James Hardie Expects $25M Annual Savings from Site Closures
James Hardie expects the site closures and optimization initiatives to generate annualized cost savings of approximately $25M beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027. These cost savings will be driven by reduced fixed costs and improved utilization across the remaining manufacturing network, and are incremental to any cost synergy savings related to the recent AZEK acquisition. The company expects to incur one-time pre-tax charges of approximately $40M to $44M, in connection with the site closures and optimization actions. These charges are expected to consist primarily of employee severance, benefits and transition-related costs, contract termination, and facility exit costs, as well as asset impairments and other non-cash charges. The one-time pre-tax charges are expected to be recognized primarily in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, split approximately evenly between cash and non-cash items. Further information will be shared on the company's upcoming third quarter earnings call. In connection with today's announcement, James Hardie reaffirmed its guidance for the third quarter and full year of fiscal year 2026 provided on November 18, 2025, in connection with its second quarter earnings results.
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- Investigation Launched: Girard Sharp LLP has initiated an investigation into James Hardie and select executives regarding potential securities law violations following a significant stock decline, indicating potential impacts on investors.
- Stock Price Collapse: On August 19, 2025, James Hardie reported a 12% sales decline in its North America Fiber Cement segment, leading to a nearly 35% drop in share price, raising concerns about possible misrepresentations prior to the merger.
- Investor Representation: Girard Sharp is seeking to represent former AZEK investors who suffered losses, emphasizing their commitment to protecting investor rights and pursuing recovery for affected parties.
- Legal Implications: The investigation not only addresses James Hardie's financial performance but also poses risks to its future market reputation and investor confidence, highlighting potential issues with transparency and compliance.
- Earnings Release Schedule: James Hardie is set to announce its Q3 FY2026 financial results after U.S. market close on February 10 and before the Australian market opens on February 11, reflecting the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Conference Call Discussion: Following the earnings release, a conference call will be hosted by CEO Aaron Erter and CFO Ryan Lada, aimed at providing an in-depth analysis of the financial results and engaging with investors to bolster confidence.
- Global Market Presence: James Hardie markets its exterior home and outdoor living solutions across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, with a product portfolio that includes fiber cement and PVC decking, showcasing its strong competitive position in the global market.
- Brand Influence: The company boasts several well-known brands, such as Hardie® and TimberTech®, which are recognized for their beauty, durability, and climate resilience, further solidifying its leadership in the building materials industry.
- Earnings Release Schedule: James Hardie is set to announce its Q3 financial results for the fiscal year 2026 after the U.S. market closes on February 10, 2026, which may influence investor expectations regarding the company's future performance.
- Conference Call Discussion: Following the earnings release, the company will host a conference call led by CEO Aaron Erter and CFO Ryan Lada, aimed at providing in-depth analysis of the financial results and addressing investor inquiries.
- Webcast Information: The conference call will be webcast live on James Hardie's Investor Relations page, ensuring that global investors can access the latest updates in real-time, thereby enhancing transparency.
- Global Market Presence: James Hardie's products are marketed and sold across North America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, showcasing its significant global footprint in the building materials industry.

- Manufacturing Optimization: James Hardie announced the closure of its Fontana, California, and Summerville, South Carolina manufacturing facilities within the next 60 days, which represent approximately 6% of its year-to-date North American volume, optimizing its production footprint by absorbing operations into other facilities.
- Cost Savings Projection: The company expects to achieve annualized cost savings of approximately $25 million starting in the first quarter of fiscal year 2027, driven by reduced fixed costs and improved utilization across the remaining manufacturing network, thereby enhancing financial health.
- Estimated One-Time Charges: The anticipated one-time pre-tax charges related to the closures are estimated to be between $40 million and $44 million, primarily consisting of employee severance, transition-related costs, and asset impairments, with these charges expected to be recognized mainly in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026, split evenly between cash and non-cash items.
- Guidance Reaffirmation: In connection with this announcement, James Hardie reaffirmed its guidance for the third quarter and full year of fiscal year 2026, demonstrating the company's confidence in future performance despite the short-term challenges posed by structural adjustments.

- Investigation Launched: The Schall Law Firm is investigating whether former investors of AZEK suffered losses due to James Hardie's failure to disclose critical information post-acquisition, potentially violating securities laws.
- Performance Decline Impact: On August 19, 2025, James Hardie reported a significant sales decline in its North America Fiber Cement business, attributing it to 'normalization of channel inventories,' which led to a substantial drop in share price, indicating misleading statements about business strength prior to the merger.
- Investor Rights Protection: The Schall Law Firm encourages affected shareholders to participate in the investigation and offers free consultations, aiming to uphold investors' rights and ensure their access to information during the acquisition process.
- Legal Litigation Expertise: The firm specializes in securities class action lawsuits and shareholder rights litigation, representing investors globally, demonstrating its commitment and expertise in protecting investor interests.

- Shareholder Rights Investigation: The Schall Law Firm is investigating whether former investors of AZEK suffered losses due to false statements made by James Hardie post-acquisition, raising potential securities law violations that could impact shareholder rights.
- Sales Decline Impact: On August 19, 2025, James Hardie reported a significant sales decline in its North America Fiber Cement business, attributing it to 'normalization of channel inventories,' which led to a substantial drop in the company's share price, undermining investor confidence.
- Pre-Merger Disclosure Issues: The investigation focuses on whether James Hardie misrepresented the strength of its North America Fiber Cement business prior to the merger with AZEK, potentially causing harm to shareholders.
- Legal Consultation Opportunity: The Schall Law Firm encourages affected shareholders to reach out for free legal consultations, indicating the firm's commitment to protecting investor rights and providing legal support.








