Nov. 29, 2006 — Worthington Industries announced the formation of Worthington Integrated Building Systems (W-IBS) as a single-source solution for mid-rise, military and single family residential construction.

“We are combining the design, engineering and construction know-how of all our residential offerings into one group,” said John P. McConnell, Chairman and CEO. “This approach leverages our manufacturing capabilities and provides architects and developers a single solution for their building construction needs,” McConnell added.

W-IBS will provide design, engineering and installation through a panelized system approach. Worthington’s method reduces the construction cycle time for buildings up to nine stories because of the framing system’s installation speed and improved coordination of the mechanical and electrical trades.

The W-IBS military housing division will continue its focus on the single-family market. Development of military housing continues to have great momentum in Hawaii where steel framing is the preferred material in residential construction. This division is focused on bringing that framing technology and skill to military bases on the mainland.

Over the last several years, natural disasters in the coastal areas of the U.S. have highlighted the value of steel framing because of its strength and its termite- and mold-resistant qualities. W-IBS will focus its single-family residential strategy on larger homebuilders looking to provide the benefits of steel framing to their product offering.

McConnell announced that Ralph Roberts, a 30-year Worthington Industries veteran, will serve as President of W-IBS. “Ralph has a tremendous amount of experience in the steel business and, notably, he began our highly successful WAVE joint venture with Armstrong World Industries. That experience in the construction business and, most recently, his senior level corporate role with DBS prepares him well for this assignment,” McConnell added.

In addition to the mid-rise, military and single-family focus, W-IBS will also be responsible for the development of the China-DBS project. For this project, the company is helping the Chinese Ministry of Construction explore new material applications by using the DBS mid-rise building system in a development in China. The building is completed and is now being reviewed and tested.

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of approximately $3 billion. The Columbus, Ohio, based company is a premier North American value-added steel processor and a leading producer of manufactured metal products such as metal framing, metal ceiling grid systems, pressure cylinders, automotive past model service stamping and laser welded blanks. The company employs more than 8,000 people and operates 63 facilities in 10 countries. Worthington Industries is listed as one of America’s Most Admired Companies and one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America by Fortune magazine.

Founded in 1955, the company operates under a long-standing corporate philosophy rooted in the golden rule, with earning money for its shareholders as the first corporate goal. This philosophy, an unwavering commitment to the customer, and one of the strongest employee/employer partnerships in American industry serve as the company’s foundation.