WOR Company Profile

We report our operations in three principal business segments: Processed Steel Products, Metal Framing and Pressure Cylinders. The Processed Steel Products segment includes The Worthington Steel Company business unit (“Worthington Steel”) and The Gerstenslager Company business unit (“Gerstenslager”). The Metal Framing segment is comprised of the Dietrich Industries, Inc. business unit (“Dietrich”). The Pressure Cylinders segment consists of the Worthington Cylinder Corporation business unit (“Worthington Cylinders”).

We purchase steel in large quantities at regular intervals from major primary producers, both domestic and foreign. In our Processed Steel Products segment, we primarily purchase and process steel based on specific customer orders and do not typically purchase steel for inventory. Our Metal Framing and Pressure Cylinders segments purchase steel to meet our production schedules. Our raw materials are purchased in the open market on a negotiated spot market basis at prevailing market prices, we also enter into long-term contracts, some of which have fixed pricing.

We employ a staff of engineers and other technical personnel and maintain fully equipped modern laboratories to support our operations. These facilities enable us to verify, analyze and document the physical, chemical, metallurgical and mechanical properties of our raw materials and products. Technical service personnel also work in conjunction with our sales force to determine the types of flat-rolled steel required for our customers’ particular needs. Additionally, technical service personnel design and engineer metal framing structures and provide sealed shop drawings to the building construction markets.

To provide these services, we maintain a continuing program of developmental engineering with respect to the characteristics and performance of our products under varying conditions. Laboratory facilities also perform metallurgical and chemical testing as dictated by the regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Transport Canada and other associated agencies, along with International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and customer requirements. All design work complies with current local and national building code requirements. Our ICBO (International Conference of Building Officials) accredited product-testing laboratory supports these design efforts.

The Processed Steel Products industry is fragmented and highly competitive. We compete with many other independent intermediate processors and, with respect to automotive stamping, captive processors owned by the automotive companies, independent tier-one suppliers of current model components and a number of smaller competitors. We compete primarily on the basis of product quality, our ability to meet delivery requirements and price. Our technical service and support for material testing and customer specific applications enhance the quality of our products. However, we have not quantified the extent to which our technical service capability has improved our competitive position.