UFP Industries (UFPI) Buys NORPAL & TIBASA, Expands in Mexico


UFP Industries, Inc. UFPI continues its strategic expansion in the global packaging arena with the acquisition of the remaining ownership interests in NORPAL S. de R.L. de C.V. and TIBASA Universal Forest Products S. de R.L. de C.V., two key affiliates in Mexico. The entities will now amalgamate as UFP Palets y Embalajes S. de R.L. de C.V., operating across three key locations: Monterrey, Durango, and Guanajuato.

Shares of this wood product company have gained more than 3% during the trading session on Dec 1.

While the facilities presently focus on wooden pallet production, they are diversifying into other structural packaging segments. Rees Watson, a seasoned UFP Packaging executive, will spearhead the venture with the support of TIBASA founder Hector Labrada, who assumes the role of the new national sales director.

This move reinforces UFPI’s commitment to providing top-notch packaging solutions to its multinational clientele with operations in Mexico. The acquisition aligns with UFPI’s broader strategy to enhance its stature as a world-class packaging solutions provider.

Notably, UFP’s existing Mexican affiliate, Pinelli Universal, catering to the U.S. retail building materials market, remains unaffected by this transaction. UFPI’s strategic focus on expanding its footprint in the packaging sector signals a promising trajectory for the company, solidifying its reputation as a leader in the global packaging solutions market.

Acquisitions: A Major Growth Driver

Acquisitions have been UFP Industries’ preferred mode of solidifying its product portfolio and leveraging new business opportunities. UFPI acquired one company in the third quarter of 2023, four companies in 2022 and nine in 2021. On Sep 20, 2023, the company acquired 80 percent of the equity in Palets Suller, a leading manufacturer of machine-built pallets in Spain, which will up its game as the global packaging solutions provider.

Acquisitions contributed 2% to unit sales growth in third-quarter 2023. The company aims to focus on strategic buyout investments and maintain a healthy pipeline of acquisition targets in its core businesses to ensure long-term growth and margin improvement, expand product portfolio and global reach, accompanied by creating incremental value for customers and shareholders.
 

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

UFP Industries stock jumped 42.5% year to date (YTD), handily outperforming the Zacks Building Products – Wood industry’s rise of 12.2%.

The latest strategic move expands this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) company beyond pallets to diverse structural packaging solutions. UFPI’s enhanced capabilities position it as a premier global packaging solutions provider, meeting the demands of multinational clients in Mexico.

Key Picks

Acuity Brands, Inc. AYI currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

AYI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 12%, on average. The stock has gained 10.4% YTD. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AYI’s fiscal 2024 sales and earnings per share (EPS) indicates a decline of 3% and 4.7%, respectively, from a year ago.

M-tron Industries, Inc. MPTI currently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. MPTI delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 35.6%, on average. It has surged 267.7% YTD.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MPTI’s 2023 sales and EPS indicates growth of 30.6% and 156.7%, respectively, from the previous year.

EMCOR Group, Inc. EME presently sports a Zacks Rank of 1. It has a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 25%, on average. Shares of EME have increased 44.7% YTD.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EME’s 2023 sales and EPS indicates an improvement of 12% and 52.8%, respectively, from the prior-year levels.

Zacks Names “Single Best Pick to Double”

From thousands of stocks, 5 Zacks experts each have chosen their favorite to skyrocket +100% or more in months to come. From those 5, Director of Research Sheraz Mian hand-picks one to have the most explosive upside of all.

It’s credited with a “watershed medical breakthrough” and is developing a bustling pipeline of other projects that could make a world of difference for patients suffering from diseases involving the liver, lungs, and blood. This is a timely investment that you can catch while it emerges from its bear market lows.

It could rival or surpass other recent Stocks Set to Double like Boston Beer Company which shot up +143.0% in little more than 9 months and NVIDIA which boomed +175.9% in one year.

Free: See Our Top Stock And 4 Runners Up

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report

UFP Industries, Inc. (UFPI) : Free Stock Analysis Report

EMCOR Group, Inc. (EME) : Free Stock Analysis Report

Acuity Brands Inc (AYI) : Free Stock Analysis Report

M-tron Industries, Inc. (MPTI) : Free Stock Analysis Report

To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

Zacks Investment Research

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.



Original: Investing Feed: UFP Industries (UFPI) Buys NORPAL & TIBASA, Expands in Mexico