-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, RabVHRmC/7TLR28SCVfyo+j+pE2ecgkICx9Me3QpJ3ynw9XamDOsbYCH7h0ypmAe 5Cyk000iueh6G/TzGbetHQ== 0000950137-01-500423.txt : 20010326 0000950137-01-500423.hdr.sgml : 20010326 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950137-01-500423 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20010323 ITEM INFORMATION: FILED AS OF DATE: 20010323 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: USG CORP CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000757011 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: CONCRETE GYPSUM PLASTER PRODUCTS [3270] IRS NUMBER: 363329400 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-08864 FILM NUMBER: 1577690 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 125 S FRANKLIN ST STREET 2: DEPT. 188 CITY: CHICAGO STATE: IL ZIP: 60606 BUSINESS PHONE: 3126064000 8-K 1 c61109e8-k.txt CURRENT REPORT 1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 Form 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) March 23, 2001. USG Corporation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Commission File Number: 1-8864 Delaware 36-3329400 - ---------------------------------- ---------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 125 South Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606-4678 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code (312) 606-4000 ---------------------- 2 Item 5. OTHER EVENTS. Business Update Conditions in the U. S. wallboard market, USG's largest single market, continue to be very difficult. Industry shipments for the first quarter are expected to be slightly below the level of last year. Demand for wallboard has been impacted by slightly lower housing starts, sluggish repair and remodeling expenditures and winter weather, which has been worse in many parts of the country than the weather experienced in the first quarter of 2000. In addition to the lower demand, industry capacity will have increased an estimated 10 percent versus the level of the first quarter last year. Several competitors have added new capacity and are seeking to grow their market share. Current industry operating rates are estimated to be approximately 80 percent. The excess supply and increased competition have led to significant declines in market prices for gypsum wallboard, including United States Gypsum Company's SHEETROCK brand gypsum wallboard. U.S. Gypsum's nationwide average realized price per thousand square feet (the selling price less freight to the customer) of wallboard is currently near $90 and remains under pressure. An effort to retain a price increase implemented in January was largely unsuccessful. The current price level compares with an average realized price of $99.32 in the fourth quarter, and $159.80 in the first quarter, of 2000. At current shipment levels, every $10 drop in price reduces USG operating profit by $90 to $100 million on an annualized basis. The lower levels of demand and prices for wallboard have also contributed to lower revenues and margins at USG's specialty building products distribution subsidiary, L&W Supply Corporation. Nearly half of L&W's sales come from gypsum wallboard. Profit margins on wallboard sold by L&W have declined between $10 and $15 per thousand square feet during the quarter compared to levels experienced in the first quarter of 2000. Production of gypsum wallboard and ceiling tile products is energy intensive, and market prices for energy, including natural gas and electric power, have been significantly higher in the first quarter than in the same period a year ago. This has negatively affected operating margins at both U.S. Gypsum and USG Interiors business units. It is USG's practice to hedge its natural gas purchases, and as the Corporation entered 2001, it was 60 percent hedged, as it has been in previous years. By March, the hedge ratio was increased to 75 percent in accordance with the Corporation's hedging policy. Higher gas prices in January and 3 February combined with only 60% of gas consumption being hedged, and the impact of higher gas usage in winter, resulted in a $6 per thousand square foot manufacturing cost penalty versus the fourth quarter of 2000. Energy costs are expected to remain above those of last year for at least the next quarter, but the cost penalty did begin to abate in March with a decline in spot prices for natural gas. Asbestos In asbestos liability matters, new personal injury cases were filed against U.S. Gypsum during first two months of 2001 at approximately the same average monthly rate that was experienced in the fourth quarter of 2000. As anticipated, U.S. Gypsum has experienced higher settlement demands and asbestos costs, primarily due to the bankruptcy of other defendants. The Corporation has recently taken a leadership role in pursuing legislation to address problems associated with the asbestos litigation. Although discussions have occurred with several key constituencies, no proposed bill has yet been offered in Congress. Forward Looking Statements This Form 8-K filing contains forward-looking statements related to management's expectations about future business conditions. Actual business or other conditions may differ significantly from management's expectations and accordingly affect the Corporation's sales and profitability or other results. Actual results may differ due to factors over which the Corporation has no control, including economic conditions such as construction activity, interest rates and consumer confidence; competitive conditions such as price and product competition; and increases in raw material and energy costs. Additional information about the factors that affect the Corporation's financial results is included in the Corporation's SEC filings. The Corporation assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this filing. 4 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. USG CORPORATION Registrant Date: March 23, 2001 By: /s/ Richard H. Fleming ---------------------------------- Its: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----