Business Description

NOTE 3. NATURE OF OPERATIONS Our operating segments are as follows: Mineral Fiber, Architectural Specialties and Unallocated Corporate. Mineral Fiber – produces suspended mineral fiber and fiberglass ceiling systems. Our mineral fiber products offer various performance attributes such as acoustical control, rated fire protection, and energy efficiency, along with other health and sustainability features and aesthetic appeal. Ceiling products are primarily sold to resale distributors, ceiling systems contractors and wholesalers, and retailers (including large home centers). The Mineral Fiber segment also includes the results of WAVE, which manufactures and sells suspension system (grid) products and ceiling component products that are invoiced by both AWI and WAVE. Segment results relating to WAVE consist primarily of equity earnings and reflect our 50 % equity interest in the joint venture. Ceiling component products consist of ceiling perimeters and trim, in addition to grid products that support drywall ceiling systems, structural and walkable grid systems. For some customers, WAVE sells its suspension system products to AWI for resale to customers. Mineral Fiber segment results reflect those sales transactions. The Mineral Fiber segment also includes all assets and liabilities not specifically allocated to our Architectural Specialties or Unallocated Corporate segment, including all property and related depreciation associated with our Lancaster, Pennsylvania headquarters. Operating results for the Mineral Fiber segment include a significant majority of allocated Corporate administrative expenses that represent a reasonable allocation of general services to support its operations. Architectural Specialties – designs, produces and sources specialty ceilings, walls, and other interior and exterior architectural applications primarily for use in commercial settings. Products are available in numerous materials, such as metal, felt, architectural resin and glass, wood, wood fiber and glass-reinforced-gypsum in various colors, shapes and designs. These products offer a range of design options and performance attributes such as acoustical control, rated fire protection, light, aesthetic appeal, energy conservation and building performance. We sell standard, premium and customized products, a portion of which are sourced from third-party producers. Architectural Specialties products are sold primarily to direct customers, primarily ceiling systems contractors, and resale distributors. This segment’s revenues are primarily project driven, which can lead to more variability in sales patterns. Operating results for the Architectural Specialties segment include a portion of allocated Corporate administrative expenses that represent a reasonable allocation of general services to support its operations. Unallocated Corporate – includes certain assets, liabilities, income and expenses that have not been allocated to our other business segments and consists of: cash and cash equivalents, our Overcast investment and related equity earnings and losses, the net funded status of our U.S. Retirement Income Plan (“RIP”), the estimated fair value of interest rate swap contracts, outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility and income tax balances. Our Mineral Fiber and Architectural Specialties segment net sales represent the product-based group offerings we sell to external customers. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) is our President and Chief Executive Officer . Segment operating income (loss) is the measure of segment profit or loss reviewed by the CODM.…