Armstrong World Industries Reports Record-Setting Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Armstrong World Industries (NYSE:AWI) reported record-setting financial results for Q4 and full-year 2024. Fourth-quarter net sales increased 17.7% to $368 million, with operating income up 24% and diluted earnings per share rising 34%. Full-year 2024 delivered record net sales of $1.4 billion, a 12% increase, with operating income up 16% and diluted earnings per share growing 21%.

The growth was driven by higher sales volumes ($36 million) and favorable Average Unit Value ($20 million) in Q4. The Mineral Fiber segment saw 8.1% higher net sales due to favorable pricing and mix, while Architectural Specialties segment sales jumped 40.8%, boosted by recent acquisitions of Zahner, 3form, and BOK Modern.

For the full year, cash flows from operating activities increased by $33 million compared to 2023. The company continued its share repurchase program, buying back 0.5 million shares for $55 million in 2024, with $662 million remaining in the authorized program through December 2026.

Positive

• Record Q4 net sales of $368 million, up 17.7%
• Q4 operating income increased 24% and diluted EPS up 34%
• Full-year 2024 record net sales of $1.4 billion, up 12%
• Full-year operating income increased 16% and diluted EPS up 21%
• Architectural Specialties segment sales increased 40.8% in Q4
• Mineral Fiber segment sales increased 8.1% in Q4
• Completed strategic acquisitions of Zahner, 3form, and BOK
• Cash flows from operating activities increased $33 million in 2024
• Favorable AUV of $20 million in Q4 due to pricing and mix

Negative

• Lower Mineral Fiber sales volumes in Q4
• 100 basis points of adjusted EBITDA margin compression in Q4
• Increased SG&A expenses of $12 million in Q4
• Manufacturing and input costs increased by $7 million in Q4
• Decreased home center customer channel volumes for full-year 2024

Insights

Financial Analyst

Armstrong World Industries delivered record-setting results for Q4 and full-year 2024, with quarterly net sales surging 17.7% to $368 million and annual revenue reaching $1.4 billion, up 12% year-over-year. These impressive figures were accompanied by substantial earnings growth, with Q4 operating income increasing 24% and diluted EPS jumping 34%.

The performance reveals AWI's successful execution of its dual-segment strategy. In Mineral Fiber, Q4 sales increased 8.1% despite volume declines, demonstrating significant pricing power through favorable Average Unit Value (AUV). This pricing strength in a core product category suggests AWI maintains strong market positioning despite challenging construction market conditions.

Even more impressive was the Architectural Specialties segment, which saw sales surge 40.8% in Q4, driven by $25 million from recent acquisitions (Zahner, 3form, and BOK) plus organic growth in custom projects. This strategic diversification is transforming AWI's business mix toward higher-margin specialty products that offer greater differentiation.

The 100 basis point compression in adjusted EBITDA margin during Q4 warrants attention but isn't necessarily concerning. This dilution stems from integrating acquired businesses with currently lower margin profiles. Management's emphasis on margin expansion for 2025 suggests confidence in improving profitability as these acquisitions mature and synergies materialize.

AWI's $14 million increase in equity earnings from WAVE joint venture represents an underappreciated value driver, providing steady cash flow with minimal capital requirements. This partnership continues to enhance AWI's overall returns while supporting its core ceiling business.

The company's capital allocation strategy remains balanced, with $124 million deployed for acquisitions while maintaining $55 million in share repurchases. With $662 million remaining in the repurchase authorization and improved operating cash flow, AWI has ample flexibility to continue both growth investments and shareholder returns.

Looking ahead, AWI's guidance for "solid growth across all key metrics" in 2025 demonstrates management's confidence despite acknowledging a "choppy operating environment." The company's ability to drive margin improvement while navigating challenging conditions will be important for maintaining its premium valuation relative to building product peers.

AWI's results highlight its evolution from a traditional ceiling tile manufacturer to a diversified architectural products company with enhanced growth potential through both organic initiatives and strategic acquisitions. This transformation positions AWI to outperform the broader commercial construction market while delivering consistent shareholder value.

Construction Industry Analyst

Armstrong World Industries' Q4 and full-year 2024 results reveal a company effectively navigating the complex commercial construction landscape while strategically repositioning itself for long-term growth. The 17.7% Q4 revenue growth and 11.6% full-year increase significantly outpace the broader commercial construction sector, which has struggled with project delays and financing constraints throughout 2024.

AWI's performance in Mineral Fiber is particularly telling. The segment achieved 8.1% Q4 growth despite volume declines, demonstrating exceptional pricing discipline through both mix enhancement and like-for-like increases. This pricing power reflects AWI's dominant market position in commercial ceiling systems and successful premiumization strategy focused on acoustic performance and sustainability attributes that command higher margins.

The 40.8% growth in Architectural Specialties represents AWI's most significant strategic evolution. Through acquisitions of specialty manufacturers (Zahner, 3form, and BOK), AWI is transforming from a traditional ceiling provider into a comprehensive architectural solutions company. These acquisitions target the growing demand for custom, design-forward elements in commercial spaces – a trend accelerated by post-pandemic emphasis on distinctive workplace environments to attract employees back to offices.

The reported weakness in home center channels aligns with broader residential renovation market softness, but this represents a relatively small exposure for AWI compared to its commercial project focus. More significantly, the strong performance in custom projects suggests AWI is capturing share in higher-value commercial renovations, which typically lead new construction in challenging economic cycles.

The 100 basis point EBITDA margin compression warrants monitoring but isn't alarming. Integration of acquired businesses typically creates temporary margin dilution before synergies are realized. Management's explicit focus on margin expansion for 2025 suggests confidence in operational improvements as these businesses scale within AWI's platform.

AWI's manufacturing cost increases ($7 million in Q4) were notably modest compared to revenue growth, indicating effective operational management despite industry-wide input cost pressures. This contrasts favorably with many building product peers who have struggled with more significant cost inflation.

The $4 million increase in WAVE joint venture equity earnings is particularly valuable as this represents high-margin income from AWI's grid systems partnership with Worthington Industries. This steady profit stream provides ballast during construction market fluctuations.

Looking ahead, AWI's cautious reference to a "choppy operating environment" likely acknowledges the mixed signals in commercial construction – where certain sectors (healthcare, education, data centers) remain robust while others (traditional office) face headwinds. However, AWI's diversification across project types and emphasis on renovation positions it well regardless of which commercial subsectors lead recovery.

This performance confirms AWI's evolution into a premium building products company with enhanced growth potential and reduced cyclicality compared to traditional construction material providers – justifying its premium valuation multiple relative to sector peers.

Fourth-Quarter 2024

• Net sales of $368 million, an increase of 18%
• Operating income increased 24% and diluted net earnings per share increased 34%
• Adjusted EBITDA up 14% and adjusted diluted net earnings per share up 23%
• Completed acquisition of A. Zahner Company ("Zahner")

Full-Year 2024

• Record setting net sales of $1.4 billion, an increase of 12%
• Operating income increased 16% and diluted net earnings per share increased 21%
• Adjusted EBITDA up 13% and adjusted diluted net earnings per share up 19%
• Issuing 2025 Guidance with solid growth across all key metrics

^{(Comparisons above are versus the prior-year period unless otherwise stated.)}

LANCASTER, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (NYSE:AWI), an Americas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions, today reported fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 financial results highlighted by robust sales and earnings growth.

“These strong fourth-quarter results capped off another year of significant growth for Armstrong with record-setting sales and earnings, strong free cash flow generation, and two meaningful acquisitions to grow our Architectural Specialties capabilities,” said Vic Grizzle, President and CEO of Armstrong World Industries. “These achievements are a testament to our teams’ ability to execute our consistent and sustainable growth model in challenging market conditions while continuing our investments in industry-leading innovation and digital initiatives. Our proven record of success gives us confidence we can sustain our consistent growth trajectory in 2025.”

Fourth-Quarter Consolidated Results
(Dollar amounts in millions except per-share data)		For the Three Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				Change
Net sales		$	367.7			$	312.3			17.7%
Operating income		$	81.9			$	66.3			23.5%
Operating income margin (Operating income as a % of net sales)			22.3	%			21.2	%		110bps
Net earnings		$	62.2			$	46.8			32.9%
Diluted net earnings per share		$	1.42			$	1.06			34.0%
Additional Non-GAAP* Measures
Adjusted EBITDA		$	112			$	98			14.0%
Adjusted EBITDA margin (Adjusted EBITDA as a % of net sales)			30.4	%			31.4	%		(100)bps
Adjusted net earnings		$	66			$	54			22.3%
Adjusted diluted net earnings per share		$	1.50			$	1.22			23.0%

^{* The Company uses non-GAAP adjusted measures in managing the business and believes the adjustments provide meaningful comparisons of operating performance between periods and are useful alternative measures of performance. Reconciliations of the most comparable generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP") measure are found in the tables at the end of this press release. Excluding per share data, non-GAAP figures are rounded to the nearest million and corresponding percentages are rounded to the nearest decimal.}

Consolidated fourth-quarter 2024 net sales increased 17.7% due to higher sales volumes of $36 million and favorable Average Unit Value ("AUV") of $20 million. Mineral Fiber net sales increased $18 million, while Architectural Specialties net sales increased $38 million. The increase in Mineral Fiber net sales was driven by improved AUV, as a result of favorable mix and increased like-for-like pricing, partially offset by lower sales volumes. Architectural Specialties segment net sales improved primarily due to a $25 million contribution from the recent acquisitions of Zahner, 3form, LLC ("3form") and BOK Modern, LLC ("BOK"), in addition to increased custom project net sales.

Consolidated fourth-quarter 2024 operating income increased 23.5% primarily due to a $21 million margin benefit from Architectural Specialties sales volume growth, a $10 million margin benefit from AUV, and a $4 million increase in equity earnings from Worthington Armstrong Venture ("WAVE"). These benefits were partially offset by a $12 million increase in selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses and a $7 million increase in manufacturing and input costs. Higher operating costs were driven primarily by the acquisition of 3form and increased employee costs, partially offset by lower acquisition-related expenses. The acquisitions of Zahner, 3form and BOK drove the 100 basis points of adjusted EBITDA margin compression in the quarter.

Fourth-Quarter Segment Results
Mineral Fiber
(Dollar amounts in millions)		For the Three Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				Change
Net sales		$	238.2			$	220.3			8.1%
Operating income		$	68.6			$	60.9			12.6%
Adjusted EBITDA*		$	89			$	81			10.3%
Operating income margin			28.8	%			27.6	%		120bps
Adjusted EBITDA margin*			37.5	%			36.8	%		70bps

Mineral Fiber net sales increased 8.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024 due to $20 million of favorable AUV, partially offset by $2 million of lower sales volumes. The improvement in AUV was driven by both favorable mix and like-for-like pricing.

Mineral Fiber operating income increased by 12.6% in the fourth quarter of 2024 primarily due to a $10 million margin benefit from favorable AUV and a $5 million increase in WAVE equity earnings. These benefits were partially offset by a $5 million increase in SG&A expenses, primarily driven by higher employee costs as well as a decrease in company-owned officer life insurance gains related to deferred compensation plans, and a $2 million increase in manufacturing and input costs.

Architectural Specialties
(Dollar amounts in millions)		For the Three Months Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				Change
Net sales		$	129.5			$	92.0			40.8%
Operating income		$	14.2			$	6.0			136.7%
Adjusted EBITDA*		$	23			$	17			33.3%
Operating income margin			11.0	%			6.5	%		450bps
Adjusted EBITDA margin*			17.4	%			18.4	%		(100)bps

Architectural Specialties net sales increased 40.8% in the fourth quarter of 2024 driven primarily by a $25 million increase due to the acquisitions of Zahner, 3form and BOK, and partially due to improved custom project net sales.

Architectural Specialties operating income increased by $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024 primarily due to a $22 million margin benefit from higher sales volumes, partially offset by a $5 million increase in manufacturing costs. In addition, SG&A expenses increased by $8 million in the fourth quarter of 2024, primarily driven by an $11 million increase related to the acquisitions of Zahner, 3form and BOK and a $2 million increase in selling expenses to support sales growth, partially offset by a $6 million decrease in acquisition-related expenses.

Full-Year Consolidated Results
(Dollar amounts in millions)		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				Change
Net sales		$	1,445.7			$	1,295.2			11.6%
Operating income		$	374.3			$	323.7			15.6%
Operating income margin			25.9	%			25.0	%		90bps
Net earnings		$	264.9			$	223.8			18.4%
Diluted net earnings per share		$	6.02			$	4.99			20.6%
Net cash provided by operating and investing activities		$	187.5			$	223.1			(16.0)%
Additional Non-GAAP* Measures
Adjusted EBITDA		$	486			$	430			13.1%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			33.6	%			33.2	%		50bps
Adjusted net earnings		$	277			$	238			16.5%
Adjusted diluted net earnings per share		$	6.31			$	5.32			18.6%
Adjusted free cash flow		$	298			$	263			13.5%

Consolidated net sales for 2024 increased 11.6% due to higher sales volumes of $89 million and favorable AUV of $62 million. Mineral Fiber net sales increased $54 million, while Architectural Specialties net sales increased $97 million. The increase in Mineral Fiber net sales was primarily driven by improved AUV, as a result of increased like-for-like pricing and favorable mix, partially offset by lower sales volumes. The decrease in volumes for 2024 was driven primarily within our home center customer channel, most notably due to prior-year first quarter inventory level increases that did not repeat in the current-year period, partially offset by two additional shipping days in 2024 and the positive contribution from our growth initiatives compared to the prior-year period. Architectural Specialties net sales improved primarily due to a $73 million contribution from the acquisitions of Zahner, 3form and BOK, in addition to increased custom project net sales.

Consolidated operating income increased 15.6% primarily due to a $53 million margin benefit from higher sales volumes, a $39 million benefit from favorable AUV and a $14 million increase in equity earnings from unconsolidated affiliates. These increases were partially offset by a $46 million increase in SG&A expenses and a $7 million increase in manufacturing and input costs, primarily driven by higher costs from the acquisitions of Zahner, 3form and BOK, partially offset by improved Mineral Fiber manufacturing productivity.

The year-over-year increase in SG&A expenses was primarily driven by a $32 million increase related to the acquisitions of Zahner, 3form and BOK, an $8 million increase in selling expenses, primarily due to higher employee costs, a $7 million increase in incentive compensation and a $6 million decrease in company-owned officer life insurance gains related to deferred compensation plans. These increases were partially offset by a $9 million decrease in acquisition-related expenses.

Cash Flow

Cash flows from operating activities in 2024 increased $33 million in comparison to prior year. The favorable change in operating cash flows was primarily driven by higher cash earnings, partially offset by unfavorable net working capital impacts. Cash flows used for investing activities increased $69 million versus the prior year primarily due to $124 million of cash paid for the Zahner and 3form acquisitions, partially offset by proceeds received from sales of real estate.

Share Repurchase Program

In the fourth quarter of 2024, we repurchased 0.1 million shares of common stock for a total cost of $15 million, excluding the cost of commissions and taxes. For the full year 2024, we repurchased 0.5 million shares of common stock for a total cost of $55 million, excluding the cost of commissions and taxes. As of December 31, 2024, there was $662 million remaining under our Board of Directors' current authorized share repurchase program**.

^{** In July 2016, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing us to repurchase up to $150 million of our outstanding common stock through July 2018 (the “Program”). Pursuant to additional authorizations and extensions of the Program approved by our Board of Directors, including $500 million authorized on July 18, 2023, we are authorized to purchase up to $1,700 million of our outstanding shares of common stock through December 2026. Since inception and through December 31, 2024, we have repurchased 14.6 million shares under the Program for a total cost of $1,038 million, excluding commissions and taxes.}

2025 Outlook

“We delivered strong results across both segments in 2024, demonstrating the resilience of our growth model, despite challenging market conditions,” said Chris Calzaretta, AWI Senior Vice President and CFO. “Turning to 2025, our focus remains on delivering profitable growth and navigating a choppy operating environment to drive margin expansion in both our Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties businesses. We remain focused on adjusted free cash flow growth, which will continue to fuel our balanced approach to capital deployment for value creation.”

				For the Year Ended December 31, 2025
(Dollar amounts in millions except per-share data)	2024 Actual			Guidance							VPY Growth %
Net sales	$	1,446		$	1,570		to	$	1,610		9%	to	11%
Adjusted EBITDA*	$	486		$	525		to	$	545		8%	to	12%
Adjusted diluted net earnings per share*	$	6.31		$	6.85		to	$	7.15		9%	to	13%
Adjusted free cash flow*	$	298		$	315		to	$	335		6%	to	12%

Earnings Webcast

Management will host a live webcast conference call at 10:00 a.m. ET today, to discuss fourth-quarter and full-year 2024 results. This event will be available on the Company's website. The call and accompanying slide presentation can be found on the investor relations section of the Company's website at www.armstrongworldindustries.com. The replay of this event will be available on the website for up to one year after the date of the call.

Uncertainties Affecting Forward-Looking Statements

Disclosures in this release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including without limitation, those relating to future financial and operational results, market and broader economic conditions and guidance. Those statements provide our future expectations or forecasts and can be identified by our use of words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “outlook,” “target,” “predict,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “seek,” and other words or phrases of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance. This includes annual guidance. Forward-looking statements, by their nature, address matters that are uncertain and involve risks because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. As a result, our actual results may differ materially from our expected results and from those expressed in our forward-looking statements. A more detailed discussion of the risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected, anticipated or implied is included in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” sections of our reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our annual report for the year ended December 31, 2024, that the Company expects to file today. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements beyond what is required under applicable securities law.

About Armstrong and Additional Information

Armstrong World Industries, Inc (AWI) is an Americas leader in the design and manufacture of innovative interior and exterior architectural applications including ceilings, specialty walls and exterior metal solutions. For more than 160 years, Armstrong has delivered products and capabilities that enable architects, designers and contractors to transform building design and construction with elevated aesthetics, acoustics and sustainable attributes. With $1.4 billion in revenue in 2024, AWI has approximately 3,600 employees and a manufacturing network of 20 facilities, plus seven facilities dedicated to its WAVE joint venture.

More details on the Company’s performance can be found in its report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, that the Company expects to file with the SEC today.

Reported Financial Results
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

SELECTED FINANCIAL RESULTS Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Quarterly data is unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	367.7			$	312.3			$	1,445.7			$	1,295.2
Cost of goods sold			223.8				192.8				864.1				798.2
Gross profit			143.9				119.5				581.6				497.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses			85.4				73.3				308.5				262.5
Loss related to change in fair value of contingent consideration			1.0				0.1				1.6				0.1
Loss on sales of fixed assets, net			0.3				-				0.6				-
Equity (earnings) from unconsolidated affiliates, net			(24.7	)			(20.2	)			(103.4	)			(89.3	)
Operating income			81.9				66.3				374.3				323.7
Interest expense			9.2				8.6				39.8				35.3
Other non-operating (income), net			(3.3	)			(3.0	)			(12.6	)			(9.9	)
Earnings before income taxes			76.0				60.7				347.1				298.3
Income tax expense			13.8				13.9				82.2				74.5
Net earnings		$	62.2			$	46.8			$	264.9			$	223.8
Diluted net earnings per share of common stock		$	1.42			$	1.06			$	6.02			$	4.99
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding			43.9				44.2				44.0				44.8

SEGMENT RESULTS Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries (Quarterly data is unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net Sales
Mineral Fiber		$	238.2			$	220.3			$	986.0			$	932.4
Architectural Specialties			129.5				92.0				459.7				362.8
Total net sales		$	367.7			$	312.3			$	1,445.7			$	1,295.2
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Segment operating income (loss)
Mineral Fiber		$	68.6			$	60.9			$	322.5			$	285.7
Architectural Specialties			14.2				6.0				55.3				40.9
Unallocated Corporate			(0.9	)			(0.6	)			(3.5	)			(2.9	)
Total consolidated operating income		$	81.9			$	66.3			$	374.3			$	323.7

 

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
		December 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets		$	348.9			$	313.0
Property, plant and equipment, net			598.8				566.4
Other non-current assets			895.0				793.0
Total assets		$	1,842.7			$	1,672.4
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities		$	249.7			$	194.5
Non-current liabilities			835.9				886.1
Shareholders' equity			757.1				591.8
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity		$	1,842.7			$	1,672.4

SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION Armstrong World Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries
		For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023
Net earnings		$	264.9			$	223.8
Other adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities			20.4				12.5
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net			(18.5	)			(2.8	)
Net cash provided by operating activities			266.8				233.5
Net cash (used for) investing activities			(79.3	)			(10.4	)
Net cash (used for) financing activities			(177.6	)			(258.6	)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents			(1.4	)			0.3
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents			8.5				(35.2	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year			70.8				106.0
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	79.3			$	70.8

Supplemental Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP Results (unaudited)
(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

To supplement its consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), the Company provides additional measures of performance adjusted to exclude the impact of certain discrete expenses and income including adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA"), adjusted diluted earnings per share ("EPS") and adjusted free cash flow. Investors should not consider non-GAAP measures as a substitute for GAAP measures. The Company excludes certain acquisition related expenses (i.e. – impact of adjustments related to the fair value of inventory, contingent third-party professional fees, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration and deferred compensation accruals for acquisitions). Acquisition related deferred compensation accruals excluded from adjusted EBITDA represented cash and stock awards that were recorded over each award's respective vesting period, as such payments were subject to the sellers’ and employees’ continued employment with the Company. The Company also excludes all acquisition-related intangible amortization from adjusted net earnings and in calculations of adjusted diluted EPS. Examples of other excluded items have included plant closures, restructuring charges and related costs, impairments, separation costs and other cost reduction initiatives, environmental site expenses and environmental insurance recoveries, endowment level charitable contributions, the impact of defined benefit plan settlements, gains and losses on sales or impairment of fixed assets, and certain other gains and losses. The Company also excludes income/expense from its U.S. Retirement Income Plan (“RIP”) in the non-GAAP results as it represents the actuarial net periodic benefit credit/cost recorded. For all periods presented, the Company was not required and did not make cash contributions to the RIP based on guidelines established by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, nor does the Company expect to make cash contributions to the plan in 2025. Adjusted free cash flow is defined as cash from operating and investing activities, adjusted to remove the impact of cash used or proceeds received for acquisitions and divestitures, environmental site expenses and environmental insurance recoveries. Management's adjusted free cash flow measure includes returns of investment from WAVE and cash proceeds received from the settlement of company-owned life insurance policies, which are presented within investing activities on our consolidated statement of cash flows. The Company uses these adjusted performance measures in managing the business, including communications with its Board of Directors and employees, and believes that they provide users of this financial information with meaningful comparisons of operating performance between current results and results in prior periods. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures are appropriate to enhance understanding of its past performance, as well as prospects for its future performance. The Company also uses adjusted EBITDA and adjusted free cash flow (with further adjustments, when necessary) as factors in determining at-risk compensation for senior management. These non-GAAP measures may not be defined and calculated the same as similar measures used by other companies. Non-GAAP financial measures utilized by the Company may not be comparable to non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. A reconciliation of these adjustments to the most directly comparable GAAP measures is included in this release and on the Company’s website. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the most comparable GAAP measures.

In the following charts, numbers may not sum due to rounding. Excluding adjusted diluted EPS, non-GAAP figures are rounded to the nearest million and corresponding percentages are rounded to the nearest percent based on unrounded figures.

Consolidated Results – Adjusted EBITDA
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	368			$	312			$	1,446			$	1,295
Net earnings		$	62			$	47			$	265			$	224
Add: Income tax expense			14				14				82				75
Earnings before income taxes		$	76			$	61			$	347			$	298
Add: Interest/other income and expense, net			6				6				27				25
Operating income		$	82			$	66			$	374			$	324
Add: RIP expense (1)			1				1				2				3
Add: Acquisition-related impacts (2)			2				7				4				11
Add: Cost reduction initiatives and other			-				1				-				3
Add: WAVE pension settlement (3)			(1	)			-				-				-
Add: Loss on sales of fixed assets, net (4)			-				-				1				-
Add: Environmental expense			-				-				2				-
Adjusted operating income		$	84			$	75			$	383			$	340
Add: Depreciation and amortization			27				23				103				89
Adjusted EBITDA		$	112			$	98			$	486			$	430
Operating income margin			22.3	%			21.2	%			25.9	%			25.0	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			30.4	%			31.4	%			33.6	%			33.2	%

1. RIP expense represents only the plan service cost that is recorded within Operating income. For all periods presented, we were not required to and did not make cash contributions to our RIP.
2. Represents the impact of acquisition-related adjustments for the fair value of inventory, contingent third-party professional fees, changes in fair value of contingent consideration, deferred compensation and restricted stock expenses.
3. Represents the Company's 50% share of WAVE's settlement of their defined benefit pension plan.
4. Includes the impact of a loss on sale of an undeveloped parcel of land adjacent to our corporate headquarters, partially offset by a gain on sale of our idled Mineral Fiber plant in St. Helens, Oregon.

Mineral Fiber
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	238			$	220			$	986			$	932
Operating income		$	69			$	61			$	323			$	286
Add: Cost reduction initiatives and other			-				1				-				3
Add: WAVE pension settlement (1)			(1	)			-				-				-
Add: Loss on sales of fixed assets, net (2)			-				-				1				-
Add: Environmental expense			-				-				2				-
Adjusted operating income		$	68			$	62			$	325			$	289
Add: Depreciation and amortization			21				19				80				75
Adjusted EBITDA		$	89			$	81			$	406			$	364
Operating income margin			28.8	%			27.6	%			32.7	%			30.6	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			37.5	%			36.8	%			41.2	%			39.1	%

1. Represents the Company's 50% share of WAVE's settlement of their defined benefit pension plan.
2. Includes the impact of a loss on sale of an undeveloped parcel of land adjacent to our corporate headquarters, partially offset by a gain on sale of our idled Mineral Fiber plant in St. Helens, Oregon.

Architectural Specialties
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net sales		$	130			$	92			$	460			$	363
Operating income		$	14			$	6			$	55			$	41
Add: Acquisition-related impacts (1)			2				7				3				11
Adjusted operating income		$	16			$	13			$	59			$	52
Add: Depreciation and amortization			6				4				23				14
Adjusted EBITDA		$	23			$	17			$	82			$	66
Operating income margin			11.0	%			6.5	%			12.0	%			11.3	%
Adjusted EBITDA margin			17.4	%			18.4	%			17.8	%			18.1	%

1. Represents the impact of acquisition-related adjustments for the fair value of inventory, contingent third-party professional fees, changes in fair value of contingent consideration, deferred compensation and restricted stock expenses.

Unallocated Corporate
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Operating (loss)		$	(1	)		$	(1	)		$	(4	)		$	(3	)
Add: RIP expense (1)			1				1				2				3
Adjusted operating (loss)		$	-			$	-			$	(1	)		$	-
Add: Depreciation and amortization			-				-				-				-
Adjusted EBITDA		$	-			$	-			$	(1	)		$	-

1. RIP expense represents only the plan service cost that is recorded within Operating loss. For all periods presented, we were not required to and did not make cash contributions to our RIP.

Consolidated Results – Adjusted Free Cash Flow
		For the Three Months Ended December 31,								For the Year Ended December 31,
		2024				2023				2024				2023
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	87			$	57			$	267			$	234
Net cash (used for) investing activities		$	(18	)		$	-			$	(79	)		$	(10	)
Net cash provided by operating and investing activities		$	69			$	57			$	188			$	223
Add: Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired and investment in unconsolidated affiliate			30				3				129				27
Add: Environmental expenses, net			-				1				-				1
Add: Arktura deferred compensation (1)			1				8				6				8
Add: Contingent consideration in excess of acquisition-date fair value (2)			-				-				-				5
(Less): Proceeds from sales of facilities (3)			(13	)			-				(24	)			-
Adjusted Free Cash Flow		$	86			$	68			$	298			$	263

1. Deferred compensation and contingent consideration payments related to 2020 acquisitions were recorded as components of net cash provided by operating activities.
2. Contingent compensation payments related to the acquisition of Turf Design, Inc.
3. Proceeds related to the sale of Architectural Specialties design center, our idled Mineral Fiber plant in St. Helens, Oregon and undeveloped land adjacent to our corporate headquarters.

Consolidated Results – Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (EPS)
	For the Three Months Ended December 31,													For the Year Ended December 31,
	2024						2023							2024						2023
	Total			Per Diluted Share			Total			Per Diluted Share				Total			Per Diluted Share			Total			Per Diluted Share
Net earnings	$	62		$	1.42		$	47		$	1.06			$	265		$	6.02		$	224		$	4.99
Add: Income tax expense		14						14							82						75
Earnings before income taxes	$	76					$	61						$	347					$	298
(Less): RIP (credit) (1)		-						-							(1	)					(1	)
Add: Acquisition-related impacts (2)		2						7							4						11
Add: Acquisition-related amortization (3)		3						2							11						6
Add: Cost reduction initiatives and other		-						1							-						3
Add: WAVE pension settlement (4)		(1	)					-							-						-
Add: Loss on sales of fixed assets, net (5)		-						-							1						-
Add: Environmental expense		-						-							2						-
Adjusted net earnings before income taxes	$	81					$	70						$	364					$	318
(Less): Adjusted income tax expense (6)		(15	)					(16	)						(86	)					(79	)
Adjusted net earnings	$	66		$	1.50		$	54		$	1.22			$	277		$	6.31		$	238		$	5.32
Adjusted diluted EPS change versus prior year				23.0%													18.6%
Diluted shares outstanding					43.9						44.2							44.0						44.8
Effective tax rate				18%						23%							24%						25%

1. RIP (credit) represents the entire actuarial net periodic pension (credit) recorded as a component of net earnings. For all periods presented, we were not required to and did not make cash contributions to our RIP.
2. Represents the impact of acquisition-related adjustments for the fair value of inventory, contingent third-party professional fees, changes in fair value of contingent consideration, deferred compensation and restricted stock expenses.
3. Represents acquisition-related intangible amortization, including customer relationships, developed technology, software, trademarks and brand names, non-compete agreements and other intangibles.
4. Represents the Company's 50% share of WAVE's settlement of their defined benefit pension plan.
5. Includes the impact of a loss on sale of an undeveloped parcel of land adjacent to our corporate headquarters, partially offset by a gain on sale of our idled Mineral Fiber plant in St. Helens, Oregon.
6. Adjusted income tax expense is calculated using the effective tax rate multiplied by the adjusted net earnings before income taxes.

Adjusted EBITDA Guidance
		For the Year Ending December 31, 2025
		Low				High
Net earnings		$	293		to	$	297
Add: Income tax expense			96				102
Earnings before income taxes		$	389		to	$	399
Add: Interest expense			34				37
Add: Other non-operating (income), net			(14	)			(13	)
Operating income		$	409		to	$	423
Add: RIP expense (1)			1				2
Adjusted operating income		$	410		to	$	425
Add: Depreciation and amortization			115				120
Adjusted EBITDA		$	525		to	$	545

1. RIP expense represents only the plan service cost that is recorded within Operating income. We do not expect to make cash contributions to our RIP.

Adjusted Diluted Net Earnings Per Share Guidance
		For the Year Ending December 31, 2025
		Low				Per Diluted Share(1)				High				Per Diluted Share(1)
Net earnings		$	293			$	6.72		to	$	297			$	6.84
Add: Income tax expense			96								102
Earnings before income taxes		$	389						to	$	399
Add: RIP (credit) (2)			(1	)							(1	)
Add: Acquisition-related amortization (3)			13								15
Adjusted earnings before income taxes		$	401						to	$	413
(Less): Adjusted income tax expense (4)			(101	)							(102	)
Adjusted net earnings		$	299			$	6.85		to	$	311			$	7.15

1. Adjusted diluted EPS guidance for 2025 is calculated based on approximately 43 to 44 million of diluted shares outstanding.
2. RIP (credit) represents the entire actuarial net periodic pension (credit) recorded as a component of net earnings. We do not expect to make any cash contributions to our RIP.
3. Represents acquisition-related intangible amortization, including customer relationships, developed technology, software, trademarks and brand names, non-compete agreements, trade secrets and other intangibles.
4. Income tax expense is based on an adjusted effective tax rate of approximately 25%, multiplied by adjusted earnings before income taxes.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow Guidance
		For the Year Ending December 31, 2025
		Low				High
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	297		to	$	319
Add: Return of investment from joint venture			108				116
Less: Capital expenditures			(90	)			(100	)
Adjusted Free Cash Flow		$	315		to	$	335

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250225229437/en/

Investors & Media:

Theresa Womble, tlwomble@armstrongceilings.com or (717) 396-6354

Source: Armstrong World Industries, Inc.

FAQ

What were Armstrong World Industries' (AWI) Q4 2024 financial results?

AWI reported Q4 2024 net sales of $368 million (up 17.7%), operating income increased 24%, and diluted earnings per share rose 34% compared to Q4 2023.

How much did Armstrong World Industries (AWI) spend on share repurchases in 2024?

AWI repurchased 0.5 million shares for a total cost of $55 million in 2024, with $662 million remaining in the authorized share repurchase program through December 2026.

What acquisitions did Armstrong World Industries (AWI) complete in 2024?

AWI completed the acquisitions of A. Zahner Company, 3form, , and BOK Modern, , which contributed $25 million to Q4 2024 sales and $73 million to full-year 2024 sales.

How did Armstrong World Industries' (AWI) Architectural Specialties segment perform in Q4 2024?

AWI's Architectural Specialties segment saw net sales increase by 40.8% in Q4 2024, driven by $25 million from acquisitions and improved custom project sales.

What caused the EBITDA margin compression for Armstrong World Industries (AWI) in Q4 2024?

AWI experienced 100 basis points of adjusted EBITDA margin compression in Q4 2024, primarily driven by the acquisitions of Zahner, 3form, and BOK Modern.

What were Armstrong World Industries' (AWI) full-year 2024 sales results?

AWI reported record full-year 2024 net sales of $1.4 billion, representing a 12% increase over 2023, driven by higher sales volumes of $89 million and favorable AUV of $62 million.