Owens Corning to exit siding

Toledo, Ohio-based building products firm Owens Corning, in its fourth quarter earnings report released today, announced that it is looking for a buyer for its vinyl siding business. The company said it will "explore strategic alternatives" -- that's the code word for "it's for sale" these days -- for its Siding Solutions business, which includes its vinyl siding manufacturing plants and its Norandex/Reynolds distribution business, plus its Fabwel unit. Fabwel makes components and sidewalls for recreational vehicles and cargo trailers. Owens Corning ranks No. 14 in our survey of North American profile, pipe and tubing extruders, with estimated sales of $320 million -- all in profiles. The construction beat has definitely been a little more exciting than usual the past few years, with big deals involving J-M Manufacturing Co. Inc., Royal Group Technologies Ltd. and others. Will a competitor buy Owens Corning's siding business, or will we more likely see a financial buyer?