USG celebrated its 100th anniversary on May 24, 2002. To mark the occasion, company plants, distribution facilities and offices throughout the country, along with the other subsidiaries of USG Corp., hosted special events for employees, retirees and customers. In Chicago, a portion of Franklin St. near the company's headquarters building at 125 S. Franklin St. will be renamed "USG Way" by proclamation of the Chicago City Council.

"This is truly a special day for USG Co.," said William C. Foote, chairman, president and CEO of the company. "Not too many businesses are successful enough to last for 100 years ¿ and those that do invariably excel in product innovation, quality and customer service."

The company, which introduced Sheetrock Gypsum Panels and dozens of other construction products and systems, was founded in 1902 in Chicago when a consortium of independent gypsum producers consolidated operations to improve manufacturing efficiencies and enhance product development capabilities.

In 2002, the company operates 21 wallboard manufacturing plants, 13 joint treatment manufacturing facilities, seven paper mills, and nine gypsum mines and quarries in the U.S.