Alpha Pro Tech(US:APT) Globenewswireยท2025-05-08 13:00Core Viewpoint - Alpha Pro Tech, Ltd. reported a modest increase in sales for the first quarter of 2025 despite ongoing challenges in the housing market and economic uncertainty, with a focus on growth in the Building Supply segment and a strong performance in synthetic roof underlayment sales [2][6][7]. Financial Performance - Consolidated sales for Q1 2025 were $13.8 million, up 2.5% from $13.5 million in Q1 2024 [6][7]. - Net income for Q1 2025 was $613,000, representing a 6.4% increase from $576,000 in Q1 2024, with earnings per diluted share rising to $0.06 from $0.05 [12][22]. - Gross profit decreased slightly by $25,000 to $5.4 million, with a gross profit margin of 39.0%, down from 40.2% in the previous year [10][11]. Segment Performance - The Building Supply segment saw sales increase by $132,000, or 1.6%, to $8.4 million, driven by a 21.8% increase in synthetic roof underlayment sales and an 89.3% increase in other woven materials, although housewrap sales fell by 20.9% [7][8]. - The Disposable Protective Apparel segment's sales rose by $208,000, or 4.0%, to $5.5 million, attributed to a 12.0% increase in disposable protective garments, despite a significant decline in face mask sales [9]. Market Conditions - The housing market showed continued weakness, with single-family housing starts down 4.7% compared to Q1 2024, impacting housewrap sales [2]. - Economic uncertainty and inventory levels from previous excessive purchases affected face mask sales, with expectations for demand to improve as inventory normalizes [4]. Strategic Outlook - Management remains optimistic about growth in the Building Supply segment, citing a strong pipeline of business opportunities, while acknowledging ongoing uncertainties in housing starts and the broader economy [4]. - The company is well-positioned competitively due to sourcing products from India, which currently faces lower tariff rates compared to competitors sourcing from China [5].