Item 1. Business.

General

NCI Building Systems, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is one of North America’s largest integrated manufacturers and marketers of metal products for the nonresidential construction industry. Of the $220 billion nonresidential construction industry, we primarily serve the low-rise nonresidential construction market (five stories or less) which, according to Dodge Data & Analytics ("Dodge"), represented approximately 86% of the total nonresidential construction industry during our fiscal year 2015. Our broad range of products are used in repair, retrofit and new construction activities, primarily in North America.

We design, engineer, manufacture and market what we believe is one of the most comprehensive lines of metal components and engineered building systems in the industry, with a reputation for high quality and superior engineering and design. We go to market with well-recognized brands, which allow us to compete effectively within a broad range of end-user markets including industrial, commercial, institutional and agricultural. Our service versatility allows us to support the varying needs of our diverse customer base, which includes general contractors and sub-contractors, developers, manufacturers, distributors and a current network of over 3,100 authorized builders across North America in our engineered building systems segment. We also provide metal coil coating services for commercial and construction applications, servicing both internal and external customers.

We are comprised of a family of companies operating 42 manufacturing facilities, as of November 1, 2015, spanning the United States, Mexico and China, with additional sales and distribution offices throughout the United States and Canada. Our broad geographic footprint, along with our hub-and-spoke distribution system, allows us to efficiently supply a broad range of customers with high quality customer service and reliable deliveries.

The Company was founded in 1984 and reincorporated in Delaware in 1991. In 1998, we acquired Metal Building Components, Inc. (“MBCI”) and doubled our revenue base. As a result of the acquisition of MBCI, we became the largest domestic manufacturer of nonresidential metal components. In 2006, we acquired Robertson-Ceco II Corporation (“RCC”) which operates the Ceco Building Systems, Star Building Systems and Robertson Building Systems divisions and is a leader in the metal buildings industry. The RCC acquisition created an organization with greater product and geographic diversification, a stronger customer base and a more extensive distribution network than either company had individually, prior to the acquisition. In 2012, we completed the acquisition of Metl-Span LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“Metl-Span”). Metl-Span, prior to the completion of certain operational integration activities, operated five manufacturing facilities in the United States serving the nonresidential building products market with cost-effective and energy efficient insulated metal wall and roof panels. This transaction strengthened our position as a leading fully integrated supplier to the nonresidential building products industry in North America, providing our customers a comprehensive suite of building products.

In January 2015, we acquired CENTRIA (the "CENTRIA Acquisition"), a Pennsylvania general partnership ("CENTRIA"), for $255.8 million in cash, which includes cash acquired of $8.7 million. The transaction is subject to post-closing working capital adjustments. CENTRIA is a leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of architectural insulated metal panel (“IMP”) wall and roof systems and a provider of integrated coil coating services for the nonresidential construction industry. The acquisition enhances our existing portfolio of cold storage and commercial and industrial ("C&I") solutions and expands our product offering into new high-end IMP capabilities. CENTRIA also contributes new specialty continuous metal coil coating capabilities. CENTRIA operates four production facilities in the United States, 36 satellite sales locations and a manufacturing facility in China. CENTRIA's results are included in our metal components segment. To fund this acquisition, we incurred $250.0 million of indebtedness.

In September 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a manufacturing plant in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada for CAD 5.5 million in cash. This new plant allows us to service customers more competitively within the Canadian and Northeastern United States IMP markets. We closed the transaction on November 3, 2015.

The engineered building systems, metal components and metal coil coating businesses, and the construction industry in general, are seasonal in nature. Sales normally are lower in the first half of each fiscal year compared to the second half of the fiscal year because of unfavorable weather conditions for construction and typical business planning cycles affecting construction.

The nonresidential construction industry is highly sensitive to national and regional macroeconomic conditions. One of the primary challenges we face is that the United States economy is slowly recovering from a recession and a period of relatively low nonresidential construction activity, which began in the third quarter of 2008 and reduced demand for our products and adversely affected our business. In addition, the tightening of credit in financial markets over the same period

adversely affected the ability of our customers to obtain financing for construction projects. As a result, we experienced a decrease in orders and cancellations of orders for our products. While economic growth has either resumed or remained flat, the nonresidential construction industry continues to be below previous cyclical troughs.

Current market estimates continue to show subdued activity in the nonresidential construction market. Nonresidential construction starts, as measured in square feet, were down 7% in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014 according to Dodge Data & Analytics (“Dodge”). Low-rise starts, comprising buildings of one to five stories, were down 6% for fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. However, leading indicators for low-rise, nonresidential construction activity continue to indicate modest momentum moving into fiscal 2016.

The leading indicators that typically have the most meaningful correlation to nonresidential low-rise construction starts are the American Institute of Architects’ (“AIA”) Architecture Mixed Use Index, Dodge Residential single family starts and the Conference Board Leading Economic Index (“LEI”). Historically, there has been a very high correlation to the Dodge low-rise nonresidential starts when the three leading indicators are combined and then seasonally adjusted. The forward projection of these metrics, based on a nine-month historical lag, indicates modest growth for low-rise starts in the first half of fiscal 2016.

On October 20, 2009, we completed a financial restructuring that resulted in a change of control of the Company. As part of the restructuring, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund VIII, L.P. and CD&R Friends & Family Fund VIII, L.P. (together, the “CD&R Funds”), purchased an aggregate of 250,000 shares of a newly created class of our convertible preferred stock, designated the Series B Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Stock (the “Convertible Preferred Stock,” and shares thereof, the “Preferred Shares”), then representing approximately 68.4% of the voting power and common stock of the Company on an as-converted basis (the “Equity Investment”). Under the terms of the Certificate of Designations, Preferences and Rights of Series B Cumulative Convertible Participating Preferred Stock (the “Certificate of Designations”), as initially adopted in October 2009, we were contractually obligated to pay quarterly dividends to the CD&R Funds, subject to certain dividend “knock-out” provisions.

On May 2, 2012, we entered into an Amended Asset-Based Lending Facility (“Amended ABL Facility”) to (i) permit the acquisition of Metl-Span, the entry by the Company into the Credit Agreement and the incurrence of debt thereunder and the repayment of existing indebtedness under NCI’s existing Term Loan, (ii) increase the amount available for borrowing thereunder to $150 million (subject to a borrowing base), (iii) increase the amount available for letters of credit thereunder to $30 million, and (iv) extend the final maturity thereunder.

On May 8, 2012, we entered into an Amendment Agreement (the “Amendment Agreement”) with the CD&R Funds to eliminate our quarterly dividend obligation with respect to the Preferred Shares, which does not preclude the payment of contingent default dividends. The Amendment Agreement provided for the Certificate of Designations to be amended to terminate the dividend obligation from and after March 15, 2012 (the “Dividend Knock-out”). On July 5, 2012, the Company filed an Amended and Restated Certificate of Designations with the Secretary of State for the state of Delaware effecting the elimination of the quarterly obligation on the Preferred Shares.

As consideration for the Dividend Knock-out, the CD&R Funds received a total of 37,834 additional shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, representing (i) approximately $6.5 million of dividends accrued from March 15, 2012 through May 18, 2012 (20 trading days after April 20, 2012, on which date the dividend “knock-out” measurement period commenced) and (ii) approximately $31.4 million in additional liquidation preference of Convertible Preferred Stock, or 10% of the approximate total $313.7 million of accreted value as of May 18, 2012. Upon the closing of the transactions in the Amendment Agreement, the CD&R Funds held Convertible Preferred Stock with an aggregate liquidation preference and accrued dividends of approximately $345 million. The Convertible Preferred Stock and accrued dividends entitled the funds managed by CD&R to receive approximately 54.1 million shares of Common Stock, representing 72.7% of the voting power and Common Stock of the Company on an as-converted basis.

On June 22, 2012, we completed the acquisition of Metl-Span (the "Metl-Span Acquisition”) acquiring all of its outstanding membership interests for approximately $145.7 million in cash, which includes $4.7 million of cash acquired. Upon the closing of the Metl-Span Acquisition, Metl-Span became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of NCI Group, Inc. Metl-Span’s operations are conducted through NCI Group, Inc. and its results are included in the results of our metal components segment. The Metl-Span Acquisition strengthened our position as a leading fully integrated supplier to the nonresidential building products industry in North America, providing our customers a comprehensive suite of building products.

On June 22, 2012, in connection with the Metl-Span Acquisition, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as Borrower, Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent and the lenders party thereto. The Credit Agreement provided for a term loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $250.0 million. Proceeds from borrowings under the Credit Agreement were used, together

with cash on hand, (i) to finance the Metl-Span Acquisition, (ii) to extinguish the existing amended and restated credit agreement, due April 2014 (the “Refinancing”), and (iii) to pay fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Metl-Span Acquisition and the Refinancing.

On May 14, 2013, the CD&R Funds delivered a formal notice requesting the conversion of all of their Preferred Shares into shares of our Common Stock (the “Conversion”). In connection with the Conversion request, we issued the CD&R Funds 54,136,817 shares of our Common Stock, representing 72.4% of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding. Under the terms of the Preferred Shares, no consideration was required to be paid by the CD&R Funds to the Company in connection with the Conversion of the Preferred Shares. As a result of the Conversion, the CD&R Funds no longer have rights to dividends or default dividends as specified in the Certificate of Designations. The Conversion eliminated all the outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock and increased stockholders’ equity by nearly $620.0 million, returning our stockholders’ equity to a positive balance during fiscal 2013.

On June 24, 2013, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to its existing Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”), dated as of June 22, 2012, between NCI, as borrower, and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent and the other financial institutions party thereto from time to time (the “Term Loan Facility”), primarily to extend the maturity date and reduce the interest rate applicable to all of the outstanding term loans under the Term Loan Facility.

Pursuant to the Amendment, the maturity date of the $238 million of outstanding term loans (the “Initial Term Loans”) was extended and such loans were converted into a new tranche of term loans (the “Tranche B Term Loans”) that will mature on June 24, 2019 and, prior to such date, will amortize in nominal quarterly installments equal to one percent of the aggregate initial principal amount thereof per annum. Pursuant to the Amendment, the Tranche B Term Loans will bear interest at a floating rate measured by reference to, at NCI’s option, either (i) an adjusted LIBOR not less than 1.00% plus a borrowing margin of 3.25% per annum or (ii) an alternate base rate plus a borrowing margin of 2.25% per annum.

On January 15, 2014, the CD&R Funds completed a registered underwritten offering, in which the CD&R Funds offered 8.5 million shares of Common Stock at a price to the public of $18.00 per share (the “Secondary Offering”). The underwriters also exercised their option to purchase 1.275 million additional shares of Common Stock. The aggregate offering price for the 9.775 million shares sold in the Secondary Offering was approximately $167.6 million, net of underwriting discounts and commissions. The CD&R Funds received all of the proceeds from the Secondary Offering and no shares in the Secondary Offering were sold by NCI or any of its officers or directors (although certain of our directors are affiliated with the CD&R Funds).

On January 6, 2014, NCI entered into an agreement with the CD&R Funds to repurchase 1.15 million shares of its Common Stock at the price per share equal to the price per share paid by the underwriters to the CD&R Funds in the underwritten offering (the “Stock Repurchase”). The Stock Repurchase, which was completed at the same time as the Secondary Offering, represented a private, non-underwritten transaction between NCI and the CD&R Funds that was approved and recommended by the Affiliate Transactions Committee of NCI’s board of directors. Following completion of the Stock Repurchase, NCI canceled the shares repurchased from the CD&R Funds, resulting in a $19.7 million decrease in both additional paid-in capital and treasury stock.

On November 7, 2014, the Company, Steelbuilding.com, LLC (together with the Company, the “Guarantors”) and the Company’s subsidiaries NCI Group, Inc. and Robertson-Ceco II Corporation (each a “Borrower” and collectively, the “Borrowers”) entered into Amendment No. 3 to the Loan and Security Agreement (the “ABL Loan and Security Agreement”) among the Borrowers, the Guarantors, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, LLC, as administrative agent and co-collateral agent, Bank of America, N.A., as co-collateral agent and syndication agent, and certain other lenders under the ABL Loan and Security Agreement, in order to amend the ABL Loan and Security Agreement to (i) permit the CENTRIA Acquisition, (ii) permit the entry by the Company into documentation with respect to certain debt financing to be incurred in connection with the CENTRIA Acquisition and the incurrence of debt with respect thereto, (iii) extend the maturity date to June 24, 2019, (iv) decrease the applicable margin with respect to borrowings thereunder and (v) make certain other amendments and modifications to provide greater operational and financial flexibility.

On January 16, 2015, the Company issued $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.25% senior notes due 2023 (the “Notes”) to fund the CENTRIA Acquisition. Interest on the Notes accrues at the rate of 8.25% per annum and is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, commencing on July 15, 2015. The Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by all of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries that guarantee the Company’s obligations (including by reason of being a borrower under the senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility on a joint and several basis with the Company or a guarantor subsidiary) under the senior secured credit facilities. The Notes are unsecured senior indebtedness and rank equally in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment to all of its future subordinated obligations. In addition, the Notes and guarantees are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s non-guarantor subsidiaries.

The Company may redeem the Notes at any time prior to January 15, 2018, at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date, plus the applicable make-whole premium. On or after January 15, 2018, the Company may redeem all or a part of the Notes at redemption prices (expressed as percentages of principal amount thereof) equal to 106.188% for the twelve-month period beginning on January 15, 2018, 104.125% for the twelve-month period beginning on January 15, 2019, 102.063% for the twelve-month period beginning on January 15, 2020 and 100.000% for the twelve-month period beginning on January 15, 2021 and at any time thereafter, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable redemption date of the Notes. In addition, prior to January 15, 2018, the Company may redeem the Notes in an aggregate principal amount equal to up to 40.0% of the original aggregate principal amount of the Notes with funds in an equal aggregate amount not exceeding the aggregate proceeds of one or more equity offerings, at a redemption price of 108.250%, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the applicable redemption date of the Notes.

Our principal offices are located at 10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, Texas 77064, and our telephone number is (281) 897-7788.

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, along with any amendments to those reports, are available free of charge at our corporate website at http://www.ncibuildingsystems.com as soon as practicable after such material is electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. In addition, our website includes other items related to corporate governance matters, including our corporate governance guidelines, charters of various committees of our board of directors and the code of business conduct and ethics applicable to our employees, officers and directors. You may obtain copies of these documents, free of charge, from our corporate website. However, the information on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Form 10-K.

Operating Segments

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise that engage in business activities and by which discrete financial information is available that is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about how to allocate resources to the segment and assess the performance of the segment. We have three operating segments: engineered building systems; metal components; and metal coil coating. All operating segments operate primarily in the nonresidential construction market. Sales and earnings are influenced by general economic conditions, the level of nonresidential construction activity, metal roof repair and retrofit demand and the availability and terms of financing available for construction. Our operating segments are vertically integrated and benefit from similar basic raw materials. The metal coil coating segment consists of cleaning, treating, painting and slitting continuous steel coils before the steel is fabricated for use by construction and industrial users. The metal components segment products include metal roof and wall panels, doors, metal partitions, metal trim, insulated panels and other related accessories. Metl-Span and CENTRIA are included in the metal components segment. The engineered building systems segment includes the manufacturing of main frames, Long Bay® Systems and value-added engineering and drafting, which are typically not part of metal components or metal coil coating products or services. The manufacturing and distribution activities of our segments are effectively coupled through the use of our nationwide hub-and-spoke manufacturing and distribution system, which supports and enhances our vertical integration. The operating segments follow the same accounting policies used for our consolidated financial statements.

We evaluate a segment’s performance based primarily upon operating income before corporate expenses. Intersegment sales are recorded based on standard material costs plus a standard markup to cover labor and overhead and consist of: (i) hot-rolled, light gauge painted, and slit material and other services provided by the metal coil coating segment to both the metal components and engineered building systems segments; (ii) building components provided by the metal components segment to the engineered building systems segment; and (iii) structural framing provided by the engineered building systems segment to the metal components segment.

Corporate assets consist primarily of cash but also include deferred financing costs, deferred taxes and property, plant and equipment associated with our headquarters in Houston, Texas. These items (and income and expenses related to these items) are not allocated to the operating segments. Corporate unallocated expenses include share-based compensation expenses, and executive, legal, finance, tax, treasury, human resources, information technology, purchasing, marketing and corporate travel expenses. Additional unallocated expenses include interest income, interest expense, debt extinguishment costs and other (expense) income.

Our total sales, external sales, operating income (loss) and total assets attributable to these operating segments were as follows for the fiscal years indicated (in thousands):

Engineered Building Systems.

Products.   Engineered building systems consist of engineered structural members and panels that are fabricated and roll-formed in a factory. These systems are custom designed and engineered to meet project requirements and then shipped to a construction site complete and ready for assembly with no additional field welding required. Engineered building systems manufacturers design an integrated system that meets applicable building code and designated end use requirements. These systems consist of primary structural framing, secondary structural members (purlins and girts) and metal roof and wall systems or conventional wall materials manufactured by others, such as masonry and concrete tilt-up panels.

Engineered building systems typically consist of three systems:

Primary structural framing.   Primary structural framing, fabricated from heavy-gauge plate steel, supports the secondary structural framing, roof, walls and all externally applied loads. Through the primary framing, the force of all applied loads is structurally transferred to the foundation.

Secondary structural framing.   Secondary structural framing is designed to strengthen the primary structural framing and efficiently transfer applied loads from the roof and walls to the primary structural framing. Secondary structural framing consists of medium-gauge, roll-formed steel components called purlins and girts. Purlins are attached to the primary frame to support the roof. Girts are attached to the primary frame to support the walls.

Metal roof and wall systems.   Metal roof and wall systems not only lock out the weather but may also contribute to the structural integrity of the overall building system. Roof and wall panels are fabricated from light-gauge, roll-formed steel in many architectural configurations.

Accessory components complete the engineered building system. These components include doors, windows, specialty trims, gutters and interior partitions.

The following characteristics of engineered building systems distinguish them from other methods of construction:

Shorter construction time.   In many instances, it takes less time to construct an engineered building than other building types. In addition, because most of the work is done in the factory, the likelihood of weather interruptions is reduced.

More efficient material utilization.   The larger engineered building systems manufacturers use computer-aided analysis and design to fabricate structural members with high strength-to-weight ratios, minimizing raw materials costs.

Lower construction costs.   The in-plant manufacture of engineered building systems, coupled with automation, allows the substitution of less expensive factory labor for much of the skilled on-site construction labor otherwise required for traditional building methods.

Greater ease of expansion.   Engineered building systems can be modified quickly and economically before, during or after the building is completed to accommodate all types of expansion. Typically, an engineered building system can be expanded by removing the end or side walls, erecting new framework and adding matching wall and roof panels.

Lower maintenance costs.   Unlike wood, metal is not susceptible to deterioration from cracking, rotting or insect damage. Furthermore, factory-applied roof and siding panel coatings resist cracking, peeling, chipping, chalking and fading.

Environmentally friendly.   Our buildings utilize between 30% and 60% recycled content and our roofing and siding utilize painted surfaces with high reflectance and emissivity, which help conserve energy and operating costs.

Manufacturing.   We currently operate seven facilities for manufacturing and distributing engineered building systems throughout the United States and in Monterrey, Mexico.

After we receive an order, our engineers design the engineered building system to meet the customer’s requirements and to satisfy applicable building codes and zoning requirements. To expedite this process, we use computer-aided design and engineering systems to generate engineering and erection drawings and a bill of materials for the manufacture of the engineered building system. From time to time, depending on our volume, we outsource portions of our drafting requirements to third parties.

Once the specifications and designs of the customer’s project have been finalized, the manufacturing of frames and other building systems begins at one of our frame manufacturing facilities. Fabrication of the primary structural framing consists of a process in which steel plates are punched and sheared and then routed through an automatic welding machine and sent through further fitting and welding processes. The secondary structural framing and the covering system are roll-formed steel products that are manufactured at our full manufacturing facilities as well as our components plants.

Upon completion of the manufacturing process, structural framing members and metal roof and wall systems are shipped to the job site for assembly. Since on-site construction is performed by an unaffiliated, independent general contractor, usually one of our authorized builders, we generally are not responsible for claims by end users or owners attributable to faulty on-site construction. The time elapsed between our receipt of an order and shipment of a completed building system has typically ranged from six to twelve weeks, although delivery varies depending on engineering and drafting requirements and the length of the permitting process.

Sales, Marketing and Customers.   We are one of the largest domestic suppliers of engineered building systems. We design, engineer, manufacture and market engineered building systems and self-storage building systems for all nonresidential markets including commercial, industrial, agricultural, governmental and community.

Throughout the twentieth century, the applications of metal buildings have significantly evolved from small, portable structures that prospered during World War II into fully customizable building solutions spanning virtually every commercial low-rise end-use market. Current market estimates continue to show subdued activity in nonresidential markets. Nonresidential construction starts, as measured in square feet, were down 7% in fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014 according to Dodge Data & Analytics (“Dodge”). Low-rise starts, comprising buildings of one to five stories, were down 6% for fiscal 2015 as compared to fiscal 2014. However, leading indicators for low-rise, nonresidential construction activity continue to indicate modest momentum moving into fiscal 2016.

The leading indicators that typically have the most meaningful correlation to nonresidential low-rise construction starts are the American Institute of Architects’ (“AIA”) Architecture Mixed Use Index, Dodge Residential single family starts and the Conference Board Leading Economic Index (“LEI”). Historically, there has been a very high correlation to the Dodge low-rise nonresidential starts when the three leading indicators are combined and then seasonally adjusted. The forward projection of these metrics, based on a nine-month historical lag, indicates modest growth for low-rise starts in the first half of fiscal 2016.

We believe the cost of an engineered building system, excluding the cost of the land, generally represents approximately 15% to 20% of the total cost of constructing a building, which includes such elements as labor, plumbing, electricity, heating

and air conditioning systems, installation and interior finish. Technological advances in products and materials, as well as significant improvements in engineering and design techniques, have led to the development of structural systems that are compatible with more traditional construction materials. Architects and designers now often combine an engineered building system with masonry, concrete, glass and wood exterior facades to meet the aesthetic requirements of end users while preserving the inherent characteristics of engineered building systems. As a result, the uses for engineered building systems now include office buildings, showrooms, retail shopping centers, banks, schools, places of worship, warehouses, factories, distribution centers, government buildings and community centers for which aesthetics and architectural features are important considerations of the end users. In addition, advances in our products such as insulated steel panel systems for roof and wall applications give buildings the desired balance of strength, thermal efficiency and aesthetic attractiveness.

We sell engineered building systems to builders, general contractors, developers and end users nationwide under the brand names “Metallic,” “Mid-West Steel,” “A & S,” “All American,” “Mesco,” “Star,” “Ceco,” “Robertson,” “Garco,” “Heritage” and “SteelBuilding.com.” We market engineered building systems through an in-house sales force to authorized builder networks of over 3,100 builders. We also sell engineered building systems via direct sale to owners and end users as well as through private label companies. In addition to a traditional business-to-business channel, we sell small custom-engineered metal buildings through two other consumer-oriented marketing channels targeting end-use purchasers and small general contractors. We sell through Heritage Building Systems (“Heritage”), which is a direct-response, phone-based sales organization, and Steelbuilding.com, which allows customers to design, price and buy small metal buildings online. During fiscal 2015, our largest customer for engineered building systems accounted for less than 1% of our total consolidated sales and external sales of our engineered building systems segment accounted for 41.4% of total consolidated sales for that year.

The majority of our sales of engineered building systems are made through our authorized builder networks. We enter into an authorized builder agreement with independent general contractors that market our products and services to users. These agreements generally grant the builder the non-exclusive right to market our products in a specified territory. Generally, the agreement is cancelable by either party with between 30 and 60 days’ notice. The agreement does not prohibit the builder from marketing engineered building systems of other manufacturers. In some cases, we may defray a portion of the builder’s advertising costs and provide volume purchasing and other pricing incentives to encourage those businesses to deal exclusively or principally with us. The builder is required to maintain a place of business in its designated territory, provide a sales organization, conduct periodic advertising programs and perform construction, warranty and other services for customers and potential customers. An authorized builder usually is hired by an end-user to erect an engineered building system on the customer’s site and provide general contracting, subcontracting and/or other services related to the completion of the project. We sell our products to the builder, which generally includes the price of the building as a part of its overall construction contract with its customer. We rely upon maintaining a satisfactory business relationship for continuing job orders from our authorized builders.

Metal Components.

Acquisition. On January 16, 2015, we acquired CENTRIA. CENTRIA operates four manufacturing facilities in the United States and one manufacturing facility in China. CENTRIA serves the nonresidential building products market with design, engineering and manufacturing of IMP wall and roof systems, and specialty continuous metal coil coating services. This transaction strengthened our position as a leading fully integrated supplier to the nonresidential building products industry, providing our customers a comprehensive suite of building products. For the period from January 16, 2015 to November 1, 2015, CENTRIA contributed revenue of $179.4 million and had an operating loss of $4.3 million.

Products.   Metal components include metal roof and wall systems, metal partitions, metal trim, doors and other related accessories. These products are used in new construction and in repair and retrofit applications for industrial, commercial, institutional, agricultural and rural uses. Metal components are used in a wide variety of construction applications, including purlins and girts, roofing, standing seam roofing, walls, doors, trim and other parts of traditional buildings, as well as in architectural applications and engineered building systems. Purlins and girts are medium gauge, roll-formed steel components, which builders use for secondary structural framing. Although precise market data is limited, we estimate the metal components market, including roofing applications, to be a multi-billion dollar market. We believe that metal products have gained and continue to gain a greater share of new construction and repair and retrofit markets due to increasing acceptance and recognition of the benefits of metal products in building applications.

Our metal components consist of individual components, including secondary structural framing, metal roof and wall systems and associated metal trims. We sell directly to contractors or end users for use in the building industry, including the construction of metal buildings. We also stock and market metal component parts for use in the maintenance and repair of existing buildings. Specific component products we manufacture include metal roof and wall systems, purlins, girts, partitions, header panels and related trim and screws. We are continually developing and marketing new products such as our Eco-ficient ™ panel systems, Soundwall ™ , Nu-Roof ™ system and Energy Star cool roofing. We believe we offer the widest selection of metal components in the building industry. We custom produce purlins and girts for our customers and offer one

of the widest selections of sizes and profiles in the United States. Metal roof and wall systems protect the rest of the structure and the contents of the building from the weather. They may also contribute to the structural integrity of the building.

Metal roofing systems have several advantages over conventional roofing systems, including the following:

Lower life cycle cost.   The total cost over the life of metal roofing systems is lower than that of conventional roofing systems for both new construction and retrofit roofing. For new construction, the cost of installing metal roofing is greater than the cost of conventional roofing. However, the longer life and lower maintenance costs of metal roofing make the cost more attractive. For retrofit roofing, although installation costs are higher for metal roofing due to the need for a sloping support system, over time the lower ongoing costs more than offset the initial cost.

Increased longevity.   Metal roofing systems generally last for a minimum of 20 years without requiring major maintenance or replacement. This compares to five to ten years for conventional roofs. The cost of leaks and roof failures associated with conventional roofing can be very high, including damage to building interiors and disruption of the functional usefulness of the building. Metal roofing prolongs the intervals between costly and time-consuming repair work.

Attractive aesthetics and design flexibility.   Metal roofing systems allow architects and builders to integrate colors and geometric design into the roofing of new and existing buildings, providing an increasingly fashionable means of enhancing a building’s aesthetics. Conventional roofing material is generally tar paper or a gravel surface, and building designers tend to conceal roofs made with these materials.

Our metal roofing products are attractive and durable. We use standing seam roof technology to replace traditional built-up and single-ply roofs as well as to provide a distinctive look to new construction.

Manufacturing.   As of November 1, 2015, we operate 28 facilities in 16 states and China used for manufacturing of metal components for the nonresidential construction industry, including three facilities for our door operations and nine facilities for our insulated panel systems.

Metal component products are roll-formed or fabricated at each plant using roll-formers and other metal working equipment. In roll-forming, pre-finished coils of steel are unwound and passed through a series of progressive forming rolls that form the steel into various profiles of medium-gauge structural shapes and light-gauge roof and wall panels.

Sales, Marketing and Customers.   We are one of the largest domestic suppliers of metal components to the nonresidential building industry. We design, manufacture, sell and distribute one of the widest selections of components for a variety of new construction applications as well as for repair and retrofit uses.

We manufacture and design metal roofing systems for sales to regional metal building manufacturers, general contractors and subcontractors. We believe we have the broadest line of standing seam roofing products in the building industry. In addition, we have granted 21 non-exclusive, on-going license agreements to 18 companies, both domestic and international, relating to our standing seam roof technology.

These licenses, for a fee, are provided with MBCI’s technical know-how relating to the marketing, sales, testing, engineering, estimating, manufacture and installation of the licensed product. The licensees buy their own roll forming equipment to manufacture the roof panels and typically buy accessories for the licensed roof system from MBCI.

We estimate that metal roofing currently accounts for less than 10% of total roofing material volume. However, metal roofing accounts for a significant portion of the overall metal components market. As a result, we believe that significant opportunities exist for metal roofing, with its advantages over conventional roofing materials, to increase its overall share of this market.

One of our strategic objectives and a major part of our “green” initiative is to expand our insulated panel product lines, which are increasingly desirable because of their energy efficiency, noise reduction and aesthetic qualities. We completed the acquisition of Metl-Span on June 22, 2012. Metl-Span operates seven manufacturing facilities in the United States serving the nonresidential building products market with cost-effective and energy efficient insulated metal wall and roof panels. This transaction strengthened our position as a leading fully integrated supplier to the nonresidential building products industry in North America, providing our customers a comprehensive suite of building products.

Our “green” initiative enables us to capitalize on increasing consumer preferences for environmentally-friendly construction. We believe this will allow us to further service the needs of our existing customer base and to gain new customers. For more information about our “green” initiatives, see “Item 1— Business Strategy.”

We sell metal components directly to regional manufacturers, contractors, subcontractors, distributors, lumberyards, cooperative buying groups and other customers under the brand names “MBCI”, “American Building Components” (“ABC”), “Eco-ficient”, “Metl-Span”, “CENTRIA” and “Metal Depots.” In addition to metal roofing systems,

we manufacture roll-up doors and sell interior and exterior walk doors for use in the self-storage industry and metal and other buildings. Roll-up doors, interior and exterior doors, interior partitions and walls, header panels and trim are sold directly to contractors and other customers under the brand “Doors and Buildings Components” (“DBCI”). These components also are produced for integration into self-storage and engineered building systems sold by us. In addition to a traditional business-to-business channel, we sell components through Metal Depots, which has eight retail stores throughout the United States and specifically targets end-use consumers and small general contractors.

We market our components products within six market segments: commercial/industrial, architectural, standing seam roof systems, agricultural, residential and cold storage. In addition, our previously mentioned insulated panel product lines service each of our six market segments. Customers include small, medium and large contractors, specialty roofers, regional fabricators, regional engineered building fabricators, post frame contractors, material resellers and end users. Commercial and industrial businesses, including self-storage, are heavy users of metal components and metal buildings systems. Standing seam roof and architectural customers have emerged as an important part of our customer base. As metal buildings become a more acceptable building alternative and aesthetics become an increasingly important consideration for end users of metal buildings, we believe that architects will participate more in the design and purchase decisions and will use metal components to a greater extent. Wood frame builders also purchase our metal components through distributors, lumberyards, cooperative buying groups and chain stores for various uses, including agricultural buildings.

Our metal components sales operations are organized into geographic regions. Each region is headed by a general sales manager supported by individual plant sales managers. Each local sales office is located adjacent to a manufacturing plant and is staffed by a direct sales force responsible for contacting customers and architects and a sales coordinator who supervises the sales process from the time the order is received until it is shipped and invoiced. The regional and local focus of our customers requires extensive knowledge of local business conditions. During fiscal 2015, our largest customer for metal components accounted for less than 1% of our total consolidated sales and external sales of our metal components segment accounted for 52.1% of total consolidated sales for that year.

Metal Coil Coating.

Products.   Metal coil coating consists of cleaning, treating and painting various flat-rolled metals, in coil form, as well as slitting and/or embossing the metal, before the metal is fabricated for use by various industrial users. Light gauge and heavy gauge metal coils that are painted, either for decorative or corrosion protection purposes, are utilized in the building industry by manufacturers of metal components and engineered building systems. In addition, these painted metal coils are utilized by manufacturers of other products, such as water heaters, lighting fixtures, ceiling grids, HVAC and appliances. We clean, treat and coat both heavy gauge (hot-rolled) and light gauge metal coils for our other operating segments and for third party customers, who utilize them in a variety of applications, including construction products, heating and air conditioning systems, water heaters, lighting fixtures, ceiling grids, office furniture, appliances and other products. We provide toll coating services under which the customer provides the metal coil and we provide only the coil coating process. We also provide a painted metal package under which we sell both the metal coil and the coil coating service together.

We believe that pre-painted metal coils provide manufacturers with a higher quality, environmentally cleaner and more cost-effective solution to operating their own in-house painting operations. Pre-painted metal coils also offer manufacturers the opportunity to produce a broader and more aesthetically pleasing range of products.

Manufacturing.   We currently operate six metal coil coating facilities located in six U.S. states. Two of our facilities coat hot-rolled, heavy gauge metal coils and four of our facilities coat light gauge metal coils.

Our coil coating processes have multiple stages. In the first stage, the metal surface is cleaned and a chemical pretreatment is applied. The pretreatment is designed to promote adhesion of the paint system and enhance the corrosion resistance of the metal. After the pretreatment stage, a paint system is roll-applied to the metal surface, then baked at a high temperature to cure the coating and achieve a set of physical properties that not only make the metal more attractive, but also allows it to be formed into a manufactured product, all while maintaining the integrity of the paint system so that it can endure the final end use requirements. After the coating system has been cured, the metal substrate is rewound into a finished metal coil and packaged for shipment. Slitting and embossing processes can also be performed on the finished coil in accordance with customer specifications, prior to shipment.

Sales, Marketing and Customers.   We process metal coils to supply substantially all the coating requirements of our own metal components and engineered building systems operating segments. We also process metal coils to supply external customers in a number of different industries.

We market our metal coil coating products and processes under the brand names “Metal Coaters” and “Metal Prep”. Each of our metal coil coating facilities has an independent sales staff.

We sell our products and processes principally to original equipment manufacturer customers who utilize pre-painted metal, including other manufacturers of engineered building systems and metal components. Our customer base also includes steel mills, metal service centers and painted coil distributors who in-turn supply various manufacturers of engineered building systems, metal components, lighting fixtures, ceiling grids, water heaters, appliances and other manufactured products. During fiscal 2015, the largest customer of our metal coil coating segment accounted for less than 2% of our total consolidated sales and external sales of our metal coil coating segment represented 6.4% of total consolidated sales for that year.

Business Strategy

We intend to expand our business, enhance our market position and increase our sales and profitability by focusing on the implementation of a number of key initiatives that we believe will help us grow and reduce costs. Our current strategy focuses primarily on organic initiatives, but also considers the use of opportunistic acquisitions to achieve our growth objectives:

Restructuring

We have developed plans to improve cost efficiency and optimize our combined manufacturing plant footprint considering our recent acquisitions and restructuring efforts. The Company believes that the successful execution of these plans in phases over the next 12 to 36 months will result in annual cost savings ranging between $15.0 million and $20.0 million when completed. We are currently unable to make a good faith determination of cost estimates, or range of cost estimates, for actions associated with the plans. Restructuring charges will be recorded for these plans as they become estimable and probable.

Raw Materials

The principal raw material used in manufacturing of our metal components and engineered building systems is steel which we purchase from multiple steel producers. Our various products are fabricated from steel produced by mills including bars, plates, structural shapes, hot-rolled coils and galvanized or Galvalume®-coated coils.

Our raw materials on hand increased to $109.4 million at November 1, 2015 from $93.4 million at November 2, 2014 due to higher levels of business activity and the acquisition of CENTRIA.

Our business is heavily dependent on the price and supply of steel. The steel industry is highly cyclical in nature, and steel prices have been volatile in recent years and may remain volatile in the future. Steel prices are influenced by numerous factors beyond our control, including general economic conditions domestically and internationally, currency fluctuations, the availability of raw materials, competition, labor costs, freight and transportation costs, production costs, import duties and other trade restrictions. We believe the CRU North American Steel Price Index, published by the CRU Group since 1994, appropriately depicts the volatility we have experienced in steel prices. See “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Steel Prices.” During fiscal 2015 and 2014, steel prices fluctuated due to market conditions ranging from a high point on the CRU Index of 174 to a low point of 127 in fiscal 2015 and fluctuated from a high point on the CRU Index of 183 to a low point of 172 in fiscal 2014. Based on the cyclical nature of the steel industry, we expect steel prices will continue to be volatile.

Although we have the ability to purchase steel from a number of suppliers, a production cutback by one or more of our current suppliers could create challenges in meeting delivery schedules to our customers. Because we have periodically adjusted our contract prices, particularly in the engineered building systems segment, we have generally been able to pass

increases in our raw material costs through to our customers. We normally do not maintain an inventory of steel in excess of our current production requirements. However, from time to time, we may purchase steel in advance of announced steel price increases. For additional information about the risks of our raw material supply and pricing, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Backlog

At November 1, 2015 and November 2, 2014, the total backlog of orders, primarily consisting of engineered building systems’ orders, for our products we believe to be firm was $496.1 million and $334.7 million, respectively. The increase in backlog is partially due to the acquisition of CENTRIA. Job orders included in backlog are generally cancellable by customers at any time for any reason; however, cancellation charges may be assessed. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors — Our industry is cyclical and highly sensitive to macroeconomic conditions; as a result, our industry is currently experiencing a downturn which, if sustained, will materially and adversely affect our business, liquidity and results of operations.” Occasionally, orders in the backlog are not completed and shipped for reasons that include changes in the requirements of the customers and the inability of customers to obtain necessary financing or zoning variances. We anticipate that less than 15% of this backlog will extend beyond one year.

Competition

We and other manufacturers of metal components and engineered building systems compete in the building industry with all other alternative methods of building construction such as tilt-wall, concrete and wood, single-ply and built up, all of which may be perceived as more traditional, more aesthetically pleasing or having other advantages over our products. We compete with all manufacturers of building products, from small local firms to large national firms.

In addition, competition in the metal components and engineered building systems market of the building industry is intense. We believe it is based primarily on:

We compete with a number of other manufacturers of metal components and engineered building systems for the building industry, ranging from small local firms to large national firms. Many of these competitors operate on a regional basis. We have two primary nationwide competitors in the engineered building systems market and three primary nationwide competitors in the metal components market.

We are comprised of a family of companies operating 42 manufacturing facilities, as of November 1, 2015, across the United States, Mexico and China, with additional sales and distribution offices throughout the United States and Canada. These facilities are used for the manufacturing of metal components and engineered building systems for the building industry, including three for our door operations. We believe this broad geographic distribution gives us an advantage over our components and building competitors because major elements of a customer’s decision are the speed and cost of delivery from the manufacturing facility to the product’s ultimate destination. We operate a fleet of trucks to deliver our products to our customers in a more timely manner than most of our competitors.

We compete with a number of other providers of metal coil coating services to manufacturers of metal components and engineered building systems for the building industry, ranging from small local firms to large national firms. Most of these competitors operate on a regional basis. Competition in the metal coil coating industry is intense and is based primarily on quality, service, delivery and price.

Consolidation

Over the last several years, there has been a consolidation of competitors within the industries of the engineered building systems, metal components and metal coil coating segments, which include many small local and regional firms. We believe that these industries will continue to consolidate, driven by the needs of manufacturers to increase anticipated long-term manufacturing capacity, achieve greater process integration and add geographic diversity to meet customers’ product and delivery needs, improve production efficiency and manage costs. When beneficial to our long-term goals and strategy, we have sought to consolidate our business operations with other companies. The resulting synergies from these consolidation efforts have allowed us to reduce costs while continuing to serve our customers’ needs. We acquired CENTRIA in January

2015, Metl-Span in 2012, Garco Building Systems, Inc. in 2007 and RCC in 2006. For more information, see “Acquisitions” below.

In addition to the consolidation of competitors within the industries of the engineered building systems, metal components and metal coil coating segments, in recent years there has been consolidation between those industries and steel producers. Several of our competitors have been acquired by steel producers, and further similar acquisitions are possible. For a discussion of the possible effects on us of such consolidations, see “Item 1A. Risk Factors.”

Acquisitions

We have a history of making acquisitions within our industry, and we regularly evaluate growth opportunities both through acquisitions and internal investment. We believe that there remain opportunities for growth through consolidation in the metal buildings and components segments, and our goal is to continue to grow through opportunistic strategic acquisitions, as well as organically.

In September 2015, we entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a manufacturing plant in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. This plant allows us to service customers more competitively within the Canadian and Northeastern United States IMP markets. We closed the transaction on November 3, 2015. In January 2015, we completed the acquisition of CENTRIA, a Pennsylvania general partnership. CENTRIA is a leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of architectural IMP wall and roof systems and a provider of integrated coil coating services for the nonresidential construction industry. CENTRIA operates four production facilities in the United States, 36 satellite sales locations and a manufacturing facility in China. In June 2012, we completed the acquisition of Metl-Span which serves the nonresidential building products market primarily in the United States with cost-effective and energy efficient insulated metal wall and roof panels. In January 2007, we completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Garco Building Systems, Inc. which designs, manufactures and distributes steel building systems primarily for markets in the northwestern United States and western Canada. In April 2006, we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of RCC. RCC operates the Ceco Building Systems, Star Building Systems and Robertson Building Systems divisions and is a leader in the metal buildings segment.

Consistent with our growth strategy, we frequently engage in discussions with potential sellers regarding the possible purchase by us of businesses, assets and operations that are strategic and complementary to our existing operations. Such assets and operations include engineered building systems and metal components, but may also include assets that are closely related to, or intertwined with, these business lines, and enable us to leverage our asset base, knowledge base and skill sets. Such acquisition efforts may involve participation by us in processes that have been made public, involve a number of potential buyers and are commonly referred to as “auction” processes, as well as situations in which we believe we are the only party or one of the very limited number of potential buyers in negotiations with the potential seller. These acquisition efforts often involve assets that, if acquired, would have a material effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

We also evaluate from time to time possible dispositions of assets or businesses when such assets or businesses are no longer core to our operations and do not fit into our long-term strategy.

The Credit Agreement and the Notes contain a number of covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to dispose of assets, make acquisitions and engage in mergers. See “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations —  Liquidity and Capital Resources — Debt.”

Environmental Matters

The operation of our business is subject to stringent and complex laws and regulations pertaining to health, safety and the environment. As an owner or operator of manufacturing facilities, we must comply with these laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations can restrict or impact our business activities in many ways, such as:

The trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and limitations on activities that potentially impact human health and welfare or the environment. As a result, there can be no assurance as to the amount or timing of future expenditures for environmental compliance or corrective action, and actual future expenditures may differ from what we presently anticipate. However, we strategically anticipate future regulatory requirements that might be imposed and plan accordingly to meet and maintain compliance with such environmental laws and regulations, and minimize the associated costs of compliance while not intruding on our ability to comply.

Failure to comply with these environmental laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil or criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of investigative or remedial requirements, the issuance of orders enjoining or limiting current or future operations, or the denial or revocation of permits or other legal authorizations. Certain environmental statutes impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances or industrial wastes have been mismanaged or otherwise released. Moreover, neighboring landowners and other third parties may file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of substances or contaminants into the environment.

We do not believe that compliance with federal, state or local environmental laws and regulations will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. In addition, we believe that the various environmental compliance activities we are presently engaged in are not expected to materially interrupt or diminish our operational ability to manufacture our products. We cannot assure, however, that future events, such as changes in existing laws, the promulgation of new laws, or the development or discovery of new facts or conditions related to our operations will not cause us to incur significant costs.

The following are representative environmental and safety requirements relating to our business:

Air Emissions.   Our operations are subject to the federal Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990, or CAAA, and comparable state laws and regulations. These laws and regulations govern emissions of air pollutants from industrial stationary sources (including our manufacturing facilities) and impose various permitting, monitoring, record keeping and reporting requirements. Such laws and regulations may require us to: obtain pre-approval for the construction or modification of applicable projects or facility changes with the potential to produce new or increased air emissions; obtain and comply with operating permits that restrict air emissions or certain operational parameters; or employ best available emission control technologies to minimize or reduce emissions from our facilities.

Our failure to comply with these requirements could subject us to monetary penalties, injunctions, restrictions on operations, and potential administrative, civil or criminal enforcement actions. We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures in the future for air pollution control equipment in conjunction with obtaining and complying with pre-construction authorizations or operating permits for air emissions. We do not believe that our operations will be materially adversely affected by such requirements.

Greenhouse Gases.   More stringent laws and regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gases, or GHGs, may be adopted in the future and could cause us to incur additional operating costs or reduced demand for our products. On December 15, 2009, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, published its findings that emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and other GHGs present an endangerment to public health, the economy and the environment because emissions of such gases contribute to the warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climate changes. These findings allowed the EPA to adopt and implement regulations that would restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the federal CAAA.

The EPA adopted regulations that would require a reduction in emissions of GHGs and could trigger permit review for GHGs produced from certain industrial stationary sources. In June 2010, the EPA adopted the Prevention of Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) and Title V Greenhouse Gas Tailoring Rule, which phases in permitting requirements for stationary sources of GHGs beginning January 2, 2011. This rule “tailors” these permitting programs to apply to certain significant stationary sources of GHG emissions in using a multistep process, with the largest sources first subjected to permitting. In June 2014, the Supreme Court restricted applicability of the Tailoring Rule to GHG-emitting stationary sources that also emit conventional non-GHG National Ambient Air Quality Standard criteria pollutants at levels greater than PSD and Title V threshold amounts.

Several North American state and multi-state climate change initiatives are either actively assessing, or have already implemented, measures to reduce GHG emissions, primarily through the development of emission source performance standards, GHG tracking systems and GHG emission cap-and-trade programs. These programs typically require major sources of GHGs to acquire and surrender emission allowances and offsets, with the number of allowances available for purchase incrementally reduced each year until an overall GHG emission reduction goal is achieved.

In October 2011, the California Air Resources Board adopted a cap-and-trade program that will require the state to reduce GHG emissions to 1990-levels by 2020. This program, along with mandatory GHG reporting and other complementary measures, was authorized by the California Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32) of 2006. Effective January 1, 2013, cap-and-trade regulations applied to all major industrial sources and electricity generators, and expanded in 2015 to cover the distributors of transportation fuels, natural gas and other fuels. The amount of allowances available to these sources is set to decline by about three percent each year from 2015 through 2020 as the cap is lowered and emissions are reduced.

Although it is not possible to accurately predict how new GHG legislation or regulations would impact our business, any new federal, regional or state restrictions on emissions of carbon dioxide or other GHGs that may be imposed in areas where we conduct business could result in increased compliance costs or additional operating restrictions on our facilities, raw material and energy suppliers, the transportation and distribution of our products, and our customers. Such restrictions could potentially make our products more expensive and thus reduce their demand, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Hazardous and Solid Industrial Waste.   Our operations generate industrial solid wastes, including some hazardous wastes that are subject to the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, or RCRA, and comparable state laws. RCRA imposes requirements for the handling, storage, treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes. Industrial wastes we generate, such as paint waste, spent solvents and used oils, may be regulated as hazardous waste. However, RCRA currently exempts many of our manufacturing wastes from classification as hazardous waste, although non-hazardous or exempted industrial wastes are still regulated under state law or the less stringent industrial solid waste requirements of RCRA. We do not believe that our operations will be materially adversely affected by such requirements.

Site Remediation.   The Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, or CERCLA, and comparable state laws impose liability, without regard to fault or the legality of the original conduct, on certain classes of persons responsible for the release of hazardous substances into the environment. Such classes of persons include the current and past owners or operators of sites where a hazardous substance was released, and companies that disposed or arranged for disposal of hazardous substances at off-site locations such as landfills. In the course of our typical operations, we use materials and generate industrial solid wastes that fall within the definition of a “hazardous substance.”

CERCLA authorizes the EPA and, in some cases, third parties to take actions in response to threats to the public health and welfare or the environment and seek to recover from the responsible classes of persons the costs incurred for remedial activities or other corrective actions. Under CERCLA, we could be subject to joint and several liability for: the full or partial costs of cleaning up and restoring sites where hazardous substances historically generated by us have been released; damages to natural resources; and the costs of risk assessment studies and containment measures.

We currently own or lease, and have in the past owned or leased, numerous properties that for many decades have been used for industrial manufacturing operations. Hazardous substances or industrial wastes may have been mismanaged, disposed of or released on or under the properties owned or leased by us, or on or under other locations where such wastes have been transported for disposal. In addition, some of these properties have been operated by third parties or previous owners whose management, release or disposal of hazardous substances or wastes were not under our control. These properties and the substances disposed or released on them may be subject to CERCLA, RCRA and analogous state laws.

Under such laws, we could be required to remove hazardous substances or previously disposed of industrial wastes (including wastes disposed by prior owners or operators); to investigate or remediate contaminated property (including contaminated soil and groundwater, whether from prior owners or operators or other historic activities or releases); or perform remedial closure activities to control or prevent future contamination. Moreover, neighboring landowners and other affected parties may file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances into the environment.

Wastewater Discharges.   Our operations are subject to the federal Water Pollution Control Act of 1972, as amended, also known as the Clean Water Act ("CWA") and analogous state laws and regulations. These laws and regulations impose requirements and strict controls regarding the discharge of pollutants from industrial activity into waters of the United States. Such laws and regulations may require that we obtain and comply with categorical industrial waste water standards and pretreatment or discharge permits containing limits on various water pollutant and discharge parameters.

The Clean Water Rule, a rule jointly developed by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that further defines the term “waters of the United States” for regulatory protection by the CWA through the addition of certain classes and categories of waters such as smaller streams, tributaries and wetlands, became effective on August 28, 2015. This rule could subject our facilities to new or more stringent wastewater pretreatment or discharge permitting requirements.

Our failure to comply with CWA requirements could subject us to monetary penalties, injunctions, restrictions on operations, and potential, administrative, civil or criminal enforcement actions. We may be required to incur certain capital expenditures in the future for wastewater treatment equipment in connection with maintaining compliance with wastewater permits and water quality standards. Any unauthorized release of pollutants to waters of the United States from our facilities could result in administrative, civil or criminal penalties as well as associated corrective action obligations. We do not believe that our operations will be materially adversely affected by these requirements.

Employee Health and Safety.   We are subject to the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, or OSHA, and comparable state laws that regulate the protection of the health and safety of our workers. In addition, the OSHA hazard communication standard requires that information about hazardous materials used or produced by our operations be

maintained and is available to our employees, state and local government authorities, and citizens. We do not expect that our operations will be materially adversely affected by these requirements.

Zoning and Building Code Requirements

The engineered building systems and components we manufacture must meet zoning, building code and uplift requirements adopted by local governmental agencies. We believe that our products are in substantial compliance with applicable zoning, code and uplift requirements. Compliance does not have a material adverse effect on our business.

Patents, Licenses and Proprietary Rights

We have a number of United States patents, pending patent applications and other proprietary rights, including those relating to metal roofing systems, metal overhead doors, our pier and header system, our Long Bay® System and our building estimating and design system. The patents on our Long Bay® System expire in 2021. We also have several registered trademarks and pending registrations in the United States.

Research and Development Costs

Total expenditures for research and development were $1.6 million for each of the fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013. We incur research and development costs to develop new products, improve existing products and improve safety factors of our products in the metal components segment. These products include building and roofing systems, panels, clips, purlins and fasteners.

Employees

As of November 1, 2015, we had approximately 5,326 employees, of whom 3,836 were manufacturing and engineering personnel. We regard our employee relations as satisfactory. Approximately 14% of our workforce, including the employees at our subsidiary in Mexico, are represented by a collective bargaining agreement or union.