Sales reached C$61.9m, a C$17.1m growth on the corresponding period a year ago, while net profits were up to C$6.1m from C$3.5m.
Stella Jones said the impact of recent acquisitions combined with a continued focus on operational efficiency and cost reductions had helped the company deliver the best first quarter set of results in its history.
Three of the company’s four product categories posted sales increases.
Utility pole sales more than doubled to C$30.6m, while the railway tie division recorded a 15.7% growth to C$24.6m.
Residential lumber sales posted a gain of C$1.9m (104.9%) but industrial lumber sales declined 52.3%, affected by severe weather on the Eastern seaboard.
“Economies of scale, operational efficiencies and better throughput were the main drivers of the continued margin improvement,” said George Labelle, Stella-Jones’ senior vice-president and chief financial officer.
“A favourable product mix and improved product pricing were also responsible for the strong first-quarter results.”
