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Business

USG, through our subsidiaries and joint ventures, is a leading manufacturer of building materials and innovative solutions that was originally formed in 1902. We produce a wide range of products for use in new residential, new nonresidential, and residential and nonresidential repair and remodel construction as well as products used in certain industrial processes. Our businesses are cyclical in nature and sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, including conditions in the North American housing and construction-based markets. Our expansion through two 50/50 joint ventures, referred to as USG Boral Building Products, or UBBP, we formed in 2014 with Boral Limited, or Boral, into the markets of Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East has significantly increased our exposure to the economic conditions in those areas.

The effects of market conditions on our operations are discussed in Part II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

On June 10, 2018, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, as it may be amended from time to time, or the Merger Agreement, with Gebr. Knauf KG, a limited partnership (Kommanditgesellschaft) organized under the laws of Germany, or Knauf, and World Cup Acquisition Corporation, a Delaware corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Knauf, or Merger Sub. The Merger Agreement provides that, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, Merger Sub will be merged with and into USG, or the Merger, with USG continuing as the surviving corporation and an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Knauf. Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, at the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.10, of USG issued and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of the Merger (other than shares of common stock owned by Knauf and its subsidiaries, USG and its subsidiaries and certain excluded holders) will be converted into the right to receive $43.50 in cash, without interest and subject to tax withholding, or the closing consideration. In addition, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement, we announced on August 9, 2018 that USG had declared a conditional special cash dividend of $0.50 per share, or the conditional special dividend, payable to holders of record of our common stock as of the close of business on August 21, 2018. Payment of the conditional special dividend was conditioned on adoption of the Merger Agreement by our stockholders at the special meeting held on September 26, 2018, or the special meeting. The Merger Agreement was adopted by our stockholders at the special meeting and following certification of the vote in favor of adoption, the conditional special dividend was paid on October 2, 2018.

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