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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
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission File Number: 1-8864
Delaware 36-3329400
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
125 South Franklin Street, Chicago, Illinois 60606-4678
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (312) 606-4000
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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
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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.
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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
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Its: Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer