Compass Minerals, Overland Park, Kan., reported on Jan. 8 that fourth-quarter highway deicing sales were below expectations due to the timing of snow events. The company estimates that variances from average winter weather, as well as mild winter weather in the U.K., produced a negative sales impact of $16-$18 million and an estimated $6-$8 million negative operating earnings impact on fourth-quarter 2018 results.
“Although significant snow activity occurred in November in our North American markets, December was rather mild in North America as well as in the U.K., which resulted in lower year-over-year salt sales for the 2018 fourth quarter,” said Dick Grant, Compass Minerals CEO and chairman. “On a more positive note, our efforts to improve production with the continuous mining and haulage systems at Goderich are driving better results, although work remains to be done. We continue working with external experts to fine-tune the use of continuous mining and haulage, and are evaluating options for greater efficiency.”