Our global footprint expanded through the combination of our M&A strategy and other investment activities. Business Model and Key Concepts The central focus of our business model is to provide specialized material and service solutions to our customers by leveraging our global footprint, product and technology breadth, manufacturing expertise, fully integrated information technology network, broad market reach and raw material procurement strength.

Strong perforff mance in these segments helped to overcome several headwinds, including: lower selling prices in Distribution and PPS due to hydro-carbon based raw material deflatff ion; unfavff orable foreign exchange; a decline in demand in certain industries, such as oil and gas, heavy truck and agriculture; and weaker performance by our Designed Structures and Solutions (“DSS”) business.