MARTIN MARIETTA MATERIALS, INC. [[Image Removed]]INTRODUCTORY OVERVIEW
Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. (the "Company" or "Martin Marietta") is a natural resource-based building materials company. The Company supplies aggregates (crushed stone, sand and gravel) through its network of more than 300 quarries, mines and distribution yards in 27 states,Canada and theBahamas . In the westernUnited States , Martin Marietta also provides cement and downstream products, namely ready mixed concrete, asphalt and paving services, in markets where the Company has a leading aggregates position. Specifically, the Company has two cement plants inTexas and ready mixed concrete and asphalt operations inTexas ,Colorado ,Louisiana ,Arkansas andWyoming . Paving services are exclusively inColorado . The Company's heavy-side building materials are used in infrastructure, nonresidential and residential construction projects. Aggregates are also used in agricultural, utility and environmental applications and as railroad ballast. The aggregates, cement, ready mixed concrete, asphalt and paving product lines are reported collectively as the "Building Materials" business. As more fully discussed in the Consolidated Strategic Objectives section, geography is critically important for theBuilding Materials business. The Company conducts itsBuilding Materials business through three reportable segments, organized by geography:Mid-America Group ,Southeast Group andWest Group . The Mid-America and Southeast Groups provide aggregates products only.The West Group provides aggregates, cement and downstream products and services. Further, the following five states accounted for 72% of theBuilding Materials business 2019 total products and services revenues:Texas ,Colorado ,North Carolina ,Georgia andIowa . [[Image Removed]]
Form 10-K ? Page 34 [[Image Removed]]
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Part II ? Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
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TheBuilding Materials business is a mature, cyclical business, dependent on activity within the construction marketplace. As ofDecember 31, 2019 , the nation's current economic expansion, which started inJune 2009 , has lasted 126 months and is the longest economic recovery in history. By comparison, the average trough-to-peak expansionary cycle since 1938 was 60 months. During the current economic expansion, however, governmental uncertainty, labor shortages and logistical challenges have tempered the recovery pace of growth of heavy construction activity, resulting in a slow, steady, extended construction cycle that is expected to continue over the next several years. The level of economic recovery varies within the Company's geographic footprint.
Magnesia Specialties
The Company operates a Magnesia Specialties business with production facilities inMichigan andOhio . The Magnesia Specialties business produces magnesia-based chemicals products used in industrial, agricultural and environmental applications. It also produces dolomitic lime sold primarily to customers in the steel and mining industries. Magnesia Specialties' products are shipped to customers worldwide.
Consolidated Strategic Objectives
The Company's strategic planning process, or Strategic Operating Analysis and Review (SOAR), provides the framework for [[Image Removed]] execution of Martin Marietta's long-term strategic plan. Guided by this framework and considering the cyclicality of theBuilding Materials business, the Company determines capital allocation priorities to maximize long-term shareholder value. The Company's strategy includes ongoing evaluation of aggregates-led opportunities of scale in new domestic markets (i.e., platform acquisitions), expansion through acquisitions that complement existing operations (i.e., bolt-on acquisitions), divestitures of assets that are not consistent with stated strategic goals, and arrangements with other companies engaged in similar or complementary businesses. The Company finances such opportunities with the goal of preserving its financial flexibility by having a leverage ratio (consolidated debt-to-consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA) within a target range of 2.0 times to 2.5 times within a reasonable time following the completion of a debt-financed transaction. The Company, by purposeful design, will continue to be an aggregates-led business (aggregates product revenues represented 62% of 2019 total consolidated products and services revenues) that focuses on markets with strong, underlying growth fundamentals where it can sustain or achieve a leading market position. Driven by this intentional approach, the Company has leading positions in 90% of its markets. As part of its long-term strategic plan, the Company may pursue strategic cement and targeted downstream opportunities. For Martin Marietta, strategic cement and targeted downstream operations are located in vertically-integrated markets where the Company has, or envisions a clear path toward, a leading aggregates position. Additionally, strategic cement operations are attractive where market supply cannot be meaningfully interdicted by water. Generally, the Company's building materials products are both sourced and sold locally. As a result, geography is critically important when assessing market attractiveness and growth opportunities. Attractive geographies exhibit (a) population growth and/or population density, both of which are drivers of heavy-side building materials consumption; (b) business and employment diversity, drivers of greater economic stability; and (c) a superior state financial position, a driver of public infrastructure growth and support. [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page
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In order to assess population growth and density, the Company focuses on the megaregions ofthe United States . Megaregions are large networks of metropolitan population centers covering thousands of square miles. According to America 2050, a planning and policy program of theRegional Plan Association , a majority of the nation's population and economic growth through 2050 will occur in 11 megaregions. The Company has a presence in most of the megaregions. As evidence of the successful execution of SOAR, the Company's leading positions in theTexas Triangle and Colorado's Front Range megaregions and its enhanced position in the Piedmont Atlantic, primarily in theAtlanta area, are the results of acquisitions since 2011. Additionally, the 2018 acquisition ofBluegrass Materials Company (Bluegrass) provided the Company with a new growth platform within the southern portion of the Northeast megaregion. The Company has a legacy presence in the southeastern portion of theGreat Lakes megaregion, encompassing operations inIndiana andOhio . The megaregions and the Company's key states are more fully discussed in theBuilding Materials Business' Key Considerations section. [[Image Removed]] In considering business and employment diversity, the Company focuses its geographic footprint along significant transportation corridors, particularly where land is readily available for the construction of fulfillment and/or data centers. The retail sector values transportation corridors, as logistics and distribution are critical considerations for construction supporting that industry. In addition, technology companies view these areas as attractive locations for data centers. Additionally, the Company considers a state's financial position in determining the opportunities and attractiveness of areas for expansion or development. In this assessment, a state's financial health rating, issued by S&P Global Ratings and whereAAA is the highest score, is reviewed. The Company's top ten revenue-generating states have been assigned a financial health rating of AA orAAA . The Company also reviews the state's ingenuity to securing additional infrastructure sourcing.
Form 10-K ? Page 36 [[Image Removed]]
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In line with the Company's strategic objectives, management's overall focus includes the following items:
• Upholding the Company's commitment to its mission, vision and values
• Navigating effectively through a slow-and-steady construction cycle,
balancing investment and cost decisions against expected shipment volumes
• Tracking shifts in population trends, as well as local, state and national
economic conditions, to ensure changing trends are reflected against the
execution of the strategic plan
• Integrating acquired businesses efficiently to maximize the return on the
investment
• Allocating capital in a manner consistent with the following long-standing
priorities while maintaining financial flexibility
- Acquisitions
- Organic capital investment
- Return of cash to shareholders through both meaningful and sustainable
dividends and share repurchases
2019 Performance Highlights
Achieved Leading Safety Performance:
• Record company-wide Lost Time Incident Rate (LTIR) of 0.20, the third
consecutive year of world-class or better
LTIR thresholds
• Total Injury Incident Rate (TIIR) of 1.18; with acquired Bluegrass
operations improving to heritage TIIR levels
Achieved Record Financial Performance:
The Company achieved record total revenues, gross profit, earnings from operations and Adjusted EBITDA (defined in Results of Operations section), driven by strong customer demand and improved pricing and profitability across the majority of theBuilding Materials business. The Company achieved its eighth consecutive year of growth for revenues, gross profit, Adjusted EBITDA and earnings per diluted share. The Company's commitment to safety and operational excellence resulted in the following financial performance (comparisons with 2018):
• Record consolidated total revenues of
• Record gross profit of
• Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses representing 6.4% of total revenues, a 20-basis-point improvement
• Net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta of
• Earnings per diluted share of
• Record consolidated Adjusted EBITDA of
• Aggregates product line pricing increase of 4.2% and shipment growth of 11.7%
• Magnesia Specialties' total revenues of
• Operating cash flow of
Continued Disciplined Execution Against Capital Allocation Priorities:
• Dividend increase of 15% in
• Repurchased 0.4 million shares of common stock for
• Net debt repayment of$350 million ; return to leverage ratio within targeted range [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 37
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BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT
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TheBuilding Materials business serves customers in the construction marketplace. The business' profitability is sensitive to national, regional and local economic conditions and cyclical swings in construction spending, which are in turn affected by fluctuations in levels of public-sector infrastructure funding; interest rates; access to capital markets; and demographic, geographic, employment and population dynamics. The heavy-side construction business, inclusive of much of the Company's operations, is conducted outdoors. Therefore, erratic weather patterns, precipitation and other weather-related conditions, including flooding, hurricanes, snowstorms, cold temperatures and droughts, can significantly affect production schedules, shipments, costs, efficiencies and profitability. Generally, the financial results for the first and fourth quarters are subject to the impacts of winter weather, while the second and third quarters are subject to the impacts of heavy precipitation. The impacts of erratic weather patterns are more fully discussed in theBuilding Materials Business' Key Considerations section.
Product Lines
Aggregates are an engineered, granular material consisting of crushed stone and sand and gravel, manufactured to specific sizes, grades and chemistry for use primarily in construction applications. The Company's operations consist primarily of open pit quarries; however, the Company is also the largest operator of underground aggregates mines inthe United States , with 14 active underground mines located in theMid-America Group . The Company's aggregates reserves represent 89 years on average at the current production level. Cement is the basic binding agent used to bind water, aggregates and sand in the production of ready mixed concrete. The Company has a strategic and leading cement position in theTexas market, with production facilities inMidlothian, Texas , south ofDallas/Fort Worth , and Hunter,Texas , north ofSan Antonio . These two facilities producePortland and specialty cements, have a combined annual capacity of 4.5 million tons, and operated at 80% to 85% utilization in 2019. TheMidlothian plant has a permit that allows for annual capacity expansion of 0.8 million tons. In addition to the two production facilities, the Company operates several cement distribution terminals. Calcium carbonate in the form of limestone is the principal raw material used in the production of cement. The Company owns more than 600 million tons of limestone reserves adjacent to its cement production plants. Ready mixed concrete, a mixture primarily of cement, water, aggregates and sand, is measured in cubic yards and specifically batched or produced for customers' construction projects and then transported and poured at the project site. The aggregates used for ready mixed concrete is a washed material with limited amounts of fines (i.e., dirt and clay). The Company operates 141 ready mix plants inTexas ,Colorado ,Louisiana ,Arkansas andWyoming . Asphalt is most commonly used in surfacing roads and parking lots and consists of liquid asphalt, or bitumen, the binding medium, and aggregates. Similar to ready mixed concrete, each asphalt batch is produced to customer specifications. The Company's asphalt operations and paving services are located inColorado . Market dynamics for these downstream product lines include a highly competitive environment and lower barriers to entry compared with aggregates and cement.
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End-Use Trends
• According to the
construction aggregates consumption and cement consumption increased 6% and
4%, respectively, compared with the nine months ended
• National spending statistics for the twelve months ended
versus the twelve months ended
data, according to
?Total value of construction put in place decreased less than 1%
?Public construction spending increased 7%
?Private nonresidential construction market spending was flat
?Private residential construction market spending decreased 5%
The principal end-use markets of theBuilding Materials business are public infrastructure (i.e., highways; streets; roads; bridges; and schools); nonresidential construction (i.e., manufacturing and distribution facilities; industrial complexes; office buildings; large retailers and wholesalers; and energy-related activity); and residential construction (i.e., subdivision development; and single- and multi-family housing). Aggregates are also used in agricultural, utility and environmental applications and as railroad ballast, collectively comprising theChemRock /Rail market. Public infrastructure jobs can require several years to complete, while residential and nonresidential construction jobs are usually completed within one year. Generally, the purchase orders the Company receives from its customers do not contain firm quantity commitments, regardless of end-use market. Therefore, management does not utilize a Company backlog in managing its business. [[Image Removed]]The public infrastructure market accounted for 35% of the Company's aggregates shipments in 2019. Modestly improved weather compared with 2018 allowed transportation projects to advance. However, Company's shipments to this end-use market remain below the most recent five-year average of 39% and ten-year average of 45%. While construction spending in the public and private market sectors is affected by economic cycles, the historic level of spending on public infrastructure projects has been comparatively more stable due to predictability of funding from federal, state and local governments, with approximately half of the funding from federal government and half from state and local governments in certain states. The Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), signed into law onDecember 4, 2015 , is the first long-term transportation funding bill in nearly a decade and authorizes$305 billion over fiscal years 2016 through 2020. Included with FAST Act funding is$300 million available for loans issued under Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA). If a successor bill is not passed prior to theSeptember 2020 expiration of the FAST Act, management expects Congressional continuing resolutions to be passed to continue federal highway funding at current levels. Public construction projects, once awarded, are seen through to completion. Thus, delays from weather or other factors typically serve to extend the duration of the construction cycle. State and local initiatives that support infrastructure funding, including gas tax increases and other ballot initiatives, are increasing in size and number as these governments recognize the need to play an expanded role in public infrastructure funding. InNovember 2019 , 270 state and local ballot initiatives, 89% of all infrastructure funding measures up for vote, were approved and are estimated to generate over$9.6 billion in one-time and recurring revenues. Namely,Texas ,Colorado ,Georgia andNorth Carolina approved measures that will contribute a total of$8.1 billion to infrastructure funding, the majority of which are inTexas . Since 2010, 81% of transportation ballot initiatives have been approved by voters. Funding from the FAST Act, coupled with state and local transportation initiatives, has resulted in an acceleration of lettings (making contracts available for bidding) and contract awards in key states, includingTexas ,Colorado ,North Carolina ,Georgia andFlorida . The pace of construction should accelerate and shipments to the public infrastructure market should return to historical levels as monies from both the federal government and state and local governments become awarded. [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 39
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[[Image Removed]]The nonresidential construction market accounted for 36% of the Company's aggregates shipments in 2019. While national nonresidential construction spending was relatively flat, the Company's shipments to this end use increased 22% compared with 2018, reflecting growth in the construction of distribution centers, warehouses, data centers, wind turbines and energy-sector projects in key states. The Dodge Momentum Index, a twelve-month leading indicator of construction spending for nonresidential building compiled byMcGraw-Hill Construction and where the year 2000 serves as an index basis of 100, was 156.2 inDecember 2019 compared with 151.9 inDecember 2018 . This suggests nonresidential construction activity will remain healthy over the next several years. [[Image Removed]]The residential construction market accounted for 22% of the Company's aggregates shipments in 2019. Although private residential construction spending decreased 5% for the twelve months endedDecember 31, 2019 compared with 2018 according to theU.S. Census Bureau , the Company's shipments increased 14% to this end use, reaffirming location matters. The residential construction market, like the nonresidential construction market, is interest rate sensitive and typically moves in direct correlation with economic cycles. The Company's exposure to residential construction is split between aggregates used in the construction of subdivisions (including roads, sidewalks, utilities and storm and sewage drainage), aggregates used in new single-family home construction and aggregates used in construction of multi-family units. Construction of both subdivisions and single-family homes is more aggregates intensive than construction of multi-family units. Through an economic cycle, multi-family construction generally begins early in the cycle and then transitions to single-family construction. Therefore, the timing of new subdivision starts, as well as new single-family housing permits, are strong indicators of residential volumes. Residential housing starts of 1.3 million units for the twelve months endedDecember 31, 2019 were flat compared with the comparable 2018 period, and remain below the 50-year historical annual average of 1.5 million units. For the twelve months endedDecember 31, 2019 , national housing permits decreased 2.7% over the comparable period. The Company expects continued growth in the residential market driven by low interest rates, favorable demographics, job growth, land availability and efficient permitting. [[Image Removed]]The remaining 7% of the Company's 2019 aggregates shipments was to theChemRock /Rail market, which includes ballast and agricultural limestone. Ballast is an aggregates product used to stabilize railroad track beds and, increasingly, concrete rail ties are being used as a substitute for wooden ties. Agricultural lime, a high-calcium carbonate material, is used as a supplement in animal feed, a soil acidity neutralizer and agricultural growth enhancer. Additionally,ChemRock /Rail includes rip rap, which is used as a stabilizing material to control erosion caused by water runoff at embankments, ocean beaches, inlets, rivers and streams, and high-calcium limestone, which is used as filler in glass, plastic, paint, rubber, adhesives, grease and paper. Chemical-grade, high-calcium limestone is used as a desulfurization material in utility plants. Pricing Trends Pricing for construction projects is generally based on terms committing to the availability of specified products of a stated quantity at an agreed-upon price during a definitive period. Since infrastructure projects span multiple years, announced price changes can have a lag time before taking effect while the Company sells products under existing price agreements. Pricing escalators included in multi-year infrastructure contracts somewhat mitigate this effect. However, during periods of sharp or rapid increases in production costs, multi-year infrastructure contract pricing may provide only nominal pricing growth. Additionally, the Company may implement mid-year price increases, on a market-by-market basis, where appropriate. Pricing is determined locally and is affected by supply and demand characteristics of the local market.
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In 2019, the average selling price for the aggregates product line increased 4.2%, in line with management's expectations.
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Cost Structure
Direct production costs for the Building Materials business are components of
cost of revenues incurred at the quarries, mines, distribution yards and
facilities, cement plants, ready mixed concrete plants and asphalt plants. Cost
of revenues also includes the cost of resale materials, freight expenses to
transport materials from a producing quarry or cement plant to a distribution
yard or facility and production overhead costs.
[[Image Removed]]Generally, the significant components of direct production
costs for the
Variable costs are expenses that fluctuate with the level of production volume, while fixed costs are expenses that do not vary based on production or sales volume. Accordingly, the Company's operating leverage can be substantial. Production is the key driver in determining the levels of variable costs, as it affects the number of hourly employees and related labor hours. Further, components of energy, supplies and repairs and maintenance costs also increase in connection with higher production volumes.
Generally, when the Company invests capital in facilities and equipment, increased capacity and productivity, along with reduced labor and repair costs, can offset increased fixed depreciation costs. However, the increased productivity and related efficiencies may not be fully realized in a lower-demand environment, resulting in under absorption of fixed costs.
Wage and benefit inflation and increases in labor costs may be somewhat
mitigated by enhanced productivity in an expanding economy. Further, workforce
reductions resulting from process automation and mobile fleet right-sizing,
primarily in the aggregates operations, have mitigated rising labor costs.
During economic downturns, the Company reviews its operations and, where
practical, temporarily idles certain sites. The Company is able to serve these
markets with other open facilities that are in close
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proximity. In certain markets, management can create production "super crews" that work on a rotating basis at various locations within a district. For example, within a market, a crew may work three days per week at one quarry and the other two workdays at another quarry. This has allowed the Company to responsibly manage headcount in periods of lower demand. The Company's ready mixed concrete and asphalt product lines require the use of raw materials in the production of their products. Cement and liquid asphalt are key raw materials in the production of ready mixed concrete and asphalt, respectively. Therefore, fluctuations in prices for these raw materials directly affect the Company's operating results. Liquid asphalt prices were 14% higher in 2019 versus 2018, but may not always proportionately follow changes in the prices of other energy products (e.g., oil or diesel fuel) because of complexities in the refining process when converting a barrel of oil into other fuels and petrochemical products. Cement production is a capital-intensive operation with high fixed costs to run plants that operate all day, every day, with the exception of maintenance shutdowns. Kiln and finishing mill maintenance typically requires a plant to be shut down for a period of time as repairs are made. In 2019 and 2018, the cement operations incurred outage costs of$26.3 million and$17.3 million , respectively. The increase in outage costs in 2019 compared with 2018 is primarily attributable to timing of scheduled maintenance shutdowns. The Company adjusts production levels in anticipation of planned maintenance shutdowns. Diesel fuel represents the single largest component of energy costs for theBuilding Materials business. The average cost per gallon was$2.08 and$2.29 in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Changes in energy costs also affect the prices that the Company pays for related supplies, including explosives, conveyor belting and tires. Further, the Company's contracts of affreightment for shipping products on its rail and waterborne distribution network typically include provisions for escalations or reductions in the amounts paid by the Company if the price of fuel moves outside a stated range. The impact of inflation on the Company's businesses has not been significant. Historically, the Company has achieved pricing growth in periods of inflation based on its ability to increase its selling prices in a normal economic environment.
Building Materials Business' Key Considerations
[[Image Removed]]Form 10-K ? Page 42 [[Image Removed]]
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Geography is critically important as products are sourced and sold locally.
The Company's geographic footprint is primarily in attractive markets with strong, underlying growth characteristics, including population growth and/or population density and business and economic diversity, both of which generate demand for construction and the Company'sBuilding Materials products. The Company has a presence in most of the megaregions ofthe United States , notably: Texas Triangle,Gulf Coast , Piedmont Atlantic,Front Range andFlorida , each of which is discussed below. Additionally,Iowa is discussed below as a top five revenue-generating state and, while not part of a megaregion, is an attractive market that has diversified its economy over the past several years. Further,South Carolina is a top ten revenue-generating state and is discussed as part of the Piedmont Atlantic megaregion. [[Image Removed]] Texas Triangle andGulf Coast The Texas Triangle is primarily defined by the anchoring metropolises ofDallas/Fort Worth ,San Antonio andHouston . As of 2018, the Texas Triangle's population was estimated at more than 17 million residents, and is expected to exceed 21.5 million by 2030, representing approximately 62% of the population inTexas at that time. Growth in the Texas Triangle is not limited to residents as 53 Fortune 500 companies have headquarters in this megaregion. TheTexas Triangle represents a diverse economy, including the finance, technology, transportation and goods and services sectors. Uniquely,Houston , which has represented over 25% ofTexas' gross domestic product (GDP) for the past eighteen years, is considered part of both theGulf Coast and the Texas Triangle megaregions. In addition toHouston , cities in theGulf Coast megaregion includeNew Orleans andBaton Rouge, Louisiana . TheGulf Coast megaregion's population is expected to exceed 16 million in 2025 and 23 million in 2050. The economy is driven by the energy, chemical and transportation sectors. TheTexas market remains one of the strongest inthe United States , and according to theBureau of Economic Analysis , as of 2018, the state's GDP comprised 9% of the nation's$18.6 trillion GDP. Forbes recognizedDallas ,Fort Worth andHouston as the second, 20th and 34th best metros for business and careers, respectively.Texas continues to lead the nation in population growth, and its population is estimated to increase 35% from 2020 to 2040.Houston ,San Antonio andDallas are ranked fourth, seventh and ninth, respectively, as the most populous cities inthe United States and have experienced employment [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page
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growth of 26%, 29% and 33%, respectively, over the ten-year period ended
The state'sDepartment of Transportation (TxDOT) let$8.9 billion in construction projects in fiscal 2019 and has a letting budget of$7.1 billion for fiscal 2020 and$13.6 billion for fiscal 2021. In 2019, TxDOT announced the 2020 Unified Transportation Program, identifying planned investments totaling over$70 billion of infrastructure projects over the next ten years. Funding for highway construction comes from dedicated sources, including Propositions 1 and 7, as opposed to the use of general funds. Proposition 1, which passed in 2015, takes a portion of the oil and gas severance tax revenues and allocates them to the state highway fund. Proposition 7 is funded by state sales and use taxes and motor vehicle sales and rental taxes and is used for non-toll roads and certain transportation-related debt. For fiscal 2018 and 2019, these propositions provided$1.7 billion and$5.4 billion , respectively, to the state highway fund. Additionally, inNovember 2019 , voters approved 94% of ballot measures that will provide an additional$7.8 billion of infrastructure funding. The strength of theTexas economy extends beyond infrastructure. InSeptember 2019 ,Toyota announced a$391 million plant expansion inSan Antonio , which, coupled with moreToyota supplier companies in the region, is expected to have a$10 billion economic impact on the city over the next ten years. Further, continued federal regulatory approvals should contribute to increased heavy building materials consumption for the next several years from the next wave of large energy-sector projects. ThePort Arthur liquefied natural gas (LNG) project, being developed by Sempra LNG, is anticipated to be a multi-billion-dollar nonresidential project that will enable shipments of natural gas to world markets.
Piedmont
The Piedmont Atlantic megaregion generally follows theInterstate 85/20 corridor, spanning acrossNorth Carolina ,South Carolina ,Georgia ,Tennessee andAlabama , and includes four primary cities:Raleigh ,Charlotte ,Atlanta andBirmingham . The Piedmont Atlantic is a fast-growing megaregion; however, it is facing challenges that accompany a growing population, including increased traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure.North Carolina continues to demonstrate strong employment and population trends, ranking in the top five states for job growth and population growth.North Carolina's population is estimated to grow by two million during the twenty-year period ending in 2040. In 2019, Forbes rankedRaleigh andCharlotte as the third and seventh best cities, respectively, for business and careers. The state continues to make significant investment in its infrastructure, with a fiscal year 2020 letting schedule of$5.2 billion . Additionally, since 2016, transportation referendums totaling nearly$1.5 billion have been approved by voters. Further, inNovember 2019 , the state's governor signed Senate Bill 356 into law, authorizing the issuance of$400 million in Build NC Bonds for projects that do not qualify for federal funding, and the transfer of$64 million from the general reserve to the transportation emergency reserve for use in major disaster expenditures. The state's 2020-2029 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program, or STIP, reflects investment of approximately$23.7 billion for approximately 1,700 projects.South Carolina ranked tenth in the nation for growth in single-housing permits for the twelve months endedDecember 31, 2019 . The state's infrastructure program should be bolstered by S.1258, also known as Act No. 275, allowing up to$4.2 billion to be devoted to highway spending over a ten-year period.South Carolina's ten-year DOT plan includes 1,000 miles of upgrades to rural roads and improvements to 140 miles of interstate highways. To fund infrastructure needs, the state passed House Bill 3516 inJune 2017 , which increased the state's gas tax$0.02 per gallon per year for six years, the state's first gas tax increase in 30 years. The bill is expected to generate an additional$625 million per year when fully implemented. Additionally, in theNovember 2018 election, voters approved a sales tax increase to generate an additional$120 million for transportation funding. The nonresidential market should experience benefits from theSouth Carolina Port Authority's capital budget of$2.6 billion through 2022.Georgia ranked among the top ten states for employment and population growth. For allU.S. metropolitan areas with populations greater than one million,Atlanta ranked 18th in employment gains for the ten-year period endedNovember 2019 . Companies continue to relocate to or expand their operations within the state. In fact, according to theGeorgia Department of Economic Development , the state is headquarters for 17 Fortune 500 companies. Recently, Lidl announced it will build a regional distribution center, investing$100 million , and Anheuser-Busch announced an$85 million operations expansion plan. InJanuary 2016 , a comprehensive ten-year infrastructure maintenance plan was announced and represents more than$10 billion in investment.Georgia's Major Mobility Investment Program, announced in 2017 and updated in 2019, will invest in 13 highway projects, investing$11 billion over a ten-year period. Additionally, in 2016 and 2018,Georgia voters approved six local sales tax increases to provide collectively$4.2 billion for road and transit projects, spanning a five- to 40-year period. The Transportation Special-Purpose Local-Option Sales Tax (T-SPLOST) program is starting to provide benefit in the southern part ofGeorgia .
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Front Range
Through strategic acquisitions since 2011, the Company has built a leading
position to serve the Front Range . Extending from the southern portion of
Wyoming near Cheyenne , following Interstate 25 through Colorado into New Mexico ,
incorporating Santa Fe and Albuquerque , the Front Range megaregion is one of the
nation's fastest-growing megaregions. Colorado ranked eighth in population
growth for the eight-year period ended 2018. The Front Range represents 85% of
Colorado's population and is estimated to exceed 10 million residents by 2050,
nearly double the 2010 population.
The Colorado economy includes a diverse economic base, leading to strong
employment and population growth. Denver was ranked fourth by Forbes for best
cities for business and careers. Senate Bill 17-267, enacted in 2017, includes a
component that focuses on new lease-purchase agreements that allocates $1.9
billion of its proceeds to Colorado DOT (CDOT) and the remainder of its proceeds
to transportation and capital construction projects over a four-year period.
CDOT fiscal year 2019-2020 budget is $3.6 billion .
Spanning nearly the entire state, theFlorida megaregion is rapidly expanding.Florida is the country's third-most populous state according to theCensus Bureau . Population growth inFlorida is estimated to exceed seven million, or 32%, from 2020 to 2040. Further, the state's GDP represents 5% of the nation's GDP.Florida ranks second in total housing permits for the twelve months endedDecember 31, 2019 .Florida has a$10.8 billion DOT budget for fiscal year 2019-2020 and a proposed budget of$9.9 billion for fiscal year 2020-2021. In fact, the state has a$46.6 billion five-year construction program that extends to 2021. In the 2018 elections,Florida voters approved six ballot initiatives totaling$24.9 billion for infrastructure investment.
Iowa has been a top-five Martin Marietta revenue-generating state for decades and has historically experienced a stable and steady economy.Iowa is the nation's largest corn- and pork-producing state and provides approximately 9% of America's food supply. The Company's agricultural lime volumes are dependent on, among other things, weather, demand for agricultural commodities, including corn and soybeans, commodity prices, farm and land values. TheIowa economy has become consistently more diverse over the past several years, in part due to both its low cost and ease of doing business. The state is attractive for starting and expanding businesses due to enticing tax incentives. Facebook announced plans to begin work on a$400 million data center in the summer of 2020 which is projected to be completed in 2022. Additionally, Apple plans to build a$1.3 billion data center nearDes Moines . Further, a$250 million warehouse and data center project is expected to add more than 1,000 jobs to theDes Moines metro. Wind-based energy production continues to be a focus forIowa as the state remains focused on its efforts to become fossil fuel free.
Growth markets with limited supply of indigenous stone must be served via a long-haul distribution network.
[[Image Removed]]The U.S. Department of the Interior's geological map ofthe United States depicts the possible sources of indigenous surface rock and illustrates its limited supply in certain areas ofthe United States , including the coastal areas fromVirginia toTexas . Further, certain interiorUnited States markets may experience limited availability of locally sourced aggregates resulting from increasingly restrictive zoning, permitting and/or environmental laws and regulations. The Company's long-haul distribution network is used to supplement, or in many cases wholly supply, the local crushed stone needs in these areas. [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 45
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The long-haul distribution network can diversify market risk for locations that engage in long-haul transportation of aggregates products. Particularly where a producing quarry serves a local market and transports products via rail, water and/or truck to be sold in other markets, the risk of a downturn in one market may be somewhat mitigated by other markets served by the location. Product shipments are moved by rail, water and truck through the Company's long-haul distribution network. The Company's rail network primarily serves itsTexas ,Florida ,Colorado andGulf Coast markets, while the Company'sBahamas andNova Scotia locations transport materials via oceangoing ships. The Company's strategic focus includes expanding inland and offshore capacity and acquiring distribution yards and port locations to offload transported material. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the distribution network available to the Company consisted of 86 terminals. The Company's increased dependence on rail shipments has made it more reliant on railroad performance issues, including track congestion, crew and availability, the effects of adverse weather conditions and the ability to negotiate favorable railroad shipping contracts. Further, changes in the operating strategy of rail transportation providers can create operational inefficiencies and increased costs from the Company's rail network. A portion of railcars and all ships of the Company's long-haul distribution network are under short- and long-term leases, some with purchase options, and contracts of affreightment. The limited availability of water and rail transportation providers, coupled with limited distribution sites, can adversely affect lease rates for such services and ultimately the freight rate. The Company has not purchased ships. The Company has long-term agreements providing dedicated shipping capacity from itsBahamas andNova Scotia operations to its coastal ports. These contracts of affreightment are take-or-pay contracts with minimum and maximum shipping requirements. The minimum requirements were met in 2019. The Company's waterborne contracts of affreightment have varying expiration dates ranging from 2023 to 2027 and generally contain renewal options. However, there can be no assurance that such contracts can be renewed upon expiration or that terms will continue without significant increases. The multiple transportation modes that have been developed with various rail carriers and deep-water ships provide the Company with the flexibility to effectively serve customers primarily in the Southwest and Southeast coastal markets.
Public Infrastructure, the Company's largest end-use market, is funded through a combination of federal, state and local sources.
Transportation investments generally boost the national economy by enhancing mobility and access and by creating jobs, which is a priority of many of the government's economic plans. Public-sector construction related to transportation infrastructure can be aggregates intensive and is funded through a combination of federal, state and local sources. The federal highway bill, currently the FAST Act, provides annual funding for public-sector highway construction projects and includes spending authorizations, which represent the maximum financial obligation that will result from the immediate or future outlays of federal funds for highway and transit programs. The federal government's surface transportation programs are financed mostly through the receipts of highway user taxes placed in theHighway Trust Fund , which is divided into the Highway Account and the Mass Transit Account. Revenues credited to theHighway Trust Fund are primarily derived from a federal gas tax, a federal tax on certain other motor fuels and interest on the accounts' accumulated balances. Of the currently imposed federal gas tax of$0.184 per gallon, which has been static since 1993,$0.15 is allocated to the Highway Account of theHighway Trust Fund . Since most states are required to balance their budgets, reductions in revenues generally require a reduction in states' expenditures. However, the impact of state revenue reductions on highway investment will vary depending on whether the monies come from dedicated revenue sources, such as highway user fees, or whether portions are funded with general funds. States continue to play an expanding role in infrastructure investment. In addition to federal appropriations, each state funds its infrastructure investment from specifically allocated amounts collected from various user fees, typically gasoline taxes and vehicle fees. Over the past several years, states have taken on a significantly larger role in funding infrastructure investment, including initiating special-purpose taxes and raising gas taxes. Management believes that financing at the state level, such as bond issuances, toll roads and tax initiatives, will grow at a faster rate in the near term than federal funding. State infrastructure investment generally leads to increased growth opportunities for the Company. The level of state public-works spending is varied across the nation and dependent upon individual state economies. The degree to which the Company could be affected by a reduction or slowdown in infrastructure spending varies by state. The state economies of theBuilding Materials business' ten largest revenue-generating states may disproportionately affect the Company's financial performance.
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Governmental appropriations and expenditures are typically less interest rate-sensitive than private-sector spending. Obligations of federal funds are a leading indicator of highway construction activity inthe United States . Before a state or local department of transportation can solicit bids on an eligible construction project, it enters into an agreement with theFederal Highway Administration to obligate the federal government to pay its portion of the project cost. Federal obligations are subject to annual funding appropriations byCongress . The need for surface transportation improvements continues to significantly outpace the amount of available funding. A large number of roads, highways and bridges built following the establishment of the Interstate Highway System in 1956 are now in need of major repair or reconstruction. According to The Road Information Program (TRIP), a national transportation research group, vehicle travel onUnited States highways increased 17% from 2000 to 2017, while new lane road mileage increased only 5% over the same period. TRIP also reports that 44% of the nation's major roads are in poor or mediocre condition and 9% of the nation's bridges are structurally deficient. According to the 2015American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials' Transportation Bottom Line Report , annual investment in the nation's roads, highways and bridges needs to increase from$88 billion to$120 billion to improve conditions and meet the nation's mobility needs. While state DOTs and contractors are addressing their funding and labor constraints, the Company believes that with an enhanced infrastructure bill, those efforts would be more rapidly addressed. However, even in the absence of an enhanced infrastructure bill, strong customer confidence and improving sentiment leads management to believe that infrastructure activity for 2020 and beyond should benefit from the FAST Act and its eventual successor bill, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (2017 Tax Act), and additional state and local infrastructure initiatives. In addition to highways and bridges, transportation infrastructure includes aviation, mass transit, and ports and waterways. Railroad construction continues to benefit from economic growth, which ultimately generates a need for additional maintenance and improvements. According to theAmerican Road & Transportation Builders Association , subway and light rail work is expected to benefit slightly from the FAST Act.
Erratic weather can significantly impact operations.
[[Image Removed]]Production and shipment levels for theBuilding Materials business correlate with general construction activity, most of which occurs outdoors and, as a result, is affected by erratic weather, seasonal changes and other climate-related conditions which can significantly affect the business. Typically, due to a general slowdown in construction activity during winter months, the first and fourth quarters experience lower production and shipment activity. As such, temperature plays a significant role in the months of March and November, meaningfully affecting the Company's first- and fourth-quarter results, respectively, where warm and/or moderate temperatures in March and November allow the construction season to start earlier and end later, respectively. Excessive rainfall jeopardizes production efficiencies, shipments and profitability in all markets served by the Company. In particular, the Company's operations in the southeastern andGulf Coast regions ofthe United States and theBahamas are at risk for hurricane activity, most notably in August, September and October. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Imelda temporarily disrupted the Company's operations.
Capital investment decisions driven by capital intensity of the
The Company's organic capital program is designed to leverage construction
market growth through investment in both permanent and portable facilities at
the Company's operations. Over an economic cycle, the Company typically invests
organic capital at an annual level that approximates depreciation expense. At
mid-cycle and through cyclical peaks, organic capital investment typically
exceeds depreciation expense, as the Company supports current capacity needs and
invests for future capacity growth. Conversely, at a cyclical trough, the
Company may reduce levels of capital investment. Regardless of
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cycle, the Company sets a priority of investing capital to ensure safe, environmentally-sound and efficient operations, as well as to provide the highest quality of customer service and establish a foundation for future growth.
The Company is diligent in its focus on land opportunities, including potential new sites (greensites) and expanding locations. Land purchases are usually opportunistic and require the Company to be flexible in its ability to secure land. Land purchases can include contiguous property around existing quarry locations. Such property can serve as buffer property or additional mineral reserve capacity, assuming regulatory hurdles can be cleared and the underlying geology supports economical aggregates mining. In either instance, the acquisition of additional property around an existing quarry allows the expansion of the quarry footprint and an extension of quarry life.
Magnesia Specialties Business
[[Image Removed]]The Magnesia Specialties business manufactures magnesia-based chemicals products for industrial, agricultural and environmental applications at itsManistee, Michigan facility. The Magnesia Specialties business produces and sells dolomitic lime from itsWoodville, Ohio facility. Of 2019 total revenues, 69% were attributable to chemicals products, 30% were attributable to lime and 1% was attributable to stone. In 2019, 81% of the lime produced was sold to third-party customers, while the remaining 19% was used internally as a raw material for the business' manufacturing of chemicals products. Dolomitic lime products sold to external customers are primarily used by the steel industry, and overall, 35% of Magnesia Specialties' 2019 total revenues related to products used in the steel industry. Accordingly, a portion of the segment's revenues and profits is affected by production and inventory trends within the steel industry, which are guided by the rate of consumer consumption, the flow of offshore imports and other economic factors. Steel production in 2019 increased 1.8% compared with 2018. The dolomitic lime business runs most profitably at 70% or greater steel capacity utilization; domestic capacity utilization averaged 80% in 2019. The chemical products business focuses on higher-margin specialty chemicals that can be produced at volumes that support efficient operations. [[Image Removed]]Total revenues of the Magnesia Specialties business in 2019 were predominantly derived from domestic customers, and no single foreign country accounted for 10% or more of the total revenues for the Company. Financial results can be affected by foreign currency exchange rates, increasing transportation costs or weak economic conditions in foreign markets. To mitigate the short-term effect of currency exchange rates, foreign transactions are denominated inUnited States dollars. However, the current strength ofthe United States dollar in foreign markets is affecting the overall price of Magnesia Specialties' products when compared to foreign-domiciled competitors. A significant portion of the Magnesia Specialties business' costs is of a fixed or semi-fixed nature. The production process requires the use of natural gas, coal and petroleum coke. Therefore, fluctuations in their pricing directly affect operating results. To help mitigate this risk, the Company has fixed-price agreements for approximately 62% of its 2020 energy needs for coal, natural gas and petroleum coke. For 2019, the segment's average cost per MCF (thousand cubic feet) of natural gas decreased 4.7% versus 2018. Given high fixed costs, low capacity utilization can negatively affect the segment's results of operations.
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Management expects future organic profitability growth to result from increased pricing, rationalization of the current product portfolio and/or further cost reductions. The Magnesia Specialties business is highly dependent on rail transportation, particularly for movement of dolomitic lime fromWoodville toManistee and direct customer shipments of dolomitic lime and magnesia chemicals products from bothWoodville andManistee . The segment can be affected by the risks mentioned in the long-haul distribution discussion in theBuilding Materials Business' Key Considerations section.
Environmental Regulation and Litigation
The expansion and growth of the aggregates industry is subject to increasing challenges from environmental and political advocates aiming to control the pace and direction of future development. Certain environmental groups have published lists of targeted municipal areas, including areas within the Company's marketplace, for environmental and suburban growth control. The effect of these initiatives on the Company's growth is typically localized. Further challenges are expected as the momentum of these initiatives ebb and flow acrossthe United States . Rail and other transportation alternatives are being heralded by these special-interest groups as solutions to mitigate road traffic congestion and overcrowding. The Company's operations are subject to and affected by federal, state and local laws and regulations relating to the environment, health and safety and other regulatory matters. Certain of the Company's operations may occasionally use substances classified as toxic or hazardous. The Company regularly monitors and reviews its operations, procedures and policies for compliance with these laws and regulations. Despite these compliance efforts, risk of environmental liability is inherent in the operation of the Company's businesses, as it is with other companies engaged in similar businesses.
Environmental operating permits are, or may be, required for certain of the Company's operations; such permits are subject to modification, renewal and revocation. New permits are generally required for opening new sites or for expansion at existing operations and can take several years to obtain. In the area of land use, rezoning and special or conditional use permits are increasingly difficult to obtain. Once a permit is issued, the location is required to generally operate in accordance with the approved site plan.
As is the case with others in the cement industry, the Company's two cement operations produce varying quantities of cement kiln dust (CKD). This by-product consists of fine-grained, solid, highly alkaline material removed from cement kiln exhaust gas by air pollution control devices. Because much of the CKD is actually unreacted raw materials, it is generally permissible to recycle the CKD back into the production process, and large amounts are often treated in such manner. CKD that is not returned to the production process is disposed in landfills. CKD is currently exempted from federal hazardous waste regulations under Subtitle C of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The Clean Air Act, originally passed in 1963 and periodically updated by amendments, isthe United States' national air pollution control program that granted theEnvironmental Protection Agency (EPA ) authority to set limits on the level of various air pollutants. To be in compliance withNational Ambient Air Quality Standards, a defined geographic area must be below established limits for six pollutants. Environmental groups have been successful in lawsuits against the federal and certain state departments of transportation, delaying highway construction in municipal areas not in compliance with the Clean Air Act. TheEPA designates geographic areas as nonattainment areas when the level of air pollutants exceeds the national standard. Nonattainment areas receive deadlines to reduce air pollutants by instituting various control strategies or otherwise face fines or control by theEPA . Included as nonattainment areas are several major metropolitan areas in the Company's markets, such asHouston /Brazoria /Galveston, Texas ;Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas ;Denver, Colorado ;Boulder, Colorado ;Fort Collins /Greeley /Loveland, Colorado ;Council Bluffs, Iowa ;Atlanta, Georgia ;Indianapolis, Indiana ; andBaltimore, Maryland . Federal transportation funding has been directly tied to compliance with the Clean Air Act. Large emitters (facilities that emit 25,000 metric tons or more per year) of greenhouse gases (GHG) must report GHG generation to comply with theEPA 's Mandatory Greenhouse Gases Reporting Rule (GHG Rule). The Company files annual reports in accordance with the GHG Rule relating to operations at its Magnesia Specialties facilities inWoodville, Ohio , andManistee, Michigan , as well as the two cement plants inTexas , each of which emit certain GHG, including carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. IfCongress passes legislation on GHG, these operations will likely be subject to the new program. UnderPresident Trump's administration, it is unknown whether theEPA is likely to impose additional regulatory restrictions on emissions of GHG. However, the Company believes that any increased operating costs or taxes related to GHG emission limitations at itsWoodville or cement operations would be passed on to its customers. TheManistee facility may have to absorb extra costs due to the regulation of GHG emissions in order to maintain competitive pricing in its markets. The Company cannot reasonably predict how much those increased costs may be. [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page
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The Company is engaged in certain legal and administrative proceedings incidental to its normal business activities. In the opinion of management, based upon currently available facts, the likelihood is remote that the ultimate outcome of any litigation or other proceedings, including those pertaining to environmental matters, relating to the Company and its subsidiaries, will have a material adverse effect on the overall results of the Company's operations, cash flows or financial position. FINANCIAL OVERVIEW 2019 marked record total revenues, gross profit, earnings from operations and Adjusted EBITDA (defined below) for the Company. Strong underlying demand led to shipment growth in the majority of product lines in theBuilding Materials business, resulting in a 210-basis-point increase in consolidated gross margin. The Magnesia Specialties business performed well despite the impact of several customers rationalizing their inventory levels, which resulted in a short-term headwind. The Company continues to effectively control costs, as evidenced by the 20-basis-point decline for selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenues.
Results of Operations
The discussion and analysis that follow reflect management's assessment of the financial condition and results of operations (MD&A) of the Company and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements. As discussed in more detail, the Company's operating results are highly dependent upon activity within the construction marketplace, economic cycles within the public and private business sectors and seasonal and other weather-related conditions. Accordingly, financial results for any year presented, or year-to-year comparisons of reported results, may not be indicative of future operating results. As permitted by theSecurities and Exchange Commission (SEC) under the FAST Act Modernization and Simplification of Regulation S-K, the Company has elected to omit the discussion of the earliest period (2017) presented as it WAS included in its MD&A in its 2018 Form 10-K filed onFebruary 25, 2019 , incorporated by reference from Exhibit 13.01 thereto. The Company'sBuilding Materials business generated the majority of consolidated total revenues and earnings from operations. The following comparative analysis and discussion should be read within this context. Further, sensitivity analysis and certain other data are provided to enhance the reader's understanding of MD&A and are not intended to be indicative of management's judgment of materiality. The Company's two cold mix asphalt plants have been reclassified from the asphalt and paving product line to the aggregates product line. These operations did not represent a material amount of product revenues and gross profit. 2018 information has been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the Company's current reportable product lines.
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The Company's consolidated operating results and operating results as a percentage of total revenues are as follows:
years ended December 31 % of % of (in millions, except for % of total Total Total revenues) 2019 revenues 2018 revenues Product and services revenues$ 4,422.3 $ 3,980.4 Freight revenues 316.8 263.9 Total revenues 4,739.1 100.0 4,244.3 100.0 Cost of revenues - products and services 3,239.1 3,009.8 Cost of revenues - freight 321.0 267.9 Total cost of revenues 3,560.1 75.1 3,277.7 77.2 Gross profit 1,179.0 24.9 966.6 22.8 Selling, general and administrative expenses 302.7 6.4 280.6 6.6 Acquisition related expenses, net 0.5
13.5
Other operating income, net (9.1 ) (18.2 ) Earnings from operations 884.9 18.7 690.7 16.3 Interest expense 129.3 137.1 Other nonoperating expenses and (income), net 7.3 (22.5 ) Earnings before income tax expense 748.3 576.1 Income tax expense 136.3 105.7 Consolidated net earnings 612.0 12.9 470.4 11.1 Less: Net earnings attributable to noncontrolling interests 0.1
0.4
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta$ 611.9 12.9$ 470.0 11.1 Earnings before interest; income taxes; depreciation, depletion and amortization; the noncash earnings/loss from nonconsolidated equity affiliates; the impact of Bluegrass acquisition-related expenses, net; the impact of selling acquired inventory due to the markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting; and the asset and portfolio rationalization charge (Adjusted EBITDA) is an indicator used by the Company and investors to evaluate the Company's operating performance from period to period. Adjusted EBITDA is not defined by generally accepted accounting principles and, as such, should not be construed as an alternative to net earnings, earnings from operations or operating cash flow. However, the Company's management believes that Adjusted EBITDA may provide additional information with respect to the Company's performance. Because Adjusted EBITDA excludes some, but not all, items that affect net earnings and may vary among companies, Adjusted EBITDA as presented by the Company may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
The following table presents a reconciliation of net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018
Net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta
470.0
Add back: Interest expense 128.9
137.1
Income tax expense for controlling interests 136.3
105.6
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and earnings/loss from nonconsolidated equity affiliates 377.4
328.4
Bluegrass acquisition-related expenses, net --
13.5
Impact of selling acquired inventory due to the markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting --
18.7
Asset and portfolio rationalization charge -- 18.8 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA$ 1,254.5 $ 1,092.1 [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 51
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Total Revenues
Total revenues by reportable segment are as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018Building Materials Business : Mid-America Group$ 1,446.0 $ 1,223.2 Southeast Group 506.4 423.4 West Group 2,515.4 2,310.0 Total Building Materials Business 4,467.8 3,956.6 Magnesia Specialties 271.3 287.7 Total Consolidated Revenues$ 4,739.1 $ 4,244.3
Total revenues by product line are as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018Building Materials Business : Aggregates$ 3,034.8 $ 2,593.4 Cement 455.5 404.1 Ready Mixed Concrete 948.9 964.8 Asphalt and Paving Services 294.1 258.5 Less: Interproduct revenues (265.5 ) (264.2 ) Total Building Materials Business 4,467.8 3,956.6 Magnesia Specialties 271.3 287.7 Total Consolidated Revenues$ 4,739.1 $ 4,244.3
Products and Services Revenues
Products and services revenues by reportable segment are as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018Building Materials Business : Mid-America Group$ 1,328.8 $ 1,133.8 Southeast Group 489.1 409.6 West Group 2,354.5 2,168.4 Total Building Materials Business 4,172.4 3,711.8 Magnesia Specialties 249.9 268.6
Total Consolidated Products and Services Revenues
Products and services revenues by product line for the Company are as follows: years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018Building Materials Business : Aggregates$ 2,756.7 $ 2,365.8 Cement 439.1 387.8 Ready Mixed Concrete 948.1 963.8 Asphalt and Paving Services 294.0 258.6 Less: Interproduct revenues (265.5 ) (264.2 ) Total Building Materials Business 4,172.4 3,711.8 Magnesia Specialties 249.9 268.6
Total Consolidated Products and Services Revenues
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Aggregates. The average selling price per ton for aggregates was
Aggregates average selling price increases compared to the prior year are as follows: years ended December 31 2019 2018 Mid-America Group 1.7% 0.8% Southeast Group 4.8% 1.2% West Group 7.1% 2.0%
Total Aggregates Operations1 4.2% 1.8%
1 Total aggregates operations include acquisitions from the date of acquisition
and divestitures through the date of disposal.
Pricing growth in 2019 is in line with the Company's historical long-term annual growth rate.
The following presents aggregates shipments for each reportable segment of the
years endedDecember 31 Tons (in millions) 2019 2018 Mid-America Group 95.6 83.0 Southeast Group 27.0 23.7 West Group 68.5 64.4
Total Aggregates Operations1 191.1 171.1
1 Total aggregates operations include acquisitions from the date of acquisition
and divestitures through the date of disposal. Aggregates shipments sold to external customers and internal tons used in other product lines are as follows: . years endedDecember 31 Tons (in millions) 2019 2018 Tons to external customers 181.1 160.5
Internal tons used in other product lines 10.0 10.6 Aggregates Tons
191.1 171.1
Aggregates volume variance compared to the prior year by reportable segment is
as follows:
years ended December 31 2019 2018
Mid-America Group 15.2% 14.5%
Southeast Group 13.9% 16.1%
West Group 6.5% (1.0%)
Total Aggregates Operations1 11.7% 8.3%
1Total aggregates operations include acquisitions from the date of acquisition and divestitures through the date of disposal.
Aggregates volume strength in 2019 reflects strong underlying demand in all
three end-use markets, and carryover weather-deferred projects from 2018.
Additionally, the
Cement,
Average selling prices for cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt are as follows: years ended December 31 2019 2018 Cement - per ton$ 112.75 $ 109.38 Ready Mixed Concrete - per cubic yard$ 109.07 $ 108.83 Asphalt - per ton$ 46.75 $ 45.14 [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 53
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Unit shipments for cement, ready mixed concrete and asphalt are as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 Cement: Tons to external customers 2.7 2.3
Internal tons used in ready mixed concrete 1.2 1.2 Total cement tons
3.9 3.5
Ready Mixed Concrete - cubic yards 8.5 8.7
Asphalt:
Tons to external customers 0.9 0.8
Internal tons used in paving operations 2.0 1.9 Total asphalt tons
2.9 2.7
2019 shipments in each of the product lines reflect healthy demand, with cement shipments reaching a new annual record.
Magnesia Specialties. In 2019, Magnesia Specialties reported total revenues of$271.3 million , gross profit of$95.4 million and earnings from operations of$83.6 million , representing decreases of 5.7%, 3.3% and 5.1%, respectively, compared with 2018. These declines are attributable to slowing lime shipments to domestic steel customers and ongoing inventory rationalization by international customers.
Cost of Revenues - Products and Services
Cost of revenues - products and services increased 8.6% in 2019 compared with
2018 due to increased revenues of 11.7%. The cost of revenues percentage
increase was lower than the percentage increase in total revenues, as the
Cost of revenues - products and services also includes internal freight costs incurred when the Company transports building material products, either by truck, rail or water, from one location to another. These freight costs, included in consolidated cost of revenues - products and services, were$325.2 million and$273.2 million for 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Gross Profit
Gross profit (loss) is as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018Building Materials Business : Mid-America Group$ 482.2 $ 366.8 Southeast Group 125.3 78.0 West Group 473.3 415.3 Products and Services 1,080.8 860.1 Freight (0.2 ) 0.2 Building Materials Business 1,080.6 860.3 Magnesia Specialties: Products and Services 99.4 102.9 Freight (4.0 ) (4.2 ) Magnesia Specialties 95.4 98.7 Corporate 3.0 7.6
Total Consolidated Gross Profit
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Products and services gross margin by reportable segment and total products and services consolidated gross margin are as follows:
years ended December 31 2019 2018 Mid-America Group 36.3% 32.3% Southeast Group 25.6% 19.0% West Group 20.1% 19.2% Total Building Materials Business 25.9% 23.2% Magnesia Specialties 39.8% 38.3% Total Consolidated 26.7% 24.2%
Gross profit (loss) by product line is as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018Building Materials Business : Aggregates$ 807.9 $ 608.4 Cement 143.4 126.2 Ready Mixed Concrete 78.8 74.2 Asphalt and Paving Services 50.7 51.3 Products and Services 1,080.8 860.1 Freight (0.2 ) 0.2 Building Materials Business 1,080.6 860.3 Magnesia Specialties: Products and Services 99.4 102.9 Freight (4.0 ) (4.2 ) Magnesia Specialties 95.4 98.7 Corporate 3.0 7.6
Total Consolidated Gross Profit
Products and services gross margin by product line and total products and services consolidated gross margin are as follows:
years ended December 31 2019 2018 Aggregates 29.3% 25.7% Cement 32.7% 32.5% Ready Mixed Concrete 8.3% 7.7% Asphalt and Paving 17.2% 19.8% Total Building Materials Business 25.9% 23.2% Magnesia Specialties 39.8% 38.3% Total Consolidated 26.7% 24.2% The following presents a rollforward of the Company's consolidated gross profit: years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 Consolidated gross profit, prior year$ 966.6 $ 971.9 Aggregates: Pricing 111.5 89.7 Volume 139.3 41.9 Operational performance1 (51.3 ) (125.5 ) Change in aggregates gross profit 199.5
6.1
Cement and downstream operations products and services 21.1 (19.0 ) Magnesia Specialties products (3.4 ) 8.8 Corporate (4.6 ) 0.7 Freight (0.2 ) (1.9 ) Change in consolidated gross profit 212.4 (5.3 ) Consolidated gross profit, current year$ 1,179.0 $
966.6
1 Inclusive of cost increases/decreases, product and geographic mix and other
operating impacts
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The increase in gross profit in 2019 compared with 2018 is primarily attributable to increased total revenues in theBuilding Materials business, supported by strong underlying demand and pricing improvements, coupled with higher operating leverage of fixed production costs, and the impact of reduced costs resulting from restructuring actions in 2018. Additionally, 2018 cost of revenues included the$18.7 million impact of selling acquired aggregates product line inventory after its markup to fair value as part of acquisition accounting. The decline in gross profit in Magnesia Specialties is driven by lower sales due to slowing lime shipments to domestic steel customers and ongoing inventory rationalization by international customers, partially offset by cost reduction actions.
Corporate gross profit includes intercompany royalty and rental revenue and expenses, depreciation on capitalized interest and unallocated operational expenses excluded from the Company's evaluation of business segment performance.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
SG&A expenses for 2019 and 2018 were 6.4% and 6.6% of total revenues,
respectively. The
Acquisition-Related Expenses, Net
The Company incurs business development and acquisition integration costs in connection with its strategic growth plan, and at times may recognize nonrecurring transaction costs related to the acquisition (collectively "acquisition-related expenses, net"). In 2019 and 2018, acquisition-related expenses, net, were$0.5 million and$13.5 million , respectively. These expenses were primarily related to the Bluegrass acquisition in 2018. As part of the agreement with theU.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Company divested a legacy Martin Marietta operation and a legacy Bluegrass operation. With the divestiture of the legacy Martin Marietta operation, a pretax gain of$14.8 million was recognized and is included in acquisition-related expenses, net, in the consolidated statements of earnings and comprehensive earnings for the year endedDecember 31, 2018 . There was no gain or loss on the divestiture of the legacy Bluegrass operation.
Other Operating Income, Net
Other operating income, net, is comprised generally of gains and losses on the sale of assets; recoveries and losses related to certain customer accounts receivable; rental, royalty and services income; accretion expense, depreciation expense and gains and losses related to asset retirement obligations. These net amounts represented income of$9.1 million in 2019 and$18.2 million in 2018. 2019 income includes the reversal of$6.9 million of accruals for sales tax and unclaimed property contingencies. 2018 income reflects a$7.7 million net gain on legal settlements and$25.3 million gain on the sale of assets, primarily excess land, partially offset by an asset and portfolio rationalization charge of$18.8 million . The asset and portfolio rationalization charge relates to the Company's Southwest ready mixed concrete operations, reported in theWest Group reportable segment, and reflects the Company's evaluation of the recoverability of certain long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, for underperforming operations in this business and a reduction in headcount. Of the total charge,$17.0 million was noncash and$1.8 million was settled in cash. Earnings from Operations
Consolidated earnings from operations were
Interest Expense
Interest expense was
Other Nonoperating (Income) and Expenses, Net
Other nonoperating income and expenses, net, is comprised generally of interest income; foreign currency transaction gains and losses; pension and postretirement benefit cost, excluding service cost; net equity earnings from nonconsolidated investments and other miscellaneous income and expenses. Consolidated other nonoperating income and expenses, net, was expense of$7.3 million in 2019, and income of$22.5 million in 2018. 2019 expense includes the correction of a prior-period error that overstated equity earnings from a nonconsolidated affiliate. The error was not deemed material to any previously-reported period and was corrected as an out-of-period expense of$15.7 million ($12.0 million , net of tax). The pretax
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noncash adjustment is recorded in other nonoperating expenses, net, consistent with the recurring classification of equity earnings from the affiliate.
Income Tax Expense
Variances in the estimated effective income tax rates, when compared with the statutory corporate income tax rate, are due primarily to the statutory depletion deduction for mineral reserves, the effect of state income taxes, stock compensation deductions, and the impact of foreign income or losses for which no tax expense or benefit is recognized. Additionally, certain acquisition-related expenses, net, have limited deductibility for income tax purposes. The permanent benefit associated with the statutory depletion deduction for mineral reserves is typically the significant driver of the estimated effective income tax rate. The statutory depletion deduction is calculated as a percentage of revenues subject to certain limitations. Due to these limitations, changes in sales volumes and pretax earnings may not proportionately affect the statutory depletion deduction and the corresponding impact on the effective income tax rate. However, the impact of the depletion deduction on the estimated effective tax rate is inversely affected by increases or decreases in pretax earnings.
The Company's estimated effective income tax rate for the years ended
The 2019 income tax rate reflects a discrete income tax benefit of$15.2 million related to a change in tax election for an acquired entity. The 2018 income tax rate includes a net tax benefit of$18.9 million for the final true-up of the impact of the 2017 Tax Act.
Net Earnings Attributable to Martin Marietta and Earnings Per Diluted Share
Net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta were
Liquidity and Cash Flows Operating Activities Generally, the Company's primary source of liquidity is cash generated from operating activities. Operating cash flow is substantially derived from consolidated net earnings, before deducting depreciation, depletion and amortization, and offset by working capital requirements. Cash provided by operations was$966.1 million in 2019 and$705.1 million in 2018. The increase in cash provided by operations in 2019 compared with 2018 reflects higher earnings and lower contributions to the Company's pension plans. Cash provided by operations in 2018 reflects$162.3 million of contributions to the Company's pension plans, the majority of which is attributable to the 2017 plan year. As a result, the Company recognized a higher cash tax benefit at the 35% federal tax rate in effect for the plan year. For comparative purposes, the Company made pension plan contributions of$58.9 million in 2019. [[Image Removed]] [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 57
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Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense were as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 Depreciation$ 313.6 $ 296.8 Depletion 37.5 29.3 Amortization 16.4 17.9 Total$ 367.5 $ 344.0
The increase in 2019 reflects a full year of the legacy Bluegrass operations
versus the period from acquisition on
Investing Activities
Net cash used for investing activities was
Property, plant and equipment capitalized by reportable segment, excluding acquisitions, was as follows:
years endedDecember 31 (in millions) 2019 2018 Mid-America Group$ 127.7 $ 176.8 Southeast Group 45.3 41.6 West Group 182.5 145.6 Total Building Materials Business 355.5 364.0 Magnesia Specialties 20.0 12.5 Corporate 12.1 4.8 Total$ 387.6 $ 381.3 Spending in 2019 and 2018 for theMid-America Group reflects the ongoing new underground mine project at theFort Calhoun operation inNebraska , which is expected to be completed and fully operational in 2022. The increase in spending in theWest Group for 2019 primarily reflects the secondary plant construction at theCompany's Granite Canyon quarry inWyoming . Magnesia Specialties capital spending in 2019 is primarily attributable to a kiln project at theWoodville, Ohio , facility.
The Company paid cash of
Pretax proceeds from divestitures and sales of surplus land and equipment were$8.4 million in 2019 and$69.1 million in 2018. In 2018, the amount includes the divestitures of the heritageMartin Marietta Forsyth Quarry and the legacy BluegrassBeaver Creek Quarry as part of an agreement with theU.S. DOJ, approved by the federal district court for theDistrict of Columbia , which resolved all competition issues with respect to the Bluegrass acquisition.
Financing Activities
The Company used
Net repayments of long-term debt were$350.1 million in 2019 and net borrowings of long-term debt were$89.9 million in 2018. The Company repaid the$300 million aggregate principal amount of Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2019 on its maturity date. The Company repurchased 0.4 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of$98.2 million , or$236.04 per share, in 2019 and 0.5 million shares of its common stock for a total cost of$100.4 million , or$192.61 per share, in 2018. For the years endedDecember 31, 2019 and 2018, the Board of Directors approved total cash dividends on the Company's common stock of$2.06 per share and$1.84 per share, respectively. Total cash dividends were$129.8 million in 2019 and$116.4 million in 2018.
Cash provided by issuances of common stock, which represents the exercises of
stock options, excluding the impact of shares withheld for taxes, was
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Capital Structure and Resources
Long-term debt, including current maturities, was$2.77 billion atDecember 31, 2019 , and was principally in the form of publicly-issued long-term notes and debentures. The Company, through a wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary, has a$400.0 million trade receivable securitization facility (the "Trade Receivable Facility"). InSeptember 2019 , the Company extended the maturity of the Trade Receivable Facility toSeptember 23, 2020 . The Trade Receivable Facility is backed by eligible trade receivables, as defined. Borrowings are limited to the lesser of the facility limit or the borrowing base, as defined. These receivables are originated by the Company and then sold to the wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary. The Company continues to be responsible for the servicing and administration of the receivables purchased by the wholly-owned special-purpose subsidiary. The Trade Receivable Facility contains a cross-default provision to the Company's other debt agreements. The$700.0 million five-year senior unsecured revolving facility (the "Revolving Facility"), which matures inDecember 2024 , requires the Company's ratio of consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA, as defined, for the trailing twelve month period (the "Ratio") to not exceed 3.50x as of the end of any fiscal quarter, provided that the Company may exclude from the Ratio debt incurred in connection with certain acquisitions during the quarter or the three preceding quarters so long as the Ratio calculated without such exclusion does not exceed 3.75x. Additionally, if there are no amounts outstanding under the Revolving Facility and the Trade Receivable Facility, consolidated debt, including debt for which the Company is a co-borrower, may be reduced by the Company's unrestricted cash and cash equivalents in excess of$50.0 million , such reduction not to exceed$200.0 million , for purposes of the covenant calculation. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company's ratio of consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA, as defined in the agreement governing the Revolving Facility (the "Credit Agreement"), for the trailing twelve month EBITDA was 2.16 times and was calculated as follows: Twelve-Month Period January 1, 2019 to (dollars in millions) December 31, 2019 Net earnings attributable to Martin Marietta $ 611.9 Add back: Interest expense 129.3 Income tax expense 136.3
Depreciation, depletion and amortization expense and nonconsolidated equity
affiliate adjustment
383.4
Stock-based compensation expense
34.1
Deduct:
Interest income
(0.4 ) Consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the Company's Credit Agreement
$ 1,294.6
Consolidated debt, as defined and including debt for which the Company is a
co-borrower, atDecember 31, 2019 $
2,793.8
Consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA, as defined by the Company's
Credit Agreement, atDecember 31, 2019 for trailing twelve month EBITDA 2.16x
Total equity was
Pursuant to authority granted by its Board of Directors, the Company can repurchase up to 20 million shares of common stock. As ofDecember 31, 2019 , the Company had 13.7 million shares remaining under the repurchase authorization. The Company expects to allocate capital for additional share repurchases based on available excess free cash flow, defined as operating cash flow less capital expenditures and dividends, subject to a leverage target (consolidated debt-to-consolidated EBITDA) of 2.0 times to 2.5 times and with consideration of other capital needs. Future repurchases are expected to be carried out through a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, block trades, accelerated share purchase transactions or any combination of such methods. Share repurchases will be executed [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page
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based on then-current business and market factors so the actual return of capital in any single quarter may vary. The repurchase program may be modified, suspended or discontinued by the Board of Directors at any time without prior notice. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company had$21.0 million in cash and short-term investments that are considered cash equivalents. The Company manages its cash and cash equivalents to ensure short-term operating cash needs are met and excess funds are managed efficiently. The Company subsidizes shortages in operating cash through credit facilities. The Company utilizes excess cash to either pay-down credit facility borrowings or invest in money market funds, money market demand deposit accounts or offshore time deposit accounts. Money market demand deposits and offshore time deposit accounts are exposed to bank solvency risk. Money market demand deposit accounts areFDIC insured up to$250,000 . The Company's investments in bank funds generally exceed the$250,000 FDIC insurance limit. Cash on hand, along with the Company's projected internal cash flows and availability of financing resources, including its access to debt and equity capital markets, is expected to continue to be sufficient to provide the capital resources necessary to support anticipated operating needs, cover debt service requirements, meet capital expenditures and discretionary investment needs, fund certain acquisition opportunities that may arise and allow for payment of dividends for the foreseeable future. Borrowings under the Revolving Facility are unsecured and may be used for general corporate purposes. The Company's ability to borrow or issue securities is dependent upon, among other things, prevailing economic, financial and market conditions. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company had$757.7 million of unused borrowing capacity under its Revolving Facility and Trade Receivable Facility. The Company may be required to obtain additional financing in order to fund certain strategic acquisitions or to refinance outstanding debt. Any strategic acquisition of size would likely require an appropriate balance of newly-issued equity with debt in order to maintain a composite investment-grade credit rating. Furthermore, the Company is exposed to credit markets through the interest cost related to its variable-rate debt, which includes the Floating Rate Senior Notes due in 2020 and borrowings under its Revolving Facility and Trade Receivable Facility.
Contractual and Off Balance Sheet Obligations
Postretirement medical benefits will be paid from the Company's assets. The obligation, if any, for retiree medical payments is subject to the terms of the plan. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company's recorded benefit obligation related to these benefits totaled$13.0 million . The Company has other retirement benefits related to pension plans. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the qualified pension plans were underfunded by$3.4 million . The Company estimates that it will make contributions of$50.0 million to qualified pension plans in 2020. Any contributions beyond 2020 are currently undeterminable and will depend on the investment return on the related pension assets. However, management's practice is to fund at least the service cost annually. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company had a total obligation of$106.4 million related to unfunded nonqualified pension plans and expects to make contributions of$10.2 million to these plans in 2020.
At
In connection with normal, ongoing operations, the Company enters into market-rate leases for property, plant and equipment and royalty commitments principally associated with leased land and mineral reserves. Additionally, the Company enters into equipment rentals to meet shorter-term, nonrecurring and intermittent needs. EffectiveJanuary 1, 2019 , the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification 842 - Leases (ASC 842), which requires virtually all leases, excluding mineral interest leases, to be recorded on the consolidated balance sheet (see Note A - New Accounting Pronouncements to the audited consolidated financial statements). AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company had$486.6 million in operating lease obligations and$8.7 million in finance lease obligations. Management anticipates that, in the ordinary course of business, the Company will enter into additional royalty agreements for land and mineral reserves during 2020. As permitted, short-term leases are excluded from ASC 842 requirements and future noncancelable obligations for these leases as ofDecember 31, 2019 are not immaterial. The Company has purchase commitments for property, plant and equipment of$93.4 million as ofDecember 31, 2019 . The Company also has other purchase obligations related to energy and service contracts which totaled$82.9 million as ofDecember 31, 2019 .
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The Company's contractual commitments as ofDecember 31, 2019 are as follows: (in millions) Total < 1 Year 1 to 3 Years 3 to 5 Years > 5 Years ON BALANCE SHEET: Long-term debt$ 2,773.6 $ 340.0 $ 0.2$ 696.7 $ 1,736.7 Postretirement benefits 13.0 2.0 2.8 2.5 5.7 Qualified pension plan contributions1 - - - - - Unfunded pension plan contributions 106.4 7.8 31.2 20.2 47.2 Uncertain tax positions 27.2 - 27.2 - - Finance leases - principal portion 8.7 2.9 2.6 1.1 2.1 Operating leases 486.6 52.7 78.5 63.2 292.2 Other commitments 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 - OFF BALANCE SHEET: Interest on publicly-traded long-term debt and lease obligations 1,511.8 116.9 220.9 215.3 958.7 Contracts of affreightment 133.9 15.8 32.4 33.5 52.2 Royalty agreements2 114.9 15.7 21.4 18.1 59.7 Purchase commitments - capital 93.4 93.4 - - - Other commitments - energy and services 82.9 47.2 18.0 1.8 15.9 Total$ 5,352.7 $ 694.5 $ 435.3 $ 1,052.5 $ 3,170.4
1 No contributions to the qualified pension plan are required in 2020 and
contributions beyond 2020 are not determinable at this time.
2 Represents future minimum payments.
Notes A, H, J, K, M and O to the audited consolidated financial statements contain additional information regarding these commitments and should be read in conjunction with the above table.
Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
The Company has entered into standby letter of credit agreements relating to certain insurance claims, contract performance and permit requirements. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company had contingent liabilities guaranteeing its own performance under these outstanding letters of credit of$32.9 million . In the normal course of business, atDecember 31, 2019 , the Company was contingently liable for$395.1 million in surety bonds underwritten by Liberty Mutual, which guarantee its own performance and are required by certain states and municipalities and their related agencies. The Company has indemnified the underwriting insurance companies against any exposure under the surety bonds. In the Company's past experience, no material claims have been made against these financial instruments. The Company is a co-borrower with an unconsolidated affiliate for a$15.5 million revolving line of credit agreement withTruist Bank , as successor by merger toSunTrust Bank and formerly known asBranch Banking and Trust Company . The affiliate has agreed to reimburse and indemnify the Company for any payments and expenses the Company may incur from this agreement. The Company holds a lien on the affiliate's membership interest in a joint venture as collateral for payment under the revolving line of credit. [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page
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Other Financial Information
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company's audited consolidated financial statements include certain critical estimates regarding the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. These estimates require management's subjective and complex judgments. Amounts reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements could differ materially if management used different assumptions in making these estimates, resulting in actual results differing from those estimates. Methodologies used and assumptions selected by management in making these estimates, as well as the related disclosures, have been reviewed by and discussed with the Company's Audit Committee. Management's determination of the critical nature of accounting estimates and judgments may change from time to time depending on facts and circumstances that management cannot currently predict.
Impairment Review of
Goodwill is required to be tested annually for impairment. An interim review is performed between annual tests if facts and circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The impairment review of goodwill is a critical accounting estimate because goodwill represents 24% of the Company's total assets atDecember 31, 2019 ; the review requires management to apply judgment and make key assumptions; and an impairment charge could be material to the Company's financial condition and results of operations. The Company performs its impairment evaluation as ofOctober 1 , which represents the annual evaluation date. The Company's reporting units, which represent the level at which goodwill is tested for impairment, are based on the operating segments of theBuilding Materials business. There is no goodwill related to the Magnesia Specialties business.
Certain of the aforementioned reporting units within the
Goodwill is assigned to the respective reporting unit(s) based on the location of acquisitions at the time of consummation. If subsequent organizational changes result in operations being transferred to a different reporting unit, a proportionate amount of goodwill is transferred from the former to the new reporting unit.Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the reporting unit's fair value to its carrying value, which represents a Step-1 analysis. However, prior to Step 1, the Company may perform an optional qualitative assessment. As part of the qualitative assessment, the Company considers, among other things, the following events and circumstances: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and other business or reporting unit-specific events. If the Company concludes it is more-likely-than-not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50%) that a reporting unit's fair value is higher than its carrying value, the Company does not perform any further goodwill impairment testing for that reporting unit. Otherwise, it proceeds to Step 1 of its goodwill impairment analysis. The Company may bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly with the quantitative calculation in Step 1. When the Company validates its conclusion by measuring fair value, it may resume performing a qualitative assessment for a reporting unit in any subsequent period. If the reporting unit's fair value exceeds its carrying value, no further calculation is necessary. A reporting unit with a carrying value in excess of its fair value constitutes a Step-1 failure and results in an impairment charge. For the 2019 annual impairment evaluation, the Company performed a Step-1 analysis for all reporting units. The fair values were calculated using a discounted cash flow model. Key assumptions included management's estimates of changes in sales price, shipment volumes and production costs as well as assumptions of future profitability, capital requirements, discount rates ranging from 8.5% to 9.25% and a terminal growth rate of 2.5%. With the exception of the Cement and Southwest Ready Mix Division, the fair value of all reporting units exceeded the carrying value by more than 150%. The Cement and Southwest Ready Mix Division reporting unit's fair value exceeded its carrying value by 35%, or$701.5 million . For sensitivity purposes, a 100-basis-point increase in the discount rate, holding all other assumptions constant, would result in the Cement and Southwest Ready Mix Division reporting unit passing the Step-1 analysis by$343.5 million , or 17%. The Cement andSouthwest Ready Mix Division reporting unit had$934.7 million of goodwill atDecember 31, 2019 . Future profitability and capital requirements are, by their nature, estimates. Price, cost and volume assumptions were based on various factors, including historical averages and current forecasts, external sources, and market conditions, while also considering any production capacity constraints. Capital requirements included maintenance-level needs and known efficiency- and capacity-increasing investments. A discount rate is calculated for each reporting unit that requires a Step-1 analysis and represents its weighted average cost of capital. The calculation of the discount rate includes the following components, which are primarily based on published
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sources: equity risk premium, historical beta, risk-free interest rate, small-stock premium, company-specific premium and borrowing rate.
The terminal growth rate was based on average GDP increases.
Management believes that all assumptions used were reasonable based on historical operating results and expected future trends. However, if future operating results are unfavorable as compared with forecasts, the results of future goodwill impairment evaluations could be negatively affected. Further, mineral reserves, which represent underlying assets producing the reporting units' cash flows for the aggregates product line, are depleting assets by their nature. Any potential impairment charges from future evaluations represent a risk to the Company.
Pension Expense-Selection of Assumptions
The Company sponsors noncontributory defined benefit pension plans that cover substantially all employees and a Supplemental Excess Retirement Plan (SERP) for certain retirees (see Note K to the audited consolidated financial statements). Annual pension expense (inclusive of SERP expense) consists of several components:
• Service Cost, which represents the present value of benefits attributed to
services rendered in the current year, measured by expected future salary
levels;
• Interest Cost, which represents one year's additional interest on the
outstanding liability;
• Expected Return on Assets, which represents the expected investment return
on pension plan assets; and
• Amortization of Prior Service Cost and Actuarial Gains and Losses, which
represents components that are recognized over time rather than
immediately. Prior service cost represents credit given to employees for
years of service prior to plan inception, of which there is an
insignificant amount at
arise from changes in assumptions regarding future events or when actual
returns on pension assets differ from expected returns. At
2019, the unrecognized actuarial loss was
accounting rules currently allow companies to amortize the portion of the
unrecognized actuarial loss that represents more than 10% of the greater
of the projected benefit obligation or pension plan assets, using the
average remaining service life for the amortization period. Therefore, the
currently subject to amortization in 2020 and
amortization in 2020.
is estimated to be a component of 2020 annual pension expense.
These components are calculated annually to determine the pension expense reflected in the Company's results of operations.
Management believes the selection of assumptions related to the annual pension
expense is a critical accounting estimate due to the high degree of volatility
in the expense dependent on selected assumptions. The key assumptions are as
follows:
• The discount rate is used to present value the pension obligation and
represents the current rate at which the pension obligations could be
effectively settled.
• The expected long-term rate of return on pension plan assets is used to
estimate future asset returns and should reflect the average rate of
long-term earnings on assets invested to provide for the benefits included
in the projected benefit obligation.
• The mortality table represents published statistics on the expected lives
of people.
• The rate of increase in future compensation levels is used to project the
pay-related pension benefit formula and should estimate actual future
compensation levels.
Management's selection of the discount rate is based on an analysis that estimates the current rate of return for high-quality, fixed-income investments with maturities matching the payment of pension benefits that could be purchased to settle the obligations. The Company selected a hypothetical portfolio of Moody's Aa bonds, with maturities that match the benefit obligations, to determine the discount rate. AtDecember 31, 2019 , the Company selected a discount rate assumption of 3.69%, a 69-basis-point decrease compared with the prior-year assumption. Of the four key assumptions, the discount rate is generally the most volatile and sensitive estimate. Accordingly, a change in this assumption has the most significant impact on the annual pension expense. [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 63
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Management's selection of the rate of increase in future compensation levels is
generally based on the Company's historical salary increases, including cost of
living adjustments and merit and promotion increases, considering any known
future trends. A higher rate of increase results in higher pension expense. The
assumed long-term rate of increase is 4.5%.
Management's selection of the expected long-term rate of return on pension fund
assets is based on a building-block approach, whereby the components are
weighted based on the allocation of pension plan assets. Given that these
returns are long term, there are generally not significant fluctuations in the
expected rate of return from year to year. Based on the currently projected
returns on these assets and related expenses, the Company selected an expected
return on assets of 6.75%, the same as the prior-year rate. The following table
presents the expected return on pension assets as compared with the actual
return on pension assets:
(in millions) Expected Return on Pension Assets Actual Return on Pension Assets
2019 $47.9 $131.3
2018 $46.0 $(40.8)
The difference between the expected return and the actual return on pension
assets is not immediately recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings.
Rather, pension accounting rules require the difference to be included in
actuarial gains and losses, which are amortized into annual pension expense as
previously described.
At December 31, 2019 , the Company estimates the remaining lives of participants
in the pension plans using the Society of Actuaries' Pri-2012 Base Mortality
Table . The no-collar table was used for salaried participants and the
blue-collar table was used for hourly participants, both reflecting the
experience of the Company's participants. The Company selected the MP-2018 scale
for mortality improvement.
Assumptions are selected on
Discount rate 4.38%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels 4.50%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets 6.75%
Average remaining service period for participants 10 years
Mortality Tables: Base Table RP-2014 Mortality Improvement Scale MP-2018
Using these assumptions, 2019 pension expense was
• A 25-basis-point change in the discount rate would have changed the 2019
expense by approximately
• A 25-basis-point change in the expected long-term rate of return on assets
would have changed the 2019 expense by approximately
For 2020 pension expense, assumptions selected at
Discount rate 3.69%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels 4.50%
Expected long-term rate of return on assets 6.75%
Average remaining service period for participants 10 years
Mortality Tables: Base Table Pri-2012 Mortality Improvement Scale MP-2018
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Using these assumptions, 2020 pension expense is expected to be approximately$31.2 million based on current demographics and structure of the plans. Changes in the underlying assumptions would have the following estimated impact on the 2020 expected expense:
• A 25-basis-point change in the discount rate would change the 2020
expected expense by approximately
$4.4 million .
• A 25-basis-point change in the expected long-term rate of return on
assets would change the 2020 expected expense by approximately $2.2
million .
The Company made pension plan contributions of $58.9 million in 2019 and $350.8
million during the five-year period ended December 31, 2019 . Despite these
contributions, the Company's pension plans are underfunded (projected benefit
obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets) by $109.8 million at
December 31, 2019 . The Company's projected benefit obligation was $977.8 million
at December 31, 2019 , an increase of $129.9 million versus the prior year,
driven by the lower discount rate. The Company expects to make pension plan and
SERP contributions of $60.2 million in 2020, of which $50.0 million
are voluntary.
Estimated Effective Income Tax Rate
The Company uses the liability method to determine its provision for income taxes. Accordingly, the annual provision for income taxes reflects estimates of the current liability for income taxes, estimates of the tax effect of financial reporting versus tax basis differences using statutory income tax rates and management's judgment with respect to any valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. The result is management's estimate of the annual effective tax rate (the "ETR"). Income for tax purposes is determined through the application of the rules and regulations under the United States Internal Revenue Code and the statutes of various foreign, state and local tax jurisdictions in which the Company conducts business. Changes in the statutory tax rates and/or tax laws in these jurisdictions can have a material effect on the ETR. The effect of these changes, if material, is recognized when the change is enacted. As prescribed by these tax regulations, as well as generally accepted accounting principles, the manner in which revenues and expenses are recognized for financial reporting and income tax purposes is not always the same. Therefore, these differences between the Company's pretax income for financial reporting purposes and the amount of taxable income for income tax purposes are treated as either temporary or permanent, depending on their nature. Temporary differences reflect revenues or expenses that are recognized in financial reporting in one period and taxable income in a different period. An example of a temporary difference is the use of the straight-line method of depreciation of machinery and equipment for financial reporting purposes and the use of an accelerated method for income tax purposes. Temporary differences result from differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of assets or liabilities and give rise to deferred tax assets or liabilities (i.e., future tax deductions or future taxable income). Therefore, when temporary differences occur, they are offset by a corresponding change in a deferred tax account. As such, total income tax expense as reported in the Company's consolidated statements of earnings is not changed by temporary differences. The Company has deferred tax liabilities, primarily for property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other intangibles, employee pension and postretirement benefits and partnerships and joint ventures. The deferred tax liabilities attributable to property, plant and equipment relate to accelerated depreciation and depletion methods used for income tax purposes as compared with the straight-line and units-of-production methods used for financial reporting purposes. These temporary differences will reverse over the remaining useful lives of the related assets. The deferred tax liabilities attributable to goodwill arise as a result of amortizing goodwill for income tax purposes but not for financial reporting purposes. This temporary difference reverses when goodwill is written off for financial reporting purposes, either through divestitures or an impairment charge. The timing of such events cannot be estimated. The deferred tax liabilities attributable to employee pension and postretirement benefits relate to deductions as plans are funded for income tax purposes compared with deductions for financial reporting purposes based on accounting standards. The reversal of these differences depends on the timing of the Company's contributions to the related benefit plans as compared to the annual expense for financial reporting purposes. The deferred tax liabilities attributable to partnerships and joint ventures relate to the difference between the tax basis of the investments in partnerships and joint ventures when compared to the basis for financial reporting purposes. The temporary difference reverses through differences recognized over the life of the investment or through divestiture.
The Company has deferred tax assets, primarily for inventories, unvested stock-based compensation awards, unrecognized losses related to the funded status of the pension and postretirement benefit plans, valuation reserves, net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets attributable to inventories and valuation reserves relate
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to the deduction of estimated cost reserves and various period expenses for financial reporting purposes that are deductible in a later period for income tax purposes. The reversal of these differences depends on facts and circumstances, including the timing of deduction for income tax purposes for reserves previously established and the establishment of additional reserves for financial reporting purposes. The deferred tax assets attributable to unvested stock-based compensation awards relate to differences in the timing of deductibility for financial reporting purposes versus income tax purposes. For financial reporting purposes, the fair value of the awards is deducted ratably over the requisite service period. For income tax purposes, no deduction is allowed until the award is vested or no longer subject to substantial risk of forfeiture. The Company records all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit as a discrete event in the period in which the award vests or settles, increasing volatility in the income tax rate from period to period.
Business Combinations - Allocation of Purchase Price
The Company's Board of Directors and management regularly review strategic long-term plans, including potential investments in value-added acquisitions of related or similar businesses, which would increase the Company's market share and/or are related to the Company's existing markets. When an acquisition is completed, the Company's consolidated statements of earnings include the operating results of the acquired business starting from the date of acquisition, which is the date control is obtained. The purchase price is determined based on the fair value of assets and equity interests given to the seller and any future obligations to the seller as of the date of acquisition. Additionally, conversion of the seller's equity awards into equity awards of the Company can affect the purchase price. The Company allocates the purchase price to the fair values of the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as valued at the date of acquisition.Goodwill is recorded for the excess of the purchase price over the net of the fair value of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation is a critical accounting policy because the estimation of fair values of acquired assets and assumed liabilities is judgmental and requires various assumptions. Further, the amounts and useful lives assigned to depreciable and amortizable assets versus amounts assigned to goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are not amortized, can significantly affect the results of operations in the period of and for periods subsequent to a business combination. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction, and, therefore, represents an exit price. A fair-value measurement assumes the highest and best use of the asset by market participants, considering the use of the asset that is physically possible, legally permissible, and financially feasible at the measurement date. The Company assigns the highest level of fair value available to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the following options: • Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities
• Level 2 - Observable inputs, other than quoted prices, for similar assets
or liabilities in active markets
• Level 3 - Unobservable inputs, used to value the asset or liability which
includes the use of valuation models
Level 1 fair values are used to value investments in publicly-traded entities and assumed obligations for publicly-traded long-term debt.
Level 2 fair values are typically used to value acquired receivables, inventories, machinery and equipment, land, buildings, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and accruals for payables, asset retirement obligations, environmental remediation and compliance obligations, and contingencies. Additionally, Level 2 fair values are typically used to value assumed contracts at other-than-market rates. Level 3 fair values are used to value acquired mineral reserves and mineral interests produced and sold as final products, and separately-identifiable intangible assets. The fair values of mineral reserves and mineral interests are determined using an excess earnings approach, which requires management to estimate future cash flows, net of capital investments in the specific operation and contributory asset charges. The estimate of future cash flows is based on available historical information and future expectations and assumptions determined by management, but is inherently uncertain. Key assumptions in estimating future cash flows include changes in sales price, shipment volumes and production costs as well as capital needs. The present value of the projected net cash flows represents the fair value assigned to mineral reserves and mineral interests. The discount rate is a significant assumption used in the valuation model and is based on the required rate of return that a hypothetical market participant would require if purchasing the acquired business, with an adjustment for the risk of these assets not generating the projected cash flows.
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The Company values separately-identifiable acquired intangible assets which may include, but are not limited to, permits, customer relationships, water rights and noncompetition agreements. The fair values of these assets are typically determined by an excess earnings method, a replacement cost method or, in the case of water rights, a market approach. The useful lives of amortizable intangible assets and the remaining useful lives for acquired machinery and equipment have a significant impact on earnings. The selected lives are based on the expected periods that the assets will provide value to the Company subsequent to the business combination. The Company may adjust the amounts recognized for a business combination during a measurement period after the acquisition date. Any such adjustments are based on the Company obtaining additional information that existed at the acquisition date regarding the assets acquired or the liabilities assumed. Measurement-period adjustments are generally recorded as increases or decreases to the goodwill recognized in the transaction. The measurement period ends once the Company has obtained all necessary information that existed as of the acquisition date, but does not extend beyond one year from the date of acquisition. Any adjustments to assets acquired or liabilities assumed beyond the measurement period are recorded through earnings.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Net property, plant and equipment represent 51% of total assets atDecember 31, 2019 . Accordingly, accounting for these assets represents a critical accounting policy. Useful lives of the assets can vary depending on factors, including production levels, geographic location, portability and maintenance practices. Additionally, climate and inclement weather can reduce the useful life of an asset. Historically, the Company has not recognized significant losses on the disposal or retirement of fixed assets. Aggregates mineral reserves and mineral interests are components within the plant, property and equipment balance on the consolidated balance sheets. The Company evaluates aggregates reserves, including those used in the cement manufacturing process, in several ways, depending on the geology at a particular location and whether the location is a greensite, an acquisition or an existing operation. Greensites require an extensive drilling program before any significant investment is made in terms of time, site development or efforts to obtain appropriate zoning and permitting (see Environmental Regulation and Litigation section). The depth of overburden and the quality and quantity of the aggregates reserves are significant factors in determining whether to pursue opening the site. Further, the estimated average selling price for products in a market is also a significant factor in concluding that reserves are economically mineable. If the Company's analysis based on these factors is satisfactory, the total aggregates reserves available are calculated and a determination is made whether to open the location. Reserve evaluation at existing locations is typically performed to evaluate purchasing adjoining properties, for quality control, calculating overburden volumes and for mine planning. Reserve evaluation of acquisitions may require a higher degree of sampling to locate any problem areas that may exist and to verify the total reserves. Well-ordered subsurface sampling of the underlying deposit is basic to determining reserves at any location. This subsurface sampling usually involves one or more types of drilling, determined by the nature of the material to be sampled and the particular objective of the sampling. The Company's objectives are to ensure that the underlying deposit meets aggregates specifications and the total reserves on site are sufficient for mining and economically recoverable. Locations underlain with hard rock deposits, such as granite and limestone, are drilled using the diamond core method, which provides the most useful and accurate samples of the deposit. Selected core samples are tested for soundness, abrasion resistance and other physical properties relevant to the aggregates industry and depend on the aggregates use. The number and depth of the holes are determined by the size of the site and the complexity of the site-specific geology. Some geological factors that may affect the number and depth of holes include faults, folds, chemical irregularities, clay pockets, thickness of formations and weathering. A typical spacing of core holes on the area to be tested is one hole for every four acres, but wider spacing may be justified if the deposit is homogeneous. Despite previous drilling and sampling, once accessed, the quality of reserves within a deposit can vary. Construction contracts, for the infrastructure market in particular, include specifications related to the aggregates material. If a flaw in the deposit is discovered, the aggregates material may not meet the required specifications. Although it is possible that the aggregates material can still be used for non-specification uses, this can have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to serve certain customers or on the Company's profitability. In addition, other issues can arise that limit the Company's ability to access reserves in a particular quarry, including geological occurrences, blasting practices and zoning issues. Locations underlain with sand and gravel are typically drilled using the auger method, whereby a six-inch corkscrew brings up material from below the ground which is then sampled. Deposits in these locations are typically limited in thickness. [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? Page 67
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Additionally, the quality and sand-to-gravel ratio of the deposit can vary both horizontally and vertically. Hole spacing at these locations is approximately one hole for every acre to ensure a representative sampling.
The geologist conducting the reserve evaluation makes the decision as to the
number of holes and the spacing in accordance with standards and procedures
established by the Company. Further, the anticipated heterogeneity of the
deposit, based on
The generally accepted reserve categories for the aggregates industry and the designations the Company uses for reserve categories are summarized as follows:
Proven Reserves - These reserves are designated using closely spaced drill data as described above and a determination by a professional geologist that the deposit is relatively homogeneous based on the drilling results and exploration data provided inU.S. geologic maps, theU.S. Department of Agriculture soil maps, aerial photographs and/or electromagnetic, seismic or other surveys conducted by independent geotechnical engineering firms. The proven reserves that are recorded reflect reductions incurred through quarrying that result from leaving ramps, safety benches, pillars (underground) and the fines (small particles) that will be generated during processing. Proven reserves are further reduced by reserves that are under the plant and stockpile areas, as well as setbacks from neighboring property lines. The Company typically assumes a loss factor of 25%. However, the assumed loss factor at coastal operations is approximately 40% due to the nature of the material. The assumed loss factor for underground operations is 35% primarily due to pillars.
Probable Reserves - These reserves are inferred utilizing fewer drill holes and/or assumptions about the economically recoverable reserves based on local geology or drill results from adjacent properties.
The Company's proven and probable reserves reflect reasonable economic and operating constraints as to maximum depth of overburden and stone excavation, and also include reserves at the Company's inactive and undeveloped sites, including some sites where permitting and zoning applications will not be filed until warranted by expected future growth. The Company has historically been successful in obtaining and maintaining appropriate zoning and permitting (see Environmental Regulation and Litigation section).
Mineral reserves and mineral interests, when acquired in connection with a business combination, are valued using an excess earnings approach for the life of the proven and probable reserves.
The Company uses proven and probable reserves as the denominator in its
units-of-production calculation to record depletion expense for its mineral
reserves and mineral interests. For 2019, depletion expense was
The Company begins capitalizing quarry development costs at a point when reserves are determined to be proven or probable, economically mineable and when demand supports investment in the market. Capitalization of these costs ceases when production commences. Capitalized quarry development costs are classified as land improvements. New mining areas may be developed at existing quarries in order to access additional reserves. When this occurs, management reviews the facts and circumstances of each situation in making a determination as to the appropriateness of capitalizing or expensing the related pre-production development costs. If the additional mining location operates in a separate and distinct area of a quarry, the costs are capitalized as quarry development costs and depreciated over the life of the uncovered reserves. Further, a separate asset retirement obligation is created for additional mining areas when the liability is incurred. Once a new mining area enters the production phase, all post-production stripping costs are expensed as incurred as periodic inventory production costs.
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Forward-Looking Statements - Safe Harbor Provisions
If you are interested inMartin Marietta Materials, Inc. stock, management recommends that, at a minimum, you read the Company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K reports to theSEC over the past year, in addition to the Annual Report. The Company's recent proxy statement for the annual meeting of shareholders also contains important information. These and other materials that have been filed with theSEC are accessible through the Company's website at www.martinmarietta.com and are also available at theSEC's website at www.sec.gov. You may also write or call the Company's Corporate Secretary, who will provide copies of such reports. Investors are cautioned that all statements in this Annual Report that relate to the future involve risks and uncertainties, and are based on assumptions that the Company believes in good faith are reasonable but which may be materially different from actual results. These statements are "forward-looking" statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements give the investor the Company's expectations or forecasts of future events. These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. They may use words such as "anticipate," "expect," "should be," "believe," "will," and other words of similar meaning in connection with future events or future operating or financial performance. Any or all of the Company's forward-looking statements here and in other publications may turn out to be wrong. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that may affect performance, including but not limited to: the performance ofthe United States economy; shipment declines resulting from economic events beyond the Company's control; a widespread decline in aggregates pricing, including a decline in aggregates shipment volume negatively affecting aggregates price; the history of both cement and ready mixed concrete being subject to significant changes in supply, demand and price fluctuations; the termination, capping and/or reduction of the federal and/or state gasoline tax(es) or other revenue related to public construction; the level and timing of federal, state and/or local transportation or infrastructure or public projects funding, most particularly inTexas ,Colorado ,North Carolina ,Georgia ,Iowa andMaryland ; the volatility in the commencement of infrastructure projects; theUnited States Congress' inability to reach agreement among themselves or with the Administration on policy issues that impact the federal budget; the ability of states and/or other entities to finance approved projects either with tax revenues or alternative financing structures; levels of construction spending in the markets the Company serves; a reduction in defense spending, and the subsequent impact on construction activity on or near military bases; a decline in the commercial component of the nonresidential construction market, notably office and retail space; a decline in energy-related construction activity resulting from a sustained period of low global oil prices or changes in oil production patterns in response to this decline, particularly inTexas ; increasing residential mortgage rates and other factors that could result in a slowdown in residential construction; unfavorable weather conditions, particularlyAtlantic Ocean andGulf of Mexico hurricane activity, the late start to spring or the early onset of winter and the impact of a drought or excessive rainfall in the markets served by the Company, any of which can significantly affect production schedules, volumes, product and/or geographic mix and profitability; the volatility of fuel costs, particularly diesel fuel, and the impact on the cost, or the availability generally, of other consumables, namely steel, explosives, tires and conveyor belts, and with respect to the Company's Magnesia Specialties business, natural gas; continued increases in the cost of other repair and supply parts; construction labor shortages and/or supplychain challenges; unexpected equipment failures, unscheduled maintenance, industrial accident or other prolonged and/or significant disruption to production facilities; increasing governmental regulation, including environmental laws; the failure of relevant government agencies to implement expected regulatory reductions; transportation availability or a sustained reduction in capital investment by the railroads, notably the availability of railcars, locomotive power and the condition of rail infrastructure to move trains to supply the Company'sTexas ,Colorado ,Florida , North Carolinas and theGulf Coast markets, including the movement of essential dolomitic lime for magnesia chemicals to the Company's plant inManistee, Michigan and its customers; increased transportation costs, including increases from higher or fluctuating passed-through energy costs or fuel surcharges, and other costs to comply with tightening regulations, as well as higher volumes of rail and water shipments; availability of trucks and licensed drivers for transport of the Company's materials; availability and cost of construction equipment inthe United States ; weakening in the steel industry markets served by the Company's dolomitic lime products; trade disputes with one or more nations impacting theU.S. economy, including the impact of tariffs on the steel industry; unplanned changes in costs or realignment of customers that introduce volatility to earnings, including that of the Magnesia Specialties business that is running at capacity; proper functioning of information technology and automated operating systems to manage or support operations; inflation and its effect on both production and interest costs; the concentration of customers in construction markets and the increased risk of potential losses on customer receivables; the impact of the level of demand in the Company's end-use markets, production levels and management of production costs on the operating leverage and therefore profitability of the Company; the possibility that the expected synergies from acquisitions will not be realized or will not be [[Image Removed]] Form 10-K ? 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realized within the expected time period, including achieving anticipated profitability to maintain compliance with the Company's leverage ratio debt covenant; changes in tax laws, the interpretation of such laws and/or administrative practices that would increase the Company's tax rate; violation of the Company's debt covenant if price and/or volumes return to previous levels of instability; downward pressure on the Company's common stock price and its impact on goodwill impairment evaluations; the possibility of a reduction of the Company's credit rating to non-investment grade; shipment declines resulting from economic events beyond the Company's control; the history of both cement and ready mixed concrete being subject to significant changes in supply, demand and price fluctuations; and other risk factors listed from time to time found in the Company's filings with theSEC . Further, increased highway construction funding pressures resulting from either federal or state issues can affect profitability. If these negatively affect transportation budgets more than in the past, construction spending could be reduced. Cement is subject to cyclical supply and demand and price fluctuations. The Magnesia Specialties business essentially runs at capacity; therefore, any unplanned changes in costs or realignment of customers introduce volatility to the earnings of this segment. The Company's principal business serves customers in construction markets. This concentration could increase the risk of potential losses on customer receivables; however, payment bonds normally posted on public projects, together with lien rights on private projects, mitigate the risk of uncollectible receivables. The level of demand in the Company's end-use markets, production levels and the management of production costs will affect the operating leverage of theBuilding Materials business and, therefore, profitability. Production costs in theBuilding Materials business are also sensitive to energy and raw material prices, both directly and indirectly. Diesel fuel, coal and other consumables change production costs directly through consumption or indirectly by increased energy-related input costs, such as steel, explosives, tires and conveyor belts. Fluctuating diesel fuel pricing also affects transportation costs, primarily through fuel surcharges in the Company's long-haul distribution network. The Magnesia Specialties business is sensitive to changes in domestic steel capacity utilization as well as the absolute price and fluctuation in the cost of natural gas. Transportation in the Company's long-haul network, particularly the supply of rail cars and locomotive power and condition of rail infrastructure to move trains, affects the Company's efficient transportation of aggregates products in certain markets, most notablyTexas ,Colorado ,Florida ,North Carolina and theGulf Coast . In addition, availability of rail cars and locomotives affects the Company's movement of essential dolomitic lime for magnesia chemicals to both the Company's plant inManistee, Michigan , and its customers. The availability of trucks, drivers and railcars to transport the Company's product, particularly in markets experiencing high growth and increased demand, is also a risk and pressures the associated costs. All of the Company's businesses are also subject to weather-related risks that can significantly affect production schedules and profitability. The first and fourth quarters are most adversely affected by winter weather. Hurricane activity in theAtlantic Ocean andGulf Coast generally is most active during the third and fourth quarters. In fact, in September andOctober 2018 , respectively, Hurricanes Florence and Michael generated winds, rainfall and flooding which disrupted operations in the Carolinas,Florida andGeorgia . In 2019, Hurricane Dorian and Tropical Storm Imelda temporarily disrupted the Company's operations in theBahamas andTexas , respectively. However, after flood waters recede, management typically expects an increase in construction activity as roads, homes and businesses are repaired.
Risks also include shipment declines resulting from economic events beyond the Company's control.
In addition to the foregoing, other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this Annual Report include but are not limited to those listed above in Item 1, "Business - Competition," Item 1A, "Risk Factors," and "Note A: Accounting Policies" and "Note O: Commitments and Contingencies" of the "Notes to Financial Statements" of the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K.
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