Profile: Apogee Enterprises Inc (APOG.O)

Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (Apogee), incorporated in 1949, is involved in the design and development of value-added glass products, services and systems. The Company operates in two segments: the Architectural Products and Services segment designs, engineers, fabricates, installs, maintains and renovates the walls of glass and windows comprising the outside skin and entrances of commercial and institutional buildings, and the Large-Scale Optical Technologies segment manufactures value-added glass and acrylic products primarily for the custom picture framing market. Apogee provides value-added glass solutions for enclosing commercial buildings and framing art. During the fiscal year ended March 3, 2012 (fiscal 2012), its Architectural Products and Services segment accounted for approximately 88% of its net sales. During fiscal 2012, its Large-Scale Optical Technologies segment accounted for approximately 12% of its net sales.

Architectural Products and Services Segment

The Architectural Products and Services (Architectural) segment primarily fabricates, installs and renovates the outside skin of commercial buildings. Through processes, the Company adds ultra-thin coatings to uncoated architectural glass to create colors. It also laminates layers of glass and vinyl to create glass that helps protect against hurricanes and bomb blasts. Glass can also be tempered to provide additional strength. The Company has the ability to design, build and install windows, curtainwall, storefront and entrances using its coated glass and metal products or those supplied by others. It also provides finishing services for the metal and plastic components used to frame architectural glass windows and walls and other products. Its product choices allow architects to create looks for office towers, hotels, education facilities and dormitories, health care facilities, government buildings, retail centers and multi-family buildings. Apogee offers a range of glass colors and high-performance coatings. Additional value-added processes, such as silk-screening and heat soaking, can be incorporated into the glass. High-performance glass is typically fabricated into custom insulating units and/or laminated units to allow for installation into window frames, curtainwall, storefront or entrance systems.

Varying degrees of customization of the Company’s window, curtainwall, storefront and entrance systems are available depending on the customer’s project requirements. The Company’s window systems can be operable or non-operable. Its curtainwall systems may be unitized (shop fabricated) or field fabricated. Depending on the requirements, it applies paint to the aluminum components. Alternatively, the Company can use anodizing to create a weather-resistant film of aluminum oxide, often colored, on the surface of the aluminum. Its capabilities also allow the Company to apply ultra-violet (UV) protection and durable paint to polyvinyl chloride parts, such as interior shutters. The Company installs curtainwall, window, storefront and entrance systems for non-monumental, new commercial and institutional buildings, as well as for renovating existing buildings. It provides design, engineering, fabrication and installation expertise for the building envelope to owners, architects and general contractors. All of the businesses within the Architectural segment manufacture their products by fabricating glass and/or metals in a job-shop environment. Products are shipped to the job site or other location where further assembly or installation may be required.

Large-Scale Optical Technologies Segment

The Large-Scale Optical Technologies (LSO) segment primarily provides coated glass and acrylic for use in custom picture framing applications. The variables in the glass used for picture framing products are the size and coatings to give the glass UV protection and/or anti-reflective properties.