihood or the magnitude of a potential reversal of revenue. Knife River updates its estimate of the transaction price each reporting period and the effect of variable consideration on the transaction price is recognized as an adjustment to revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis.
Knife River believes its estimates surrounding the cost-to-cost method are reasonable based on the information that is known when the estimates are made. Knife River has contract administration, accounting and management control systems in place that allow its estimates to be updated and monitored on a regular basis. Because of the many factors that are evaluated in determining bid prices, it is inherent that Knife River’s estimates have changed in the past and will continually change in the future as new information becomes available for each job.
Goodwill
Knife River performs its goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter. In addition, the test is performed on an interim basis whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of goodwill may not be recoverable. Examples of such events or circumstances may include a significant adverse change in business climate, weakness in an industry in which Knife River’s reporting units operate or recent significant cash or operating losses with expectations that those losses will continue.
Knife River has determined that the reporting units for its goodwill impairment test are its operating segments as they constitute a business for which discrete financial information is available and for which segment management regularly reviews the operating results. Goodwill impairment, if any, is measured by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, Knife River must record an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value of the reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, there were no impairment losses recorded. At October 31, 2023, the fair value of each of Knife River’s reporting units substantially exceeded the carrying value.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit requires judgment and the use of significant estimates, which include assumptions about Knife River’s future revenue, profitability and cash flows, long-term growth rates,
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amount and timing of estimated capital expenditures, inflation rates, weighted average cost of capital, operational plans, and current and future economic conditions, among others. The fair value of each reporting unit is determined using a weighted combination of income and market approaches. Knife River believes that the estimates and assumptions used in its impairment assessments are reasonable and based on available market information.
Knife River uses a discounted cash flow methodology for its income approach. Under the income approach, the discounted cash flow model determines fair value based on the present value of projected cash flows over a specified period and a residual value related to future cash flows beyond the projection period. Both values are discounted using a rate that reflects the best estimate of the weighted average cost of capital for the Company.
Under the market approach, Knife River estimates fair value using various multiples derived from enterprise value to EBITDA for comparative peer companies as well as comparable market transaction multiples to EBITDA for each respective reporting unit. These multiples are applied to operating data for each reporting unit to arrive at an indication of fair value. In addition, Knife River adds a reasonable control premium when calculating the fair value utilizing the peer multiples, which is estimated as the premium that would be received in a sale in an orderly transaction between market participants.
Knife River uses significant judgment in estimating its five-year forecast. The assumptions underlying cash flow projections are in sync as applicable with Knife River’s strategy and assumptions. Future projections are heavily correlated with the current year results of operations. Future results of operations may vary due to economic and financial impacts. The long-term growth rates used in the five-year forecast are developed by management based on industry data, management’s knowledge of the industry and management’s strategic plans. The long-term growth rate used was 3 percent in 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Long-Lived Assets Excluding Goodwill
Long-lived assets, which include aggregate reserves and related assets, represent 50 percent of Knife River’s total assets as of December 31, 2023. Knife River reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate that such carrying values may not be recoverable.
Knife River tests long-lived assets for impairment at a level significantly lower than that of goodwill impairment testing. Long-lived assets or groups of assets are evaluated for impairment at the lowest level of largely independent identifiable cash flows at an individual operation or group of operations collectively serving a local market.
When indications of or triggers for impairment are noted, impairment testing is completed. The impairment testing requires the use of significant estimates, judgements and uncertainties by management, which may vary from actual results. Estimates and judgements may include, among other things, whether triggering events have occurred, estimates of future cash flows, the asset’s useful life, disposal activity obligations, growth and production.
The determination of whether an impairment has occurred is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the assets, compared to the carrying value of the assets. If impairment has occurred, the amount of the impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a loss if the carrying value is greater than the fair value.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company performed impairment testing on assets where triggering events were identified due to recent operating results or changes in plans with the asset groups. The undiscounted cash flows on an asset group with a net asset book value of $65 million indicated it was recoverable and not impaired. However, the Company did recognize non-cash asset impairments of $5.8 million as a result of certain other aggregate sites no longer being economically feasible to mine and having no remaining value. No impairment losses were recorded in 2022 or 2021. Unforeseen events and changes in circumstances could require the recognition of impairment losses at some future date.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This Annual Report includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Free Cash Flows financial measures. Those measures, including those measures by segment, as applicable, are considered non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are most directly comparable to the corresponding GAAP measure of net income and gross profit. EBITDA margin and Adjusted EBITDA margin are most directly comparable to the corresponding GAAP measures of net income margin and gross margin, and Free Cash Flows is most directly comparable to the corresponding GAAP measure of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. Knife River believes these non-GAAP financial measures, in addition to corresponding GAAP measures, are useful to investors by providing meaningful information about operational efficiency compared to its peers by excluding the impacts of differences in tax jurisdictions and structures, debt levels and capital investment. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA is a useful performance measure because it allows for an effective evaluation of the Company’s operating performance by excluding stock-based compensation and unrealized gains and losses on benefit plan investments as they are considered non-cash and not part of the Company’s core operations. The Company also excludes the one-time, non-recurring costs associated with the Separation as those are not expected to continue. Rating agencies and investors also use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to calculate Knife River’s leverage as a multiple of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Additionally, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are important financial metrics for debt investors who utilize debt to EBITDA and debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratios. Management believes EBITDA and EBITDA margin, including those measures by segment, are useful performance measures because they provide clarity as to the operational results of the Company. Knife River’s management uses these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with GAAP results when evaluating its operating results internally and calculating employee incentive compensation, and leverage as a multiple of Adjusted EBITDA to determine the appropriate method of funding operations of the Company. Knife River’s management believes Free Cash Flows is a useful liquidity measure because it allows the Company to easily determine additional cash available for strategic opportunities.
EBITDA is calculated by adding back income taxes, interest expense (net of interest income) and depreciation, depletion and amortization expense to net income. EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing EBITDA by revenues. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adding back unrealized gains and losses on benefit plan investments, stock-based compensation and one-time Separation costs to EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by revenues. Free Cash Flows are calculated by subtracting capital expenditures plus proceeds from asset sales to cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities. These non-GAAP financial measures are calculated the same for both the segment and consolidated metrics and should not be considered as alternatives to, or more meaningful than, GAAP financial measures such as net income, net income margin and net cash provided by (used in) operating activities and are intended to be helpful supplemental financial measures for investors’ understanding of Knife River’s operating performance. Knife River’s non-GAAP financial measures, are not standardized; therefore, it may not be possible to compare these financial measures with other companies’ EBITDA, EBITDA margin, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Free Cash Flows measures having the same or similar names.
The following information reconciles segment and consolidated net income to EBITDA and EBITDA to Adjusted EBITDA and provides the calculation of EBITDA margin and Adjusted EBITDA margin. Interest expense, net, is net of interest income that is included in other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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| Year ended December 31, 2023 | Pacific | Northwest | Mountain | Central | Energy Services | Corporate Services and Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 34.9 | $ | 83.1 | $ | 78.3 | $ | 82.9 | $ | 73.1 | $ | (169.4) | $ | 182.9 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 21.3 | 38.0 | 24.7 | 33.7 | 5.0 | 1.1 | 123.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | — | — | .2 | — | — | 52.7 | 52.9 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | — | — | — | — | — | 62.4 | 62.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 56.2 | $ | 121.1 | $ | 103.2 | $ | 116.6 | $ | 78.1 | $ | (53.2) | $ | 422.0 | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized (gains) losses on benefit plan investments | (2.7) | (2.7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3.1 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One-time separation costs | 10.0 | 10.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (42.8) | $ | 432.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 462.2 | $ | 666.1 | $ | 634.0 | $ | 825.0 | $ | 292.3 | $ | (49.3) | $ | 2,830.3 | ||||||||||||
| Net income margin | 7.6 | % | 12.5 | % | 12.3 | % | 10.0 | % | 25.0 | % | 343.8 | % | 6.5 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 12.2 | % | 18.2 | % | 16.3 | % | 14.1 | % | 26.7 | % | 108.0 | % | 14.9 | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 86.9 | % | 15.3 | % |
| Year ended December 31, 2022 | Pacific | Northwest | Mountain | Central | Energy Services | Corporate Services and Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 23.4 | $ | 68.8 | $ | 49.8 | $ | 52.8 | $ | 23.6 | $ | (102.2) | $ | 116.2 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 20.6 | 35.1 | 22.6 | 33.8 | 4.7 | 1.0 | 117.8 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | — | — | .2 | — | — | 29.9 | 30.1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | — | — | — | — | — | 42.6 | 42.6 | |||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 44.0 | $ | 103.9 | $ | 72.6 | $ | 86.6 | $ | 28.3 | $ | (28.7) | $ | 306.7 | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized (gains) losses on benefit plan investments | 4.0 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 2.7 | 2.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (22.0) | $ | 313.4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 418.1 | $ | 600.2 | $ | 542.0 | $ | 779.8 | $ | 238.4 | $ | (43.8) | $ | 2,534.7 | ||||||||||||
| Net income margin | 5.6 | % | 11.5 | % | 9.2 | % | 6.8 | % | 9.9 | % | 233.0 | % | 4.6 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 10.5 | % | 17.3 | % | 13.4 | % | 11.1 | % | 11.9 | % | 65.4 | % | 12.1 | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 50.2 | % | 12.4 | % |
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| Year ended December 31, 2021 | Pacific | Northwest | Mountain | Central | Energy Services | Corporate Services and Eliminations | Consolidated | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | $ | 38.2 | $ | 56.8 | $ | 45.8 | $ | 48.0 | $ | 26.9 | $ | (85.9) | $ | 129.8 | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortization | 19.7 | 23.8 | 19.1 | 33.4 | 4.6 | .4 | 101.0 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | — | — | .1 | .1 | — | 19.0 | 19.2 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income taxes | — | — | — | — | — | 43.4 | 43.4 | |||||||||||||||||||
| EBITDA | $ | 57.9 | $ | 80.6 | $ | 65.0 | $ | 81.5 | $ | 31.5 | $ | (23.1) | $ | 293.4 | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized (gains) losses on benefit plan investments | (2.3) | (2.3) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation expense | 3.6 | 3.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (21.8) | $ | 294.7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | 396.8 | $ | 478.0 | $ | 479.6 | $ | 720.9 | $ | 192.8 | $ | (39.2) | $ | 2,228.9 | ||||||||||||
| Net income margin | 9.6 | % | 11.9 | % | 9.5 | % | 6.7 | % | 14.0 | % | 219.5 | % | 5.8 | % | ||||||||||||
| EBITDA margin | 14.6 | % | 16.9 | % | 13.6 | % | 11.3 | % | 16.4 | % | 59.2 | % | 13.2 | % | ||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 55.8 | % | 13.2 | % |
The following information reconciles cash flows provided by operating activities to Free Cash Flows.
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (In millions) | |||||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 335.7 | $ | 207.5 | $ | 181.2 | |||||
| Capital expenditures | (124.3) | (178.2) | (174.2) | ||||||||
| Net proceeds from sale or disposition of property and other | 8.3 | 22.9 | 12.0 | ||||||||
| Free Cash Flows | $ | 219.7 | $ | 52.2 | $ | 19.0 |