SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels Now Available to More Than 500 Retail and Dealer Locations

USG Corporation (NYSE: USG), a leading building products company, announced today it has expanded the distribution of its SHEETROCK® Brand UltraLight Panels.

The lightweight gypsum panels are now available to more than 500 retail and specialty dealer locations throughout the Midwest, Northeast and Southeast regions. The lightweight gypsum panels are up to 30 percent lighter than the competition, making installation easier and faster.

“The successful launch of SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels reinforces USG’s position as an innovative leader that has helped improve the way buildings are constructed for more than 100 years,” said James Metcalf, chief executive officer and president, USG Corporation. “SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels represent another technological advancement that enables construction industry professionals to be more efficient in the installation and transportation of this breakthrough product.”

USG Earns Award for Innovation

USG recently received a Chicago Innovation Award for its SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels. The Chicago Innovation Awards are awarded to products, services and processes that fill unmet needs, spark a competitive response in the marketplace and improve people’s lives. In addition, This Old House magazine named SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels a Best New Product and Fast Company magazine deemed it one of the Coolest Products of 2010.

SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels were invented at USG’s Corporate Innovation Center, located in Libertyville, Ill. Using proprietary formulations and processes with new patented technologies, USG’s scientists created a lightweight panel that is up to 30 percent, or 15 to 24 pounds per panel, lighter than the competition, making them easier to transport and install. SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels feature a significantly higher strength-to-weight ratio with improved sag resistance and are stronger pound-for-pound compared to standard 1/2-inch wallboard.

“Customer excitement in response to this revolutionary product motivated us to accelerate and expand its availability,” said Chris Griffin, executive vice president, Operations, USG Corporation. “Our customers asked for a lightweight board and SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels exceeded their expectations.”

SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels Achieve Gold Sustainability Certification

USG is helping architects and contractors create sustainable building solutions with its SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels. USG’s SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels are the industry’s first wallboard product to undergo Underwriters Laboratories Inc.’s UL Environment™ Validation and earn the Gold Level Certification. The lightweight panels were found to hold superior environmental and human health attributes based on several factors, including materials, energy, manufacturing and operations, health and environment, product performance and use, and stewardship.

SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels are made with up to 95 percent recycled content, offer up to a 20 percent reduction in transportation energy, conserve raw materials by up to 15 percent, and qualify as a low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting material.

USG’s SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels Exceed Customer Demands, Boost Productivity

According to Ducker Worldwide, a market research firm, more than 50 percent of contractors said weight is one of the most important wallboard attributes, while 86 percent of distributors said the number one way to improve wallboard is to make it lighter.

SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels help reduce fatigue for contractors and their employees because of their lighter weight, easier and faster installation, and cleaner score and snap—ultimately helping contractors meet project demands. Dealers also benefit from the lighter weight with reduced employee fatigue, less wear and tear on equipment and the ability to ship more product per truck, resulting in increased operational efficiency and energy savings.

In fact, SHEETROCK UltraLight Panels are helping contractors remodel homes on-time during the eighth season of ABC-TV’s “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.” Each episode, which airs on Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT, features a family that has faced a recent or ongoing hardship and local construction contractors, trade companies and volunteers provide a new home for the family. The comprehensive one-week makeover, which includes interior work, exterior work and landscaping, is performed during a seven-day period while the family is away on a program-sponsored vacation.

“This series is devoted to rebuilding the homes of families at precisely the time they need a renewal of hope, a concept that USG is honored to support,” said Linda McGovern, director, Marketing, USG Building Systems. “We are proud to help lift the weight off the backs of the generous building crews and volunteers by providing USG’s newest lightweight innovations.”

Source: http://www.usg.com/