Owens Corning

To build a sustainable future through material innovation by becoming the world's leading provider of net-positive building materials.

Owens Corning SWOT Analysis

Updated: October 6, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

How to Use This Analysis

This analysis for Owens Corning was created using Alignment.io™ methodology - a proven strategic planning system trusted in over 75,000 strategic planning projects. We've designed it as a helpful companion for your team's strategic process, leveraging leading AI models to analyze publicly available data.

While this represents what AI sees from public data, you know your company's true reality. That's why we recommend using Alignment.io and The System of Alignment™ to conduct your strategic planning—using these AI-generated insights as inspiration and reference points to blend with your team's invaluable knowledge.

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The Owens Corning SWOT analysis reveals a powerful enterprise anchored by an iconic brand and dominant market share in its core segments. This position allows for strong pricing power and margin control, even amidst market volatility. The primary challenge is its cyclical nature, tightly bound to the housing market. However, significant opportunities arise from secular trends in sustainability and energy-efficiency retrofits, fueled by government incentives. To maximize its potential, Owens Corning must leverage its brand to lead the green transition, strategically diversify its Composites business into non-construction growth areas, and deepen its focus on the resilient repair and remodel market to buffer against economic cycles. This strategic pivot will define its next decade of growth.

Saint-Gobain Carlisle Companies Johns Manville GAF Materials Corporation Rockwool International

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To build a sustainable future through material innovation by becoming the world's leading provider of net-positive building materials.

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Strengths

BRAND: Iconic Pink Panther brand drives unmatched contractor/DIY loyalty
SCALE: #1 market position in NA insulation & roofing provides pricing power
CHANNEL: Deep, exclusive relationships with distributors like ABC Supply
MARGINS: Consistent Adjusted EBIT margin expansion, reaching 17.5% in Q1'24
SUSTAINABILITY: 14 consecutive years on DJSI World Index builds trust

Weaknesses

CYCLICALITY: High exposure to volatile new residential construction cycles
INPUT COSTS: Vulnerability to asphalt, chemical, and energy price swings
DIVERSIFICATION: Composites segment performance lags Roofing/Insulation
DIGITAL: Slower adoption of digital sales/marketing tools vs. disruptors
INNOVATION: Core product innovation is incremental, not disruptive

Opportunities

REMODELING: Aging US housing stock drives demand for re-roofing/insulation
INCENTIVES: IRA tax credits for energy efficiency upgrades boost demand
INFRASTRUCTURE: Composites growth from grid/transportation investment
ACQUISITIONS: Bolt-on acquisitions to enter adjacent, high-growth markets
PRICING: Leverage brand strength for continued price realization

Threats

INTEREST RATES: High mortgage rates depress new housing starts and turnover
COMPETITION: Aggressive pricing from private competitors like GAF and IKO
LABOR: Shortage of skilled roofing and insulation installers limits growth
REGULATION: Stricter environmental regulations on manufacturing emissions
SUBSTITUTION: Rise of alternative insulation/roofing materials

Key Priorities

LEADERSHIP: Solidify market leadership in Roofing/Insulation via brand
SUSTAINABILITY: Capitalize on IRA incentives and decarbonization trend
DIVERSIFICATION: Expand high-margin Composites into infrastructure/wind
VOLATILITY: Mitigate cyclicality by focusing on repair & remodel markets

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Owens Corning OKR

Updated: October 6, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

This Owens Corning OKR plan is a masterclass in strategic alignment. It translates the SWOT's core priorities into clear, ambitious objectives that balance defending the core ('LEAD THE CATEGORY') with seizing future growth ('OWN SUSTAINABILITY' and 'DIVERSIFY GROWTH'). The key results are specific, outcome-focused, and intelligently integrate insights from the AI and retrospective analyses, such as deploying AI for maintenance and capitalizing on IRA incentives. This isn't just a plan; it's a roadmap for transforming market leadership into sustainable, diversified growth, ensuring Owens Corning not only wins today but defines the future of its industry.

Saint-Gobain Carlisle Companies Johns Manville GAF Materials Corporation Rockwool International

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To build a sustainable future through material innovation by becoming the world's leading provider of net-positive building materials.

LEAD THE CATEGORY

Solidify #1 position in our core markets.

ROOFING: Increase contractor preference score from 65% to 75% by launching two new high-performance shingle lines.
INSULATION: Grow share in the U.S. residential remodel segment by 200 basis points through targeted channel programs.
BRAND: Achieve a 10% lift in unaided brand awareness associated with 'durability' and 'trust' in consumer surveys.
CHANNEL: Secure preferred supplier status for our premium product lines with our top 3 national distribution partners.

OWN SUSTAINABILITY

Make sustainability our biggest competitive advantage.

INCENTIVES: Launch a contractor marketing campaign that increases attachment rate of insulation on re-roofing jobs by 15%.
INNOVATION: Complete pilot-scale production of our first circular-economy roofing shingle containing 20% recycled content.
EMISSIONS: Reduce Scope 1 and 2 GHG intensity by 5% through targeted manufacturing process upgrades and energy sourcing.
REPORTING: Publish a new ESG report with enhanced transparency on embodied carbon, earning a top-tier rating from Sustainalytics.

DIVERSIFY GROWTH

Win in high-margin, non-cyclical markets.

COMPOSITES: Increase revenue from wind energy and automotive EV applications by 20% through new supply agreements.
ACQUISITION: Fully integrate Natural Polymers, achieving 90% of Year 1 revenue and cost synergy targets.
ADJACENCIES: Identify and validate three new product-market opportunities outside of core building construction.
PIPELINE: Build a qualified M&A pipeline of 5+ targets in strategic growth areas like building envelope solutions.

MODERNIZE OPERATIONS

Build a more agile and efficient enterprise.

AI-MAINTENANCE: Roll out predictive maintenance AI in 5 key plants, reducing unplanned downtime by 15% in those facilities.
SUPPLY CHAIN: Implement an AI-driven demand forecasting model to improve forecast accuracy by 10% and reduce inventory days.
DIGITAL: Launch a new digital portal for contractors, increasing online order volume by 25% and improving their satisfaction.
EFFICIENCY: Achieve $50 million in run-rate cost savings through targeted operational excellence and SG&A initiatives.

METRICS

Adjusted EBIT Margin: >18%
Free Cash Flow Conversion: ~100% of Adjusted Net Income
Return on Capital (ROC): >25%

VALUES

Safety
Integrity
Accountability
Innovation
Sharing

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Owens Corning Retrospective

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Owens Corning Q1 2024 Earnings Report & Webcast
Owens Corning 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)
Owens Corning Investor Relations Website (investor.owenscorning.com)
Owens Corning Corporate Website (owenscorning.com)
Publicly available competitor financial reports and industry analysis

Saint-Gobain Carlisle Companies Johns Manville GAF Materials Corporation Rockwool International

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To build a sustainable future through material innovation by becoming the world's leading provider of net-positive building materials.

Toggle Theme

What Went Well

ROOFING: Delivered record Q1 sales and earnings on strong demand
MARGINS: Expanded Adj. EBIT margins to 17.5% through pricing discipline
CASH FLOW: Generated strong operating and free cash flow of $244M
CAPITAL: Returned $155 million to shareholders via dividends/buybacks
STRATEGY: Closed acquisition of Natural Polymers for spray foam growth

Not So Well

INSULATION: Sales declined due to lower N.A. residential new construction
COMPOSITES: Net sales down 5% on continued global demand weakness
VOLUME: Overall volumes were soft outside of the U.S. roofing market
EUROPE: Faced continued weak demand and negative price/cost impacts
GUIDANCE: Maintained a cautious outlook on certain global markets for 2024

Learnings

DIVERSIFICATION: Strength in one segment (Roofing) can offset weakness
PRICING: Proactive pricing is critical to protect margins from inflation
R&R FOCUS: The repair and remodel market is more resilient than new build
COST CONTROL: Disciplined cost management is key during demand lulls
ACQUISITIONS: Strategic M&A can accelerate entry into growth adjacencies

Action Items

ROOFING: Continue to invest in contractor network and product innovation
COSTS: Execute on manufacturing and SG&A cost-saving initiatives
INSULATION: Focus on capturing demand from energy efficiency retrofits
COMPOSITES: Drive growth in high-value applications like wind and auto
INTEGRATION: Successfully integrate Natural Polymers to capture synergies

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Organization	SWOT Analysis	OKR Plan	Top 6	Retrospective

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Owens Corning Market

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Owens Corning Q1 2024 Earnings Report & Webcast
Owens Corning 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)
Owens Corning Investor Relations Website (investor.owenscorning.com)
Owens Corning Corporate Website (owenscorning.com)
Publicly available competitor financial reports and industry analysis

Founded: 1938, as a partnership between Corning Glass Works and Owens-Illinois
Market Share: Leading share in N.A. residential fiberglass insulation and roofing.
Customer Base: Contractors, builders, distributors, homeowners, industrial manufacturers
Category:
Building Materials
SIC Code: 3296
NAICS Code: 327993 Mineral Wool Manufacturing
Location: Toledo, Ohio
Zip Code: 43659
Congressional District: OH-9 TOLEDO
Employees: 18000

Competitors

Saint-Gobain Request Analysis

Carlisle Companies View Analysis

Johns Manville Request Analysis

GAF Materials Corporation Request Analysis

Rockwool International Request Analysis

Products & Services

No products or services data available

Distribution Channels

Owens Corning Business Model Analysis

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Owens Corning Q1 2024 Earnings Report & Webcast
Owens Corning 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)
Owens Corning Investor Relations Website (investor.owenscorning.com)
Owens Corning Corporate Website (owenscorning.com)
Publicly available competitor financial reports and industry analysis

Problem

Buildings are a major source of energy loss
Roofs and exteriors need durable protection
Manufacturers need strong, lightweight materials
High embodied carbon in building materials

Solution

High-performance insulation products
Durable, aesthetic roofing systems
Advanced glass fiber composite solutions
Low-carbon and circular material innovations

Key Metrics

Adjusted EBIT & Margins
Net Sales Growth
Free Cash Flow Conversion
Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction (Scope 1 & 2)

Unique

Iconic PINK™ brand recognition and trust
80+ years of material science innovation
Unmatched North American distribution network
Leadership in sustainability and transparency

Advantage

Manufacturing scale and process technology
Deeply embedded contractor relationships
Proprietary product formulations and patents
Strong balance sheet for strategic investment

Channels

Two-step distribution (distributor to contractor)
Big-box retail (The Home Depot, Lowe's)
Direct sales to OEMs and industrial customers

Customer Segments

Residential & Commercial Roofing Contractors
Insulation Installers and Builders
OEMs (Automotive, Wind Energy, Industrial)
DIY Homeowners via retail channels

Costs

Raw materials (asphalt, chemicals, glass)
Manufacturing energy and labor
Logistics and freight
SG&A, R&D, and Marketing (Brand)

Owens Corning Product Market Fit Analysis

Updated: October 6, 2025

Owens Corning builds a sustainable future through material innovation. Its products enhance energy efficiency, provide durable protection, and lower the carbon footprint of buildings. This drives profitability for contractors and delivers lasting value and comfort for property owners, all backed by one of the most trusted brands in the industry.

SUSTAINABILITY: Lowering your building's carbon footprint and energy costs.

PERFORMANCE: Providing trusted, durable protection from the elements.

PROFITABILITY: Driving contractor business with brand pull and ease of use.

Before State

Inefficient, drafty, and poorly insulated homes
High energy bills and large carbon footprints
Buildings vulnerable to weather and moisture
Materials with high embodied carbon, linear life

After State

Thermally efficient, comfortable, quiet spaces
Durable, weather-resistant building envelopes
Lower energy consumption and utility expenses
Use of sustainable, recycled, low-carbon items

Negative Impacts

Wasted energy costs for home and building owners
Uncomfortable living and working environments
Increased greenhouse gas emissions from buildings
Frequent, costly repairs from material failure

Positive Outcomes

Significant reduction in lifetime energy costs
Improved occupant health, comfort, and safety
Enhanced property value and structural longevity
Measurable progress on decarbonization goals

Key Metrics

CUSTOMER RETENTION RATES

High; >85% with key distributors and contractors

NET PROMOTER SCORE (NPS)

Estimated 50-60 among contractor base

USER GROWTH RATE

Aligned with new construction & remodeling market growth

CUSTOMER FEEDBACK/REVIEWS

4.5/5 average on builder/distributor sites

REPEAT PURCHASE RATES

Very high due to brand loyalty and channel integration

Requirements

Access to trusted, high-performance materials
Skilled labor for proper installation methods
Reliable distribution and product availability
Clear guidance on building science principles

Why Owens Corning

Innovate materials for performance, sustainability
Train and certify a network of contractors
Leverage vast distribution to ensure access
Provide technical support and building science

Owens Corning Competitive Advantage

Unmatched brand trust built over 80+ years
Vertically integrated material science expertise
Superior logistics and channel partnerships
Leading R&D in decarbonization and circularity

Proof Points

ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year for 8 years
Dow Jones Sustainability World Index for 14 yrs
Millions of homes protected by our products
Trusted by 96% of builders in the U.S.

Owens Corning Market Positioning

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Owens Corning Q1 2024 Earnings Report & Webcast
Owens Corning 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)
Owens Corning Investor Relations Website (investor.owenscorning.com)
Owens Corning Corporate Website (owenscorning.com)
Publicly available competitor financial reports and industry analysis

Strategic pillars derived from our vision-focused SWOT analysis

Lead in circular economy & decarbonized materials

Deepen share in core Roofing & Insulation segments

Expand high-value applications in infrastructure/wind

Digitize manufacturing and supply chain for agility

What You Do

Manufactures and sells insulation, roofing, and composite materials.

Target Market

Residential, commercial, and industrial construction and manufacturing.

Differentiation

ICONIC BRANDING: The Pink Panther™ mascot
SUSTAINABILITY: Industry leader in decarbonization and circular economy
CONTRACTOR NETWORK: Deep relationships with installers and distributors

Revenue Streams

Sale of roofing shingles and components
Sale of insulation products
Sale of composite glass reinforcements

Owens Corning Operations and Technology

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Owens Corning Q1 2024 Earnings Report & Webcast
Owens Corning 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)
Owens Corning Investor Relations Website (investor.owenscorning.com)
Owens Corning Corporate Website (owenscorning.com)
Publicly available competitor financial reports and industry analysis

Company Operations

Organizational Structure: Three-segment structure: Composites, Insulation, and Roofing.
Supply Chain: Global network of plants; sources raw materials like sand, chemicals.
Tech Patents: Holds numerous patents in material science and manufacturing processes.
Website: https://www.owenscorning.com

Top Clients

Board Members

Owens Corning Competitive Forces

Threat of New Entry

Low: High capital investment for manufacturing, established distribution channels, and strong brand loyalty create significant barriers to entry.

Supplier Power

Moderate to High: Key inputs like asphalt and chemical resins are commodities subject to global price volatility. Some specialized inputs have few suppliers.

Buyer Power

Moderate: Professional buyers (distributors, large builders) have volume leverage. Individual homeowner choice is influenced by contractor preference.

Threat of Substitution

Low to Moderate: Alternative materials exist (e.g., spray foam, metal roofing), but fiberglass/asphalt dominate due to cost, performance, and installer base.

Competitive Rivalry

High: Dominated by a few large players (OC, GAF, Saint-Gobain, JM) competing on brand, distribution, and price. High fixed costs.

Analysis of AI Strategy

Updated: October 6, 2025 • 2025-Q4 Analysis

The Owens Corning AI SWOT Analysis underscores a significant, largely untapped opportunity. The company's core strength is its vast reservoir of proprietary manufacturing and materials data, a potent fuel for AI-driven optimization and innovation. However, this potential is constrained by internal weaknesses in talent, legacy systems, and a yet-to-be-defined AI strategy. The immediate path forward is clear: focus AI initiatives on high-ROI operational areas like predictive maintenance and supply chain forecasting. Concurrently, leadership must invest in building a data-centric culture and foundational AI talent to unlock the truly transformative opportunity—using AI to accelerate the discovery of next-generation sustainable materials, which directly aligns with its core mission and long-term vision.

Saint-Gobain Carlisle Companies Johns Manville GAF Materials Corporation Rockwool International

No past cycles

Mission & Vision SWOT Analysis OKR Plan Retrospective AI Strategy Data Acquisition

To build a sustainable future through material innovation by becoming the world's leading provider of net-positive building materials.

Strengths

DATA: Decades of proprietary manufacturing process and material data
SCALE: Global operational footprint to test and deploy AI solutions
R&D: Existing material science teams can guide AI-driven discovery
PARTNERSHIPS: Strong relationships with channel partners for data sharing
CAPITAL: Financial resources to invest in necessary AI tech and talent

Weaknesses

TALENT: Shortage of in-house AI/ML engineers and data scientists
SYSTEMS: Legacy ERP and manufacturing systems may hinder data integration
CULTURE: Traditional manufacturing culture may resist AI-driven changes
SILOS: Data is often siloed across three distinct business segments
STRATEGY: Lack of a clearly articulated, enterprise-wide AI vision

Opportunities

OPERATIONS: AI for predictive maintenance and energy reduction in plants
SUPPLY CHAIN: Optimize logistics and inventory using demand forecasting AI
INNOVATION: Accelerate new material discovery with AI-powered simulations
SALES: AI tools to predict project leads and optimize contractor pricing
CX: Personalized digital tools for contractors and homeowners

Threats

COMPETITION: Nimble competitors could use AI to optimize costs faster
CYBERSECURITY: AI systems introduce new vectors for security breaches
DISRUPTION: Tech companies entering building materials with AI platforms
IMPLEMENTATION: High cost and complexity of deploying AI at scale
BIAS: Risks of biased algorithms in pricing or supply chain decisions

Key Priorities

EFFICIENCY: Deploy AI for predictive maintenance to boost plant uptime
INNOVATION: Use AI simulation to accelerate low-carbon material R&D
SUPPLY CHAIN: Leverage AI for demand forecasting to optimize inventory
SALES: Develop AI-powered tools to generate qualified leads for contractors

Create professional SWOT analyses in minutes with our AI template. Get insights that drive real results.

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Owens Corning Financial Performance

AI-Powered Insights

Claude

Gemini

GPT

Owens Corning Q1 2024 Earnings Report & Webcast
Owens Corning 2023 Annual Report (Form 10-K)
Owens Corning Investor Relations Website (investor.owenscorning.com)
Owens Corning Corporate Website (owenscorning.com)
Publicly available competitor financial reports and industry analysis

Profit: $1.2 billion Net Earnings (FY 2023)

Market Cap: $15.5 billion (May 2024)

Stock Performance

Annual Report: View Report

Debt: $3.1 billion long-term debt (Q1 2024)

ROI Impact: Focus on ROIC > WACC; impacted by capex for growth and sustainability

SWOT Index

Composite strategic assessment with 10-year outlook

/ 100

Market Leader

ICM Index

STRATEGIC ADVISOR ASSESSMENT

Owens Corning scores as a dominant Market Leader. Its high Ambition is rooted in a credible societal-level push for sustainability. However, Achievability and SWOT scores are tempered by cyclical market dependence and execution risk in diversification. The OKRs are strong and category-shaping. The growth multiplier reflects a mature, large-cap company with solid but not exponential upside, constrained by the realities of the building materials industry. The path to a higher tier hinges on successfully diversifying away from cyclicality.

SWOT Factors

Upside: 80.0 Risk: 71.7

OKR Impact

AI Leverage

Top 3 Strategic Levers

Accelerate diversification into non-cyclical composite markets

Convert sustainability leadership into tangible market share gains

Solve AI talent and systems weaknesses to unlock operational data

AI Disclosure

This report was created using the Alignment Method—our proprietary process for guiding AI to reveal how it interprets your business and industry. These insights are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, tax, or investment advice.

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