This quarter, our Specialty Engineered Materials, Performance Products & Solutions (PP&S) and Distribution segments led the way, as all three achieved year-over-year increases in operating income." Underlying organic sales growth, plus contributions from the company's recently acquired businesses, offset lower year-over-year selling prices in Distribution, PP&S, and Designed Structures and Solutions (DSS), due to lower hydro-carbon based raw material costs.

Softening demand conditions in the fourth quarter most heavily impacted the Performance Products and Solutions (PP&S) and Specialty Engineered Materials (SEM) segments. Specifically, end markets negatively impacting PP&S were building & construction and appliance.

Patterson added, "Performance Products & Solutions (PP&S) achieved another exceptional quarter, driven by continued mix improvement resulting in a new segment operating margin record of 12.3%.  Underlying organic sales growth plus the addition of Magenta's fiber colorant business and Kraton's TPE business was more than offset by lower year-over-year selling prices in Distribution, PP&S, and Designed Structures and Solutions (DSS), due to lower hydro-carbon based raw material costs.

which impacted Color, Additives and Inks (Color) and Specialty Engineered Materials (SEM), and a decline in construction related sales, which primarily impacted Performance Products and Solutions (PPS) in

Patterson said, "We've had a strong start to the year, driven by gains in Distribution and PP&S. 

PP

Taxes paid on gain on sale of PP&S divestiture

Three of our businesses have already reached their 2015 margin targets with DSS and PP&S having line of sight to getting there this year," added Mr.