(RALEIGH) -- Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. reported a fourth quarter profit of $14.8 million. This compared to a loss of $3.2 million during the same period of the previous year.

The nation’s second largest rock quarry producer reported fourth quarter revenue of $428 million. The fourth quarter performance from the Raleigh-based company exceeded by far the expectations from Wall Street analysts. Martin Marietta closed 2010 by posting a full year profit of $97 million.

Ward Nye, President and CEO of Martin Marietta Materials credited the solid results to cost controls, efficient asset management and favorable weather conditions that extended the construction season. “Our fourth-quarter earnings were driven by a 14% increase in heritage aggregates shipments, led by our West Group. Our Specialty Products segment also continued to deliver record performance, with record net sales, gross profit and operating earnings for both the fourth quarter and full year," said Nye.