percentage of sales, these expenses were 11.6% this quarter compared to 8.3% last year. Distribution selling Administration expenses decreased by $1,100,000 or 2 percent to $53,400,000 This quarter from $54,500,000 last year, largely due to the company's ongoing efforts Expenses were 8.8% in the quarter compared to 6.4% in the prior year. Depreciation and amortization expenses for the quarter increased by $896,000 or 5.5 percent From $16,200,000 to $17,100,000 largely due to the impact of foreign exchange $4,000,000 last year, an increase of $2,200,000 largely due to the higher interest rates on the company's variable loan facilities, which were partially offset by significantly lower average balances for these facilities in the current quarter. Our first quarter EBITDA was $44,800,000 compared to $78,100,000 in 2022. The decrease was largely attributable to the lower sales and gross margin dollars driven by the previously discussed year over year decline $42,000,000 in 'twenty two, a decrease of $27,100,000 Turning now to the statement of cash flows, operating activities this quarter consumed $76,300,000 a significant improvement compared to the $125,000,000 consumed in Q1 'twenty two.