Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter sales increased by 2% to $1.3 billion, driven by specialty distribution growth [9][19] - Adjusted EBITDA grew by 2.5% to $258 million, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 19.7%, improving by 10 basis points year over year [9][22] - Adjusted earnings per diluted share improved by 9.4% to $5.13 compared to the previous year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Residential business performance was mixed, with single-family growth slightly and multifamily declining by double digits [8] - Installation sales were relatively flat year over year at $788.6 million, with volume declining by 4.1% offset by M&A and pricing [19] - Specialty Distribution sales grew by 6.6% to $601.8 million, with volume rising by 4.4% [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The new residential construction landscape remains challenging due to elevated interest rates, with forecasts for 2025 housing starts being trimmed [5][16] - Commercial industrial business saw growth, with delayed projects moving forward in the fourth quarter [9][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Acquisitions remain a top priority, with eight completed in 2024, contributing approximately $153 million in annual revenue [11][24] - The company is focused on its core insulation business while exploring opportunities to expand its total addressable market [12][40] - The management emphasizes a disciplined approach to capital allocation and maintaining a healthy balance sheet [15][24] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains optimistic about the long-term fundamentals of the housing market despite current uncertainties [16][29] - The company anticipates an inflection point in residential demand but acknowledges the timing is unclear [16][25] - There is confidence in the ability to outperform the market and capitalize on growth opportunities, both organic and inorganic [17][29] Other Important Information - The company generated $706.7 million in free cash flow in 2024 [23] - Total liquidity at the end of the quarter was $836.5 million, with net debt of $987.2 million [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Pricing environment and builder pressures - Management noted that affordability is a top concern for builders, leading to pressure in slower markets, but they are not chasing market share [34][35] Question: M&A pipeline and adjacent market opportunities - The M&A pipeline is robust, with opportunities across residential, distribution, and commercial industrial segments [39][40] Question: Strategic pricing and volume decisions - Management is making strategic decisions to balance pricing and volume, particularly in the spray foam and installation markets [46][47] Question: Bidding activity in commercial industrial - Bidding activity remains healthy across various verticals, with optimism for growth in 2025 [60][61] Question: Guidance range assumptions - The guidance range reflects uncertainty, with expectations for low single-digit declines in residential volume [76][77] Question: Labor market dynamics - Management is cautious about labor costs and is monitoring market conditions closely to retain key talent [102][103]