Strong Top-Line and EBITDA Growth
Revenue increased 16% year-over-year and adjusted EBITDA grew 16% year-over-year, with adjusted EBITDA margins expanding by 290 basis points.
Double-Digit Volume Growth Across Product Lines
Company reported double-digit volume growth: aggregates volumes +26%, ready-mix volumes +33%, and asphalt volumes +42% year-over-year in Q1.
Record Backlog Providing Visibility
Record quarter backlog of approximately $1.2 billion (up ~25% YoY), with ~75% expected to be completed in 2026, giving strong near-term revenue visibility.
Aggregate Margin and Cost Improvements
Aggregates gross profit margins improved (management cited +390 basis points for the quarter) while per-unit production costs fell by more than 10% due to process improvements and prior investments; normalized aggregates pricing was +4.1% (reported +1%).
Accretive M&A Activity and Expansion
Completed three aggregates-based acquisitions in Q1 (including Morgan Asphalt in Salt Lake City and two Montana acquisitions); $174 million spent on acquisitions in the quarter and management expects M&A to be a continued growth engine.
Vertical Integration and Profit Multiplier
Management emphasized vertical integration as a profit multiplier (ability to capture upstream margins across aggregates, ready-mix and asphalt) and noted ~90% of aggregates volume comes from markets where the company is a leading supplier.
Energy Services and Operational Synergies
Energy Services EBITDA improved 40% in the quarter after West Coast operational merger; company continues to realize synergies from consolidation and PIT Crew initiatives.
Strong Market Fundamentals in Core Footprint
Knife River states show stronger funding and demographic tailwinds: DOT budgets in Knife River states up ~15% year-over-year (vs flat in non-Knife River states); West DOT budgets ~$34B (+13% YoY) and Central DOT budgets ~$31B (+16% YoY).
Disciplined Capital Allocation and Balance Sheet Targets
First-quarter capital: $42M maintenance CapEx and $209M growth spend (including $174M acquisitions and $35M aggregate expansions); management expects to end 2026 with no revolver borrowings and net leverage near 2.5x target.
Confidence in Full-Year Outlook
Company reaffirmed February guidance and indicated results are tracking toward the upper half of the revenue and adjusted EBITDA ranges for 2026, citing strong start, backlog and acquisitions.