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ર ર Richelieu • • Press release for immediate distribution Strong increase in results for Richelieu in first quarter 2021 New acquisition in Canada closed after quarter ended Agreements in principle for two new acquisitions in Canada - Total sales were $ 297.6 million , up 19.3 % -including 17.1 % in internal growth – for the first quarter ended February 28 , 2021. Sales in Canada and the U.S. increased by 23.3 % and 16.4 % ( USD ) , respectively . EBITDA was up 53.4 % to $ 38.2 million , and the EBITDA margin rose to 12.8 % compared to 10 % in the same quarter of 2020 . Net earnings attributable to shareholders was up 78.3 % to $ 21 million , or $ 0.37 per diluted share , an increase of 76.2 % . A new acquisition in Canada closed after the end of the quarter , and signing of two agreements in principle for two acquisitions in Canada . These transactions combined would represent additional sales of approximately $ 36 million on an annual basis . Healthy and solid financial position - cash of $ 62.4 million and total debt of $ 4.4 million for a debt / equity ratio of 0.8 % , and working capital of $ 386.9 million ( 3.8 : 1 ratio ) at February 28 , 2021 . Montreal , April 8 , 2021 - " Richelieu ( RCH : TSX ) began 2021 with strong growth in the first quarter . We closed a new acquisition after the quarter ended and we signed two agreements in principle for two new acquisitions in Canada . As a customer - oriented company and an essential supplier - with the support of our innovation and value - added service strategies , our one - stop shop approach , the efficiency of richelieu.com , as well as our highly diversified customer base - we have seized the opportunities of the favourable conditions in the Canadian and U.S. renovation market . We are satisfied with the quarter's overall growth and the 19.3 % increase in sales , which includes internal growth of 17.1 % and reflects the 16.3 % increase in the manufacturers market and 34.3 % rise in the retailers and renovation superstore markets . Increased sales and continued cost - cutting pushed EBITDA and net earnings per diluted share up 53.4 % and 76.2 % , respectively . More than ever , in the current context , we are making every effort to ensure that our value - added service meets the needs of our clients as efficiently as possible , ” said Richelieu president and CEO Richard Lord .