Alamo Group (NYSE:ALG)'s principal activity is to manufacture, distribute and service equipment for right-of-way maintenance and agriculture. Alamo Group was a strong relative performer for the Fund during the quarter after posting solid results for its third quarter against a backdrop of low investor expectations centered mostly on larger agriculture and mining markets where Alamo does not compete. Bucking the trend seen in other companies exposed to agricultural end markets, Alamo’s industrial mowing equipment business was resilient and the company reported organic growth and expanded margins, driving profits higher than last year. Alamo also reported a record backlog further reflecting the recovery in the budgets of its municipal customers and the less cyclical, more maintenance nature of much of its product line.
From the Third Avenue Value Fund 1st quarter 2016 letter.
