to be impacted by softer industry production volumes within our customer base. Despite these headwinds in volume, we continued to capture the benefits from favorable product mix, including a secular shift to larger and more premium wheels during the quarter, with Value-Added Sales per wheel increasing $0.80 compared to the same period last year. While we anticipate the lower volumes in North America to persist throughout 2019, our focus remains on operational improvements andbest-in-class execution in order to continue capitalizing on the secular trends. Also, during the quarter, our efforts and focus on cash flow generation yielded positive results with the net change in cash up $29.2 million year-over-year.”
“In addition, in April, we were extremely pleased to announce the appointment of Majdi Abulaban as President and Chief Executive Officer. Majdi brings to Superior a long track record of operational excellence and leadership within the automotive industry. We are looking forward to him joining the team next week,” concluded Mr. McQuay.
First Quarter Results
Wheel unit shipments were 5.0 million for the first three months of 2019 compared to unit shipments of 5.5 million in the prior year period. As mentioned above, the decrease was primarily due to lower shipments in our North American operations with some softness in Europe.
Net sales for the first quarter of 2019 were $357.7 million compared to $386.4 million in the prior year period. The reduction was driven by reduced volumes, a weaker Euro, and lower aluminum prices, partially offset by improved product mix comprised of larger diameter wheels and premium finishes in both regions.
Value-Added Sales, anon-GAAP measure as defined and reconciled to net sales below, were $192.8 million for the first quarter of 2019, a 7.0% decrease compared to the prior year period. Value-Added Sales were impacted by lower shipments in both regions and a weaker Euro, partially offset by favorable product mix. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, Value-Added Sales decreased 2.9% year-over-year.
Gross profit for the first quarter of 2019 was $33.1 million compared to $50.0 million in the prior year period. The decrease was primarily due to lower shipments and production, higher energy costs, and the alignment of reporting for selling, general, and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses between our North American and European operations, which resulted in higher cost of goods sold and lower SG&A expenses by approximately $4 million. While unit shipments were down 0.5 million, production of finished goods was reduced further in order to manage inventory levels. These items were partially offset by improved product mix. Globally, the impact on gross profit from foreign exchange was muted with a favorableall-in Mexican Peso rate, inclusive of Superior’s hedging program, offsetting a weaker Euro.
SG&A expenses for the first quarter of 2019 were $14.5 million, or 4.1% of net sales, compared to $22.4 million in the prior year period. The decrease is primarily due to lower integration expenses as well as the previously mentioned alignment of reporting for SG&A between our regions.
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