Core Insights - Latham Group, Inc. has appointed Jeffrey J. Jackson as an independent member of its Board of Directors and as a member of the Audit Committee, increasing the board size from eight to nine directors [1][2]. Group 1: Appointment Details - Jeffrey J. Jackson is currently the CEO of Cabinetworks Group, Inc., the largest privately-owned kitchen cabinet manufacturer in the U.S. [2] - Jackson has a notable background, having served as President and CEO of PGT Innovations, Inc., where he led the company to significant growth and national brand recognition in the fenestration industry [2][3]. - His previous executive roles include positions at The Hershey Company, Mrs. Smith's Bakeries, and The Coca-Cola Company, showcasing a diverse experience across various sectors [2]. Group 2: Board Commentary - James C. Cline, Chairman of the Latham Board, expressed enthusiasm about Jackson's appointment, highlighting his visionary leadership and extensive expertise in executive management and finance [3]. - Cline noted that Jackson's broad sector knowledge and industry relationships will provide valuable operational and strategic experience to support Latham's growth and competitive positioning [3]. Group 3: Company Overview - Latham Group, Inc. is the largest designer, manufacturer, and marketer of in-ground residential swimming pools in North America, Australia, and New Zealand [4]. - The company operates with approximately 1,850 employees across 30 locations, indicating a robust operational platform [4].

Industry Overview - The Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry is experiencing growth due to increased government infrastructure spending, which is driving demand for construction-related products and services [1] - Key players in the industry, such as United Rentals, Inc., Masco Corporation, Construction Partners, Inc., Hillman Solutions Corp., and Quanex Building Products Corporation, are well-positioned to capitalize on these trends [1] Current Challenges - The industry faces near-term challenges from high mortgage rates, affordability concerns, and inflation-related cost pressures, including tariffs on raw materials like iron, steel, and copper [2] - Despite these challenges, proactive cost management and pricing strategies are helping to mitigate headwinds [2] Industry Description - The industry comprises manufacturers, designers, and distributors of home improvement and building products, including ceiling systems, doors, windows, flooring, and metal products [3] - Companies also provide solutions for rehabilitating aging infrastructure and rent equipment to a diverse customer base [3] Future Trends - Strong global trends in infrastructure modernization and energy transition are expected to benefit industry players [4] - Improving residential construction markets are anticipated to drive growth, with builders cautiously optimistic for 2025 due to a lack of existing inventory [4] Operational Strategies - Industry participants are implementing cost-saving initiatives, including business consolidation and supply chain improvements, to boost profitability [5] - Strategic investments in new products and acquisitions are being pursued to supplement organic growth [5] Tariff Impact - U.S. tariff policies are increasing costs and disrupting supply chains, leading to heightened inflation [6] - Overall construction input prices were reported to be 1.1% higher in June compared to the previous year [6] Market Performance - The Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry has underperformed the S&P 500 Composite and the broader Zacks Construction sector over the past year, losing 8.4% [12] - The industry is currently trading at a forward P/E ratio of 16.7X, lower than the S&P 500's 22.61X and the sector's 18.76X [15] Company Highlights - **Construction Partners**: Positioned for strong growth with a record project backlog of $2.84 billion and significant revenue growth from acquisitions [20][21] - **Quanex**: Benefiting from the acquisition of Tyman, contributing to a 67.3% year-over-year increase in consolidated sales [24][25] - **United Rentals**: Growth driven by strong demand in infrastructure projects and a stable customer sentiment, with a reaffirmed full-year guidance [27][28][29] - **Masco**: Facing a potential $400 million tariff headwind but expects to offset 50%-65% through pricing and cost reduction efforts [31][32] - **Hillman**: Aiming to reduce reliance on Chinese suppliers and maintain sales growth despite macroeconomic challenges [35][36]

Industry Overview - The Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry is facing challenges from a weak real estate market and inflation-driven consumer uncertainty, with high mortgage rates and limited housing inventory suppressing demand [1][6] - Tariff-related cost inflation is expected to compress margins, particularly due to elevated input prices for iron, steel, and copper [1][4] Government Infrastructure Spending - Increased government infrastructure spending is providing support to companies in the industry, despite potential challenges from macroeconomic uncertainties and rising raw material costs [2][7] - The U.S. administration's focus on infrastructure modernization and climate-resilient initiatives is expected to benefit industry players [8] Trends Impacting the Industry - Tariff policies are reshaping the industry by increasing costs and disrupting supply chains, contributing to broader inflationary pressures [4] - The National Association of Home Builders estimates that tariffs have added approximately $10,900 to the cost of constructing a new home [4] - Construction input costs surged at a 9.7% annualized pace in the first quarter of 2025, driven by tariff-related pressures [4] Company Performance and Strategies - Companies like Quanex Building Products Corporation, Frontdoor, Gibraltar Industries, and Aspen Aerogels are leveraging operational excellence, geographic and product diversification, and strategic acquisitions to navigate challenges [2][9] - Quanex reported a 67.3% year-over-year increase in consolidated sales due to the acquisition of Tyman, contributing $175.7 million in revenue [22][23] - Frontdoor has seen a 15% year-over-year increase in its DTC member base, driven by effective digital marketing and brand relaunch strategies [26][27] - Gibraltar is benefiting from government investments and operational improvements, with an upward revision of 2025 earnings estimates indicating 15.8% year-over-year growth [30][31] - Aspen Aerogels achieved 90% revenue growth and $90 million in adjusted EBITDA, driven by strong demand in its PyroThin Thermal Barriers business [34][35] Industry Performance Metrics - The Zacks Building Products - Miscellaneous industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 139, placing it in the bottom 43% of over 250 Zacks industries [10][12] - The industry has underperformed the Zacks S&P 500 Composite and the broader Zacks Construction sector, losing 11.1% over the past year compared to the sector's 5.4% decrease [14] - The industry's forward 12-month price-to-earnings ratio is 15.27X, lower than the S&P 500's 20.81X and the sector's 17.33X [17]

Group 1 - Fortune Brands Innovations (FBIN) reported quarterly earnings of $0.66 per share, matching the Zacks Consensus Estimate, but down from $0.83 per share a year ago [1] - The company posted revenues of $1.03 billion for the quarter ended March 2025, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 3.39%, and down from $1.11 billion year-over-year [2] - Over the last four quarters, the company has surpassed consensus EPS estimates two times, but has not beaten consensus revenue estimates [2] Group 2 - The stock has declined approximately 20.5% since the beginning of the year, compared to a decline of 3.9% for the S&P 500 [3] - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.12 on revenues of $1.25 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $4.11 on revenues of $4.66 billion [7] - The Zacks Industry Rank for Retail - Home Furnishings is currently in the bottom 15% of over 250 Zacks industries, indicating potential underperformance compared to higher-ranked industries [8]