Dietrich Metal Framing Announces USG Agreement; Joint Testing and Code

    Business Editors

    COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 28, 2005--Dietrich Metal Framing, a Worthington Industries company (NYSE:WOR), today announced a cooperative agreement with United States Gypsum Company, a subsidiary of USG Corporation (NYSE:USG), to design and develop new building framing systems and products.
    "We will work together to develop new products and test building construction systems using the most advanced thinking in construction materials and methods in our industry," stated Ed Ponko, President of Dietrich Metal Framing. "As a result of this agreement, we will be able to help the industry confidently write specifications for cold-formed steel systems, specifically through our systems approach to fire, sound and structural testing."
    The agreement leverages Dietrich's strengths as the steel framing industry leader and USG's building systems expertise. It will give Dietrich and USG the opportunity to expand the application of their respective steel framing and building products, thereby enabling owners, developers, architects, engineers and general contractors to rely on systems designed specifically to save money, reduce construction time and improve safety.
    Ponko said work will begin immediately on designing, developing and testing building construction systems combining existing and new products from Dietrich and USG.
    United States Gypsum Company is a subsidiary of USG Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with business units that are market leaders in their key product groups: gypsum wallboard, joint compound and related gypsum products; cement board; gypsum fiber panels; ceilings panels and grid; and building products distribution.
    Dietrich Metal Framing is the largest manufacturer of steel framing products in the United States. Dietrich's 2,000 employees in 27 facilities use state-of-the-art equipment and in-house metallurgic labs to ensure superior product performance and competitive prices. Dietrich Metal Framing, founded in 1959, is a Worthington Industries Company. Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of more than $2 billion. The Columbus, Ohio, based company is North America's premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured metal products such as metal framing, metal ceiling grid systems, pressure cylinders, automotive past model service stampings and laser welded blanks. The company employs 8,000 people and operates 63 facilities in 10 countries.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    The company wishes to take advantage of the Safe Harbor provisions included in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 ("the Act"). Statements by the company, which are not historical information, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Act. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those projected. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include risks described from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

--30--JAM/cl*

CONTACT: Worthington Industries, Columbus Corporate Communications: Cathy Mayne Lyttle, 614-438-3077 cmlyttle@WorthingtonIndustries.com OR Investor Relations: Allison McFerren Sanders, 614-840-3133 asanders@WorthingtonIndustries.com

KEYWORD: OHIO INDUSTRY KEYWORD: REAL ESTATE BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION AUTOMOTIVE MINING/METALS MANUFACTURING MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Worthington Industries

Copyright Business Wire 2005