Exhibit 99.1

Explanatory Note

"Item 1. Business" set forth in this Exhibit 99.1 has been recast from the "Item 1. Business" included in Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 28, 2018 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2018 to reflect changes to NCI’s reportable business segments.

Item 1. Business.

General

NCI Building Systems, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, unless the context requires otherwise, the “Company,” “NCI,” “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 approximate $295 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 87% of the total nonresidential construction industry during our fiscal year 2018 . Our broad range of products are used primarily in new construction and in repair and retrofit activities, mostly 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 approximately 3,200 affiliated builders across North America in our Engineered Building Systems business, over 1,000 dealer partners for our insulated metal panel (“IMP”) products and approximately 5,500 architects. We also provide metal coil coating services for commercial and construction applications, servicing both internal and external customers.

As of October 28, 2018 , we operated 36 manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Mexico and Canada, 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.

Since 2011, we have executed on a strategy to become the leading provider of IMP products in North America through our acquisitions of Metl-Span LLC (‘‘Metl-Span’’) in 2012 and CENTRIA, a Pennsylvania general partnership (‘‘CENTRIA’’), in 2015. We believe the IMP market remains underpenetrated in North America. IMP products possess several physical and cost-effective attributes, such as energy efficiency, that make them compelling alternatives to competing building materials, in particular due to the adoption of stricter standards and codes by numerous states in the United States that are expected to increase the use of IMP products in construction projects. Given these factors, we believe that growth within the IMP market will continue to outpace the broader metal building sector and the nonresidential construction industry as a whole.

The engineered building systems, metal components, insulated metal panels 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 each 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.

Current market estimates continue to show uneven activity across the nonresidential construction markets. According to Dodge, low-rise nonresidential construction starts, as measured in square feet and comprising buildings of up to five stories, were down as much as approximately 7% in our fiscal 2018 as compared to our fiscal 2017 . However, Dodge typically revises initial

reported figures, and we expect this metric will be revised upwards over time. Leading indicators for low-rise, nonresidential construction activity indicate positive momentum into fiscal 2019 .

The leading indicators that we follow and 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 combined forward projection of these metrics, based on a 9 to 14-month historical lag for each metric, indicates low single digit growth for new low-rise nonresidential construction starts in fiscal 2019 .

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 Fund VIII Investment Group”), 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”). On May 14, 2013, the CD&R Fund VIII Investment Group 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 Fund VIII Investment Group 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 Fund VIII Investment Group to the Company in connection with the Conversion of the Preferred Shares. As a result of the Conversion, the CD&R Fund VIII Investment Group no longer have rights to dividends or default dividends as specified in the Certificate of Designations for the Convertible Preferred Stock. The Conversion eliminated all the outstanding Convertible Preferred Stock and increased stockholders’ equity by nearly $620.0 million.

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 included $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. 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 January 16, 2015, NCI Group, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, and Steelbuilding.com, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NCI Group, Inc., completed the acquisition of CENTRIA (the “CENTRIA Acquisition”), pursuant to the terms of the Interest Purchase Agreement, dated November 7, 2014 (“Interest Purchase Agreement”) with SMST Management Corp., a Pennsylvania corporation, Riverfront Capital Fund, a Pennsylvania limited partnership, and CENTRIA. NCI acquired all of the general partnership interests of CENTRIA in exchange for $255.8 million in cash, including cash acquired of $8.7 million. The purchase price was subject to a post-closing adjustment to net working capital as provided in the Interest Purchase Agreement, which we settled during the first quarter of fiscal 2016 for additional cash consideration of approximately $2.1 million payable to the seller, which approximated the amount we previously accrued. The purchase price was funded through the issuance of $250.0 million of new indebtedness.

On February 8, 2018, the Company entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement”) which provided for a term loan credit facility in an original aggregate principal amount of $415.0 million (the “Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Facility”). Proceeds from borrowings under the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Facility were used, together with cash on hand, (i) to refinance the existing term loan credit agreement, (ii) to redeem and repay the existing 8.25% senior notes due 2023 and (iii) to pay any fees, premiums and expenses incurred in connection with the refinancing. The term loans under the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement would have matured on February 7, 2025 and, prior to such date, would have amortized in nominal quarterly installments equal to one percent of the aggregate initial principal amount thereof per annum.

On February 8, 2018, the subsidiaries of the Company, NCI Group, Inc. and Robertson-Ceco II Corporation, and the Company as a guarantor, entered into an ABL Credit Agreement (the “Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement”). The Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement provided for an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility”) which allowed aggregate maximum borrowings by the ABL borrowers of up to $150 million, letters of credit of up to $30 million and up to $20 million for swingline borrowings. Borrowing availability is determined by a monthly borrowing base collateral calculation that is based on specified percentages of the value of accounts receivable, eligible credit card receivables and eligible inventory, less certain reserves and subject to certain other adjustments. Availability is reduced by issuance of letters of credit as well as any borrowings. All borrowings under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility would have matured on February 8, 2023.

At a Special Meeting of the shareholders of NCI held on November 15, 2018 (the “Special Shareholder Meeting”), NCI’s shareholders approved (i) the Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) among NCI, Ply Gem Parent, LLC (“Ply Gem”), and for certain limited purposes set forth in the Merger Agreement, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, pursuant to which, at the closing of the merger, Ply Gem was merged with and into the Company, with the Company continuing its existence as a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Merger”) and (ii) the

issuance in the Merger of 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “NCI Common Stock”) in the aggregate, on a pro rata basis, to the holders of all of the equity interests in Ply Gem (the “Stock Issuance”). NCI’s shareholders also approved the three additional proposals described in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the Special Shareholder Meeting. The Merger was consummated on November 16, 2018 pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on November 16, 2018, the Company entered into (i) a stockholders agreement (the “New Stockholders Agreement”) between the Company and each of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund VIII, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“CD&R Fund VIII”), CD&R Friends & Family Fund VIII, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“CD&R FF Fund VIII”, and together with CD&R Fund VIII, the “CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group”), CD&R Pisces Holdings, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“CD&R Pisces”, and together with CD&R Fund VIII and CD&R FF Fund VIII, individually, the “CD&R Investors,” and collectively, the “CD&R Investor Group”), Atrium Intermediate Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Atrium”), GGC BP Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“GGC”), and AIC Finance Partnership, L.P., a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership (“AIC”, and together with Atrium and GGC, each individually, a “Golden Gate Investor,” and collectively, the “Golden Gate Investor Group,” and together with the CD&R Investor Group, the “Investors”), pursuant to which the Company granted to the Investors certain governance, preemptive and subscription rights and (ii) a registration rights agreement (the “New Registration Rights Agreement”) with the Investors, pursuant to which the Company granted the Investors customary demand and piggyback registration rights, including rights to demand registrations and underwritten shelf registration statement offerings with respect to the shares of NCI Common Stock that are held by the Investors following the consummation of the Merger.

Pursuant to the terms of the New Stockholders Agreement, CD&R Fund VIII, CD&R FF Fund VIII and the Company terminated the Stockholders Agreement (the “Old Stockholders Agreement”), dated as of October 20, 2009, by and among the Company, CD&R Fund VIII and CD&R FF Fund VIII. Pursuant to the terms of the New Registration Rights Agreement, CD&R Fund VIII, CD&R FF Fund VIII and the Company terminated the Registration Rights Agreement (the “Old Registration Rights Agreement”), dated as of October 20, 2009, by and among the Company, CD&R Fund VIII and CD&R FF Fund VIII.

On November 16, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Company assumed (i) the obligations of the company formerly known as Ply Gem Midco, Inc. (“Ply Gem Midco”), a subsidiary of Ply Gem immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, as borrower under the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement, (ii) the obligations of Ply Gem Midco as parent borrower under the Current ABL Credit Agreement and (iii) the obligations of Ply Gem Midco as issuer under the Current Indenture (each as defined and further described in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations).

For additional discussion of the Company’s debt following the Merger, see “Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

Our principal offices are located at 5020 Weston Parkway, Suite 400, Cary, North Carolina 27513, and our telephone number is (888) 975-9436.

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

On February 11, 2019, the Company filed a transition report on Form 10-Q which included the financial information for the transition period from October 29, 2018 to December 31, 2018, referred to herein as the "transition period". For the transition period ended December 31, 2018, the Company began reporting results under new reportable segments to align with how the Company will manage its business, review operating performance and allocate resources following the merger with Ply Gem. We have revised our segment reporting to represent how we now manage our business, recasting prior periods to conform to the current segment presentation.

Subsequent to the Merger, we have three reportable segments: (i) Commercial; (ii) Siding; and (iii) Windows. The Commercial segment includes the aggregate operating results of the legacy NCI businesses - Engineered Building Systems; Metal Components; Insulated Metal Panels; and Metal Coil Coating, which operate primarily in the nonresidential construction market. The Siding and Windows segments will include the operating results of the legacy Ply Gem operating segments. For the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018 there were no operations within the Siding and Windows segments.

Prior to the Merger we operated 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. The manufacturing and distribution activities of our businesses are effectively coupled through the use of our nationwide hub-and-spoke manufacturing and distribution system, which supports and enhances our vertical integration.

Commercial Segment

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 reduce operating costs.

Manufacturing.   As of October 28, 2018 , we operated 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.

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 affiliated builder networks of approximately 3,200 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 2018 , 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 business accounted for 37.8 % of total consolidated sales for the fiscal 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

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. 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 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 October 28, 2018 , we operated 14 facilities to manufacture metal components for the nonresidential construction industry, including three facilities for our door operations.

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, manufacturing 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.

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” 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 other metal 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 primarily within six market segments: commercial/industrial, architectural, standing seam roof systems, agricultural, residential and cold storage. 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 regional sales managers. Each local sales office 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 2018 , our largest customer for Metal Components accounted for less than 1% of our total consolidated sales and external sales of our Metal Components business accounted for 30.6 % of total consolidated sales for the fiscal year.

Insulated Metal Panels

Products.  Insulated metal panels are panels consisting of rigid foam encased between two sheets of coated metal in a variety of modules, lengths and reveal combinations which are used in architectural, commercial, industrial and cold storage market applications.

Manufacturing.  As of October 28, 2018 , we operated eight facilities (seven in the United States and one in Canada) to manufacture IMP products.

Sales, Marketing and Customers. We design, manufacture, sell and distribute insulated metal panels for use in various Architectural, Commercial, Industrial and Cold Storage end-market applications under the brand names "Metl-Span" and "CENTRIA".

One of our strategic objectives and a major part of our “green” initiative is to expand our IMP product lines, which are increasingly desirable because of their energy efficiency, noise reduction and aesthetic qualities. Our IMP product line manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada provide the nonresidential building products market with cost-effective and energy efficient insulated metal wall and roof panels.

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.

As with components products, our IMP product lines service each of our six market segments: commercial/industrial, architectural, standing seam roof systems, agricultural, residential and cold storage.

During fiscal 2018 , the largest customer of our Insulated Metal Panels business accounted for less than 2% of our total consolidated sales and external sales of our Insulated Metal Panels business represented 21.2% of total consolidated sales for the fiscal 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 businesses 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 service. 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.   As of October 28, 2018 , we operated seven metal coil coating facilities located in the United States. Two of our facilities coat hot-rolled, heavy gauge metal coils and five 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 businesses. 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 2018 , the largest customer of our Metal Coil Coating business accounted for approximately 1% of our total consolidated sales and external sales of our Metal Coil Coating business represented 10.4 % of total consolidated sales for the fiscal 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:

The combination of NCI and Ply Gem, headquartered in Cary, NC, establishes a leading exterior building products manufacturer with a broad range of products to residential and commercial customers for both new construction and repair & remodel. With a portfolio of key products which includes windows, doors, siding, metal wall and roof systems, engineered commercial buildings, insulated metal panels, stone and other adjacent products, the Company has more than 20,000 employees across 80 manufacturing, distribution and office locations throughout North America.

Restructuring

We continue to execute on our plans to improve cost efficiency through the optimization of our combined manufacturing plant footprint and the elimination of certain fixed and indirect ESG&A costs. During the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018 , we incurred restructuring charges of $1.5 million , including $1.3 million , $1.3 million and $0.1 million in the Engineered Building Systems and Insulated Metal Panels businesses, and Corporate, respectively, partially offset by a net gain of $1.2 million on sales of facilities

in our Metal Components business. Restructuring charges are recorded for these plans as they become estimable and probable. See Note 5 — Restructuring in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

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 (Galvalume® is a registered trademark of BIEC International, Inc.).

Our raw materials on hand increased to $205.9 million at October 28, 2018 from $150.9 million at October 29, 2017 due to rising input costs and to support higher levels of business activity in fiscal 2018 .

The price and supply of steel impacts our business. 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. 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 business, 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” and Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Steel Prices.”

Backlog

At October 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017 , the total backlog of orders, consisting of Engineered Building Systems’ and IMP orders, for our products we believe to be firm was $557.0 million and $545.6 million , respectively. Job orders included in backlog are generally cancelable by customers at any time for any reason; however, cancellation charges may be assessed. 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 16% 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.

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. However, the metal components market is more fragmented than the engineered building systems market.

As of October 28, 2018 , we operated 36 manufacturing facilities located in the United States, Mexico and Canada, with additional sales and distribution offices throughout the United States and Canada. These facilities are used primarily for the manufacturing of metal components and engineered building systems for the building industry. We believe this broad geographic

distribution gives us an advantage over our metal components and engineered building systems 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, Insulated Metal Panels and Metal Coil Coating businesses, 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, 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. 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 businesses, 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, including the Metl-Span Acquisition, the CENTRIA Acquisition and the Merger, 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 businesses, and our goal is to continue to grow organically and through opportunistic strategic acquisitions.

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 Company’s debt agreements contain a number of covenants that, among other things, limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, transfer or sell 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, local and tribal levels. These laws and regulations can impact or restrict our business activities in many ways, such as:

The trend in environmental regulation is to place more restrictions and requirements 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 actions, 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. We do so with the goal of minimizing the associated costs of compliance without affecting our ability to comply.

Failure to comply with environmental laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil or criminal enforcement actions, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of investigative or remedial requirements, or the issuance of orders limiting current or future operations. 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 or 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, local or tribal 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 or regulations, the promulgation of new laws or regulations, 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 (such as our manufacturing facilities) and impose various permitting, air pollution control, emissions monitoring, recordkeeping and reporting requirements. Such laws and regulations may require us to obtain pre-approval for constructing or modifying our facilities in ways that have the potential to produce new or increased air emissions; obtain and comply with operating permits that limit air emissions or restrict certain operating parameters; or employ best available control technologies to reduce or minimize emissions from our facilities.

Our failure to comply with these requirements could subject us to monetary penalties, injunctions, restrictions on operations, or 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. 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 impact our facilities, raw material suppliers, the transportation and distribution of our products, and our customers, which 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, according to the EPA, contribute to the warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climate changes. These findings allowed the EPA to adopt and implement regulations and permit programs 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.

Although it is not possible to accurately predict how new GHG rules and policies 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. Such restrictions could potentially make our products more expensive and reduce their demand.

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 waste. Industrial wastes we generate, such as paint waste, spent solvents and used chemicals, may be regulated as hazardous waste, although RCRA has provisions to exempt some of our wastes from classification as hazardous waste. However, our 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. During our normal 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 parties the costs incurred for remedial cleanup 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 contamination containment measures.

We currently own or lease, and historically 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, disposal or release 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 limit 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, or 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 wastewater standards and pretreatment or discharge permits containing limits on various water pollutant discharge parameters.

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 discharge or stormwater runoff treatment technology relating to 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 $ 3.5 million , $4.3 million and $3.7 million for fiscal years 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. We incur research and development costs to develop new products, improve existing products and improve safety factors of our products in the metal components business. These products include building and roofing systems, insulated panels, clips, purlins and fasteners.

Employees

As of October 28, 2018 , we have approximately 5,300 employees, of whom approximately 4,100 are manufacturing and engineering personnel. We regard our employee relations as satisfactory. Approximately 13% of our workforce, including the employees at our subsidiary in Mexico, are represented by a collective bargaining agreement or union. As of the date of the consummation of the Merger, Ply Gem employed approximately 15,600 employees across 39 facilities in North America.

Exhibit 99.2

Explanatory Note

"Item 1A. Risk Factors" set forth in this Exhibit 99.2 has been recast from the "Item 1A. Risk Factors" included in Part I of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 28, 2018 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2018 to reflect changes to NCI’s reportable business segments.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Risks related to our business

Our industry is cyclical and highly sensitive to macroeconomic conditions. Our industry is currently experiencing a prolonged downturn which, if sustained, will materially and adversely affect the outlook for our business, liquidity and results of operations.

The nonresidential construction industry is highly sensitive to national and regional macroeconomic conditions. The United States and global economies are currently undergoing a period of unprecedented volatility, which is having an adverse effect on our business.

Current market estimates continue to show uneven activity across the nonresidential construction markets. According to Dodge, low-rise nonresidential construction starts, as measured in square feet and comprising buildings of up to five stories, were down as much as approximately 7% in our fiscal 2018 as compared to our fiscal 2017 . However, Dodge typically revises initial reported figures, and we expect this metric may be revised upwards over time. Leading indicators for low-rise, nonresidential construction activity indicate positive momentum into 2019 .

The leading indicators that we follow and that typically have the most meaningful correlation to nonresidential low-rise construction starts are the AIA Architecture Mixed Use Index, Dodge Residential single family starts and the 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 combined forward projection of these metrics, based on a 9 to 14-month historical lag for each metric, indicates low single digit growth for new low-rise nonresidential construction starts in 2019 , with the majority of that growth occurring in the second half of our fiscal year.

However, continued uncertainty about current economic conditions has had a negative effect on our business, and will continue to pose a risk to our business as our customers may postpone spending in response to tighter credit, negative financial news and/or declines in income or asset values, which could have a material negative effect on the demand for our products. Other factors that could influence demand include fuel and other energy costs, conditions in the nonresidential real estate markets, labor and healthcare costs, access to credit, tariffs, and other macroeconomic factors. From time to time, our industry has also been adversely affected in various parts of the country by declines in nonresidential construction starts, including but not limited to, high vacancy rates, changes in tax laws affecting the real estate industry, high interest rates and the unavailability of financing. Sales of our products may be adversely affected by continued weakness in demand for our products within particular customer groups, or a continued decline in the general construction industry or particular geographic regions. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and on our financial condition and operating results.

We cannot predict the timing or severity of any future economic or industry downturns. A prolonged economic downturn, particularly in states where many of our sales are made, would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition, including potential asset impairments.

The ongoing uncertainty and volatility in the financial markets and the state of the worldwide economic recovery may adversely affect our operating results.

The markets in which we compete are sensitive to general business and economic conditions in the United States and worldwide, including availability of credit, interest rates, fluctuations in capital, credit and mortgage markets and business and consumer confidence. Additionally, political issues in the United States resulting in discord, conflict or lack of compromise between the legislative and executive branches of the U.S. government may affect the national debt, debt ceiling limit, tax reform or federal government budget, which could in turn adversely affect our results of operations. Adverse developments in global financial markets and general business and economic conditions, including through recession, downturn or otherwise, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, including our ability and the ability of our customers and suppliers to access capital. There was a significant decline in economic growth, both in the United States and worldwide, that began in the second half of 2007 and continued through 2009. In addition, volatility and disruption in the capital markets during that period reached unprecedented levels, with stock markets falling dramatically and credit becoming very expensive or unavailable to many companies without regard to those companies’ underlying financial strength. Although there have been some indications of stabilization in the general economy and certain industries and markets in which we operate, there can be no guarantee that any improvement in these areas will continue or be sustained.

Changes in legislation, regulation and government policy may have a material effect on the Company’s business in the future.

While it is not possible to predict whether and when any such changes will occur, changes at the local, state or federal level could significantly impact the Company’s business. For example, the Company’s business activity levels are heavily influenced by the U.S. domestic economy and changes in administration policies may result in changes in tax rates and/or prevailing interest rates, which could either stimulate or contract activity levels in the domestic economy. More specifically, the Company has had a production facility in Mexico for approximately 20 years and purchases a material amount of manufactured products from this subsidiary. For example, in fiscal 2018, the Company imported approximately $75 million of metal building products from the Company’s Mexican subsidiary. Specific legislative and regulatory proposals discussed during and after the election that could have a material impact on us include, but are not limited to, certain modifications to international trade policy.  Any such changes, if unmitigated by changes in our supply chain, may make it more difficult and/or more expensive for us and, thus, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and limit our growth.

Our business may be impacted by external factors that we may not be able to control.

War, civil conflict, terrorism, natural disasters and public health issues including domestic or international pandemic have caused and could cause damage or disruption to domestic or international commerce by creating economic or political uncertainties. Additionally, any volatility in the financial markets could negatively impact our business. These events could result in a decrease in demand for our products, make it difficult or impossible to deliver orders to customers or receive materials from suppliers, affect the availability or pricing of energy sources or result in other severe consequences that may or may not be predictable. As a result, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We may have future capital needs and may not be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.

Although we believe that our current cash position and the additional committed funding available under the Current ABL Credit Facility and the Current Cash Flow Revolver is sufficient for our current operations, any reductions in our available borrowing capacity, or our inability to renew or replace our debt facilities, when required or when business conditions warrant, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. The economic conditions, credit market conditions and economic climate affecting our industry, as well as other factors, may constrain our financing abilities. Our ability to secure additional financing, if available, and to satisfy our financial obligations under indebtedness outstanding from time to time will depend upon our future operating performance, the availability of credit generally, economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. The market conditions and the macroeconomic conditions that affect our industry could have a material adverse effect on our ability to secure financing on favorable terms, if at all.

We may be unable to secure additional financing or financing on favorable terms or our operating cash flow may be insufficient to satisfy our financial obligations under the indebtedness outstanding from time to time. Furthermore, if financing is not available when needed, or is available on unfavorable terms, we may be unable to take advantage of business opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. If we raise additional funds through further issuances of equity, convertible debt securities or other securities convertible into equity, our existing stockholders could suffer significant dilution.

Our ability to access future financing also may be dependent on regulatory restrictions applicable to banks and other institutions subject to U.S. federal banking regulations, even if the market would otherwise be willing to provide such financing.

We have obligations incident to being a public company, including with respect to the requirements of and related rules under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Fulfilling these obligations is expensive and time-consuming, and any delays or difficulties in satisfying these obligations could have a material adverse effect on our future results of operations.

We completed our initial public offering in fiscal 1992. As a public company, we are subject to the reporting and corporate governance requirements, New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) listing standards and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that apply to issuers of listed equity, which imposes certain compliance costs and obligations upon us. Being a public company entails higher auditing, accounting and legal fees and expenses, investor relations expenses, directors’ fees and director and officer liability insurance costs, registrar and transfer agent fees and listing fees, as well as other expenses, than for a non-public company.

In addition, changes in regulatory requirements, such as the reporting requirements relating to conflict minerals originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo or adjoining countries included in the Dodd-Frank Act, or evolving interpretations of existing regulatory requirements, may result in increased compliance cost, capital expenditures and other financial obligations that could adversely affect our business or financial results.

We may recognize goodwill or other intangible asset impairment charges.

Future triggering events, such as declines in our cash flow projections, may cause impairments of our goodwill or intangible assets based on factors such as our stock price, projected cash flows, assumptions used, control premiums or other variables.

For example, we completed our annual impairment assessment of goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 and recorded a $6.0 million impairment charge related to the goodwill associated with a reporting unit within the Metal Coil Coating business.

Our businesses are seasonal, and our results of operations during our first two fiscal quarters may be adversely affected by weather conditions.

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. This seasonality adversely affects our results of operations for the first two fiscal quarters. Prolonged severe weather conditions can delay construction projects and otherwise adversely affect our business.

Price volatility and supply constraints in the steel market could prevent us from meeting delivery schedules to our customers or reduce our profit margins.

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. Given the level of steel industry consolidation, the anticipated additional domestic market capacity, generally low inventories in the industry and slow economic recovery, a sudden increase in demand could affect our ability to purchase steel and result in rapidly increasing steel prices.

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. In addition, it is our current practice to purchase all steel inventory that has been ordered but is not in our possession. If demand for our products declines, our inventory may increase. We can give you no assurance that steel will remain available, that prices will not continue to be volatile or that we will be able to purchase steel on favorable or commercially reasonable terms. While most of our sales contracts have escalation clauses that allow us, under certain circumstances, to pass along all or a portion of increases in the price of steel after the date of the contract but prior to delivery, we may, for competitive or other reasons, not be able to pass such price increases along. If the available supply of steel declines, we could experience price increases that we are not able to pass on to our customers, a deterioration of service from our suppliers or interruptions or delays that may cause us not to meet delivery schedules to our customers. Any of these problems could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. For more information about steel pricing trends in recent years, see “Item 1. Business — Raw Materials” and “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk — Steel Prices.”

We rely on third-party suppliers for materials in addition to steel, and if we fail to identify and develop relationships with a sufficient number of qualified suppliers, or if there is a significant interruption in our supply chains, our business and results of operations could be adversely affected.

In addition to steel, our operations require other raw materials from third-party suppliers. We generally have multiple sources of supply for our raw materials, however, in some cases, materials are provided by a single supplier. The loss of, or substantial decrease in the availability of, products from our suppliers, or the loss of a key supplier, could adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, supply interruptions could arise from shortages of raw materials, labor disputes or weather conditions affecting products or shipments or other factors beyond our control. Short- and long-term disruptions in our supply chain would result in a need to maintain higher inventory levels as we replace similar product, a higher cost of product and ultimately a decrease in our revenues and profitability. To the extent our suppliers experience disruptions, there is a risk for delivery delays, production delays, production issues or delivery of non-conforming products by our suppliers. Even where these risks do not materialize, we may incur costs as we prepare contingency plans to address such risks. In addition, disruptions in transportation lines could delay our receipt of raw materials. If our supply of raw materials is disrupted or our delivery times extended, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. Furthermore, some of our third-party suppliers may not be able to handle commodity cost volatility or changing volumes while still performing up to our specifications. Short-term changes in the cost of these materials, some of which are subject to significant fluctuations, are sometimes, but not always passed on to our customers. Our inability to pass on material price increases to our customers could adversely impact our financial condition, operating results and cash flows.

Failure to retain or replace key personnel could hurt our operations.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the efforts, contributions and abilities of our senior management, plant managers and other highly skilled personnel, including our sales executives. These executives and managers have many accumulated years of experience in our industry and have developed personal relationships with our customers that are important

to our business. If we do not retain the services of our key personnel or if we fail to adequately plan for the succession of such individuals, our customer relationships, results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected.

If we are unable to enforce our intellectual property rights, or if such intellectual property rights become obsolete, our competitive position could be adversely affected.

We utilize a variety of intellectual property rights in our services. We have a number of United States copyrights, patents, foreign patents, pending patent and copyright 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. CENTRIA also has a number of U.S. patents, including for its composite joinery apparatus. We and CENTRIA also have a number of registered trademarks and pending registrations in the United States. In addition, CENTRIA has exclusively licensed certain metal building cladding technology from Proclad Enterprises Ltd., which, under certain circumstances, may be converted to a non-exclusive license. We view this portfolio of owned and licensed process and design technologies as one of our competitive strengths. We may not be able to successfully preserve these intellectual property rights in the future and these rights could be invalidated, circumvented, or challenged.

There can be no assurance that the efforts we have taken to protect our proprietary rights will be sufficient or effective, that any pending or future patent and trademark applications will lead to issued patents and registered trademarks in all instances, that others will not develop or patent similar or superior technologies, products or services, or that our patents, trademarks and other intellectual property will not be challenged, invalidated, misappropriated or infringed by others. If we are unable to protect and maintain our intellectual property rights including those acquired from CENTRIA, or if there are any successful intellectual property challenges or infringement proceedings against us, including in connection with intellectual property of CENTRIA, our business and revenue could be materially and adversely affected.

We may also be subject to future claims and legal proceedings regarding alleged infringement by us of the patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights of third parties. If there is a claim against us for infringement, misappropriation, misuse or other violation of third-party intellectual property rights, and we are unable to obtain sufficient rights or develop non-infringing intellectual property or otherwise alter our business practices on a timely or cost-efficient basis, our business and competitive position may be adversely affected.

We incur costs to comply with environmental laws and have liabilities for environmental investigations, cleanups and claims.

During the normal operation of our manufacturing facilities, we emit and discharge pollutants into the environment, handle and use hazardous substances, and generate and dispose of industrial wastes. We also own and operate, or have in the past owned and operated, real and leased property that has been historically used for industrial purposes. We incur costs and liabilities to comply with environmental laws and regulations that apply to our operations and properties. We may incur significant additional costs as those laws and regulations, or their enforcement, change in the future; or if we discover a release of hazardous substances, industrial wastes or other contamination into the environment, historical or otherwise, caused by our manufacturing operations or historical predecessors.

Our manufacturing facilities are subject to stringent and complex federal, state, local and tribal environmental laws and regulations. These include (i) the federal Clean Air Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose requirements related to air emissions; (ii) the federal Clean Water Act and comparable state laws and regulations that impose requirements related to wastewater and stormwater discharges; (iii) the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and comparable state laws that impose requirements for the storage, treatment, handling and disposal of industrial wastes from our facilities; and (iv) the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 and comparable state laws that impose liability for the investigation and cleanup of hazardous substances or industrial wastes that may have been released at properties currently or previously owned or operated by us, or at locations where we have sent industrial waste for disposal.

Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties; the imposition of investigative or remedial requirements; personal injury, property or natural resource damages claims; and the issuance of orders limiting current or future operations. For more information about the effect of environmental laws and regulations on our business, see “Item 1. Business - Environmental Matters.”

The industries in which we operate are highly competitive.

We compete with all other alternative methods of building construction, which may be viewed as more traditional, more aesthetically pleasing or having other advantages over our products. In addition, competition in the metal components and metal buildings markets of the building industry and in the metal coil coating business is intense. It is based primarily on:

We compete with a number of other manufacturers of metal components and engineered building systems and providers of coil coating services ranging from small local firms to large national firms. In addition, we and other manufacturers of metal components and engineered building systems compete with alternative methods of building construction. If these alternative building methods compete successfully against us, such competition could adversely affect us.

In addition, several of our competitors have been acquired by steel producers. Competitors owned by steel producers may have a competitive advantage on raw materials that we do not enjoy. Steel producers may prioritize deliveries of raw materials to such competitors or provide them with more favorable pricing, both of which could enable them to offer products to customers at lower prices or accelerated delivery schedules.

Our stock price has been and may continue to be volatile.

The trading price of our Common Stock has fluctuated in the past and is subject to significant fluctuations in response to the following factors, some of which are beyond our control:

During fiscal 2018 , our stock price on the NYSE ranged from a high of $23.35 per share to a low of $12.30 per share. In recent years, the stock market in general has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price for many companies in industries similar to ours. Some of these fluctuations have been unrelated to the operating performance of the affected companies. These market fluctuations may decrease the market price of our Common Stock in the future.

Acquisitions may be unsuccessful if we incorrectly predict operating results or are unable to identify and complete future acquisitions and integrate acquired assets or businesses.

We have a history of expansion through acquisitions, and we believe that if our industry continues to consolidate, our future success may depend, in part, on our ability to successfully complete acquisitions. Growing through acquisitions and managing that growth will require us to continue to invest in operational, financial and management information systems and to attract, retain, motivate and effectively manage our employees. Pursuing and integrating acquisitions involves a number of risks, including:

Although the majority of our growth strategy is organic in nature, if we do pursue opportunistic acquisitions, we can provide no assurance that we will be successful in identifying or completing any acquisitions or that any businesses or assets that we are able to acquire will be successfully integrated into our existing business. We cannot predict the effect, if any, that any announcement or consummation of an acquisition would have on the trading prices of our common stock.

Acquisitions subject us to numerous risks that could adversely affect our results of operations.

If we pursue further acquisitions, depending on conditions in the acquisition market, it may be difficult or impossible for us to identify businesses or operations for acquisition, or we may not be able to make acquisitions on terms that we consider economically acceptable. Even if we are able to identify suitable acquisition opportunities, our acquisition strategy depends upon, among other things, our ability to obtain financing and, in some cases, regulatory approvals, including under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

Our incurrence of additional debt, contingent liabilities and expenses in connection with any future acquisitions could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, our financial position and results of operations may fluctuate significantly from period to period based on whether significant acquisitions are completed in particular periods. Competition for acquisitions is intense and may increase the cost of, or cause us to refrain from, completing acquisitions. In addition, we may be unable to consummate any acquisition once announced and may be liable for termination fees.

Restructuring our operations may harm our profitability, financial condition and results of operations. Our ability to fully achieve the estimated cost savings is uncertain.

We have developed plans to improve cost efficiency and optimize our combined manufacturing plant footprint considering our recent acquisitions and restructuring efforts. Future charges related to the plans may harm our profitability in the periods incurred. Additionally, if we were to incur unexpected charges related to the plans, our financial condition and results of operations may suffer.

Implementation of these plans carry significant risks, including:

Because of these and other factors, we cannot predict whether we will fully realize the cost savings from these plans. If we do not fully realize the expected cost savings from these plans, our business and results of operations may be negatively affected. Also, if we were to experience any adverse changes to our business, additional restructuring activities may be required in the future.

Volatility in energy prices may impact our operating costs, and we may be unable to pass any resulting increases to our customers in the form of higher prices for our products.

Volatility in energy prices may increase our operating costs and may reduce our profitability and cash flows if we are unable to pass any resulting increases to our customers. We use energy in the manufacture and transport of our products. In particular, our manufacturing plants use considerable amounts of electricity and natural gas. Consequently, our operating costs typically increase if energy costs rise. During periods of higher energy costs, we may not be able to recover our operating cost increases through price increases without reducing demand for our products. To the extent we are not able to recover these cost increases through price increases or otherwise, our profitability and cash flow will be adversely impacted. We partially hedge our exposure to higher prices via fixed forward positions.

The adoption of climate change legislation or regulations restricting emissions of greenhouse gases could increase our operating costs or reduce demand for our products.

More stringent laws and regulations relating to climate change and greenhouse gases, or GHGs, may be adopted in the future and could impact our facilities, raw material suppliers, the transportation and distribution of our products, and our customers, which 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, according to the EPA, contribute to the warming of the earth’s atmosphere and other climate changes. These findings allowed the EPA to adopt and implement regulations and permit programs that would restrict emissions of GHGs under existing provisions of the federal CAA.

Although it is not possible to accurately predict how new GHG rules and policy 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. Such restrictions could potentially make our products more expensive and reduce their demand.

Breaches of our information system security measures could disrupt our internal operations.

We are dependent upon information technology for the distribution of information internally and also to our customers and suppliers. This information technology is subject to theft, damage or interruption from a variety of sources, including but not limited to malicious computer viruses, security breaches and defects in design. Various measures have been implemented to manage our risks related to information system and network disruptions, but a system failure or breach of these measures could negatively impact our operations and financial results.

Damage to our computer infrastructure and software systems could harm our business.

The unavailability of any of our primary information management systems for any significant period of time could have an adverse effect on our operations. In particular, our ability to deliver products to our customers when needed, collect our receivables and manage inventory levels successfully largely depend on the efficient operation of our computer hardware and software systems. Through information management systems, we provide inventory availability to our sales and operating personnel, improve customer service through better order and product reference data and monitor operating results. Difficulties associated with upgrades, installations of major software or hardware, and integration with new systems could lead to business interruptions that could harm our reputation, increase our operating costs and decrease our profitability. In addition, these systems are vulnerable to, among other things, damage or interruption from power loss, computer system and network failures, loss of telecommunications services, operator negligence, physical and electronic loss of data, or security breaches and computer viruses.

We have contracted with third-party service providers that provide us with redundant data center services in the event that our major information management systems are damaged. The backup data centers and other protective measures we take could prove to be inadequate. Our inability to restore data completely and accurately could lead to inaccurate and/or untimely filings of our periodic reports with the SEC, tax filings with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) or other required filings, all of which could have a significant negative impact on our corporate reputation and could negatively impact our stock price or result in fines or penalties that could impact our financial results.

Our enterprise resource planning technologies will require maintenance or replacement in order to allow us to continue to operate and manage critical aspects of our business.

We rely heavily on enterprise resource planning technologies (“ERP Systems”) from third parties in order to operate and manage critical internal functions of our business, including accounting, order management, procurement, and transactional entry and approval. Certain of our ERP Systems are no longer supported by their vendor, are reaching the end of their useful life or are in need of significant updates to adequately perform the functions we require. We have limited access to support for older software versions and may be unable to repair the hardware required to run certain ERP Systems on a timely basis due to the unavailability of replacement parts. In addition, we face operational vulnerabilities due to limited access to software patches and software updates on any software that is no longer supported by their vendor. We are planning hardware and software upgrades to our ERP Systems and are in discussions with third-party vendors regarding system updates.

If our ERP Systems become unavailable due to extended outages or interruptions, or because they are no longer available on commercially reasonable terms, our operational efficiency could be harmed and we may face increased replacement costs. We may also face extended recovery time in the event of a system failure due to lack of resources to troubleshoot and resolve such issues. Our ability to manage our operations could be interrupted and our order management processes and customer support functions could be impaired until equivalent services are identified, obtained and implemented on commercially reasonable terms, all of which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Our operations are subject to hazards that may cause personal injury or property damage, thereby subjecting us to liabilities and possible losses, which may not be covered by insurance.

Our workers are subject to the usual hazards associated with work in manufacturing environments. Operating hazards can cause personal injury and loss of life, as well as damage to or destruction of business personal property, and possible environmental impairment. We are subject to either deductible or self-insured retention (SIR) amounts, per claim or occurrence, under our Property/Casualty insurance programs, as well as an individual stop-loss limit per claim under our group medical insurance plan. We maintain insurance coverage to transfer risk, with aggregate and per-occurrence limits and deductible or retention levels that we believe are consistent with industry practice. The transfer of risk through insurance cannot guarantee that coverage will be available for every loss or liability that we may incur in our operations.

Exposures that could create insured (or uninsured) liabilities are difficult to assess and quantify due to unknown factors, including but not limited to injury frequency and severity, natural disasters, terrorism threats, third-party liability, and claims that are incurred but not reported (“IBNR”). Although we engage third-party actuarial professionals to assist us in determining our probable future loss exposure, it is possible that claims or costs could exceed our estimates or our insurance limits, or could be

uninsurable. In such instances we might be required to use working capital to satisfy these losses rather than to maintain or expand our operations, which could materially and adversely affect our operating results and our financial condition.

Due to the international nature of our business, we could be adversely affected by violations of certain laws.

In addition to the United States, we operate our business in Canada and Mexico and make sales in certain other jurisdictions. The policies of our business mandate compliance with certain U.S. and international laws, such as import/export laws and regulations, anti-boycott laws, economic sanctions, laws and regulations, the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar anti-bribery laws. We operate in parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-bribery laws may conflict with local customs and practices. We cannot provide assurance that our internal controls and procedures will always prevent reckless or criminal acts by our employees or agents, or that the operations of acquired businesses will have been conducted in accordance with our policies and applicable regulations. If we are found to be liable for violations of these laws (either due to our own acts, out of inadvertence or due to the acts or inadvertence of others), we could suffer criminal or civil penalties or other sanctions, including limitations on our ability to conduct our business, which could have a material and adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. 

Recently enacted tariffs on steel imports could result in increased steel prices and adversely affect our results of operations.

In 2018, the Trump administration implemented new tariffs on imports of steel into the United States. As the implementation of tariffs is ongoing, more tariffs may be added in the future. The new tariffs may provide domestic steel producers the flexibility to increase their prices, at least to a level where their products would still be priced below foreign competitors once the tariffs are taken into account. The new tariffs could result in both increased steel prices and a decreased available supply of steel. We may not be able to pass such price increases on to our customers and may not be able to secure adequate alternative sources of steel on a timely basis. Either of these occurrences could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Risks related to the Ply Gem business

On November 16, 2018, the date we consummated the Merger, the businesses and operations of Ply Gem became part of our operations and will be reflected in our consolidated financial results from that day forward. The businesses of Ply Gem and NCI are subject to substantially similar risks and uncertainties and, as a result, Ply Gem’s businesses are and will be subject to many of the risks described above. For additional information about risks related to Ply Gem’s business, see “Other Risk Factors of Ply Gem” set forth in the Company’s Proxy Statement relating to the Special Shareholder Meeting, filed with the SEC on October 17, 2018.

Risks related to the Merger

Combining the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem may be more difficult, costly and time-consuming than expected, which may adversely affect the Company’s results and negatively affect the value of NCI common stock.

The Company’s Management is in the process of integrating NCI’s and Ply Gem’s respective businesses. The combination of two independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process and the Company’s management may face significant challenges in implementing such integration, many of which may be beyond the control of management, including, without limitation:

Some of these factors will be outside of the control of the Company, and any one of them could result in increased costs and diversion of management’s time and energy, as well as decreases in the amount of expected revenue that could materially impact the business, financial conditions and results of operations of the combined business. The integration process and other disruptions resulting from the Merger may also adversely affect the Company’s relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, distributors, licensors and others with whom NCI and Ply Gem have business or other dealings, and difficulties in integrating the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem could harm the reputation of the Company.

If the Company is not able to successfully combine the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem in an efficient, cost-effective and timely manner, the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the Merger may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, and the value of NCI Common Stock, the revenues, levels of expenses and results of operations may be affected adversely. If the Company is not able to adequately address integration challenges, the Company may be unable to successfully integrate NCI’s and Ply Gem’s operations or realize the anticipated benefits of the Merger.

In connection with the Merger, we may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could negatively affect our business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition and results of operations.

Although Ply Gem and the Company have conducted extensive due diligence on each other in connection with the Merger, we cannot assure that this diligence revealed all material issues that may be present, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of our control will not later arise. Unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with our preliminary risk analysis. Further, as a result of the Merger, purchase accounting, and the proposed operation of the Company, as the surviving corporation going forward, we may be required to take write-offs or write-downs, restructuring and impairment or other charges. As a result, we may be forced to write-down or write-off assets, restructure its operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could negatively affect our business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition and results of operations.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, we entered into a stockholders agreement with each of the Investors pursuant to which the CD&R Investors will have substantial governance and other rights setting forth certain terms and conditions regarding the ownership of the CD&R Investors’ shares of NCI Common Stock.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on November 16, 2018, the Company entered into the New Stockholders Agreement with each of the Investors.

Pursuant to the New Stockholders Agreement, among other matters, the CD&R Investor Group is entitled to nominate for election, fill vacancies and appoint five out of twelve initial members of NCI’s board of directors and, thereafter, so long as the CD&R Investor Group beneficially owns at least 7.5% of the outstanding shares of NCI Common Stock, to nominate for election, fill vacancies and appoint replacements for a number of Board members in proportion to the CD&R Investor Group’s percentage beneficial ownership of outstanding NCI Common Stock, but never to exceed one less than the number of independent, non-CD&R-affiliated directors serving on the Board. The New Stockholders Agreement contains voting agreements between the Company and each of the Investors, including the requirement that each Investor shall vote all of the shares of Common Stock that it beneficially owns (a) in favor of all director nominees, other than CD&R Investor Nominees or director nominees proposed by a Golden Gate Investor, nominated by the Board for election by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the terms of the New Stockholders Agreement and the Sixth Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, (b) as recommended by the Board, on any and all (i) proposals relating to or concerning compensation or equity incentives for directors, officers or employees of the Company adopted in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) proposals by stockholders of the Company, other than a proposal by a CD&R Investor or a Golden Gate Investor, and (iii) proposals the subject matter of which is a CD&R Investor Consent Action (as defined in the New Stockholders Agreement), provided that, in respect of clauses (i) and (iii) only, that the Board’s recommendation is consistent with the CD&R Investor Group’s exercise of its consent rights provided in the New Stockholders Agreement, and (c) not in favor of any transaction constituting, or that would result in, a Change of Control (as defined in the New Stockholders Agreement) that has not been approved by a majority of the Independent Non-CD&R Investor Directors (as defined in the New Stockholders Agreement), if the per share consideration to be received by any CD&R Investor or Golden Gate Investor in connection with such transaction is not equal to, and in the same form as, the per-share consideration to be received by the shareholders not affiliated with the Investors.

The CD&R Investor Group collectively owns approximately 49.6% of the outstanding NCI common stock as of November 16, 2018. As a significant stockholder, the CD&R Investors could significantly influence the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption of any amendment to NCI’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. Their influence over NCI may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or may adversely affect the voting and other rights of other stockholders.

Transactions engaged in by the CD&R Investors, the Golden Gate Investors or our directors or executives involving our Common Stock may have an adverse effect on the price of our stock.

Pursuant to the terms of the New Registration Rights Agreement, the Company granted the Investors customary demand and piggyback registration rights, including rights to demand registrations and underwritten shelf registration statement offerings with respect to the shares of NCI Common Stock that are held by the Investors following the consummation of the Merger.

On April 8, 2016, the SEC declared effective our shelf registration statement on Form S-3 which registered the resale of the shares of our Common Stock held by the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group. Pursuant to the New Registration Rights Agreement, the Company is required to use its reasonable best efforts to file a registration statement on Form S-3 or any comparable or successor form or forms or any similar short-form registration statement prior to February 14, 2019 with respect to the Golden Gate Investors. At any time after May 16, 2020, CD&R Pisces may request in writing that the Company effect the registration under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, all or any part of the shares of NCI Common Stock that CD&R Pisces beneficially owns.

Upon the consummation of the Merger, as of November 16, 2018, the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group, CD&R Pisces and the Golden Gate Investor Group each owned approximately 18.3%, 31.3% and 13.4%, respectively, of the issued and outstanding NCI Common Stock.

Future sales of our shares by these stockholders could have the effect of lowering our stock price. The perceived risk associated with the possible sale of a large number of shares by these stockholders could cause some of our stockholders to sell their stock, thus causing the price of our stock to decline. In addition, actual or anticipated downward pressure on our stock price due to actual or anticipated sales of stock by our directors or officers could cause other institutions or individuals to engage in short sales of our Common Stock, which may further cause the price of our stock to decline.

From time to time our directors, executive officers, or any of the Investors may sell shares of our Common Stock on the open market or otherwise, for a variety of reasons, which may be related or unrelated to the performance of our business. These sales will be publicly disclosed in filings made with the SEC. Our stockholders may perceive these sales as a reflection on management’s view of the business which may result in a drop in the price of our stock or cause some stockholders to sell their shares of our Common Stock.

Risks related to our indebtedness

We have substantial debt and may incur substantial additional debt, which could adversely affect our financial health, reduce our profitability, limit our ability to obtain financing in the future and pursue certain business opportunities and make payments on our indebtedness.

We have substantial indebtedness. As of October 28, 2018 , we had total indebtedness of approximately $412.9 million . Following the consummation of the Merger, on November 16, 2018 we had total indebtedness of approximately $3.2 billion.

The amount of our debt or other similar obligations could have important consequences for us, including, but not limited to:

If we cannot service our debt, we will be forced to take actions such as reducing or delaying acquisitions and/or capital expenditures, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing our debt or seeking additional equity capital. We can give you no assurance that we can do any of these things on satisfactory terms or at all.

The Current Indenture, the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement and the Current ABL Credit Agreement contain restrictions and limitations that could significantly impact our ability and the ability of most of our subsidiaries to engage in certain business and financial transactions.

Current Indenture

The Current Indenture (as defined in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) contains restrictive covenants that, among other things, limit our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to:

In addition, the Current Cash Flow Revolver (as defined in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) will under certain circumstances require us to maintain a maximum total secured leverage ratio, and the Current ABL Facility (as defined in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) will under certain circumstances require us to maintain a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. The Current ABL Credit Agreement will also contain other covenants customary for asset-based facilities of this nature. Our ability to borrow additional amounts under the Current Cash Flow Revolver and the Current ABL Facility depends upon satisfaction of these covenants. Events beyond our control can affect our ability to meet these covenants.

We are required to make mandatory pre-payments under the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement and the Current ABL Credit Agreement upon the occurrence of certain events, including the sale of assets and the issuance of debt, in each case subject to certain limitations and conditions set forth in the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement and the Current ABL Credit Agreement.

In addition, under certain circumstances and subject to the limitations set forth in the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement, the Current Term Loan Facility (as defined in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operations) may require us to make prepayments of the term loans to the extent we generate excess positive cash flow each fiscal year, beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019.

Any future financing arrangements entered into by us may also contain similar covenants and restrictions. As a result of these covenants and restrictions, we may be limited in our ability to plan for or react to market conditions or to meet extraordinary capital needs or otherwise could restrict our activities. These covenants and restrictions could also adversely affect our ability to finance our future operations or capital needs or to engage in other business activities that would be in our interest.

Our failure to comply with obligations under the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement, the Current ABL Credit Agreement or the Current Indenture, as well as others contained in any future debt instruments from time to time, may result in an event of default under the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement, the Current ABL Credit Agreement or the Current Indenture, as applicable. A default, if not cured or waived, may permit acceleration of our indebtedness. If our indebtedness is accelerated, we cannot be certain that we will have sufficient funds available to pay the accelerated indebtedness or that we will have the ability to refinance the accelerated indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all. If we are forced to refinance these borrowings on less favorable terms or cannot refinance these borrowings, our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Despite our indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur substantially more indebtedness, which may increase the risks to our financial condition created by our substantial indebtedness.

The terms of the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement, the Current ABL Credit Agreement and the Current Indenture provide us and our subsidiaries with the flexibility to incur a substantial amount of indebtedness in the future, which indebtedness may be secured or unsecured. As of October 28, 2018 , we had total indebtedness of approximately $412.9 million . Following the consummation of the Merger, on November 16, 2018 we had total indebtedness of approximately $3.2 billion. In particular, if we or our subsidiaries are in compliance with certain incurrence ratios set forth in the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement, the Current ABL Credit Facility and the Current Indenture, we may be able to incur substantial additional indebtedness. Any such incurrence of additional indebtedness may increase the risks created by our current substantial indebtedness. As of October 28, 2018 , we were able to borrow up to approximately $141.0 million under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility. All of these borrowings under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility would be secured. At November 16, 2018, following the consummation of the Merger, there were no amounts drawn on the Current Cash Flow Revolver or the Current ABL Credit Facility.

An increase in interest rates would increase the cost of servicing our debt and could reduce our profitability, decrease our liquidity and impact our solvency.

To the extent LIBOR exceeds 0.00%, our indebtedness under the Current Cash Flow Facilities (as defined in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) and the Current ABL facility will bear interest at variable rates, and our future indebtedness may bear interest at variable rates. As a result, increases in interest rates could increase the cost of servicing such debt and materially reduce our profitability and cash flows. As of November 16, 2018, assuming all Current ABL Facility revolving loans were fully drawn, each one percent change in interest rates would result in approximately a $31.7 million million change in annual interest expense on the Current Term Loan Facility and the Current ABL Facility. The impact of such an increase would be more significant for us than it would be for some other companies because of our substantial debt.

We also operate eight Metal Depots facilities in our Metal Components business that sell our products directly to the public. We also maintain several drafting office facilities in various states. We have short-term leases for these additional facilities. We believe that our present facilities are adequate for our current and projected operations.

Additionally, we own approximately seven acres of land in Houston, Texas and have a 60,000 square foot facility that is used as our Commercial segment headquarters. We also own approximately ten acres of land at another location in Houston adjacent to one of our manufacturing facilities.

The Ply Gem business acquired in the Merger operates 36 manufacturing facilities across the United States and Canada. Ply Gem’s Canadian manufacturing facilities are supported by a network of 26 distribution facilities.

  Exhibit 99.4

Explanatory Note

"Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" set forth in this Exhibit 99.4 has been recast from the "Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in Part II of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 28, 2018 as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 19, 2018 to reflect changes to NCI’s reportable business segments and to apply retrospectively the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force), which the Company adopted during the transition period ended December 31, 2018.

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

OVERVIEW

We are one of North America’s largest integrated manufacturers and marketers of metal products for the nonresidential construction industry. We design, engineer, manufacture and market engineered building systems, metal components and insulated metal panels primarily for nonresidential construction use. We manufacture and distribute extensive lines of metal products for the nonresidential construction market under multiple brand names through a nationwide network of plants and distribution centers. We sell our products for both new construction and repair and retrofit applications. We also provide metal coil coating services for commercial and construction applications, servicing both internal and external customers. 

Engineered building systems offer a number of advantages over traditional construction alternatives, including shorter construction time, more efficient use of materials, lower construction costs, greater ease of expansion and lower maintenance costs. Similarly, metal components and insulated metal panels offer builders, designers, architects and end-users several advantages, including lower long-term costs, longer life, attractive aesthetics and design flexibility.

We use a 52/53 week year with our fiscal year end on the Sunday closest to October 31.

On November 16, 2018, the board of directors of the Company approved a change to the Company’s fiscal year from a 52/53 week year with the Company’s fiscal year end on the Sunday closest to October 31 to a fiscal year of the 12 month period of January 1 to December 31 of each calendar year, to commence with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2019. The Company filed a transition report on Form 10-Q on February 11, 2019 that covered the transition period from October 29, 2018 to December 31, 2018.

We evaluate segment's performance based primarily upon operating income before corporate expenses.

Merger with Ply Gem

At the Special Shareholder Meeting on November 15, 2018, NCI’s shareholders approved (i) the Merger Agreement and (ii) the Stock Issuance. NCI’s shareholders also approved the three additional proposals described in the Company’s proxy statement relating to the Special Shareholder Meeting. The Merger was consummated on November 16, 2018 pursuant to the Merger Agreement.

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, on November 16, 2018, the Company entered into (i) the New Stockholders Agreement between the Company and each of the Investors, pursuant to which the Company granted to the Investors certain governance, preemptive and subscription rights and (ii) the New Registration Rights Agreement with the Investors, pursuant to which the Company granted the Investors customary demand and piggyback registration rights, including rights to demand registrations and underwritten shelf registration statement offerings with respect to the shares of NCI Common Stock that are held by the Investors following the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to the terms of the New Stockholders Agreement, the Company and the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group terminated the Old Stockholders Agreement and the Old Registration Rights Agreement.

On November 16, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Company assumed (i) the obligations of Ply Gem Midco, a subsidiary of Ply Gem immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger, as borrower under the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement, (ii) the obligations of Ply Gem Midco as parent borrower under the Current ABL Credit Agreement and (iii) the obligations of Ply Gem Midco as issuer under the Current Indenture.

On April 12, 2018, Ply Gem Midco entered into a Cash Flow Credit Agreement (the “Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement”), by and among Ply Gem Midco, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “Cash Flow Agent”), and the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto. As of November 16, 2018, immediately prior to the Merger, the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement provided for (i) a term loan facility (the “Current Term Loan Facility”) in an original aggregate principal amount of $1,755.0 million and (ii) a cash flow-based revolving credit facility (the “Current Cash Flow Revolver” and together with the Current Term Loan Facility, the “Current Cash Flow Facilities”) of up to $115.0

million. On November 16, 2018, Ply Gem Midco entered into a Lender Joinder Agreement, by and among Ply Gem Midco, the additional commitment lender party thereto and the Cash Flow Agent, which amended the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, increase the aggregate principal amount of the Current Term Loan Facility by $805.0 million (the “Incremental Term Loans”). Proceeds of the Incremental Term Loans were used to, among other things, (a) finance the Merger and to pay certain fees, premiums and expenses incurred in connection therewith, (b) repay in full amounts outstanding under the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement (each as defined below) and (c) repay $325.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Current ABL Facility (as defined below). On November 16, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, NCI and Ply Gem Midco entered into a joinder agreement with respect to the Current Cash Flow Facilities, and NCI became the Borrower (as defined in the Current Cash Flow Credit Agreement) under the Current Cash Flow Facilities. The Current Term Loan Facility amortizes in nominal quarterly installments equal to one percent of the aggregate initial principal amount thereof per annum, with the remaining balance payable upon final maturity of the Current Term Loan Facility on April 12, 2025. There are no amortization payments under the Current Cash Flow Revolver, and all borrowings under the Current Cash Flow Revolver mature on April 12, 2023. At November 16, 2018, following consummation of the Merger, there was $2,555.6 million outstanding under the Current Term Loan Facility and there were no amounts drawn on the Current Cash Flow Revolver.

On April 12, 2018, Ply Gem Midco and certain subsidiaries of Ply Gem Midco entered into an ABL Credit Agreement (the “Current ABL Credit Agreement”), by and among Ply Gem Midco, the subsidiary borrowers from time to time party thereto, UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent (the “ABL Agent”), and the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto, which provided for an asset-based revolving credit facility (the “Current ABL Facility”) of up to $360.0 million, consisting of (i) $285.0 million available to U.S. borrowers (subject to U.S. borrowing base availability) (the “ABL U.S. Facility”) and (ii) $75.0 million available to both U.S. borrowers and Canadian borrowers (subject to U.S. borrowing base and Canadian borrowing base availability) (the “ABL Canadian Facility”). On October 15, 2018, Ply Gem Midco entered into Amendment No. 2 to the Current ABL Credit Agreement, by and among Ply Gem Midco, the incremental lender party thereto and the ABL Agent, which amended the Current ABL Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, increase the aggregate commitments under the Current ABL Facility by $36.0 million to $396.0 million overall, and with the (x) ABL U.S. Facility being increased from $285.0 million to $313.5 million and (y) the ABL Canadian Facility being increased from $75.0 million to $82.5 million. On November 16, 2018, Ply Gem Midco entered into Amendment No. 4 to the Current ABL Credit Agreement, by and among Ply Gem Midco, the incremental lenders party thereto and the ABL Agent, which amended the Current ABL Credit Agreement in order to, among other things, increase the aggregate commitments under the Current ABL Facility by $215.0 million (the “Incremental ABL Commitments”) to $611.0 million overall, and with the (x) ABL U.S. Facility being increased from $313.5 million to approximately $483.7 million and (y) the ABL Canadian Facility being increased from $82.5 million to approximately $127.3 million. On November 16, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, NCI and Ply Gem Midco entered into a joinder agreement with respect to the Current ABL Facility, and NCI became the Parent Borrower (as defined in the Current ABL Credit Agreement) under the Current ABL Facility. The Company and, at the Company’s option, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are the borrowers under the Current ABL Facility. As of November 16, 2018, and following consummation of the Merger, (a) Ply Gem Industries, Inc., Atrium Windows and Doors, Inc., NCI Group, Inc. and Robertson-Ceco II Corporation were U.S. subsidiary borrowers under the Current ABL Facility, and (b) Gienow Canada Inc., Mitten Inc., North Star Manufacturing (London) Ltd. and Robertson Building Systems Limited were Canadian borrowers under the Current ABL Facility. All borrowings under the Current ABL Facility mature on April 12, 2023. At November 16, 2018, following consummation of the Merger, there were no amounts drawn and $24.7 million of letters of credit issued under the Current ABL Facility.

On April 12, 2018, Ply Gem Midco issued $645.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.00% Senior Notes due 2026 (the “8.00% Senior Notes”). The 8.00% Senior Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture, dated as of April 12, 2018 (as supplemented from time to time, the “Current Indenture”), by and among Ply Gem Midco, as issuer, the subsidiary guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee. On November 16, 2018, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, the Company entered into a supplemental indenture and assumed the obligations of Ply Gem Midco as issuer under the Current Indenture and the 8.00% Senior Notes. The 8.00% Senior Notes bear interest at 8.00% per annum and will mature on April 15, 2026. Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15.

On November 16, 2018, in connection with the incurrence by Ply Gem Midco of the Incremental Term Loans and the obtaining by Ply Gem Midco of the Incremental ABL Commitments, following consummation of the Merger, the Company (a) terminated all outstanding commitments and repaid all outstanding amounts under the Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2018 (the “Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement”), by and among the Company, as borrower, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and (b) terminated all outstanding commitments and repaid all outstanding amounts under the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2018 (the “Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement”), by and among NCI Group, Inc. and Robertson-Ceco II Corporation, as borrowers, the Company, as a guarantor, the other borrowers from time to time party thereto, the several banks and other financial institutions from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and collateral agent. Outstanding letters of credit under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement were cash collateralized.

In connection with the termination and repayment of the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement, the Company also terminated (i) the Term Loan Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2018, made by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, in favor of Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as Collateral Agent, (ii) the ABL Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2018, made by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, in favor of Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Collateral Agent, and (iii) the Intercreditor Agreement, dated as of February 8, 2018, between Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, and acknowledged by the Company and certain of its subsidiaries

The Company incurred approximately $15.3 million of acquisition expenses during fiscal 2018 related to the Merger, primarily for various third-party consulting and due-diligence services, and investment bankers’ fees, which are recorded in strategic development and acquisition related costs in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Change in Operating Segments

On February 11, 2019, the Company filed a transition report on Form 10-Q which included the financial information for the transition period from October 29, 2018 to December 31, 2018, referred to herein as the "transition period". For the transition period ended December 31, 2018, the Company began reporting results under new reportable segments to align with how the Company will manage its business, review operating performance and allocate resources following the merger with Ply Gem. We have revised our segment reporting to represent how we now manage our business, recasting prior periods to conform to the current segment presentation.

Subsequent to the Merger, we have three reportable segments: (i) Commercial; (ii) Siding; and (iii) Windows. The Commercial segment includes the operating results of the legacy NCI businesses - Engineered Building Systems; Metal Components; Insulated Metal Panels; and Metal Coil Coating, which operate primarily in the nonresidential construction market. The Siding and Windows segments, which result from the Merger, will include the operating results of the legacy Ply Gem operating segments. For the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018 there were no operations within the Siding and Windows segments.

We assess performance across our operating segments by analyzing and evaluating, among other indicators, gross profit, operating income and whether or not each segment has achieved its projected sales goals. In assessing our overall financial performance, we regard return on adjusted operating assets, as well as growth in earnings, as key indicators of shareholder value.

Fiscal 2018 Overview

Our fiscal 2018 financial performance showed year-over-year improvement in revenue, net income and Adjusted EBITDA, while gross margins declined over the same period. This improved financial performance was achieved despite challenging market conditions, including rising input costs and seasonally wet weather conditions primarily in Texas and the Southeast during the fourth quarter. During fiscal 2018, the Company realized the benefits of the focus on commercial discipline in the pass-through of material and other input costs and the Company’s ongoing cost reduction initiatives.

Consolidated revenues increased by approximately 13.0% from the prior fiscal year. The year-over-year improvement was primarily driven by continued commercial discipline in the pass-through of higher costs in a rising cost environment across each of our businesses and underlying volume growth in the Engineered Building Systems and Insulated Metal Panel businesses. Each business achieved year over year external revenue growth.

Consolidated gross margin in fiscal 2018 decreased by 40 basis points from the prior fiscal year to 23.1% . Lower margins in the current period were driven primarily by higher freight and manufacturing costs, both of which experienced significant inflationary pressures during fiscal 2018. These were largely mitigated during the second half of the fiscal year through commercial discipline.

Consolidated engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2018 includes a $4.6 million charge related to the acceleration of retirement benefits of our former CEO. Excluding the effects of the acceleration of CEO retirement benefits, as a percentage of sales, engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 150 basis points to 15.1% compared to the prior fiscal year, predominantly the result of our strategic initiatives and restructuring activities.

Net income increased by $8.4 million to $63.1 million for fiscal 2018 , compared to $54.7 million in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share was $0.94 , while adjusted net income per diluted common share was $1.45 . Adjusted EBITDA increased to $201.6 million representing an approximate 20.4% increase over the prior year. Net income was impacted by certain special items including a $21.9 million loss ( $15.9 million , after taxes) on extinguishment of debt and a $6.7 million loss ( $4.8 million , after taxes) on the sale of the China manufacturing facility associated with a reporting unit within the Insulated Metal Panels business, offset by a $4.7 million gain ( $3.4 million , after taxes) on insurance recovery.

Due to the strong operating cash flow we reinvested $47.8 million in to capital expenditures, an increase of $25.8 million over prior year, primarily to support organic growth initiatives and advanced manufacturing. We also used $46.7 million to repurchase shares of our Common Stock in fiscal 2018 . Our net debt leverage ratio (net debt/EBITDA) at the end of the fourth quarter improved to 1.8 x, compared to 2.0x at the end of the prior year fourth quarter.

Overall, we delivered net income, Adjusted EBITDA, diluted earnings per share and adjusted diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2018 that exceeded the prior year’s results. We remain focused on increasing our operating leverage and manufacturing efficiency by continuing to pursue our cost and efficiency initiatives. Our objective is to continue to execute on our strategic initiatives in order to increase market penetration and deliver top-line growth above nonresidential market growth during fiscal 2019 in both our legacy businesses and our IMP products through our multiple sales channels.

Industry Conditions

Our sales and earnings are subject to both seasonal and cyclical trends and are influenced by general economic conditions, interest rates, the price of steel relative to other building materials, the level of nonresidential construction activity, roof repair and retrofit demand and the availability and cost of financing for construction projects. Our sales normally are lower in the first half of each fiscal year compared to the second half 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. Following a significant downturn in 2008 and 2009, the current recovery of low-rise construction has been uneven and slow but is now showing some signs of steady growth. We believe that the economy is recovering and that the nonresidential construction industry will return to mid-cycle levels of activity over the next several years.

The graph below shows the annual nonresidential new construction starts, measured in square feet, since 1968 as compiled and reported by Dodge:

Current market estimates continue to show uneven activity across the nonresidential construction markets. According to Dodge, low-rise nonresidential construction starts, as measured in square feet and comprising buildings of up to five stories, were down as much as approximately 7% in our fiscal 2018 as compared to our fiscal 2017 . However, Dodge typically revises initial reported figures, and we expect this metric will be revised upwards over time. Leading indicators for low-rise, nonresidential construction activity indicate positive momentum into fiscal 2019 .

The leading indicators that we follow and 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 combined forward projection of these metrics, based on a 9 to 14-month historical lag for each metric, indicates low single digit growth for low-rise new construction starts in fiscal 2019 .

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. We can give no assurance that steel will be readily available or that prices will not continue to be volatile. While most of our sales contracts have escalation clauses that allow us, under certain circumstances, to pass along all or a portion of increases in the price of steel after the date of the contract but prior

to delivery, for competitive or other reasons we may not be able to pass such price increases along. If the available supply of steel declines, we could experience price increases that we are not able to pass on to the end users, a deterioration of service from our suppliers or interruptions or delays that may cause us not to meet delivery schedules to our customers. Any of these problems could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. For additional discussion, please see “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk — Steel Prices.”

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL 2018 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2017

Consolidated sales increased by 13.0% , or $230.3 million for fiscal 2018 , compared to fiscal 2017 . The year-over-year improvement was primarily driven by continued commercial discipline in the pass-through of higher costs in a rising cost environment across each of our businesses and underlying volume growth in the Engineered Building Systems and Insulated Metal Panel businesses. Each business achieved year over year external revenue growth.

Consolidated cost of sales increased by 13.6% , or $183.7 million for fiscal 2018 , compared to fiscal 2017 . This increase resulted primarily from higher input costs, including transportation, materials and skilled labor.

Gross margin was 23.1% for fiscal 2018 compared to 23.5% for fiscal 2017 . The lower margin in the current period was primarily driven by higher freight and manufacturing costs, both of which experienced significant inflationary pressures during fiscal 2018. These factors were largely mitigated during the second half of the fiscal year through commercial discipline.

Engineered Building Systems sales increased 15.0% , or $104.3 million to $798.3 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $694.0 million in fiscal 2017 . The increase in sales is a result of commercial discipline, the pass through of higher materials costs, and to a lesser extent, higher internal and external volumes. Sales to third parties for fiscal 2018 increased $95.5 million to $755.4 million from $659.9 million in the prior fiscal year.

Operating income of the Engineered Building Systems business increased to $66.7 million in fiscal 2018 compared to $41.4 million in the prior fiscal year. The $25.3 million increase resulted primarily from the increased revenue discussed above, as well as better leverage of engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses resulting from the execution of prior year cost reduction initiatives.

Metal Components sales increased 8.3% , or $52.7 million to $689.3 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $636.7 million in fiscal 2017 . The increase was primarily driven by higher external volumes and the pass-through of increasing materials costs, offset by a decrease in internal volume based on a shift in internal production strategy, which moved a portion of fabrication from Metal Components to the Engineered Buildings Systems business. Sales to third parties for fiscal 2018 increased $68.0 million to $612.6 million from $544.7 million in the prior fiscal year.

Operating income of the Metal Components business increased to $87.6 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $78.8 million in the prior fiscal year. The $8.8 million increase was driven primarily by commercial discipline and improved operating leverage across the cost structure on higher volumes, offset by higher transportation costs.

Insulated Metal Panels sales increased 14.3% , or $63.0 million to $504.4 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $441.4 million in fiscal 2017 . Sales to third parties for fiscal 2018 increased $52.5 million to $424.8 million from $372.3 million in the prior fiscal year due to continued high demand, predominantly within our cold storage and industrial, commercial, and institutional products. In addition, the increase in sales was also driven by a $10.6 million , or 13.2% , increase in internal sales, primarily through the Engineered Building Systems and Metal Components divisions as we continue to execute on our adjacency initiatives.

Operating income of the Insulated Metal Panels business decreased to $47.5 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $47.9 million in the prior fiscal year. The $0.4 million decrease was driven by a $6.7 million loss recognized on the sale of the China manufacturing facility and impacts from a change in product mix during the current year. In addition, prior period operating income includes $9.2 million of gain on insurance recovery for settlements on damaged or destroyed plant and equipment whereas in fiscal 2018 we recorded a gain of $4.7 million as we reached final settlement on this matter. Largely offsetting these factors were increased fiscal 2018 volume and better leverage of our fixed cost structure.

Metal Coil Coating sales increased by 13.1% , or $48.4 million to $417.3 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $368.9 million in the prior year. Sales to third parties increased $14.4 million to $207.8 million from $193.4 million in the prior fiscal year primarily due to the pass-through of increasing material costs. In addition, the increase in sales was also driven by a $34.0 million , or 16.3% , increase in internal sales.

Operating income of the Metal Coil Coating business increased to $28.6 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $21.5 million in the prior fiscal year. The $7.1 million increase was primarily due to the increase in package product sales and lower engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses resulting from the execution of prior year cost reduction initiatives. In addition, fiscal 2017 included a $6.0 million goodwill impairment, discussed below.

Consolidated engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $307.1 million in fiscal 2018 , compared to $293.1 million in the prior fiscal year. The $14.0 million increase is related to higher current year revenue, as well as a $4.6 million charge related to the acceleration of retirement benefits of our former CEO. Excluding the effects of the acceleration of CEO retirement benefits, as a percentage of sales, engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses were 15.1% for fiscal 2018 as compared to 16.6% for fiscal 2017 .

Consolidated intangible asset amortization remained consistent at $9.6 million during fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 .

Goodwill impairment for fiscal 2017 of $6.0 million was related to the coil coating operations of CENTRIA within our Metal Coil Coating business. There was no corresponding impairment for fiscal 2018.

Consolidated restructuring charges for fiscal 2018 and 2017 were $1.9 million and $5.3 million , respectively. Each period generally includes severance-related costs, related to our actions taken to streamline our management and engineering and drafting activities, and also to optimize our overall manufacturing structure and footprint. In fiscal 2017, we incurred severance-related charges including in connection with the closure of three facilities. The current fiscal year charges are offset by a $0.6 million gain on the sale of a facility that was previously designated as “held for sale”.

Consolidated strategic development and acquisition related costs were $17.2 million during fiscal 2018 , compared to $2.0 million in the prior fiscal year. These non-operational costs include external legal, financial and due diligence costs incurred to deliver on our strategic initiatives.

Loss on disposition of business for fiscal 2018 was $5.7 million . During fiscal 2018, we recorded a loss of $6.7 million on the sale of our China manufacturing facility included in the Insulated Metal Panels business and also recorded a $1.0 million gain related to the disposal of a non-strategic product line previously consolidated within the Insulated Metal Panels business. There was no corresponding loss for fiscal 2017.

Consolidated gain on insurance recovery for fiscal 2018 and 2017 were $4.7 million and $9.7 million , respectively, which related to settlements with our insurers for property damage to two facilities in the Metal Components and Insulated Metal Panels businesses.

Consolidated interest expense decreased to $21.8 million for fiscal 2018 , compared to $28.9 million for fiscal 2017 . The decrease is primarily due to the redemption of our 8.25% Senior Notes and lower variable rates on the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Facility, both results of activities to strengthen our capital structure that were completed in February 2018.

Loss on debt extinguishment for fiscal 2018 was $21.9 million . There was no corresponding amount recorded in fiscal 2017. During our second quarter of fiscal 2018, we recognized a pretax loss, primarily on the extinguishment of our 8.25% senior notes due 2023, of $21.9 million , of which approximately $15.5 million represented the call premium paid on the redemption of the notes.

Consolidated foreign exchange gain (loss) was a loss of $0.2 million for fiscal 2018 , compared to a gain of $0.5 million for the prior year primarily due to the fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar in the current period.

Consolidated provision for income taxes was $20.0 million for fiscal 2018 , compared to $28.4 million for the prior fiscal year, primarily as a result of higher pre-tax income in fiscal 2017. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2018 was 24.1% compared to 34.2% for fiscal 2017 . The change in the effective tax rate was primarily driven by the effects associated with the enactment of U.S. Tax Reform.

Diluted income per common share improved to $0.94 per diluted common share for fiscal 2018 , compared to $0.77 per diluted common share for fiscal 2017 . The improvement in diluted income per common share was primarily due to the $8.3 million increase in net income applicable to common shares resulting from the factors described above in this section and share repurchases executed during fiscal 2018 .

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR FISCAL 2017 COMPARED TO FISCAL 2016

Consolidated sales increased by 5.1%, or $85.4 million for fiscal 2017, compared to fiscal 2016. The increase was driven by continued commercial discipline in the pass-through of higher costs in a rising steel price environment predominantly in the Engineered Building Systems and Metal Components businesses despite overall tonnage volumes being lower year over year.

Consolidated cost of sales increased by 7.6%, or $95.4 million for fiscal 2017, compared to fiscal 2016. This increase was the result of rising raw materials costs during fiscal 2017 as compared to declining materials costs in fiscal 2016.

Gross margin was 23.5% for fiscal 2017 compared to 25.4% for fiscal 2016. The decrease in gross margin was primarily a result of lower volumes in the Engineered Building Systems business, uneven production flow and increased transportation costs.

Engineered Building Systems sales increased 3.2%, or $21.7 million to $694.0 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $672.2 million in fiscal 2016. The increase in sales is a result of commercial discipline, partially offset by lower volumes in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily driven by hurricane related disruptions. Sales to third parties for fiscal 2017 increased $7.4 million to $659.9 million from $652.5 million in the prior fiscal year.

Operating income of the Engineered Building Systems business decreased to $41.4 million in fiscal 2017 compared to $62.0 million in the prior fiscal year. The $20.7 million decrease resulted from rapidly rising steel costs during the current year as compared to the prior fiscal year, combined with the disruptive impact of hurricanes during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Metal Components sales increased 8.5%, or $50.0 million to $636.7 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $586.7 million in fiscal 2016. The increase in sales was primarily driven by higher external volumes and the execution of commercial discipline. Sales to third parties for fiscal 2017 increased $49.6 million to $544.7 million from $495.0 million in the prior fiscal year.

Operating income of the Metal Components business increased to $78.8 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $70.7 million in the prior fiscal year. The $8.0 million increase was driven by the increased sales discussed in the immediately preceding paragraph.

Insulated Metal Panels sales increased 11.4%, or $45.1 million to $441.4 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $396.3 million in fiscal 2016. The increase in sales was primarily driven by commercial discipline and improved product mix.

Operating income of the Insulated Metal Panels business increased to $47.9 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $24.6 million in the prior fiscal year. The $23.3 million increase was driven predominantly due to a higher mix of higher margin architectural products.

Metal Coil Coating sales increased by 6.5%, or $22.5 million to $368.9 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $346.3 million in the prior year. The increase in sales was primarily the result of pass through of higher steel prices through its coil package products. Metal Coil Coating third-party sales increased $3.8 million to $193.4 million from $189.7 million in the prior fiscal year and accounted for 10.9% of total consolidated third-party sales for fiscal 2017.

Operating income of the Metal Coil Coating business decreased to $21.5 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $32.4 million in the prior fiscal year. The $11.0 million decrease was driven by lower manufacturing efficiency due to lower volumes and higher material costs in fiscal 2017.

Consolidated engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to $293.1 million in fiscal 2017, compared to $302.6 million in the prior fiscal year. As a percentage of sales, engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses were 16.6% for fiscal 2017 as compared to 18.0% for fiscal 2016. The $9.4 million decrease in expenses was primarily due to the cost reductions resulting from execution of strategic initiatives.

Consolidated intangible asset amortization remained consistent at $9.6 million during fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2016.

Goodwill impairment for fiscal 2017 of $6.0 million was related to the coil coating operations of CENTRIA within our Metal Coil Coating business.

Consolidated restructuring charges for fiscal 2017 were $5.3 million. These charges relate to our efforts to streamline our management, engineering and drafting and manufacturing structures as well as to optimize our manufacturing footprint. We incurred severance-related charges associated with these activities, including in connection with the closure of three facilities.

Consolidated strategic development and acquisition related costs decreased to $2.0 million during fiscal 2017, compared to $2.7 million in the prior fiscal year. These non-operational costs include external legal, financial and due diligence costs incurred to deliver on our strategic initiatives.

Consolidated interest expense decreased to $28.9 million for fiscal 2017, compared to $31.0 million for fiscal 2016. The decrease is primarily a result of voluntary principal prepayments the Company made on its term loan during fiscal 2017 and 2016.

Consolidated foreign exchange gain (loss) was a gain of $0.5 million for fiscal 2017, compared to a loss of $1.4 million for the prior year primarily due to the fluctuations in the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and U.S. dollar in the current period.

Consolidated provision for income taxes was $28.4 million for fiscal 2017, compared to $27.9 million for the prior fiscal year, primarily as a result of higher pre-tax income in fiscal 2017. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2017 was 34.2% compared to 35.4% for fiscal 2016.

Diluted income per common share improved to $0.77 per diluted common share for fiscal 2017, compared to $0.70 per diluted common share for fiscal 2016. The improvement in diluted income per common share was primarily due to the $3.8 million increase in net income applicable to common shares resulting from the factors described above in this section and share repurchases executed during fiscal 2017.

Operating Activities

Our business is both seasonal and cyclical and cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate during the year and from year to year due to economic conditions. We generally rely on cash as well as short-term borrowings, when needed, to meet cyclical and seasonal increases in working capital needs. These needs generally rise during periods of increased economic activity or increasing raw material prices due to higher levels of inventory and accounts receivable. During economic slowdowns, or periods of decreasing raw material costs, working capital needs generally decrease as a result of the reduction of inventories and accounts receivable.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $82.5 million during fiscal 2018 compared to $63.9 million during fiscal 2017 . The change was driven by an increase in earnings in the current fiscal year as compared to the prior fiscal year, offset by net cash used for working capital as described below.

Net cash used in accounts receivable was $35.4 million for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018 compared to $19.6 million for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017 . The increase in accounts receivable as of October 28, 2018 as compared to the prior fiscal year was primarily the result of strong revenue growth during the current period. Our trailing 90-days sales outstanding (“DSO”) was approximately 35.2 days at October 28, 2018 as compared to 35.1 days at October 29, 2017 .

The change in cash relating to inventory for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018 was $47.1 million and resulted primarily from higher inventory purchases to support higher sales and the continued increase in material costs, particularly steel. Our trailing 90-days inventory on-hand (“DIO”) was 54.9 days at October 28, 2018 as compared to 51.5 days at October 29, 2017 .

Net cash provided by accounts payable was $24.5 million for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018 compared to $4.9 million for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017 . Our vendor payments can fluctuate significantly based on the timing of disbursements, inventory purchases and vendor payment terms. Our trailing 90-days payable outstanding (“DPO”) at October 28, 2018 was 33.4 days compared to 32.5 days at October 29, 2017 .

Net cash provided by accrued expenses was $16.3 million for the fiscal year ended October 28, 2018 compared to $12.3 million net cash used in accrued expenses for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017 . The change was primarily driven by timing of compensation payments.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities increased to $38.2 million during fiscal 2018 compared to $10.3 million used in the prior fiscal year. In fiscal 2018 , we used $47.8 million for capital expenditures, sold a business in China, resulting in a net use of $4.4 million of cash and sold a non-strategic product line in our Insulated Metal Panels business for $3.0 million. Additionally, we sold one manufacturing facility in our Engineered Building Systems business and two manufacturing facilities in our Metal Components business for total cash consideration of $6.3 million and we received insurance proceeds of $4.7 million as reimbursement for new assets acquired for a facility in the Insulated Metal Panels business that experienced a fire in June 2016. In fiscal 2017 , we used $22.1 million for capital expenditures. These cash outflows were partially offset by $8.6 million in cash proceeds from insurance for an involuntary loss on conversion at two of our facilities and $3.2 million in cash received from the sale of assets previously classified as held for sale.

Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities was $55.5 million in fiscal 2018 compared $53.7 million in the prior fiscal year. During fiscal 2018 , we borrowed periodically under our ABL Facility and repaid all of that amount during the period, used $51.8 million to repurchase shares of our outstanding common stock under programs approved by the Board of Directors on September 8, 2016 and October 10, 2017 and for the purchases of shares related to restricted stock that were withheld to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations arising in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and units. Net cash used in the redemption of our Senior Notes and refinancing of long-term debt, including payments of financing cost; as well as payments on the refinanced term loan was $3.2 million . We received $1.3 million in cash proceeds from the exercises of stock options.

During fiscal 2017 we used $43.6 million to repurchase shares of our Common Stock under our authorized stock repurchase programs and for the purchases of shares related to restricted stock that were withheld to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations arising in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards and units. In addition, we used $10.2 million to make voluntary principal prepayments on borrowings under the credit agreement that governed our then-outstanding term loans Credit Agreement and we received $1.7 million in cash proceeds from the exercises of stock options.

We invest our excess cash in various overnight investments which are issued or guaranteed by the federal government.

Equity Investment

On August 14, 2009, the Company entered into an Investment Agreement (as amended, the “Investment Agreement”), by and between the Company and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund VIII L.P. (“CD&R Fund VIII”). In connection with the Investment Agreement and the Stockholders Agreement dated October 20, 2009 (the “Old Stockholders Agreement”), CD&R Fund VIII and CD&R Friends & Family Fund VIII, L.P. (collectively, the “CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group”) purchased convertible preferred stock, which was later converted to shares of our Common Stock on May 14, 2013.

On January 2014, the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group completed a registered underwritten offering, in which the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group offered 8.5 million shares of Common Stock at a price to the public of $18.00 per share (the “2014 Secondary Offering”). The underwriters also exercised their option to purchase 1.275 million additional shares of Common Stock. In addition, the Company entered into an agreement with the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group 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 Fund VIII Investor Group in the underwritten offering (the “2014 Stock Repurchase”). The 2014 Stock Repurchase, which was completed at the same time as the 2014 Secondary Offering, represented a private, non-underwritten transaction between NCI and the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group that was approved and recommended by the Affiliate Transactions Committee of our board of directors.

On July 25, 2016, the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group completed a registered underwritten offering, in which the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group offered 9.0 million shares of our Common Stock at a price to the public of $16.15 per share (the “2016 Secondary Offering”). The underwriters also exercised their option to purchase 1.35 million additional shares of our Common Stock from the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group. The aggregate offering price for the 10.35 million shares sold in the 2016 Secondary Offering was approximately $160.1 million , net of underwriting discounts and commissions. The CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group received all of the proceeds from the 2016 Secondary Offering and no shares in the 2016 Secondary Offering were sold by the Company or any of its officers or directors (although certain of our directors are affiliated with the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group). In connection with the 2016 Secondary Offering and 2016 Stock Repurchase (as defined below), we incurred approximately $0.7 million in expenses, which were included in engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal year ended October 30, 2016.

On July 18, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement with the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group to repurchase approximately  2.9 million shares of our Common Stock at the price per share equal to the price per share paid by the underwriters to the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group in the underwritten offering (the “2016 Stock Repurchase”). The 2016 Stock Repurchase, which was completed concurrently with the 2016 Secondary Offering, represented a private, non-underwritten transaction between the Company and the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group that was approved and recommended by the Affiliate Transactions Committee of our board of directors. See Note 18 — Stock Repurchase Program.

On December 11, 2017, the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group completed a registered underwritten offering of 7,150,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a price to the public of $19.36 per share (the “2017 Secondary Offering”). Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, at the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group request, the Company purchased 1.15 million of the 7.15 million shares of the Common Stock from the underwriters in the 2017 Secondary Offering at a price per share equal to the price at which the underwriters purchased the shares from the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group. The total amount the Company spent on these repurchases was $22.3 million .

At October 28, 2018 and October 29, 2017 , the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group owned approximately 34.4% and 43.8% , respectively, of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock.

On November 16, 2018, the Company entered into (i) the New Stockholders Agreement between the Company and each of the Investors, pursuant to which the Company granted to the Investors certain governance, preemptive and subscription rights and (ii) the New Registration Rights Agreement with the Investors, pursuant to which the Company granted the Investors customary demand and piggyback registration rights, including rights to demand registrations and underwritten shelf registration statement offerings with respect to the shares of NCI Common Stock that are held by the Investors following the consummation of the Merger. Pursuant to the terms of the New Stockholders Agreement, the Company and the CD&R Fund VIII Investor Group terminated the Old Stockholders Agreement and the Old Registration Rights Agreement.

In addition, pursuant to Section 3.1(c)(i) of the New Stockholders Agreement, the CD&R Investor Group is entitled to nominate for election, fill vacancies and appoint five out of twelve initial members of NCI’s board of directors following consummation of the Merger and, thereafter, so long as the CD&R Investor Group beneficially owns at least 7.5% of the outstanding shares of NCI Common Stock, to nominate for election, fill vacancies and appoint replacements for a number of Board members in proportion to the CD&R Investor Group’s percentage beneficial ownership of outstanding NCI Common Stock, but never to exceed one less than the number of independent, non-CD&R-affiliated directors serving on the Board.

The New Stockholders Agreement contains voting agreements between the Company and each of the Investors, including the requirement that each Investor shall vote all of the shares of Common Stock that it beneficially owns (a) in favor of all director nominees, other than CD&R Investor Nominees or director nominees proposed by a Golden Gate Investor, nominated by the Board for election by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with the terms of the New Stockholders Agreement and the Sixth Amended and Restated By-laws of the Company, (b) as recommended by the Board, on any and all (i) proposals relating to or concerning compensation or equity incentives for directors, officers or employees of the Company adopted in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, (ii) proposals by stockholders of the Company, other than a proposal by a CD&R Investor or a Golden Gate Investor, and (iii) proposals the subject matter of which is a CD&R Investor Consent Action (as defined in the New Stockholders Agreement), provided that, in respect of clauses (i) and (iii) only, that the Board’s recommendation is consistent with the CD&R Investor Group’s exercise of its consent rights provided in the New Stockholders Agreement, and (c) not in favor of any transaction constituting, or that would result in, a Change of Control (as defined in the New Stockholders Agreement) that has not been approved by a majority of the Independent Non-CD&R Investor Directors (as defined in the New Stockholders Agreement), if the per share consideration to be received by any CD&R Investor or Golden Gate Investor in connection with such transaction is not equal to, and in the same form as, the per-share consideration to be received by the shareholders not affiliated with the Investors.

Debt

On February 8, 2018, the Company entered into a Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement”) and ABL Credit Agreement (the “Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement”), the proceeds of which, together, were used to redeem the 8.25% senior notes and to refinance the Company’s then existing term loan credit facility and the Company’s then existing asset-based revolving credit facility.

The Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement provided for an aggregate principal amount of $415.0 million (the “Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Facility”). Proceeds from borrowings under the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Facility were used, together with cash on hand, (i) to refinance the existing term loan credit agreement, (ii) to redeem and repay the Notes (the foregoing, collectively, the “Refinancing”) and (iii) to pay any fees, premiums and expenses incurred in connection with the Refinancing.

The Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement provided for an asset-based revolving credit facility which allowed aggregate maximum borrowings by the ABL Borrowers of up to $150.0 million (the “Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility”). As set forth in the Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement, extensions of credit under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility are limited by a borrowing base calculated periodically based on specified percentages of the value of eligible accounts receivable, eligible credit card receivables and eligible inventory, less certain reserves and certain adjustments. Availability is reduced by issuance of letters of credit as well as any borrowings.

As of October 28, 2018 , we had an aggregate principal amount of $412.9 million of outstanding indebtedness, comprising $412.9 million of borrowings under our Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Facility. We had no revolving loans outstanding under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility. Our excess availability under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility was $141.0 million as of October 28, 2018 . In addition, standby letters of credit related to certain insurance policies totaling approximately $9.0 million were outstanding but undrawn under the Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility.

For additional information, see Note 11 — Long-Term Debt and Note Payable in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.

In connection with the merger with Ply Gem, on November 16, 2018 we assumed the outstanding debt obligations of Ply Gem and repaid in full amounts outstanding under the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement. For additional information, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for more information on our indebtedness following the Merger.

Cash Flow

We periodically evaluate our liquidity requirements, capital needs and availability of resources in view of inventory levels, expansion plans, debt service requirements and other operating cash needs. To meet our short- and long-term liquidity requirements, including payment of operating expenses and repaying debt, we rely primarily on cash from operations. Beyond cash generated from operations, $141.0 million is available with our Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility at October 28, 2018 and we have a cash balance, including restricted cash, of $54.5 million as of October 28, 2018 . Following the consummation of the Merger, we have a U.S. ABL Facility and a Canadian ABL Facility, which together have an aggregate capacity of approximately $611 million, and a Cash Flow Revolver of up to $115 million, none of which was drawn as of November 16, 2018.

We expect that, for the next 12 months, cash generated from operations and our Pre-merger ABL Credit Facility will be sufficient to provide us the ability to fund our operations, provide the increased working capital necessary to support our strategy and fund planned capital expenditures for fiscal 2019 and expansion when needed.

We expect to contribute $1.2 million to our defined benefit plans in fiscal 2019 .

During fiscal 2018 we repurchased an aggregate of $46.7 million of our Common Stock under the stock repurchase programs authorized in September 8, 2016 and October 10, 2017. On March 7, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized new stock repurchase programs for up to an aggregate of $50.0 million. At October 28, 2018 , approximately $55.6 million remained available for stock repurchases under the stock repurchase programs authorized on October 10, 2017 and March 7, 2018. We also withheld shares of restricted stock to satisfy minimum tax withholding obligations arising in connection with the vesting of awards of restricted stock related to our 2003 Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan.

The Company may repurchase or otherwise retire the Company’s debt and take other steps to reduce the Company’s debt or otherwise improve the Company’s financial position. These actions could include open market debt repurchases, negotiated repurchases, other retirements of outstanding debt and opportunistic refinancing of debt. The amount of debt that may be repurchased or otherwise retired, if any, will depend on market conditions, trading levels of the Company’s debt, the Company’s cash position, compliance with debt covenants and other considerations.

Affiliates of the Company may also purchase the Company’s debt from time to time, through open market purchases or other transactions. In such cases, the Company’s debt may not be retired, in which case the Company would continue to pay interest in accordance with the terms of the debt, and the Company would continue to reflect the debt as outstanding in its consolidated balance sheets.

In connection with the Merger, on November 16, 2018, we assumed the outstanding debt obligations of Ply Gem and repaid in full amounts outstanding under the Pre-merger Term Loan Credit Agreement and the Pre-merger ABL Credit Agreement. For additional information, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for more information on our indebtedness following the Merger.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Set forth below are certain non-GAAP measures which include adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted EBITDA, adjusted net income per diluted common share and adjusted net income applicable to common shares. We define adjusted operating income (loss) as operating income (loss) adjusted for items broadly consisting of selected items which management does not consider representative of our ongoing operations. We define adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization, adjusted for items broadly consisting of selected items which management does not consider representative of our ongoing operations and certain non-cash items of the Company. Such measurements are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and should not be construed as an alternative to reported results determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Management believes the use of such non-GAAP measures on a consolidated basis assists investors in understanding the ongoing operating performance by presenting the financial results between periods on a more comparable basis. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. In evaluating these measures, you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses that are the same as, or similar to, some of the adjustments in these non-GAAP measures. In addition, certain financial covenants related to our term loan and asset-based lending credit agreements are based on similar non-GAAP measures. The non-GAAP information provided is unique to the Company and may not be consistent with the methodologies used by other companies.

The following tables reconcile adjusted net income per diluted common share to net income per diluted common share and adjusted net income applicable to common shares to net income applicable to common shares for the periods indicated (in thousands):

The following tables reconcile adjusted operating income (loss) and adjusted EBITDA to operating income (loss) for the periods indicated below: