UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

Check the appropriate box:

NCI BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC.

(Name of the Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Not Applicable

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

☐

No fee required.

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☒

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

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(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share

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(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
58,709,067

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(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
The filing fee was calculated based on the value of the transaction, which was computed by multiplying 58,709,067 shares of NCI Building Systems, Inc. common stock by $15.24 per share, that being the average of the high and low prices reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August 8, 2018. In accordance with Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the filing fee was determined at the rate of $124.50 per million.

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(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
$894,726,181

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(5)

Total fee paid:
$111,393.41

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☐

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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☐

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

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(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

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Not applicable

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

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(3)

Filing Party:

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(4)

Date Filed:

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PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT — SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED AUGUST 9, 2018

MERGER PROPOSED — YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

Dear Stockholders of NCI Building Systems, Inc.:

You are cordially invited to attend a special meeting of the stockholders of NCI Building Systems, Inc. (“we,” “us,” the “Company” or “NCI”), which will be held on [•], 2018 at [•], at [•] local time) for the purpose of considering and voting upon the proposed merger of Ply Gem Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Ply Gem”) with and into NCI, and related matters.

On July 17, 2018 (the “execution date”), NCI entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended from time to time, the “merger agreement”) with Ply Gem, and for certain limited purposes set forth in the merger agreement, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), pursuant to which Ply Gem will be merged with and into NCI (the “merger”), with NCI surviving the merger and continuing its corporate existence. In the merger, NCI will issue to Ply Gem’s equity holders 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock (as defined below) representing approximately 47% of the total number of shares expected to be outstanding after closing.

At the special meeting, holders of NCI’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“NCI common stock”) will be asked to consider and vote on (1) a proposal to adopt the merger agreement (the “merger agreement proposal”), (2) as required by New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) rules, a proposal to issue 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock to the holders (“Ply Gem holders”) of all of Ply Gem’s equity interests (“Ply Gem LLC interests”) as of immediately prior to the closing of the merger (the “share issuance proposal”), (3) a proposal to approve the amendment to NCI’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized number of shares of NCI common stock to 200,000,000 and make other changes necessitated by the merger and by a new stockholders agreement and the new registration rights agreement to be entered into among NCI, certain affiliates of Sponsor and certain affiliates of Golden Gate Private Equity, Inc., a minority holder of Ply Gem LLC interests (“GGC”) at the time of the merger (the “charter amendment proposal”), (4) a proposal to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to NCI’s named executive officers in connection with the merger (the “compensation proposal”), and (5) a proposal to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to adopt the merger agreement (the “adjournment proposal”). The approval of each of the merger agreement proposal and the charter amendment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. The approval of each the share issuance proposal, the compensation proposal and the adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the proposals at the special meeting.

The merger agreement and the merger have been approved and recommended by a special committee of NCI’s directors who are independent and not affiliated with Sponsor. NCI’s board of directors, by unanimous vote of the directors not affiliated with Sponsor, recommends that NCI stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement proposal, “FOR” the share issuance proposal, “FOR” the charter amendment proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

Your vote is very important. The merger cannot be completed unless holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting vote in favor of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement. A failure to vote your shares of NCI common stock on the proposal to adopt the merger agreement will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

The obligations of NCI and Ply Gem to complete the merger are subject to the satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions set forth in the merger agreement, a copy of which is included as Annex A, to the attached proxy statement. The attached proxy statement describes the special meeting, the merger, the documents and agreements related to the merger, including the new stockholders agreement and the new registration rights agreement to be entered into among NCI, certain affiliates of Sponsor and certain affiliates of GGC, and other related matters. It also contains or references information about NCI and Ply

Gem, and certain related agreements and matters. Please carefully read this entire proxy statement, including “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 24, for a discussion of the risks relating to the merger. You also can obtain information about NCI from documents that NCI has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

If you have any questions or need assistance in voting your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., at (800) 322-2885 or via email at proxy@mackenziepartners.com.

Thank you for your continued support.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of the securities to be issued in connection with the merger described in this proxy statement or determined if this proxy statement is accurate or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

This document is dated [•], 2018 and is first being mailed to stockholders of NCI on or about [•], 2018.

NCI BUILDING SYSTEMS, INC.
10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West
Houston, Texas 77064
 
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON [•], 2018

This is a notice that a special meeting of stockholders (the “special meeting”) of NCI Building Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“we,” “us,” the “Company” or “NCI”) will be held on [•], 2018 at [•], at [•] local time. The special meeting will be held for the following purposes:

1.

to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 17, 2018 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “merger agreement”), by and among NCI Building Systems, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Ply Gem Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Ply Gem”), and for certain limited purposes set forth in the merger agreement, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), a copy of which is attached as Annex A to the proxy statement of which this notice is a part and incorporated by reference herein (the “merger proposal”);

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2.

to approve the issuance in the merger of 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock, in the aggregate to the holders of all of the equity interests in Ply Gem (the “share issuance proposal”);

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3.

to approve the amendment to NCI’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “charter amendment”) to increase the authorized number of shares of NCI common stock to 200,000,000 and make other changes necessitated by the merger and by a new stockholders agreement (the “new stockholders agreement”) to be entered into among NCI, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice Fund VIII, L.P. (“CD&R Fund VIII”), CD&R Friends & Family Fund VIII, L.P. (“CD&R FF Fund VIII” and, collectively with CD&R Fund VIII, the “Sponsor Fund VIII Investors”) and CD&R Pisces Holdings, L.P. (the “Sponsor Fund X Investor” and, collectively with the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors, the “Sponsor Investors” and each, a “Sponsor Investor”) and Atrium Intermediate Holdings, LLC, GGC BP Holdings, LLC and AIC Finance Partnership, L.P. (collectively, the “GGC Investors” and each, a “GGC Investor”) at the time of the merger (the “charter amendment proposal”);

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4.

to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may become payable to NCI’s named executive officers in connection with the consummation of the merger (the “compensation proposal”); and

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5.

to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal, share issuance proposal and charter amendment proposal (the “adjournment proposal”).

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This proxy statement describes the proposals listed above in more detail. Please refer to the attached document, including the merger agreement and all other annexes and any documents incorporated by reference herein, for further information with respect to the business to be transacted at the special meeting. You are encouraged to read the entire document carefully before voting. In particular, see “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement,” beginning on page 42, and “Proposal 2: Issuance of Shares in the Merger,” beginning on page 100, for a description of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, and the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 24 for an explanation of the risks associated with the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement.

The merger agreement and the merger have been approved and recommended by a special committee of NCI’s directors who are independent and not affiliated with Sponsor. NCI’s board of directors, by unanimous vote of the directors not affiliated with Sponsor, recommends that NCI stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement proposal, “FOR” the share issuance proposal, “FOR” the charter amendment proposal, “FOR” the compensation proposal and “FOR” the adjournment proposal.

Your vote is very important. The merger cannot be completed unless holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting vote in favor of the proposal to adopt the merger agreement. A failure to vote your shares of NCI common stock on the proposal to adopt the merger agreement will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the proposal to adopt the merger agreement.

The NCI board of directors has fixed [•], 2018 as the record date to determine which NCI stockholders are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. Only holders of record of NCI common stock at the close of business on the record date are entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the special meeting.

YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT REGARDLESS OF THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF NCI COMMON STOCK YOU OWN.

Whether or not you expect to attend the special meeting in person, we urge you to submit a proxy to have your shares voted as promptly as possible by either: (1) logging onto the website shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote online; (2) dialing the toll-free number shown on your proxy card and following the instructions to vote by phone; or (3) signing and returning the enclosed proxy card in the postage-paid envelope provided, so that your shares may be represented and voted at the special meeting. Even if you plan to attend the special meeting in person, we request that you complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card and thus ensure that your shares of NCI will be represented at the special meeting if you are unable to attend.

If your shares are held in the name of a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee, please follow the instructions on the voting instruction form furnished by such broker, bank, trustee or other nominee, as appropriate. If you have any questions concerning the merger agreement, the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement or this proxy statement, would like additional copies or need help voting your shares of NCI common stock, please contact NCI’s proxy solicitor:

MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
1407 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
Shareholders May Call Toll-Free: (800) 322-2885
Banks & Brokers May Call Collect: (212) 929-5500

By order of the Board of Directors,
 
Todd R. Moore
Executive Vice President, Chief Legal, Risk & Compliance Officer and Corporate Secretary

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

NCI files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other business and financial information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). You may read and copy any materials that NCI files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, and Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at (800) 732-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. In addition, NCI files reports and other business and financial information with the SEC electronically, and the SEC maintains a website located at http://www.sec.gov containing this information. You can also obtain these documents, free of charge, from NCI at http://www.ncibuildingsystems.com. By referring to NCI’s website and the SEC’s website, NCI does not incorporate by reference any such website or its contents into this proxy statement.

This proxy statement incorporates important business and financial information about NCI from documents that are not attached to this proxy statement. This information is available to you without charge upon your request. You can obtain the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement free of charge by requesting them in writing or by telephone from NCI or its proxy solicitor at the following addresses and telephone numbers:

NCI Building Systems, Inc.
10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West
Houston, TX 77064
(281) 897-7788
Attention: Corporate Secretary
 
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
1407 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
Shareholders May Call Toll-Free: (800) 322-2885
Banks & Brokers May Call Collect: (212) 929-5500

If you would like to request any documents, please do so by [•], 2018 in order to receive them before the special meeting.

For a more detailed description of the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement and how you may obtain it, see “Where You Can Find More Information” beginning on page 135.

ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT

This proxy statement constitutes a proxy statement and notice of special meeting for NCI under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

You should rely only on the information contained in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. No one has been authorized to provide you with information that is different from that contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement. This proxy statement is dated [•], 2018, and you should assume that the information contained in this proxy statement is accurate only as of such date. You should also assume that the information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement is only accurate as of the date of such information.

This proxy statement does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, or the solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction to or from any person to whom it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. Information contained in this proxy statement regarding NCI has been provided by NCI, and information contained in this proxy statement regarding Ply Gem has been provided by Ply Gem.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The following are some questions that you, as a stockholder of NCI Building Systems, Inc. (“we,” “us,” the “Company” or “NCI”) may have regarding the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and other matters being considered at the special meeting of the NCI stockholders (the “special meeting”) and the answers to those questions. NCI urges you to carefully read the remainder of this proxy statement because the information in this section does not provide all the information that might be important to you with respect to the merger of NCI and Ply Gem and the other matters being considered at the special meeting. Additional important information is also contained in the annexes to, and the documents incorporated by reference into, this proxy statement.

Q:

Why am I receiving this document?

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A:

NCI and Ply Gem have agreed to merge under the terms of a merger agreement that is described in this proxy statement (the “merger agreement”). Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, Ply Gem will be merged with and into NCI, with NCI continuing its existence as a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “merger”).

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In order to complete the merger, NCI stockholders must approve the proposal to adopt the merger agreement (the “merger agreement proposal”) and the issuance (the “share issuance”) of 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock representing approximately 47% of the total number of shares expected to be outstanding after closing, to Ply Gem holders of all of the Ply Gem LLC interests as of immediately prior to the closing of the merger (the “share issuance proposal”), and all other conditions to the merger must be satisfied or waived. NCI will hold a special meeting to obtain these approvals and the approval of a proposal to amend NCI’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “charter amendment”) to increase the authorized number of shares of NCI common stock to 200,000,000 and make other changes necessitated by the merger and by the new stockholders agreement to be entered into among NCI, the Sponsor Investors and the GGC Investors at the time of the merger (the “charter amendment proposal”). At the special meeting, stockholders will also vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to NCI’s named executive officers in connection with the merger (the “compensation proposal”) and vote to approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal, share issuance proposal and charter amendment proposal (the “adjournment proposal”).

This proxy statement, which you should read carefully, contains important information about the merger and other matters being considered at the special meeting.

Q:

What consideration is NCI paying to the Ply Gem holders in the merger?

​

A:

The Ply Gem LLC interests will be converted at the closing of the merger into the right of the Ply Gem holders to receive, in the aggregate, with respect to all such interests, 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock (the “aggregate merger consideration”), with each holder being entitled to receive its pro rata share of the aggregate merger consideration. The shares issued as aggregate merger consideration will be listed on the NYSE along with NCI common stock already outstanding. The outstanding shares of NCI common stock held by NCI stockholders immediately prior to the merger will remain outstanding after the closing of the merger.

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For additional information regarding the consideration to be received in the merger, see “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — Effects of the Merger.”

Q:

What will be NCI stockholders’ interest in NCI immediately following the merger?

​

A:

Based upon the estimated number of shares of NCI common stock that will be outstanding immediately prior to the consummation of the merger, we estimate that, upon consummation of the merger, existing NCI stockholders will hold approximately 53% of NCI common stock and the former holders of all of the Ply Gem LLC interests as of immediately prior to the closing of the merger will hold approximately 47% of NCI common stock.

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Q:

What happens to outstanding NCI equity awards in the Merger?

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A:

At the effective time of the merger, certain NCI restricted stock awards, options, restricted stock units and performance restricted stock units will become vested. Following the effective time of the merger, all other outstanding NCI equity awards will remain outstanding, without adjustment, and continue to vest in accordance with their terms (including any vesting terms that provide for acceleration upon a change in control or a qualifying termination of employment thereafter). For additional information regarding the consideration to be received in the merger, see “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — Interests of NCI Executive Officers and Directors in the Merger — Treatment of NCI Equity Awards.”

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Q:

What vote is required to approve each proposal?

​

A:

Your vote “FOR” each proposal presented at the special meeting is very important, and you are encouraged to submit a proxy as soon as possible.

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Proposal to Adopt the Merger Agreement.   Approval of the merger agreement proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement proposal. Any abstention by any NCI stockholder, the failure of any NCI stockholder to submit a vote and any broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal.

Proposal to Approve the Share Issuance in the Merger.   Approval of the share issuance proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting. Abstentions will not be treated as votes cast and, as a result, any abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal.

Proposal to Amend NCI’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.   Approval of the charter amendment proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement proposal. Any abstention by any NCI stockholder, the failure of any NCI stockholder to submit a vote and any broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the charter amendment proposal.

Proposal Regarding Certain Merger-Related Executive Compensation Arrangements.   Adoption of the compensation proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting. Abstentions will not be treated as votes cast and, as a result, any abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the compensation proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the compensation proposal. Since the compensation proposal is non-binding, if the merger agreement proposal is approved by NCI’s stockholders and the merger is completed, the compensation that is the subject of the compensation proposal may be paid in accordance with its terms regardless of the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote.

Proposal to Adjourn the Special Meeting.   Approval of the adjournment proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast at the special meeting. Abstentions will not be treated as votes cast and, as a result, any abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal.

Q:

When do NCI and Ply Gem expect to complete the merger?

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A:

NCI and Ply Gem currently expect to complete the merger in the fourth calendar quarter of 2018. However, neither NCI nor Ply Gem can predict the actual date on which the merger will be completed, nor can the parties assure that the merger will be completed, because completion is subject to conditions beyond either company’s control. See “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement —  Regulatory Clearances Required to Complete the Merger” and “The Merger Agreement — Completion of the Merger.”

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Q:

What happens if the merger is not completed?

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A:

If the merger agreement is not adopted by NCI stockholders or the merger is not completed for any

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other reason, the holders will not receive any payment for their Ply Gem LLC interests and NCI will remain an independent public company, NCI common stock will continue to be listed and traded on the NYSE and registered under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and NCI will continue to file periodic reports with the SEC on account of NCI’s common stock.

Under specified circumstances, NCI may be required to pay a termination fee upon termination of the merger agreement, as described under “The Merger Agreement — Expenses and Termination Fees Relating to the Termination of the Merger Agreement.”

Q:

When and where is the special meeting?

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A:

The special meeting will be held on [•], 2018, at [•] (local time), at [•].

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Q:

When is the record date for the special meeting? Am I entitled to vote at the special meeting?

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A:

Only stockholders of record on [•], 2018, the record date for the special meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the special meeting. As of the close of business on [•], there were [•] outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting, with each share of NCI common stock entitling the holder of record on such date to one vote.

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Q:

What constitutes a quorum at the special meeting?

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A:

In order for business to be conducted at the special meeting, a quorum must be present. A quorum at the special meeting requires the presence, in person or by proxy, of holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting.

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Q:

What do I need to do now?

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A:

After you have carefully read and considered the information contained or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, please submit your proxy via the Internet or by telephone in accordance with the instructions set forth on the enclosed proxy card, or complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card in the postage-prepaid envelope provided as soon as possible so that your shares will be represented and voted at the special meeting.

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Additional information on voting procedures can be found under the section titled “Special Meeting.”

Q:

How will my proxy be voted?

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A:

If you submit your proxy via the Internet, by telephone or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card, your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions.

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If you are a registered stockholder of record and you return your signed proxy card but do not indicate your voting preference, the persons named in the proxy card will vote the shares represented by the proxy as recommended by the NCI board of directors (the “NCI board”). Please note that you may not vote shares held in “street name” by returning a proxy card directly to NCI, or by voting in person at the special meeting unless you provide a “legal proxy,” which you must obtain from your broker, bank or nominee. If you hold your shares in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee and you do not instruct your broker, bank or nominee how to vote your shares, your broker may not vote your shares of NCI common stock, which will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal and the charter amendment proposal but will have no effect on the share issuance proposal, the compensation proposal and the adjournment proposal, assuming a quorum is present.

Additional information on voting procedures can be found under the section titled “Special Meeting.”

Q:

Who will count the votes?

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A:

The votes at the special meeting will be counted by [•], the independent inspector of election appointed by the NCI board.

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Q:

May I vote in person?

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A:

Yes. If you are a stockholder of record of NCI at the close of business on [•], you may attend the special meeting and vote your shares in person, in lieu of submitting your proxy by Internet, telephone or by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card.

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If you are a beneficial holder of NCI common stock, you are also invited to attend the special meeting. However, because you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote your shares in person at the special meeting unless you request and obtain a valid “legal proxy” from your broker, bank or nominee.

Q:

What must I bring to attend the special meeting?

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A:

Only NCI stockholders of record, as of the close of business on the record date, beneficial owners of NCI common stock as of the record date, holders of valid proxies for the special meeting, and invited guests of NCI may attend the special meeting. All attendees should be prepared to present government-issued photo identification (such as a driver’s license or passport) for admittance. The additional items, if any, that attendees must bring depend on whether they are stockholders of record, beneficial owners or proxy holders.

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Additional information on attending the special meeting can be found under the section titled “Special Meeting.”

Q:

What should I do if I receive more than one set of voting materials for the special meeting?

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A:

You may receive more than one set of voting materials for the special meeting, including multiple copies of this proxy statement and multiple proxy cards or voting instruction forms. For example, if you hold your NCI common stock in more than one brokerage account, you will receive a separate voting instruction form for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. If you are a holder of record and your shares are registered in more than one name, you will receive more than one proxy card. Please submit each separate proxy or voting instruction form that you receive by following the instructions set forth in each separate proxy or voting instruction form.

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Q:

What is the difference between holding shares as a “shareholder of record” and holding shares as “beneficial owner” (or in “street name”)?

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A:

Most stockholders are considered “beneficial owners” of their shares, that is, they hold their shares through a broker, bank or other nominee rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially or in “street name.”

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Shareholder of Record:   If your shares are registered directly in your name with NCI’s transfer agent, you are considered the “shareholder of record” with respect to those shares. As a shareholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us by submitting your vote by written proxy, telephone or via the Internet, or to vote in person at the meeting.

Beneficial Owner:   If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name,” and the proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker, bank or nominee. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or nominee as to how to vote your shares if you follow the instructions you receive from your broker, bank, or nominee. You are also invited to attend the annual meeting. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the meeting unless you request, complete and deliver the proper documentation provided by your broker, bank or nominee and bring it with you to the meeting.

Q:

What is a broker non-vote?

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A:

If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and do not provide your broker, bank or nominee with specific voting instructions, the broker, bank or nominee may generally vote on “routine”

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matters, but cannot vote on “non-routine” matters. If the broker, bank or nominee does not receive instructions from you on how to vote your shares on a non-routine matter, it will inform the inspector of election that it does not have authority to vote on this matter with respect to your shares. This is referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

You should instruct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote your shares. Under the rules applicable to broker-dealers, your broker, bank or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote your shares on any of the proposals scheduled to be voted on at the special meeting. A broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” with respect to the merger agreement proposal and the charter amendment proposal.

Additional information on voting procedures can be found under the section titled “Special Meeting.”

Q:

Can I revoke or change my vote?

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A:

Yes. A holder of record may revoke or change a proxy before the proxy is exercised by filing with NCI’s Corporate Secretary a notice of revocation, delivering to NCI a new proxy, by attending the meeting and voting in person, or by re-voting by telephone or the Internet. Beneficial owners must follow instructions provided by their broker, bank or other nominee. A stockholder’s last timely vote, whether via the Internet, by telephone or by mail, is the vote that will be counted.

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Beneficial owners of NCI common stock may change their voting instruction by submitting new voting instructions to the brokers, banks or other nominees that hold their shares of record or by requesting a “legal proxy” from such broker, bank or other nominee and voting in person at the special meeting.

Additional information can be found under the section titled “Special Meeting.”

Q:

What constitutes a quorum?

​

A:

Stockholders representing a majority of all the shares entitled to vote at the special meeting, present in person or by proxy, will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards a quorum. At the close of business on [•], the record date for the special meeting, there were [•] shares of NCI common stock outstanding.

​

Q:

What happens if I sell or otherwise transfer my shares of NCI common stock before the special meeting?

​

A:

The record date for stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting is [•], which is earlier than the date of the special meeting. If you sell or otherwise transfer your shares after the record date but before the special meeting, unless special arrangements (such as provision of a proxy) are made between you and the person to whom you transfer your shares and each of you notifies NCI in writing of such special arrangements, you will retain your right to vote such shares at the special meeting but will otherwise transfer ownership of your shares of NCI common stock.

​

Q:

Where can I find voting results of the special meeting?

​

A:

NCI intends to announce the preliminary voting results at the special meeting and publish the final results in a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be filed with the SEC following the special meeting. All reports that NCI files with the SEC are publicly available when filed. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

​

Q:

Do I have appraisal rights?

​

A:

Neither NCI stockholders nor Ply Gem holders are entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the merger. For further information relating to appraisal rights, see “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — No Appraisal Rights.”

​

Q:

How can I find more information about NCI and Ply Gem?

​

A:

You can find more information about NCI and Ply Gem from various sources described in the sections titled “Information About NCI and Ply Gem” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

​

5

Q:

What is the cost of the proxy solicitation?

​

A:

NCI will bear all of the cost of the solicitation of proxies, including the preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of all proxy materials sent by it if the merger is consummated; if the merger is terminated such cost will be shared between NCI and Ply Gem with NCI bearing the lesser of 53% of combined expenses or NCI’s own expenses. NCI also reimburses banks, brokers, custodian and other record holders for their costs in forwarding the proxy materials to the beneficial owners of holders of NCI common stock. NCI and its directors, officers, and regular officers also may solicit proxies by mail, personally, by telephone or by other appropriate means. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other regular employees for such services. In addition, we have retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies by mail, personally, by telephone, email or other appropriate means. For these services, we will pay $75,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

​

Q:

Who can answer any questions I may have about the special meeting, the merger, the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, the new stockholders agreement or the new registration rights agreement?

​

A:

If you have any questions about the special meeting, the merger, the new stockholders agreement, the new registration rights agreement to be entered into by NCI, the Sponsor Investors and the GGC Investors (the “new registration rights agreement”), or how to submit your proxy, or if you need additional copies of this proxy statement or documents incorporated by reference herein, the enclosed proxy card or voting instructions, you should contact:

​

NCI Building Systems, Inc.
10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West
Houston, TX 77064
(281) 897-7788
Attention: Corporate Secretary
 
MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
1407 Broadway
New York, NY 10018
Shareholders May Call Toll-Free: (800) 322-2885
Banks & Brokers May Call Collect: (212) 929-5500

6

7

8

9

​

10

​

11

12

13

14

​

​

​

As of or for the six months ended,

​

​

Year ended December 31,

​

​

​

​

April 29, 2018

​

​

2017

​

​

2016

​

​

2015

​

​

2014

​

​

2013(6)

​

​

​

​

(Unaudited)

​

​

(Audited)

​

​

​

​

(In thousands, except per share data)

​

Sales

​

​

​

$

878,418

​

​

​

​

$

1,770,278

​

​

​

​

$

1,684,928

​

​

​

​

$

1,563,693

​

​

​

​

$

1,370,540

​

​

​

​

$

1,308,395

​

​

Net income (loss)

​

​

​

$

(435)(1)

​

​

​

​

$

54,724(2)

​

​

​

​

$

51,027(3)

​

​

​

​

$

17,818(4)

​

​

​

​

$

11,185(5)

​

​

​

​

$

(12,885)(7)

​

​

Net income (loss) applicable to common shares

​

​

​

$

(435)(1)

​

​

​

​

$

54,399(2)

​

​

​

​

$

50,638(3)

​

​

​

​

$

17,646(4)

​

​

​

​

$

11,085(5)

​

​

​

​

$

(12,885)(7)

​

​

Earnings (loss) per common share:

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Basic

​

​

​

$

(0.01)

​

​

​

​

$

0.77

​

​

​

​

$

0.70

​

​

​

​

$

0.24

​

​

​

​

$

0.15

​

​

​

​

$

(0.29)

​

​

Diluted

​

​

​

$

(0.01)(1)

​

​

​

​

$

0.77(2)

​

​

​

​

$

0.70(3)

​

​

​

​

$

0.24(4)

​

​

​

​

$

0.15(5)

​

​

​

​

$

(0.29)(7)

​

​

Cash flow from operating activities

​

​

​

$

39,986

​

​

​

​

$

63,874

​

​

​

​

$

68,479

​

​

​

​

$

105,785

​

​

​

​

$

34,104

​

​

​

​

$

65,119

​

​

Total assets

​

​

​

$

1,006,607

​

​

​

​

$

1,031,112

​

​

​

​

$

1,025,396

​

​

​

​

$

1,049,317

​

​

​

​

$

739,025

​

​

​

​

$

750,489

​

​

Total debt

​

​

​

$

408,957

​

​

​

​

$

387,290

​

​

​

​

$

396,051

​

​

​

​

$

434,542

​

​

​

​

$

233,709

​

​

​

​

$

235,737

​

​

Stockholders’ equity

​

​

​

$

262,324

​

​

​

​

$

305,247

​

​

​

​

$

281,317

​

​

​

​

$

271,976

​

​

​

​

$

246,542

​

​

​

​

$

252,758

​

​

Diluted average common shares

​

​

​

​

66,311

​

​

​

​

​

70,778

​

​

​

​

​

72,857

​

​

​

​

​

73,923

​

​

​

​

​

74,709

​

​

​

​

​

44,761(8)

​

​

​

15

​

16

​

​

​

As of and for the three months ended,

​

​

Year ended December 31,

​

​

​

​

March 31, 2018

​

​

2017

​

​

2016

​

​

2015(1)

​

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

​

​

(Unaudited)

​

​

(Audited)

​

Statement of operations data:

​

​

​

​

​

Net sales

​

​

​

$

459,904

​

​

​

​

$

2,056,303

​

​

​

​

$

1,911,844

​

​

​

​

$

1,839,726

​

​

Cost of products sold

​

​

​

​

371,854

​

​

​

​

​

1,587,790

​

​

​

​

​

1,449,570

​

​

​

​

​

1,420,014

​

​

Gross profit

​

​

​

​

88,050

​

​

​

​

​

468,513

​

​

​

​

​

462,274

​

​

​

​

​

419,712

​

​

Operating expenses:

​

​

​

​

​

Selling, general and administrative expenses

​

​

​

​

70,675

​

​

​

​

​

272,984

​

​

​

​

​

268,714

​

​

​

​

​

271,874

​

​

Amortization of intangible assets

​

​

​

​

5,354

​

​

​

​

​

21,271

​

​

​

​

​

25,064

​

​

​

​

​

25,306

​

​

Total operating expenses

​

​

​

​

76,029

​

​

​

​

​

294,255

​

​

​

​

​

293,778

​

​

​

​

​

297,180

​

​

Operating earnings

​

​

​

​

12,021

​

​

​

​

​

174,258

​

​

​

​

​

168,496

​

​

​

​

​

122,532

​

​

Foreign currency gain (loss)

​

​

​

​

(741)

​

​

​

​

​

1,363

​

​

​

​

​

299

​

​

​

​

​

(3,166)

​

​

Interest expense

​

​

​

​

(16,455)

​

​

​

​

​

(69,361)

​

​

​

​

​

(72,718)

​

​

​

​

​

(74,876)

​

​

Interest income

​

​

​

​

20

​

​

​

​

​

78

​

​

​

​

​

36

​

​

​

​

​

57

​

​

Tax receivable agreement liability adjustment

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

10,749

​

​

​

​

​

(60,874)

​

​

​

​

​

(12,947)

​

​

Loss on modification or extinguishment of debt

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

(2,106)

​

​

​

​

​

(11,747)

​

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

Income (loss) before provision (benefit) from income taxes

​

​

​

​

(5,155)

​

​

​

​

​

114,981

​

​

​

​

​

23,492

​

​

​

​

​

31,600

​

​

Provision (benefit) from income taxes

​

​

​

​

(592)

​

​

​

​

​

46,654

​

​

​

​

​

(51,995)

​

​

​

​

​

(688)

​

​

Net income (loss)

​

​

​

$

(4,563)

​

​

​

​

$

68,327

​

​

​

​

$

75,487

​

​

​

​

$

32,288

​

​

​

17

​

​

​

As of and for the three months ended,

​

​

Year ended December 31,

​

​

​

​

March 31, 2018

​

​

2017

​

​

2016

​

​

2015(1)

​

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

​

​

(Unaudited)

​

​

(Audited)

​

Per basic common share:

​

​

​

​

​

Net income (loss) applicable to common shares

​

​

​

$

(0.07)

​

​

​

​

$

1.00

​

​

​

​

$

1.11

​

​

​

​

$

0.47

​

​

Per diluted common share:

​

​

​

​

​

Net income (loss) applicable to common shares

​

​

​

$

(0.07)

​

​

​

​

$

0.99

​

​

​

​

$

1.10

​

​

​

​

$

0.47

​

​

Total assets(2)

​

​

​

$

1,288,292

​

​

​

​

$

1,319,567

​

​

​

​

$

1,257,741(3)

​

​

​

​

$

1,266,572

​

​

Long-term debt, less current maturities(2)

​

​

​

$

849,352

​

​

​

​

$

807,334

​

​

​

​

$

836,086

​

​

​

​

$

975,531

​

​

​

18

​

​

​

As of and for the three months ended

​

​

Year ended December 31,

​

​

​

​

March 31, 2018

​

​

2017

​

​

2016

​

​

2015

​

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

​

​

​

​

​

Statement of Operations Data:

​

​

​

​

​

Net sales

​

​

​

$

72,369

​

​

​

​

$

348,844

​

​

​

​

$

312,628

​

​

​

​

$

300,453

​

​

Cost of goods sold

​

​

​

​

50,873

​

​

​

​

​

234,451

​

​

​

​

​

214,688

​

​

​

​

​

201,015

​

​

Gross profit

​

​

​

​

21,496

​

​

​

​

​

114,393

​

​

​

​

​

97,940

​

​

​

​

​

99,438

​

​

Operating Expenses:

​

​

​

​

​

Selling, delivery, general and administrative expenses

​

​

​

​

16,694

​

​

​

​

​

67,572

​

​

​

​

​

63,364

​

​

​

​

​

63,841

​

​

Amortization expense

​

​

​

​

1,722

​

​

​

​

​

6,723

​

​

​

​

​

6,231

​

​

​

​

​

6,432

​

​

Stock compensation expense

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

1

​

​

​

​

​

11

​

​

​

​

​

11

​

​

Total selling, delivery, general and administrative expenses

​

​

​

​

18,416

​

​

​

​

​

74,296

​

​

​

​

​

69,606

​

​

​

​

​

70,284

​

​

Impairment of trade name

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

1,560

​

​

​

​

​

200

​

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

Impaiment of goodwill and other intangible assets

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

300

​

​

(Gain) Loss on disposal of assets, net

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

(239)

​

​

​

​

​

288

​

​

​

​

​

6

​

​

Total operating expenses

​

​

​

​

18,416

​

​

​

​

​

75,617

​

​

​

​

​

70,094

​

​

​

​

​

70,590

​

​

Operating income from continuing operations

​

​

​

​

3,080

​

​

​

​

​

38,776

​

​

​

​

​

27,846

​

​

​

​

​

28,848

​

​

Interest expense

​

​

​

​

9,050

​

​

​

​

​

35,903

​

​

​

​

​

42,479

​

​

​

​

​

39,804

​

​

Other expense (income), net

​

​

​

​

61

​

​

​

​

​

226

​

​

​

​

​

546

​

​

​

​

​

(519)

​

​

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

​

​

​

​

(6,031)

​

​

​

​

​

2,647

​

​

​

​

​

(15,179)

​

​

​

​

​

(10,437)

​

​

Income tax expense (benefit)

​

​

​

​

(464)

​

​

​

​

​

1,521

​

​

​

​

​

1,320

​

​

​

​

​

2,229

​

​

Loss from continuing operations

​

​

​

​

(5,567)

​

​

​

​

​

1,126

​

​

​

​

​

(16,499)

​

​

​

​

​

(12,666)

​

​

Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax

​

​

​

​

(436)

​

​

​

​

​

(1,148)

​

​

​

​

​

(8,173)

​

​

​

​

​

(13,402)

​

​

Net income (loss)

​

​

​

$

(6,003)

​

​

​

​

$

(22)

​

​

​

​

$

(24,672)

​

​

​

​

$

(26,068)

​

​

Total assets

​

​

​

$

213,690

​

​

​

​

$

213,630

​

​

​

​

$

203,444

​

​

​

​

$

214,829

​

​

Long-term debt, less current maturities

​

​

​

$

302,549

​

​

​

​

$

301,974

​

​

​

​

$

299,543

​

​

​

​

$

311,814

​

​

Long-term debt, due to related party

​

​

​

​

79,709

​

​

​

​

​

77,326

​

​

​

​

​

68,371

​

​

​

​

​

53,556

​

​

19

20

​	​	​	As of April 29, 2018
Assets	​	​
Current assets:	​	​
Cash and cash equivalents	​	​	​	$	125,581
Restricted cash	​	​	​	​	177
Accounts receivable, net	​	​	​	​	439,300
Inventories, net	​	​	​	​	507,203
Income taxes receivable	​	​	​	​	6,439
Investments in debt and equity securities, at market	​	​	​	​	6,332
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	​	​	​	​	84,480
Assets held for sale	​	​	​	​	10,102
Total current assets	​	​	​	​	1,179,614
Property and equipment, net	​	​	​	​	527,037
Other assets:	​	​
Goodwill	​	​	​	​	1,707,153
Intangible assets, net	​	​	​	​	1,802,338
Deferred income tax assets	​	​	​	​	12,954
Other assets, net	​	​	​	​	27,574
Total other assets	​	​	​	​	3,550,019
Total assets	​	​	​	​	5,256,670
Liabilities	​	​
Current liabilities:	​	​
Notes payable	​	​	​	​	1,656
Accounts payable	​	​	​	​	259,098
Accrued compensation and benefits	​	​	​	​	63,736
Accrued interest	​	​	​	​	17,118
Other accrued expenses	​	​	​	​	332,711
Current portion of payable to related parties pursuant to tax receivable agreement	​	​	​	​	24,894
Current portion of long-term debt	​	​	​	​	22,300
Total current liabilities	​	​	​	​	721,513
Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs	​	​	​	​	2,818,943
Deferred income taxes	​	​	​	​	444,255
Long-term portion of payable to related parties pursuant to tax receivable agreement	​	​	​	​	18,125
Other long-term liabilities	​	​	​	​	109,719
Total long-term liabilities	​	​	​	​	3,391,042
Total liabilities	​	​	​	​	4,112,555
Stockholders’ Equity	​	​
Common stock	​	​	​	​	1,257
Additional paid-in capital	​	​	​	​	1,435,176
Accumulated deficit	​	​	​	​	(282,621)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	​	​	​	​	(7,555)
Treasury stock, at cost	​	​	​	​	(2,142)
Total stockholders’ equity	​	​	​	​	1,144,115
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	​	​	​	$	5,256,670
​

21

​

​

​

Pro Forma

​

​

​

​

For the six months ended April 29, 2018

​

​

For the year ended October 29, 2017

​

Revenue

​

​

​

Net sales

​

​

​

​

2,019,280

​

​

​

​

​

4,175,425

​

​

Cost of sales

​

​

​

​

1,581,702

​

​

​

​

​

3,194,568

​

​

Loss (gain) on sale of assets and asset recovery

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

137

​

​

Gross profit

​

​

​

​

437,578

​

​

​

​

​

980,720

​

​

Engineering, selling, general and administrative expenses

​

​

​

​

311,446

​

​

​

​

​

608,817

​

​

Intangible asset amortization

​

​

​

​

60,491

​

​

​

​

​

120,952

​

​

Goodwill impairment

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

6,000

​

​

Strategic development and acquisition related costs

​

​

​

​

1,861

​

​

​

​

​

1,971

​

​

Restructuring and impairment charges

​

​

​

​

1,582

​

​

​

​

​

5,297

​

​

Gain on insurance recovery

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

(9,749)

​

​

Gain on legal settlements

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

Loss on disposition of business

​

​

​

​

6,686

​

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

Operating Earnings

​

​

​

​

55,512

​

​

​

​

​

247,432

​

​

Interest income

​

​

​

​

136

​

​

​

​

​

335

​

​

Interest expense

​

​

​

​

(100,990)

​

​

​

​

​

(201,471)

​

​

Foreign currency gain (loss)

​

​

​

​

(1,031)

​

​

​

​

​

1,864

​

​

Other income, net

​

​

​

​

727

​

​

​

​

​

1,472

​

​

Loss on extinguishment of debt

​

​

​

​

(21,875)

​

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

Tax receivable agreement liability adjustment

​

​

​

​

10,749

​

​

​

​

​

10,749

​

​

Income (loss) before income taxes

​

​

​

​

(56,772)

​

​

​

​

​

60,381

​

​

(Benefit) provision for income taxes

​

​

​

​

(8,651)

​

​

​

​

​

21,523

​

​

Net income (loss) from continuing operations

​

​

​

​

(48,121)

​

​

​

​

​

38,858

​

​

Net income allocated to participating securities

​

​

​

​

—

​

​

​

​

​

(325)

​

​

Net income (loss) applicable to common shares

​

​

​

​

(48,121)

​

​

​

​

​

38,533

​

​

Income (loss) per common share:

​

​

​

Basic

​

​

​

$

(0.38)

​

​

​

​

$

0.30

​

​

Diluted

​

​

​

$

(0.38)

​

​

​

​

$

0.30

​

​

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

​

​

​

Basic

​

​

​

​

125,706

​

​

​

​

​

130,024

​

​

Diluted

​

​

​

​

125,706

​

​

​

​

​

130,173

​

​

22

​

​

​

As of and for the six months ended April 29, 2018

​

​

As of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018

​

​

As of and for the six months ended April 29, 2018

​

​

As of and for the year ended October 29, 2017

​

​

As of and for the year ended December 31, 2017

​

​

As of and for the year ended October 29, 2017

​

(In thousands, except per share data)

​

​

Historical NCI

​

​

Historical Ply Gem Holdings

​

​

Historical Atrium

​

​

Pro Forma (1)

​

​

Historical NCI

​

​

Historical Ply Gem Holdings

​

​

Historical Atrium

​

​

Pro Forma (1)

​

Income per common share – basic

​

​

​

$

(0.01)

​

​

​

​

​

n/a

​

​

​

​

​

n/a

​

​

​

​

$

(0.38)

​

​

​

​

$

0.77

​

​

​

​

$

1.00

​

​

​

​

$

(0.00)

​

​

​

​

$

0.30

​

​

Income per common share – diluted

​

​

​

$

(0.01)

​

​

​

​

​

n/a

​

​

​

​

​

n/a

​

​

​

​

$

(0.38)

​

​

​

​

$

0.77

​

​

​

​

$

0.99

​

​

​

​

$

(0.00)

​

​

​

​

$

0.30

​

​

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic

​

​

​

​

66,311

​

​

​

​

​

68,546

​

​

​

​

​

2,010

​

​

​

​

​

125,706

​

​

​

​

​

70,629

​

​

​

​

​

68,443

​

​

​

​

​

2,010

​

​

​

​

​

130,024

​

​

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – diluted

​

​

​

​

66,311

​

​

​

​

​

68,546

​

​

​

​

​

2,010

​

​

​

​

​

125,706

​

​

​

​

​

70,778

​

​

​

​

​

69,007

​

​

​

​

​

2,010

​

​

​

​

​

130,173

​

​

Book value per share of common stock

​

​

​

$

3.97

​

​

​

​

$

1.12

​

​

​

​

$

(117.65)

​

​

​

​

$

9.11

​

​

​

​

$

4.46

​

​

​

​

$

1.20

​

​

​

​

$

(113.23)

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

Dividends declared per share of common stock

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

​

​

$

—

​

​

23

RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information included and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, including the matters addressed in the section titled “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” you should carefully consider the following risk factors before deciding whether to vote for the merger agreement proposal. In addition, you should read and consider the risks associated with each of the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem because these risks will relate to the surviving corporation following the completion of the merger. Descriptions of some of these risks can be found in the Annual Report of NCI on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017, and any amendments thereto, as such risks may be updated or supplemented in NCI’s subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or Current Reports on Form 8-K, including the Current Report of NCI on Form 8-K, dated August 6, 2018, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. You should also consider the other information in this document and the other documents incorporated by reference into this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Risks Relating to the Merger

NCI and Ply Gem may fail to complete the merger if certain required conditions, many of which are outside the companies’ control, are not satisfied.

Completion of the merger is subject to various customary closing conditions, including, but not limited to, (i) adoption of the merger agreement by NCI’s stockholders, (ii) the expiration or termination of any applicable waiting period under the HSR Act, the Competition Act of Canada and the Austrian Cartel Act, (iii) the absence of any order of injunction prohibiting the consummation of the merger, (iv) no material adverse effect occurring with respect to NCI or Ply Gem, (v) subject to certain exceptions and materiality and material adverse effect standards, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the parties to the merger agreement, (vi) performance and compliance by the parties to the merger agreement in all material respects with agreements and covenants contained in the merger agreement and (vii) the receipt by each company of a written opinion from its tax counsel to the effect that the merger will qualify as a “reorganization” within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Code. Despite the companies’ best efforts, they may not be able to satisfy or receive the various closing conditions or obtain the necessary approvals in a timely fashion or at all.

Failure to complete the merger could negatively impact NCI’s stock prices and future businesses and financial results.

If the merger is not completed, NCI will be subject to several risks, including the following:

•

certain damages for which NCI may be liable to Ply Gem under the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, including a termination fee in certain circumstances;

​

•

payment for certain costs relating to the merger, whether or not the merger is completed, such as legal, accounting, financial advisor and printing fees;

​

•

negative reactions from the financial markets, including declines in the price of NCI’s common stock due to the fact that current prices may reflect a market assumption that the merger will be completed;

​

•

diverted attention of NCI’s management to the merger rather than to NCI’s operations and pursuit of other opportunities that could have been beneficial to it; and

​

•

a negative impact on NCI’s future growth plan, including with regard to potential acquisitions, for which the surviving corporation is likely to provide a stronger foundation.

​

Directors and executive officers of NCI may have interests in the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement that are different from, or in addition to, those of NCI stockholders generally.

NCI’s directors and executive officers have interests in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of the NCI stockholders generally. The members of the NCI board were aware of and considered these interests, among other matters, in evaluating and negotiating the merger agreement

24

and the merger, and in recommending that NCI stockholders adopt the merger agreement. You should be aware of these interests when you consider the recommendation of the NCI board that you vote in favor of the merger agreement proposal, the compensation proposal and the other proposals.

These interests include, among others: (1) the continued employment of the executive officers of NCI by the surviving corporation, the continued service of independent directors of NCI as directors of NCI or the surviving corporation, (2) each of NCI’s executive officers is a party to an agreement with NCI that provides for enhanced severance benefits and accelerated vesting of equity awards in the event of a qualifying termination of employment following the merger, (3) certain NCI executive officers are entitled to retention and/or merger-related bonuses, (4) certain NCI outstanding equity awards will vest “single-trigger” upon the effective time of the merger and all other NCI outstanding equity awards will continue to vest in accordance with their terms (which may include acceleration of vesting of equity awards on a qualifying termination of employment) and (5) NCI’s directors and executive officers are entitled to continued indemnification and insurance coverage under the merger agreement.

In addition, four NCI directors, James G. Berges, Nathan K. Sleeper, Jonathan L. Zrebiec, and William R. VanArsdale, are employed by or otherwise affiliated with Sponsor; the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors beneficially own approximately 34.5% of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock. The foregoing affiliations with Sponsor were known by or disclosed to the remaining directors on the NCI board. These four NCI directors recused themselves from participating in the NCI board’s review and consideration of the merger and did not vote with respect to the merger. The interests of NCI directors and executive officers are described in more detail in “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — Interests of NCI Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.”

The consideration to be received by Ply Gem Holders is fixed and will not be adjusted for changes affecting Ply Gem or NCI.

Under the merger agreement, at the closing of the merger, the Ply Gem LLC interests outstanding as of immediately prior to the closing of the merger will be converted into the right of the holders to receive, in the aggregate with respect to all such interests, the aggregate merger consideration, with each holder being entitled to receive its pro rata share of the aggregate merger consideration. The aggregate merger consideration is fixed and will not be adjusted prior to completion of the merger for changes in the businesses, operations, results and prospects of Ply Gem or NCI. Such changes may affect the value of the aggregate merger consideration or may affect the market value of NCI stock prior to the completion of the merger. Market assessments of the benefits of the merger and general and industry-specific market and economic conditions may also have an effect on the market price of NCI common stock.

NCI will be subject to various uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the merger is pending that could adversely affect its business and operations.

Uncertainty about the effect of the merger on customers, suppliers and vendors may have an adverse effect on NCI’s business, financial condition and results of operations. It is possible that some customers, suppliers and other persons with whom NCI has business relationships may delay or defer certain business decisions, or might decide to seek to terminate, change or renegotiate their relationship with NCI as a result of the merger, which could negatively affect NCI’s financial results, as well as the market price of NCI common stock, regardless of whether the merger is completed.

In addition, under the terms of the merger agreement, NCI is subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to completing the merger, which may adversely affect its ability to execute certain of its business strategies. These restrictions may, among other matters, prevent NCI from pursuing otherwise attractive business opportunities, selling assets, incurring indebtedness, engaging in significant capital expenditures in excess of certain limits set forth in the merger agreement, entering into other transactions or making other changes to NCI’s business prior to consummation of the merger or termination of the merger agreement. Such limitations could negatively affect NCI’s businesses and operations prior to the completion of the merger.

NCI may have difficulty attracting, motivating and retaining executives and other employees in light of the merger.

Uncertainty about the effect of the merger on NCI’s employees may impair its ability to attract, retain and motivate personnel until the merger is completed. Employee retention may be particularly challenging

25

during the pendency of the merger, as employees may feel uncertain about their future roles with the combined organization. In addition, NCI may have to provide additional compensation in order to retain employees. If employees depart because of issues relating to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to become employees of the surviving corporation, the surviving corporation’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger could be adversely affected.

The provisions of the merger agreement limiting NCI’s ability to pursue alternative transactions to the merger and requiring it to pay a termination fee if it does so may discourage others from trying to acquire NCI.

The merger agreement prohibits NCI and its directors, officers, employees, advisors and other representatives, subject to specified exceptions, from initiating, soliciting or knowingly facilitating or encouraging any inquiry, proposal or offer from any third party regarding alternative acquisition proposals. This prohibition limits NCI’s ability to pursue offers from other possible acquirers that may constitute superior alternative transactions. If NCI receives an unsolicited proposal from a third party that is superior to the merger with Ply Gem and the merger agreement is terminated, NCI would be required to pay a termination fee to Ply Gem.

These provisions could discourage a potential third-party acquirer that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant portion of NCI’s common stock or assets from considering or proposing that acquisition, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher market value than the market value proposed to be realized in the merger. Similarly, these provisions might result in a potential third-party acquirer proposing to pay a lower price to NCI stockholders than it might otherwise have proposed to pay because of the added expense of the termination fee that may become payable in certain circumstances. If the merger agreement is terminated and we determine to seek another business combination, we may not be able to negotiate a transaction with another party on terms comparable to, or better than, the terms of the merger agreement.

In connection with the merger, Ply Gem, NCI and/or the surviving corporation may be required to take write-downs or write-offs, restructuring and impairment or other charges that could negatively affect the business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition and results of operations of Ply Gem, NCI and/or the surviving corporation.

Although Ply Gem and NCI have conducted extensive due diligence on each other in connection with the merger, they cannot assure you that this diligence revealed all material issues that may be present, that it would be possible to uncover all material issues through a customary amount of due diligence, or that factors outside of NCI’s and Ply Gem’s control will not later arise. Even if NCI’s and Ply Gem’s due diligence successfully identifies certain risks, unexpected risks may arise and previously known risks may materialize in a manner not consistent with NCI’s and Ply Gem’s preliminary risk analysis. Further, as a result of the merger, purchase accounting, and the proposed operation of the surviving corporation going forward, Ply Gem, NCI and/or the surviving corporation may be required to take write-offs or write-downs, restructuring and impairment or other charges. As a result, Ply Gem, NCI and/or the surviving corporation may be forced to write-down or write-off assets, restructure its operations, or incur impairment or other charges that could negatively affect the business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition and results of operations of Ply Gem, NCI and/or the surviving corporation.

The market price of the surviving corporation’s NCI common stock may be volatile, and holders of the surviving corporation’s NCI common stock could lose a significant portion of their investment due to drops in the market price of the surviving corporation’s NCI common stock following completion of the merger.

The market price of the surviving corporation’s NCI common stock may be volatile, and following completion of the merger or otherwise due to fluctuations in its market price, including changes in price caused by factors unrelated to the surviving corporation’s operating performance or prospects.

Specific factors that may have a significant effect on the market price for the surviving corporation’s NCI common stock include, among others, the following:

•

changes in stock market analyst recommendations or earnings estimates regarding the surviving corporation’s NCI common stock, other companies comparable to it or companies in the industries they serve;

​

26

•

actual or anticipated fluctuations in the surviving corporation’s operating results of future prospects;

​

•

reaction to public announcements by the surviving corporation;

​

•

strategic actions taken by the surviving corporation or its competitors, such as the intended business separations, acquisitions or restructurings;

​

•

failure of the surviving corporation to achieve the perceived benefits of the transactions, including financial results and anticipated synergies, as rapidly as or to the extent anticipated by financial or industry analysts;

​

•

adverse conditions in the financial market or general U.S. or international economic conditions, including those resulting from war, incidents of terrorism and responses to such events; and

​

•

sales of NCI common stock by the surviving corporation, members of its management team or significant stockholders.

​

The opinion of NCI’s financial advisor will not be updated to reflect changes in circumstances between the signing of the merger agreement in July 2018 and the completion of the merger.

NCI has not obtained an updated opinion from its financial advisor as of the date of this proxy statement, and NCI does not anticipate asking its financial advisor to update its opinion. Changes in the operations and prospects of NCI or Ply Gem, general market and economic conditions and other factors that may be beyond the control of NCI or Ply Gem, and on which NCI’s financial advisor’s opinion was based, may significantly alter the price of the shares of NCI common stock or the value of the Ply Gem LLC interests by the time the merger is completed. The opinion does not speak as of the time the merger will be completed or as of any date other than the date of the merger agreement. Because NCI’s financial advisor will not be updating its opinion, which was issued in connection with the signing of the merger agreement in July 2018, the opinion will not address the fairness of the merger consideration from a financial point of view at the time the merger is completed. The NCI board’s recommendation that NCI stockholders vote “FOR” the merger agreement proposal, however, is made as of the date of this proxy statement. For a description of the opinion that NCI received from its financial advisor, please refer to “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — Opinion of NCI’s Financial Advisor.”

Risks Relating to the Business of the Surviving Corporation upon Completion of the Merger

Upon consummation of the merger, Ply Gem will merge with and into NCI, with NCI continuing its existence as a Delaware corporation. Accordingly, the risks specific to the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem will affect the combined business of the surviving corporation.

You should read and consider risk factors specific to the business of Ply Gem described below under “— Other Risk Factors of Ply Gem.” In addition, you should read and consider the risk factors described in Item 1A of NCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017, as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, all of which are filed by NCI with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this document. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The surviving corporation may fail to realize the anticipated benefits of the merger and may assume unanticipated liabilities.

The success of the merger will depend on, among other things, the surviving corporation’s ability to combine the NCI and Ply Gem businesses in a manner that realizes the various benefits, growth opportunities and synergies identified by the companies. Achieving the anticipated benefits of the transaction is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. NCI would assume all of the liabilities associated with Ply Gem, which could reduce the value of Ply Gem to NCI. Also, it is uncertain whether NCI’s and Ply Gem’s existing operations and the acquired properties and assets can be integrated in an efficient and effective manner.

27

As with other acquisitions, the success of the merger depends on, among other things, the accuracy of NCI’s assessment of the operating costs and various other factors. These assessments are necessarily inexact. Although the business and operations to be acquired are subject to many of the risks and uncertainties to which both NCI and Ply Gem businesses and operations are subject, risks associated with the merger in particular include those associated with the significant size of the transaction relative to NCI’s and Ply Gem’s existing operations.

In addition, the integration of operations following the merger will require the attention of NCI’s management and other personnel, which may distract their attention from NCI’s day-to-day business and operations and prevent the surviving corporation from realizing benefits from other opportunities. Completing the integration process may be more expensive than anticipated, and NCI cannot assure you that it will be able to effect the integration of these operations smoothly or efficiently, or that the anticipated benefits of the transaction will be achieved.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information included in this proxy statement is preliminary. The actual financial condition and results of operations of NCI after the merger may differ materially.

This proxy statement includes unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information for NCI, which we refer to as the pro forma financial information, that combines the audited historical consolidated financial statements of NCI for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017 and the unaudited historical consolidated financial information of NCI as of and for the six months ended April 29, 2018 with the Ply Gem-Atrium merger the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 and as of and for the six months ended March 31, 2018, adjusted to give effect to the merger. The pro forma financial information should be read in conjunction with NCI’s financial statements and accompanying notes, which are incorporated by reference in this proxy statement, and the historical financial statements of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium included elsewhere in this proxy statement. The pro forma financial statements are presented for illustrative purposes only, are based on certain assumptions, address a hypothetical situation and reflect limited historical financial data. The pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only, is based on certain assumptions, addresses a hypothetical situation and reflects limited historical financial data. The pro forma financial information does not include, among other things, estimated cost or growth synergies, adjustments related to restructuring or integration activities, future acquisitions or disposals not yet known or probable, or impacts of merger-related change in control provisions that currently are not factually supportable and/or probable of occurring. Therefore, the pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the surviving corporation’s actual financial condition or results of operations would have been had the merger been completed on the dates indicated. Accordingly, NCI’s business, assets, results of operations and financial condition may differ significantly from those indicated by the pro forma financial informations included in this proxy statement. For more information, see “Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information.”

The Sponsor Investors will have the ability to exercise significant influence over certain corporate actions following completion of the merger.

Following the merger, affiliates of the Sponsor Investors will collectively own approximately 49.7% of NCI outstanding NCI common stock. As a significant stockholder, the Sponsor Investors could significantly influence the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote, including the election of directors, the adoption of any amendment to NCI’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. Their influence over NCI may have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control or may adversely affect the voting and other rights of other stockholders.

If, subject to the new stockholders agreement transfer restrictions, the Sponsor Investors or the GGC Investors were to sell all or a material number of the shares issued to it in the merger, the market price of NCI’s common stock could be negatively impacted.

The Sponsor Fund X Investor will receive approximately 39,128,930 shares of NCI common stock in the merger and, combined with the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors’ current ownership of NCI common stock, the Sponsor Investors will own approximately 49.7% of the shares expected to be outstanding upon

28

closing. The GGC Investors will receive approximately 18,981,187 shares of NCI common stock, representing approximately 15.7% of the shares expected to be outstanding upon closing.

Sales of these shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions pursuant to the new stockholders agreement. Following the expiration of such transfer restrictions, sales of these shares, particularly if sold in substantial amounts or all at once or within a short time period, could cause the market price of NCI common stock to decline or affect NCI’s ability to raise equity capital around the time of such sales. In addition, for so long as the Sponsor Investors and the GGC Investors hold a significant number of shares, the possibility that the Sponsor Investors or the GGC Investors might sell a substantial number of shares could depress the market price for NCI common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the new registration rights agreement, NCI is obliged to file a shelf registration statement, upon the later of a date that is 90 days after the closing date and January 31, 2019, to permit a public resale of the NCI common stock held by the GGC Investors and by the Sponsor Investors.

The financial analyses and forecasts considered by NCI and its financial advisor may not be realized, which may adversely affect the market price of NCI common stock following the completion of the merger.

In performing its financial analyses and rendering its opinion regarding fairness, from a financial point of view, of the NCI merger consideration, the financial advisor to NCI relied on, among other things, internal forecasts and cost savings and operating synergies projections provided to it. See “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — Certain NCI and Ply Gem Unaudited Prospective Financial and Operating Information.” The forecasts were prepared by, or as directed by, the managements of NCI and Ply Gem. None of these analyses and forecasts was prepared with a view towards public disclosure or compliance with the published guidelines of the SEC, U.S. GAAP, or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of financial forecasts. These projections are inherently based on various estimates and assumptions that are subject to the judgment of those preparing them. These projections are also subject to significant economic, competitive, industry and other uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict and many of which are beyond the control of NCI and Ply Gem. There can be no assurance that NCI’s or Ply Gem’s financial condition or results of operations will be consistent with those set forth in such analyses and forecasts, which could have a material impact on the market price of NCI common stock following the merger.

Combining the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem may be more difficult, costly and time-consuming than expected, which may adversely affect the surviving corporation’s results and negatively affect the value of NCI common stock following the merger.

NCI and Ply Gem have entered into the merger agreement because each believes that combining the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem will produce benefits and cost savings. However, NCI and Ply Gem historically have operated as independent companies and will continue to do so until the completion of the merger. Following the completion of the merger, the surviving corporation’s management will need to integrate NCI’s and Ply Gem’s respective business. The combination of two independent businesses is a complex, costly and time-consuming process and the management of the surviving corporation may face significant challenges in implementing such integration, many of which may be beyond the control of management, including, without limitation:

•

latent impacts resulting from the diversion of NCI’s and Ply Gem’s respective management teams’ attention from ongoing business concerns as a result of the devotion of management’s attention to the merger and performance shortfalls at one or both of the companies;

​

•

ongoing diversion of the attention of management from the operation of the surviving corporation’s business as a result of the intended business separations;

​

•

difficulties in achieving anticipated cost savings, synergies, business opportunities and growth prospects;

​

•

the possibility of faulty assumptions underlying expectations regarding the integration process;

​

29

•

unanticipated issues in integrating accounting, information technology, communications programs, financial procedures and operations, and other systems, procedures and policies;

​

•

difficulties in managing a larger surviving corporation, addressing differences in business culture and retaining key personnel;

​

•

unanticipated changes in applicable laws and regulations;

​

•

coordinating geographically separate organizations; and

​

•

unforeseen expenses or delays associated with the merger.

​

Some of these factors will be outside of the control of NCI and Ply Gem, and any one of them could result in increased costs and diversion of management’s time and energy, as well as decreases in the amount of expected revenue that could materially impact the business, financial conditions and results of operations of the combined business. The integration process and other disruptions resulting from the merger may also adversely affect the surviving corporation’s relationships with employees, suppliers, customers, distributors, licensors and others with whom NCI and Ply Gem have business or other dealings, and difficulties in integrating the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem could harm the reputation of the surviving corporation.

If the surviving corporation is not able to successfully combine the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem in an efficient, cost-effective and timely manner, the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the merger may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected, and the value of NCI common stock, the revenues, levels of expenses and results of operations may be affected adversely. If the surviving corporation is not able to adequately address integration challenges, the surviving corporation may be unable to successfully integrate NCI’s and Ply Gem’s operations or realize the anticipated benefits of the transactions.

NCI will incur significant costs in connection with the integration of the surviving corporation.

While both NCI and Ply Gem have assumed that a certain level of expenses would be incurred in connection with the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, there are many factors beyond their control that could affect the total amount of, or the timing of, anticipated expenses with respect to the integration and implementation of the combined businesses.

There may also be additional unanticipated significant costs in connection with the merger that the surviving corporation may not recoup. These costs and expenses could reduce the benefits and additional income NCI expects to achieve from the merger. Although NCI expects that these benefits will offset the transaction expenses and implementation costs over time, this net benefit may not be achieved in the near term or at all.

NCI may pursue acquisitions as part of its future growth strategy, which could result in NCI acquiring additional risk or liability and result in dilution to NCI’s stockholders.

NCI’s management and the NCI board regularly consider potential strategic alternatives, including potential acquisitions and business combination transactions, and, from time to time, NCI has pursued various transaction opportunities. NCI expects to continue to evaluate and pursue potential strategic acquisitions and business combination transactions as part of its growth strategy. No assurance can be given that NCI will be successful in identifying attractive acquisition candidates or completing acquisitions on favorable terms. In the event NCI does make acquisitions, such acquisitions may be accompanied by risks commonly associated with acquisitions. These risks include potential exposure to unknown liabilities of acquired companies or to acquisition costs and expenses, the difficulty and expense of integrating the operations and personnel of the acquired companies, the potential disruption to the business of the surviving corporation and potential diversion of NCI’s management’s time and attention, the impairment of relationships with and the possible loss of key employees and customers as a result of the changes in management, and the incurrence of amortization expenses and write-downs. In the event that NCI chooses to use equity as consideration for such acquisitions, NCI stockholders may suffer dilution.

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The significant amount of the surviving corporation’s indebtedness may limit the cash flow available to invest in the ongoing needs of the business.

The surviving corporation will have substantial indebtedness, which could have important consequences. For example, it could:

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require the surviving corporation to dedicate a substantial portion of its cash flow from operations to interest and principal payments on indebtedness, reducing the availability of cash flow for other purposes, such as capital expenditures, acquisitions and working capital;

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limit the surviving corporation flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its business, the industry in which it operates and the general economy;

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place the surviving corporation at a disadvantage compared to its competitors that have less debt;

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expose the surviving corporation to fluctuations in the interest rate environment because the interest rates of certain credit facilities of the surviving corporation are at variable rates; and

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limit the surviving corporation’s ability to borrow additional funds.

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Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on the surviving corporation’s business, financial condition, cash flows, results of operations, and ability to satisfy the surviving corporation’s obligations under its indebtedness.

Other Risk Factors of NCI

NCI’s businesses are and will be subject to the risks described above. In addition, NCI’s business is, and will continue to be, subject to the business risks described in NCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017, as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. See “Where You Can Find More Information” for the location of information incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.

Other Risk Factors of Ply Gem

The businesses of Ply Gem and NCI are subject to substantially similar risks and uncertainties. Ply Gem’s businesses are and will be subject to the risks described above and the risks described in NCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 29, 2017, as updated by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. In addition, Ply Gem is, and will continue to be subject to many of the risks described in the Annual Reports on Form 10-K of Ply Gem Holdings, Ply Gem’s predecessor, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as updated by subsequent Current Reports on Form 8-K, all of which are filed with the SEC.

In addition, on April 12, 2018, the Sponsor Fund X Investor and the GGC Investors acquired and merged Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium as subsidiaries of Ply Gem Midco, a subsidiary of Ply Gem. Following this transaction, Ply Gem is subject to the following risks related to the integration of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium:

There is a significant degree of difficulty inherent in the process of integrating Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium. These difficulties include:

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the challenge of integrating Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium while also effectively carrying on the ongoing operations of each business;

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the challenge of integrating the business cultures and employees of each company;

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the challenge of optimizing Ply Gem’s geographic footprint, particularly in areas of geographic overlap;

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the challenges associated with realizing anticipated merger synergies through manufacturing or

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assembly realignments, consolidation or integration of facilities or other cost savings initiatives, including challenges related to achieving procurement savings and any business interruption or unexpected employee turnover that may result from the implementation of identified initiatives;

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the challenges of managing customer relationships smoothly and maintaining customer accounts, particularly in instances where both companies serve the same customer;

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difficulties encountered in any internal reorganization that Ply Gem may undertake after the acquisition and merger of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium;

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the challenge and cost of integrating the information technology, financial management systems and internal controls of each company; and

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the potential difficulty in retaining key officers and sales personnel of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium.

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The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of one or more of Ply Gem Holdings’ or Atrium’s existing businesses and may require Ply Gem to incur substantial costs. Members of senior management may be required to devote considerable amounts of time and attention to the integration process, which will decrease the time they will have to manage the combined company, service existing customers, attract new customers, develop new products or strategies and manage risk. If senior management is not able to effectively manage the integration process, or if any significant business activities are interrupted as a result of the integration process, Ply Gem’s business could suffer.

Ply Gem cannot provide assurances that it will successfully or cost-effectively integrate the Ply Gem Holdings’ and Atrium businesses. The failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on its financial condition, cash flows and results of operations.

Ply Gem may not realize the anticipated merger synergies and growth opportunities from the acquisition and merger of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium or the benefits of the Ply Gem’s 2x20 cost reduction initiative (the “Ply Gem 2x20 Cost Reduction Initiative”).

The benefits that Ply Gem expects to achieve as a result of the acquisition and merger of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium will depend, in part, on its ability to realize the potential anticipated merger cost synergies and its ability to drive incremental sales from cross-selling. Ply Gem’s success in realizing these cost synergies and the timing of this realization depends on the successful integration of the respective Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium businesses and operations. Even if Ply Gem is able to integrate Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium and implement the identified synergy realization plan, the integration may not result in the realization of the full benefits of the merger cost synergies that Ply Gem currently expects within the anticipated time frame or at all. In addition, Ply Gem’s success in realizing the cost savings from the Ply Gem 2x20 Cost Reduction Initiative depends on the successful implementation of a separate set of initiatives at the same time as it is integrating the Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium businesses and operations. These initiatives also may not result in the realization of the full benefits that Ply Gem currently expects within the anticipated time-frame or at all.

Moreover, Ply Gem may incur substantial expenses in connection with the integration of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium and the implementation of the identified merger cost synergies and the Ply Gem 2x20 Cost Reduction Initiative. While Ply Gem anticipates that certain expenses will be incurred, such expenses are difficult to estimate accurately and may exceed current estimates.

Ply Gem’s charges to earnings resulting from the business combination, restructuring and integration costs or to historical factors at the Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium businesses may adversely affect its financial results.

Ply Gem will account for the completion of the acquisition and merger of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium using the purchase method of accounting. Ply Gem will allocate the total estimated consideration to net tangible assets, amortizable intangible assets and indefinite-lived intangible assets, and based on their fair values as of the completion date of the acquisition and merger of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium

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record the excess, if any, of the consideration over those fair values as goodwill. Ply Gem’s financial results could be adversely affected by a number of adjustments required in purchase accounting, in addition to non-recurring charges related to the business combination and realization of merger synergies.

If infrastructure and network systems integration and planning related to the acquisition and merger of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium cost more than the amounts that have been budgeted, Ply Gem’s business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations could be adversely affected. Interruptions to or other problems with Ply Gem’s information technology systems or other operations could damage its reputation and brand and substantially harm its business and results of operations.

The satisfactory performance, reliability, consistency, security and availability of Ply Gem’s websites, information technology systems and other operations are critical to its reputation and brand and its ability to effectively service customers. Any interruptions or other problems that cause any of Ply Gem’s websites or information technology systems to malfunction, be unavailable or negatively impact its manufacturing processes or other operations, may damage its reputation and brand, result in lost revenue, cause it to incur significant costs seeking to remedy the problem and otherwise substantially harm its business and results of operations.

Moreover, the business interruption insurance that Ply Gem carries may not be sufficient to compensate it for the potentially significant losses, including the potential harm to the future growth of Ply Gem’s business that may result from interruptions in service as a result of system failures.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Throughout this proxy statement and the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, we make statements that may be deemed “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include statements about the closing of the merger, the timing of such closing, the expected benefits of the merger, and NCI’s, Ply Gem’s and the surviving corporation’s future strategy, plans, estimates, beliefs, timing and expected performance. All of these types of statements, other than statements of historical fact included in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “expect,” “seek,” “believe,” “upside,” “will,” “may,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “will be dependent on,” “project,” “potential,” “intend,” “could,” “should,” “estimate,” “predict,” “pursue,” “target,” “objective,” “continue,” the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology (including those contained in certain visual depictions).

Forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside NCI’s, Ply Gem’s and the surviving corporation’s control. NCI’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the following risks and uncertainties:

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risks and uncertainties relating to the merger, including the possibility that the merger does not close when expected or at all because conditions to closing are not satisfied on a timely basis or at all;

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potential adverse reactions or changes to business or employee relationships, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the merger;

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timing of the merger;

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the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the merger are not realized when expected or at all, including as a result of the impact of, or problems arising from, the integration of the two companies;

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the possibility that the merger may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events;

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the ability to implement the anticipated business plans of the combined company following closing and achieve anticipated benefits and savings;

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the possibility that the parties may not be able to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in connection with the merger within the expected time-frames or at all;

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diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities;

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changes in residential and commercial construction demands, driven in part by fluctuating interest rates, demographic shifts and customer trends;

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the ability of the parties to secure stockholder and regulatory approvals in a timely manner or on the terms desired or anticipated;

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the ability of NCI and Ply Gem to integrate their businesses;

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the outcome of any legal proceedings related to the proposed merger;

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industry cyclicality and seasonality and adverse weather conditions;

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volatility in the U.S. economy and abroad, generally, and in the credit markets;

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changes in foreign currency exchange and interest rates;

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our ability to generate significant cash flow required to service or refinance our existing debt and obtain future financing;

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our substantial indebtedness and our ability to incur substantially more indebtedness;

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our ability to comply with the financial tests and covenants in our existing and future debt obligations;

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commodity price increases and/or limited availability of raw materials, including steel;

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retention and replacement of key personnel;

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volatility of NCI’s stock price;

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potential future sales of NCI’s common stock held by the Sponsor Investors;

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substantial governance and other rights held by the Sponsor Investors;

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changes in laws or regulations, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2009;

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other uncertainties, as well as those factors discussed in this proxy statement and in NCI’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2017, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended January 28, 2018 and April 29, 2018, and its Report on Form 8-K, dated August 6, 2018 under the headings “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors,” and in other documents incorporated by reference in this proxy statement.

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All forward-looking statements contained in this proxy statement speak only as of the date of this proxy statement and all forward-looking statements incorporated by reference into this proxy statement speak only as of the dates such statements were made. NCI expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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INFORMATION ABOUT NCI AND PLY GEM

NCI Building Systems, Inc.

NCI is one of North America’s largest integrated manufacturers and marketers of metal products for the nonresidential construction industry. Of the approximate $275 billion nonresidential construction industry, we primarily serve the low-rise nonresidential construction market (five stories or less) which, according to Dodge Data & Analytics, represented approximately 86% of the total nonresidential construction industry during our fiscal year 2017. Our broad range of products is used primarily in new construction and in repair and retrofit activities, mostly in North America.

Shares of NCI common stock are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “NCS.”

The principal executive offices of NCI are located at 10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, Texas 77064, and its telephone number is (281) 897-7788. Additional information about NCI and its subsidiaries is included in documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Ply Gem Parent, LLC

Ply Gem is a privately held Delaware limited liability company, in which the Sponsor Fund X Investor holds a controlling interest, and the parent company of a leading manufacturer of exterior building products for the residential new construction and repair and remodeling end markets in the U.S. and Canada. Ply Gem has two main product groups: (i) siding, fencing and stone and (ii) windows and doors, and has established leading positions in many of its core product categories, including vinyl siding, aluminum accessories and vinyl windows.

The principal executive offices of Ply Gem are located at 5020 West Parkway, Suite 400, Cary, North Carolina 27513, and its telephone number is (888) 975-9436.

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SPECIAL MEETING

General

This proxy statement is being provided to NCI stockholders as part of a solicitation of proxies by the NCI board for use at the special meeting and at any adjournments or postponements of such special meeting. This proxy statement provides NCI stockholders with important information about the special meeting and should be read carefully in its entirety.

Date, Time and Place of the Special Meeting

The special meeting will be held on [•], 2018 at [•], at [•] (local time).

Purposes of the Special Meeting

The special meeting is being held to consider and vote upon the following proposals:

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Proposal 1.   To adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 17, 2018 (as it may be amended from time to time, the “merger agreement”), by and among NCI Building Systems, Inc., a Delaware Corporation, Ply Gem Parent, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Ply Gem”), and for certain limited purposes set forth in the merger agreement, Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Sponsor”), a copy of which is attached as Annex A to the proxy statement of which this notice is a part and incorporated by reference herein (the “merger proposal”);

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Proposal 2.   To approve the issuance in the merger of 58,709,067 shares of NCI’s common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“NCI common stock”) in the aggregate to the holders of all of the equity interests in Ply Gem (the “share issuance proposal”);

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Proposal 3.   To approve the amendment to NCI’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “charter amendment”) to increase the authorized number of shares of NCI common stock to 200,000,000 and make other changes necessitated by the merger and by a new stockholders agreement (the “new stockholders agreement”) to be entered into among NCI, the Sponsor Investors and the GGC Investors at the time of the merger (the “charter amendment proposal”);

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Proposal 4.   To approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation that may be paid or become payable to NCI’s named executive officers in connection with the merger, discussed under the heading “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — Interests of NCI Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger”; and

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Proposal 5.   To approve the adjournment of the special meeting, if necessary or appropriate, to solicit additional proxies if there are not sufficient votes to approve the merger agreement proposal, share issuance proposal and charter amendment proposal (the “adjournment proposal”).

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Recommendation of the NCI board

The merger agreement and the merger have been approved and recommended by a special committee of NCI’s directors who are independent and not affiliated with Sponsor. NCI’s board of directors, by unanimous vote of the directors not affiliated with Sponsor, recommends that NCI stockholders vote:

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Proposal 1:   “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement proposal;

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Proposal 2:   “FOR” the approval of the share issuance proposal;

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Proposal 3:   “FOR” the approval of the charter amendment proposal;

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Proposal 4:   “FOR” the compensation proposal; and

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Proposal 5:   “FOR” the approval of the adjournment proposal.

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The NCI board, by unanimous vote of directors not affiliated with Sponsor, (1) declared it advisable to enter into the merger agreement, (2) determined that the merger agreement, the merger and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the share issuance and charter amendment, and the terms of the new stockholders agreement and the new registration rights agreement to be entered into by NCI, the Sponsor Investors and the GGC Investors prior to, and as a condition for, and effective upon the consummation of the merger are fair and in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, (3) approved the merger agreement, the new stockholders agreement, the new registration rights agreement and the transactions and (4) determined to recommend that NCI stockholders vote to approve the transactions, including the share issuance and the charter amendment, and adopt the merger agreement.

This proxy statement contains important information regarding these proposals and factors that NCI stockholders should consider when deciding how to cast their votes. NCI stockholders are encouraged to read the entire document carefully, including the annexes to and documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, for more detailed information regarding the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the new stockholders agreement.

Attendance at the Special Meeting

Only NCI stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date, beneficial owners as of the close of business on the record date, holders of valid proxies for the special meeting and invited guests of NCI may attend the special meeting.

Record Date

The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the special meeting is [•], 2018. Only NCI stockholders who held shares of record at the close of business on [•], 2018 are entitled to vote at the special meeting and any adjournment or postponement of the special meeting, so long as such shares remain outstanding on the date of the special meeting.

Outstanding Shares as of Record Date

As of the close of business on the record date, there were [•] shares of NCI common stock outstanding, held by [•] holders of record, and no shares of preferred stock outstanding. Each share of NCI common stock entitles its holder of record to one vote at the special meeting. The NCI common stock is the only class of stock entitled to vote at the special meeting, and holders of NCI common stock are entitled to vote on each proposal presented.

A complete list of registered NCI stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting will be available for inspection at the place of the special meeting during the meeting.

Shares and Voting of NCI Directors and Executive Officers

As the close of business on the record date, approximately [•]% of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock were held by NCI directors and executive officers and their affiliates. We currently expect that NCI directors and executive officers will vote their shares of NCI common stock in favor of the above-listed proposals, although none of them have entered into any agreements obligating them to do so.

Sponsor Voting

Under the NCI’s original stockholders agreement, entry into the merger agreement, and completion of the merger and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, required the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors’ consent. The Sponsor Fund VIII Investors granted this consent on July 17, 2018. Under NCI’s original stockholders agreement, the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors are obligated to vote the shares of NCI common stock they own in favor of any action to which they have granted consent under the NCI original stockholders agreement. Accordingly, the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors are obligated to cause the shares of NCI common stock they own in favor of each of the proposals to be voted upon at the special meeting.

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Quorum

In order for business to be conducted at the special meeting, a quorum must be present. A quorum requires the presence of holders of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote at the special meeting. For purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, all shares that are present, including abstentions and broker non-votes, will count towards the quorum. Broker non-votes occur when a beneficial owner holding shares in “street name” does not instruct the broker, bank or other nominee that is the record owner of such stockholder’s shares on how to vote those shares on a particular proposal.

Vote Required

The votes required for each proposal are as follows:

Proposal 1 — the Merger Agreement Proposal.   The affirmative vote of holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote on the merger agreement proposal is required to adopt the merger agreement proposal. The failure of any NCI stockholder to submit a vote (e.g., by not submitting a proxy or not voting in person) and any abstention by an NCI stockholder will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal. Because the merger agreement proposal is non-routine, brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on the merger agreement proposal, and will not be able to vote on the merger agreement proposal absent instructions from the beneficial owner. A broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the merger agreement proposal.

Proposal 2 — the Share Issuance Proposal.   The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the share issuance proposal is required to approve the share issuance proposal. Abstentions will not be treated as votes cast and, as a result, any abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal. Broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of the share issuance proposal.

Proposal 3 — the Charter Amendment Proposal.   The affirmative vote of holders of a majority in voting power of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock entitled to vote on the charter amendment proposal is required to adopt the charter amendment proposal. The failure of any NCI stockholder to submit a vote (e.g., by not submitting a proxy or not voting in person) and any abstention by an NCI stockholder will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the charter amendment proposal. Because the charter amendment proposal is non-routine, brokers, banks and other nominees do not have discretionary authority to vote on the charter amendment proposal, and will not be able to vote on the charter amendment proposal absent instructions from the beneficial owner. A broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” the charter amendment proposal.

Proposal 4 — the Compensation Proposal.   The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the share issuance proposal is required to approve the share issuance proposal. Abstentions will not be treated as votes cast and, as a result, any abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal. Broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of the share issuance proposal. Since the compensation proposal is non-binding, if the merger agreement proposal is approved by NCI’s stockholders and the merger is completed, the compensation that is the subject of the compensation proposal may be paid in accordance with its terms regardless of the outcome of the non-binding advisory vote.

Proposal 5 — the Adjournment Proposal.   The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast on the adjournment proposal is required to approve the adjournment proposal. Abstentions will not be treated as votes cast and, as a result, any abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal. Broker non-votes (if any) will have no effect on the outcome of the adjournment proposal.

How to Vote

NCI stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date may have their shares voted by submitting a proxy or may vote in person at the special meeting by following the instructions provided on the enclosed proxy card. NCI recommends that NCI stockholders entitled to vote submit a proxy even if they plan to attend the special meeting.

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NCI stockholders who hold their shares beneficially in “street name” and wish to submit a proxy must provide instructions to the broker, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds their shares of record as to how to vote their shares with respect to Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4. NCI stockholders who hold their shares beneficially and wish to vote in person at the special meeting must obtain proxies issued in their own names (known as a “legal proxy”).

NCI stockholders of record may submit a proxy in one of three ways or vote in person at the special meeting:

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Internet:   NCI stockholders may submit their proxy over the Internet at the web address shown on their proxy card. Internet voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [•], 2018. Stockholders will be given an opportunity to confirm that their voting instructions have been properly recorded. NCI stockholders who submit a proxy this way need not send in their proxy card.

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Telephone:   NCI stockholders may submit their proxy by calling the toll-free telephone number shown on their proxy card. Telephone voting is available 24 hours a day and will be accessible until 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on [•], 2018. Easy-to-follow voice prompts will guide stockholders through the voting and allow them to confirm that their instructions have been properly recorded. NCI stockholders who submit a proxy this way need not send in their proxy card.

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Mail:   NCI stockholders may submit their proxy by properly completing, signing, dating and mailing their proxy card in the postage-paid envelope (if mailed in the United States) included with this proxy statement. NCI stockholders who vote this way should mail the proxy card early enough so that it is received before the date of the special meeting.

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In Person:   NCI stockholders may vote in person at the special meeting or by sending a representative with an acceptable proxy that has been signed and dated. Attendance at the special meeting will not, however, in and of itself constitute a vote or a revocation of a prior proxy.

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NCI stockholders are encouraged to submit a proxy promptly. Each valid proxy received in time will be voted at the special meeting according to the choice specified, if any. Executed but uninstructed proxies (i.e., proxies that are properly signed, dated and returned but are not marked to tell the proxies how to vote) will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the NCI board.

Proxies and Revocation

NCI stockholders of record may revoke their proxies at any time before their shares are voted at the special meeting in any of the following ways:

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sending a written notice of revocation to NCI at 10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, Texas 77064, Attention: Corporate Secretary, which must be received before their shares are voted at the special meeting;

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properly submitting a new, later-dated proxy card, which must be received before their shares are voted at the special meeting (in which case only the later-dated proxy is counted and the earlier proxy is revoked);

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submitting a proxy via the Internet or by telephone at a later date, which must be received by [•], Eastern Time, on [•], 2018 (in which case only the later-dated proxy is counted and the earlier proxy is revoked); or

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attending the special meeting and voting in person. Attendance at the special meeting will not, however, in and of itself, constitute a vote or revocation of a prior proxy.

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NCI beneficial owners may change their voting instruction only by submitting new voting instructions to the brokers, banks or other nominees that hold their shares of record.

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Inspector of Election

The NCI board has selected [•] to act as the independent inspector of election at the special meeting.

Solicitation of Proxies

NCI will pay for the proxy solicitation costs related to the special meeting. In addition to sending and making available these materials, some of NCI’s directors, officers and other employees may solicit proxies by contacting NCI stockholders by telephone, by mail, by email or in person. NCI stockholders may also be solicited by press releases issued by NCI and/or Ply Gem, postings on NCI’s or Ply Gem’s websites and advertisements in periodicals. None of NCI’s directors, officers or employees will receive any extra compensation for their solicitation services. NCI has also retained MacKenzie Partners, Inc. to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of approximately $75,000, plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. NCI will also reimburse brokers, banks and other nominees for their expenses in sending proxy solicitation materials to the beneficial owners of NCI common stock and obtaining their proxies.

Adjournments

The special meeting may be adjourned in the absence of a quorum by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the proposal by holders of NCI’s common stock.

Even if a quorum is present, the special meeting could be adjourned in order to provide more time to solicit additional proxies in favor of approval of the merger agreement proposal if a majority of votes are cast in favor of the NCI adjournment proposal. If after the adjournment a new record date is set for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting must be given to each NCI stockholder of record entitled to vote at the special meeting.

No Appraisal Rights

Under the DGCL, neither NCI’s stockholders nor Ply Gem holders are entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the merger or the other transactions contemplated by the merger.

Other Matters

At this time, NCI knows of no other matters to be submitted at the special meeting.

Householding of Special Meeting Materials

To reduce the expense of delivering duplicate proxy solicitation materials, NCI and some brokers may take advantage of the SEC’s “householding” rules. These householding rules permit the delivery of only one set of proxy solicitation materials to stockholders who share the same address, unless otherwise requested. Any NCI stockholder of record who shares an address with another NCI stockholder of record and who has received only one set of proxy solicitation materials may receive a separate copy of those materials, without charge, and/or request future delivery of separate materials upon contacting MacKenzie Partners, Inc. at the address or phone number provided below or upon writing to NCI’s Corporate Secretary at 10943 North Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, TX 77064.

Questions and Additional Information

NCI stockholders may contact NCI’s proxy solicitor, MacKenzie Partners, Inc., with any questions about the proposals or how to vote or to request additional copies of any materials at:

MacKenzie Partners, Inc.
1407 Broadway
New York, New York 10018
Shareholders May Call Toll-Free: (800) 322-2885
Banks & Brokers May Call Collect: (212) 929-5500

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PROPOSAL 1: ADOPTION OF THE MERGER AGREEMENT

This section of the proxy statement describes the material aspects of the proposed merger. This section may not contain all of the information that is important to you. You should carefully read this entire proxy statement and the documents incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, including the full text of the merger agreement, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Annex A and incorporated by reference herein, for a more complete understanding of the proposed merger and the transactions related thereto. In addition, important business and financial information about each of NCI and Ply Gem is included in or incorporated by reference into this proxy statement and is included in the annexes hereto. See also “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Effects of the Merger

Upon satisfaction or waiver of the conditions to closing, on the closing date, Ply Gem will merge with and into NCI, with NCI surviving as a Delaware corporation. The Ply Gem LLC interests as of immediately prior to the closing of the merger will be converted into the right of the holders of such interests to receive the aggregate merger consideration, with each Ply Gem holder being entitled to receive its pro rata share of the aggregate merger consideration.

Authorization and Issuance of NCI Common Stock

Pursuant to the terms of the merger agreement, NCI expects to issue, in the aggregate, 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock to the holders upon completion of the merger, with each Ply Gem holder becoming entitled to receive its pro rata share of the aggregate merger consideration. Delivery of the aggregate merger consideration is necessary for the completion of the merger.

In order to accommodate the issuance of NCI common stock to deliver the aggregate merger consideration, NCI is proposing that NCI stockholders approve the share issuance proposal and the charter amendment proposal. For more information regarding the share issuance proposal and the charter amendment proposal, see sections entitled “Proposal 2: Issuance of Shares in the Merger” and “Proposal 3: Approval of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation,” respectively.

Background of the Merger

NCI’s management and the NCI board regularly review NCI’s performance, prospects and strategy in light of the current business, economic and commodity-input environment, as well as developments in the nonresidential construction industry in which NCI participates. From time to time, these reviews have included consideration of various strategic alternatives, including potential mergers with or acquisitions of other participants in the construction industry or adjacent industries, or a sale of the company. During late 2016 and early 2017, at the NCI board’s direction, NCI conducted a non-public process to explore a sale of NCI, including contacting numerous potentially interested strategic and financial parties. The process resulted in the submission of only one indication of interest, at an unacceptably low premium and valuation, and the process was terminated in late February, 2017.

During the second half of 2017, NCI’s management and the NCI board continued to review NCI’s performance, prospects and strategy, including discussion of the possibility of augmenting NCI’s growth potential through a merger or strategic acquisition. Following the NCI board’s regularly scheduled meeting in November, 2017, and in preparation for a meeting of the NCI board scheduled for late February, 2018, as is his customary practice as chairman, James S. Metcalf, chairman of the NCI board, spoke informally by telephone with each of the other directors of NCI. The feedback received during these conversations indicated to Mr. Metcalf that the NCI board would welcome a discussion of strategic alternatives as part of the regular agenda at its next meeting. Accordingly, Mr. Metcalf requested NCI’s management to prepare for the NCI board a review of NCI’s potential strategic alternatives, including the alternatives of geographic expansion, business- or product-line expansion, as well as joint venture or merger or acquisition opportunities.

The Sponsor Fund VIII Investors, investment funds affiliated with Sponsor, which first invested in NCI in late 2009, own approximately 34.5% of the outstanding shares of NCI common stock. The Sponsor Fund VIII Investors are parties to the original stockholders agreement providing them with certain

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governance rights and subjecting them to certain standstill, voting and transfer restrictions and limitations, and nominated three of its affiliates (Nathan K. Sleeper, James G. Berges and Jonathan L. Zrebiec) to be members of NCI’s 12-person board of directors, each of whom was ultimately elected by NCI stockholders to the NCI board.

On January 31, 2018, Sponsor publicly announced that the Sponsor Fund X Investor, an investment fund affiliated with Sponsor, had entered into definitive agreements to acquire each of Ply Gem Holdings and Atrium (in which the GGC Investors held a majority interest). These acquisitions were completed on April 12, 2018, and Atrium’s business was combined into that of Ply Gem Holdings.

On February 27 and 28, 2018, the NCI board met, together with members of NCI senior management, for a regularly scheduled meeting. During this meeting, the NCI board engaged in a high-level discussion of potential acquisition targets and merger partners, including Ply Gem. Following this meeting, at the request of the NCI board, Mr. Metcalf, together with Donald R. Riley, NCI’s chief executive officer, and other members of senior management, conducted a review of the growth-focused aspects of NCI’s strategic plan, including opportunities for both organic growth as well as inorganic growth via a strategic transaction with one or more of the potential counterparties identified by NCI’s senior management, and concluded that a merger with Ply Gem was the most promising potential opportunity for inorganic growth and that such a merger could potentially create significant value for NCI stockholders and assist NCI to improve its strategic positioning, and warranted further evaluation. Mr. Metcalf spoke by telephone with each of NCI’s independent directors not affiliated with Sponsor to obtain their respective reactions to the board meeting generally, including the discussion of strategic opportunities. In these conversations, the directors expressed interest in, and encouraged Messrs. Metcalf and Riley to further evaluate, a potential transaction with Ply Gem.

During March and early April, 2018, Messrs. Metcalf and Riley, together with NCI’s management, and with the assistance of an internationally known strategic consulting firm independent of Sponsor that had been engaged to assist in this evaluation, evaluated a potential combination of NCI and Ply Gem, including the potential impact on NCI’s strategic positioning and growth prospects, and the synergy potential from such a combination. In recent years, NCI has achieved significant cost reductions by increasing the efficiency of its manufacturing and plant operations, and Messrs. Metcalf and Riley and other members of NCI senior management believed that significant cost savings and synergies could potentially be achieved in Ply Gem’s operations through the application of similar efficiency-enhancing techniques. During mid-April, 2018, Mr. Metcalf again spoke by telephone with each of NCI’s independent directors not affiliated with Sponsor, concerning Ply Gem, and concerning the possibility of discussing a potential combination of NCI and Ply Gem with Sponsor in order to determine whether Sponsor would be receptive to exploring such a transaction. In these conversations, the directors encouraged Messrs. Metcalf and Riley to discuss with Sponsor the exploration of a possible combination of NCI and Ply Gem.

On April 24, 2018, Messrs. Metcalf and Riley met with representatives of Sponsor, including several senior executives of Sponsor, as well as Messrs. Sleeper, Berges and Zrebiec, each of whom is a partner at Sponsor and also serves as a director of NCI. At this meeting, Messrs. Metcalf and Riley presented to the Sponsor representatives the possibility of combining NCI and Ply Gem, and informed the Sponsor representatives that NCI intended to explore the combination further, including by retaining a financial advisor to assist NCI in assessing the desirability of engaging in such a transaction and the possible terms thereof. The Sponsor representatives indicated that from both Sponsor’s perspective as the manager of the Sponsor Fund X Investor, which is the majority holder of Ply Gem LLC interests and from Sponsor’s perspective as the manager of the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors, which are NCI’s largest stockholders, Sponsor was willing to consider, and would not discourage NCI from considering, a potential combination of NCI and Ply Gem.

Following the April 24, 2018 meeting, Mr. Metcalf and members of NCI’s senior management contacted Wachtell Lipton, independent outside counsel that does not represent Sponsor or its affiliated investment funds, to discuss process, governance and fiduciary duty matters in connection with a potential transaction between NCI and Ply Gem.

On May 1, 2018, the NCI board met telephonically, together with members of NCI’s senior management and representatives of Wachtell Lipton. At this meeting, the NCI board and senior management reviewed NCI’s strategic alternatives, NCI’s senior management reviewed and discussed

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information about each of NCI and Ply Gem, and the NCI board and senior management discussed the potential opportunities and risks associated with a combination with Ply Gem. Based on these discussions and discussion solely among the directors not designated by the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors, the NCI board concluded that a merger with Ply Gem was the most promising potential opportunity for inorganic growth and that such a merger could potentially create significant value for NCI stockholders and could improve NCI’s strategic positioning, improve its growth prospects, improve its operating and financial performance, and create cost reduction and merger synergy opportunities. The NCI board identified as primary risks of the potential combination the risk that NCI and/or Ply Gem could fail to successfully execute on its business plan, that projected performance might prove unachievable or that expected synergies might not be realized. Following discussion among the directors, from substantial portions of which Messrs. Berges, Sleeper and Zrebiec were recused, the NCI board determined to form a special committee of five directors, selected solely from among NCI’s independent directors who were not and continue not to be affiliated with Sponsor, to review and evaluate, and to make a recommendation to the NCI board as to, whether NCI should seek to engage in a combination transaction with Ply Gem. The NCI board appointed directors George L. Ball, Gary L. Forbes, John J. Holland, George Martinez and Mr. Metcalf to serve on the NCI special committee, with Mr. Ball serving as chairman of the NCI special committee. From and after the formation of the NCI special committee, Messrs. Sleeper, Berges and Zrebiec were recused from all future NCI board discussions concerning the proposed transaction. From and after May 22, 2018, Mr. William R. VanArsdale, who is a consultant to certain investment funds sponsored by Sponsor, including Clayton Dubilier & Rice Fund X, L.P. in connection with its investment in Sunsource Holdings, Inc., was recused from all future NCI board discussions concerning the proposed merger.

On May 3, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with members of NCI senior management and representatives of Wachtell Lipton. At this meeting, the NCI special committee confirmed the engagement of Wachtell Lipton, confirmed its intention to engage Evercore to act as independent financial advisor, and directed management to work with Evercore to evaluate the potential combination with Ply Gem for presentation later in May to the NCI special committee and, should the NCI special committee deem appropriate, to the NCI board (other than the Sponsor-affiliated directors).

Following the May 3, 2018 NCI special committee meeting, Evercore received from NCI senior management information related to NCI and Ply Gem that allowed Evercore to begin analyzing a potential combination of the two companies. Also during this period, representatives of Wachtell Lipton engaged in preliminary discussions with Debevoise, outside counsel to Sponsor and Ply Gem concerning, among other things, transaction structure and post-closing governance. In these discussions, Wachtell Lipton indicated to Debevoise that the NCI special committee would likely insist upon terms for the post-closing new stockholders agreement, including standstill, voting and transfer restrictions and limitations, intended to restrict the ability of the Sponsor Investors to control NCI following completion of the proposed merger, to coordinate with the GGC Investors to control or influence the management of NCI or to deliver an influential or controlling interest in NCI to a third party.

On May 8, 2018, NCI and Sponsor entered into a mutual non-disclosure agreement enabling confidential negotiations, the exchange of confidential information and mutual due diligence. On May 10, 2018, representatives of Evercore contacted Sponsor to initiate preliminary business discussions and to request that Sponsor provide to NCI and Evercore business and financial information concerning Ply Gem (including Atrium), including Ply Gem’s business plan and financial projections.

On May 14, 2018, and again on May 18, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with members of NCI senior management and representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to receive an update from management and preliminary observations from Evercore and to discuss the potential combination, including the potential opportunities and risks associated with the potential combination. As a result of these meetings, the NCI special committee concluded that the transaction continued to appear to be highly attractive to NCI and its stockholders from a strategic and business logic perspective and authorized Evercore to contact Sponsor to engage in initial valuation discussions.

On May 17, 2018, representatives of Evercore met telephonically with representatives of Sponsor for a preliminary discussion on potential transaction structure. Both parties were of the view that the transaction should be structured as a merger of equals, with each company valued at its current valuation, but there was

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disagreement as to the appropriate approach to determining the current valuation. Evercore suggested that Ply Gem be valued at the sum of the separate valuations of Ply Gem and Atrium agreed to in late January 2018 with respect to the acquisition of Ply Gem by the Sponsor Fund X Investor and the merger of Atrium into Ply Gem, while Sponsor suggested that Ply Gem having been acquired by the Sponsor Fund X Investor and merged with Atrium be valued at its current fair value taking into account Ply Gem’s improved operating outlook and 2019 projected performance as well as the value created from the synergies that were being generated by combining Ply Gem and Atrium, the value created by the attractive long-term capital structure the Sponsor Fund X Investor had put in place at Ply Gem in connection with Sponsor Fund X Investor’s acquisition of Ply Gem and Atrium, which could remain in place on favorable terms for the potential merger and the likelihood that the greater scale, scope and growth prospects of Ply Gem, given the Ply Gem-Atrium merger, would have the potential to increase NCI’s cash-earnings-per-share multiple. The representatives of Sponsor stated that in their view, an all-stock merger at fair values for both NCI and Ply Gem would imply a contribution to combined equity value of approximately 50% from each company. The representatives of Sponsor agreed to provide additional information concerning Ply Gem for Evercore to consider in its evaluation.

On May 21 and 22, 2018, the NCI special committee met in person, together with members of NCI’s senior management and representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to determine whether to recommend to the NCI board that NCI continue to seek to pursue a combination of NCI and Ply Gem. Representatives of Evercore made a financial presentation concerning NCI, Ply Gem, and a combination of the two companies, including the potential impact of such a combination on NCI stockholders. Following discussion, including discussion of the potential opportunities and risks associated with a combination with Ply Gem, the meeting was adjourned and scheduled to resume the following afternoon following a scheduled meeting of the NCI board.

On May 22, 2018, the NCI board (including Messrs. Berges, Sleeper and Zrebiec, but with one independent director absent for health reasons) met, together with members of NCI senior management and representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton. During this meeting, Mr. Sleeper, on behalf of Sponsor, informed the NCI board that Sponsor had been considering the potential combination since the April 24, 2018 meeting with Messrs. Metcalf and Riley and had concluded that the potential combination would be highly beneficial for each of Ply Gem and NCI, and Mr. Sleeper reviewed some of the reasons behind Sponsor’s conclusion. Mr. Sleeper noted that Sponsor favored the transaction not only from Sponsor’s overall perspective but also favored the transaction when viewed solely from the perspective of NCI stockholders, of which the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors are the largest. Mr. Sleeper also discussed Sponsor’s reasons for believing that Ply Gem should be valued at its current fair value, an approach that would suggest a sharing ratio of 48% to 50% to NCI’s current stockholders and 50% to 52% to Ply Gem’s current owners. Following extensive discussion concerning the proposed transaction as well as leadership and management of a combined NCI and Ply Gem, the NCI board meeting was adjourned and the NCI special committee meeting was resumed. The NCI special committee discussed the potential opportunities and risks associated with a combination with Ply Gem, including that a combination with Ply Gem would likely be value- and cash-earnings-per-share accretive to NCI’s stockholders by improving NCI’s strategic positioning and growth prospects, expanding its scope and scale beyond low-rise non-residential construction, improving its operating and financial performance, and creating cost reduction and merger synergy opportunities. The NCI special committee discussed, among other risks, the risk that NCI and/or Ply Gem could fail to successfully execute on its business plan, that projected performance might prove unachievable or that expected synergies might not be realized. The Evercore representatives made a financial presentation, including with respect to NCI’s standalone valuation as well as valuation relative to Ply Gem, and NCI senior management and Evercore reviewed financial projections for each of NCI and Ply Gem, which we refer to as the initial case projections. With respect to NCI, the initial case was prepared by NCI management in November 2017 in connection with its annual planning, and with respect to Ply Gem, the initial case was a set of projections prepared by Ply Gem management representing the combination of Ply Gem and Atrium, which were provided to prospective providers of debt financing in connection with the Sponsor Fund X Investor’s acquisition of Ply Gem and Atrium in the first half of 2018. Representatives of Sponsor had provided the projections for Ply Gem to Evercore, and noted that Ply Gem’s most recent internal management projections following the completion of the merger with Atrium and accounting for the benefits of the combination suggested higher projected profitability than the case

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that had been used in the acquisition financing process. Following discussion among the NCI special committee members and Evercore, the NCI special committee concluded that the potential combination continued to appear highly beneficial to NCI and, indeed, to be more beneficial to NCI than to Ply Gem; that the potential combination would be beneficial to NCI even at the sharing ratio implied by Mr. Sleeper; and that the potential combination appeared to be a more favorable alternative for NCI and its stockholders than other alternatives available to NCI, including the alternative of pursuing a strategic transaction with another company as well as the alternative of remaining independent and continuing on a standalone basis. Accordingly, the NCI special committee directed that Messrs. Ball and Metcalf, with the assistance of NCI’s senior management, Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, continue to engage and negotiate with Sponsor to determine if a transaction could be obtained on terms more favorable to NCI and its stockholders than the terms suggested by Mr. Sleeper. The NCI special committee and Evercore then discussed parameters for a potential valuation discussion with or proposal to Sponsor. The NCI special committee then discussed leadership and management of a combined NCI and Ply Gem. Based on this discussion and prior discussions among the directors, the NCI special committee concluded that because strong business-plan execution by the NCI side of the business would be critical to the success of the proposed combined NCI and Ply Gem, Mr. Riley should, in the near term, remain focused on the NCI side of the business without the distraction of integrating and operating Ply Gem. Accordingly, the NCI special committee determined to recommend that, should the proposed merger be entered into and completed, Mr. Metcalf should serve as chief executive officer of the combined NCI and Ply Gem, with Mr. Riley to continue as chief executive officer of the NCI business.

On May 25, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to discuss and determine a counter proposal on valuation to make to Sponsor. Based on the discussions at this meeting and at prior meetings, the NCI special committee authorized Evercore to propose a sharing ratio of 57% to NCI’s current stockholders and 43% to Ply Gem’s current owners.

On May 29, 2018, representatives of Evercore met in person with representatives of Sponsor to discuss valuation. Evercore presented and discussed the implications of the 57% - 43% sharing ratio as directed by the NCI special committee. The Sponsor representatives stated that 43% ownership in the combined company, resulting from the proposed merger of NCI and Ply Gem, was insufficient to interest Ply Gem’s owners in the potential combination and that they would be better off not engaging in the transaction at that level. However, the Sponsor representatives stated that the parties should continue discussing a potential transaction and that Sponsor would continue to refine its evaluation of the transaction and would revert with a counter-proposal.

On May 31, 2018, representatives of Evercore met in person with representatives of Sponsor to discuss valuation. At this meeting, the Sponsor representatives proposed a sharing ratio of 53% for NCI’s current stockholders and 47% for Ply Gem’s current owners and made a supporting presentation. The Sponsor representatives noted that, based purely on financial metrics and applying the valuation methodology suggested by NCI, the sharing ratio should be 52% - 48%, but that Sponsor was willing to agree to 53% - 47% sharing ratio in order to complete the negotiations. However, the Sponsor representatives indicated that the matter had been reviewed by Sponsor’s investment committee, its highest decision-making body, and that Sponsor would be unwilling to agree to a transaction at a sharing ratio of anything less than 47% to Ply Gem’s current owners.

Later on May 31, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to discuss the proposal received from Sponsor. Following a financial presentation by Evercore and extensive discussion, the NCI special committee unanimously concluded that the potential combination of NCI and Ply Gem would be highly beneficial to, and would create value for, NCI and its stockholders at a 53% - 47% sharing ratio; that, based on the statements made by Sponsor’s representatives and based on the NCI special committee members’ nine years of experience with Sponsor, Sponsor was unlikely to agree to a transaction at a sharing ratio of less than 47%; and that the NCI special committee should recommend to the NCI board (other than the Sponsor-affiliated directors, who had been recused) that NCI should seek to negotiate a transaction with Ply Gem based on a 53% - 47% sharing ratio, subject to further review and final approval or disapproval by the NCI special committee and the NCI board.

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On June 2, 2018, the NCI board met telephonically, together with representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to discuss the proposal received from Sponsor and the NCI special committee’s recommendation with respect to the proposal. The Sponsor-affiliated directors did not participate in the meeting. Evercore reviewed the history of the valuation negotiations and made a financial presentation, and Mr. Ball described the NCI special committee’s recommendation and the reasons for it. Following further discussion, the directors unanimously agreed with the assessments of the NCI special committee, including as to the favorability of the sharing ratio to NCI and the unlikelihood that Sponsor would agree to a sharing ratio of less than 47%, and accepted the recommendation of the NCI special committee. Following the meeting, the NCI special committee directed Messrs. Ball and Metcalf, with the assistance of NCI’s senior management, Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to seek to negotiate a transaction with Ply Gem based on a 53% - 47% sharing ratio, subject to further review and final approval or disapproval by the NCI special committee and the NCI board. Among other things, the NCI special committee directed the negotiating team to insist upon terms for the post-closing new stockholders agreement, including standstill, voting and transfer restrictions and limitations, intended to restrict the ability of the Sponsor Investors following completion of the merger to control NCI, to coordinate with the GGC Investors to control or influence the management of NCI or to deliver an influential or controlling interest in NCI to a third party.

On June 3, 2018, representatives of Evercore informed representatives of Sponsor of the NCI special committee’s conclusions. Thereafter, from early June through mid-July, 2018, the parties engaged in mutual due diligence and negotiated the structure and non-financial terms of the transaction, and Wachtell Lipton and Debevoise negotiated the merger agreement as well as the terms of a new stockholders agreement and new registration rights agreement to be entered into among NCI, the Sponsor Investors and the GGC Investors at the completion of the merger. Also during this period, Messrs. Ball and Metcalf spoke periodically by phone with representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton to receive updates from, and provide guidance to, them.

On June 7, 2018, NCI entered into a mutual non-disclosure agreement with Ply Gem, and on June 13, 2018, NCI entered into a non-disclosure agreement with the GGC Investors, in each case enabling confidential negotiations, the exchange of confidential information and mutual due diligence. On June 8, 2018, Ply Gem provided NCI with access to two virtual data rooms (one for each of Ply Gem and Atrium) that contained the confidential information that was previously made available to the Sponsor Fund X Investor prior to its acquisition of Ply Gem and Atrium on April 16, 2018.

On June 21, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with representatives of Wachtell Lipton, to discuss potential terms for the new stockholders agreement and the new registration rights agreement and potential responses to proposals received from Sponsor as to specific terms and provisions contained in these agreements.

By July 13, 2018, the parties had substantially completed mutual due diligence and had made substantial progress on the terms of the merger agreement, new stockholders agreement and new registration rights agreement, as well as on the terms of the financing commitment to be received from Credit Suisse and RBC Capital Markets in connection with planned refinancing of NCI’s outstanding indebtedness. On July 13, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with members of NCI’s senior management and representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to discuss and deliberate on the proposed combination of NCI with Ply Gem, and to receive presentations from NCI’s senior management and advisors. Although the NCI special committee deliberated separately, at the request of the NCI special committee, the NCI board (other than the Sponsor-affiliated directors) attended portions of the meeting devoted to receipt of the presentations and joint discussion. Mr. Ball and representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton briefed the directors on the status of negotiations with Sponsor and Ply Gem, and Mr. Riley reviewed the results of NCI’s business, synergy potential and due diligence review of Ply Gem. Evercore made an updated financial analysis presentation, including with respect to NCI’s standalone valuation as well as valuation relative to Ply Gem, and Evercore reviewed adjustments to the financial projections for each of NCI and Ply Gem made by NCI management to reflect management’s assessment of the achievability of such projections after careful review of the initial case projections that had been provided to Evercore and the NCI board in May. See “Certain NCI and Ply Gem Unaudited Prospective Financial and Operating Information”. A representative of Wachtell Lipton discussed the directors’ fiduciary duties and presented a detailed summary of the terms of the draft merger agreement,

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draft new stockholders agreement and draft new registration rights agreement. After discussion among the directors and deliberation by the NCI special committee meeting separately, including as to the matters described in the section entitled “The Merger — Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the NCI Board of Directors”, it was the unanimous view of the NCI special committee and of the NCI board (other than the Sponsor-affiliated directors, who had been recused) that NCI should seek to finalize the merger agreement and related agreements with Sponsor and Ply Gem, subject to final NCI special committee and NCI board review and approval at a meeting to be scheduled for July 17, 2018.

From July 13, 2018, through the early afternoon of July 17, 2018, the parties finalized negotiation of the merger agreement, the new stockholders agreement and the new registration rights agreement, and NCI and Ply Gem completed negotiation of the financing commitment letter with Credit Suisse and RBC Capital Markets. Also during this period, the parties calculated the precise number of shares to be issued by NCI to Ply Gem’s current owners in the merger to be 58,709,067, which represents approximately 47% of the total number of shares NCI common stock that would be outstanding after giving effect to the issuance of such shares. In the morning of July 17, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton, to receive an update from, and to provide guidance to, Wachtell Lipton concerning the remaining issues in the transaction documents.

In the afternoon of July 17, 2018, the NCI special committee met telephonically, together with members of NCI’s senior management and representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton. Mr. Ball and a representative of Wachtell Lipton provided an update on developments since the NCI special committee’s previous meeting. The Wachtell Lipton representative provided directors with an updated summary of the draft merger agreement, draft new stockholders agreement and draft new registration rights agreement, and representatives of Evercore provided directors with an updated financial analysis presentation, which had been refined slightly since the July 13, 2018 NCI special committee meeting. A representative of Evercore delivered Evercore’s oral opinion, confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated July 17, 2018, to the NCI special committee and the NCI board to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors, procedures, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its written opinion, the aggregate consideration to be paid by NCI in the merger with Ply Gem was fair, from a financial point of view to NCI. See “Opinion of NCI’s Financial Advisor” for more information.

After discussions, including as to the matters discussed below in the section entitled “NCI’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the NCI,” the NCI special committee, by unanimous vote of all of its members, resolved to recommend that the NCI board approve the merger agreement, the merger and the related transactions. After the NCI special committee concluded its meeting, the NCI board (other than the Sponsor-affiliated directors, who had been recused) met telephonically, together with members of NCI’s senior management and representatives of Evercore and Wachtell Lipton. Mr. Ball and a representative of Wachtell Lipton provided an update on developments since the NCI special committee’s previous meeting and informed the NCI board of the NCI special committee’s unanimous favorable recommendation of the proposed merger with Ply Gem and the reasons for the recommendation. The Wachtell Lipton representative provided directors with an updated summary of the draft merger agreement, draft new stockholders agreement and draft new registration rights agreement, and representatives of Evercore provided directors with an updated financial analysis presentation, which had been updated slightly since the July 13 NCI special committee meeting for more recent stock trading prices. A representative of Evercore delivered Evercore’s oral opinion, confirmed by delivery of a written opinion dated July 17, 2018, to the NCI special committee and the NCI board to the effect that, as of such date and based upon and subject to the factors, procedures, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its written opinion, that the aggregate consideration to be paid by NCI in the merger with Ply Gem was fair, from a financial point of view to NCI. See “Opinion of NCI’s Financial Advisor” for more information. After further discussions, including as to the matters discussed below in the section entitled “NCI’s Reasons for the Merger; Recommendation of the NCI,” the NCI board, by unanimous vote of all of its members (other than the Sponsor-affiliated directors, who had been recused), and having received the recommendation of the NCI special committee, approved and declared advisable the merger agreement, the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, and the forms of new stockholders agreement and new registration rights agreement, and resolved to recommend that NCI stockholders vote to approve and adopt the merger agreement, the merger and the related transactions.

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Following the conclusion of the NCI board meeting, the parties finalized the transaction documentation, executed the merger agreement, and issued a joint press release announcing the proposed merger.

Recommendation of the NCI board and Reasons of the NCI Special Committee and NCI Board for the Merger

The NCI board formed the NCI special committee, consisting of five of NCI’s directors who are independent and not affiliated with Sponsor, to consider the proposed merger with Ply Gem. After careful consideration, the NCI special committee and the NCI board (other than the Sponsor-affiliated directors, who had been recused), with the assistance of their independent financial and legal advisors, each unanimously determined that the terms of the merger agreement, the new stockholders agreement and the registration rights agreement, and the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement, including the merger, the share issuance and charter amendment, are advisable, fair and in the best interests of NCI and its stockholders. Accordingly, based on its evaluation and having received the recommendation of the NCI special committee, the NCI board, by unanimous vote of the directors not affiliated with Sponsor, recommends that NCI stockholders vote “FOR” the adoption of the merger agreement proposal and “FOR” the related other proposals, including the share issuance proposal, the charter amendment proposal and the compensation proposal.

In reaching their determinations and recommendations, the NCI special committee and the NCI board consulted with NCI’s management and financial and legal advisors and considered a number of factors, including the following factors that weighed in favor of the merger:

•

Transformational Combination Creating a Large-Scale Public Company with an Attractive Financial Growth Profile.   The NCI board considered that the proposed combination with Ply Gem offers a unique strategic opportunity to create a larger scale public company with a broader set of growth opportunities, improved profitability, and higher shareholder value creation potential, and therefore a more attractive equity and improved investment opportunity. The NCI board further noted that:

​

•

The combination presents an opportunity for substantial equity returns as a result of strong growth, including expected growth in combined Adjusted EBITDA between 2018 and 2019 of greater than 20%, expected Adjusted EBITDA growth in the high-teens annual percentage rates over several years beyond 2019, and robust free cash flow generation due to growth, operating and financial leverage.

​

•

The combined company would have the potential to trade at higher cash-earnings-per-share and other financial metric multiples and the potential to attract broader investor demand that could lead to share price appreciation, including because:

​

•

The combined company would be a larger and more diversified building products company than NCI is currently.

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The combination is expected to be immediately accretive to NCI stockholders and to enhance key performance metrics including growth, revenue, EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization), margins and free cash flow conversion.

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The combined company is expected to have higher revenue- and EBITDA growth rates.

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The combined company would present a broader product portfolio as a basis for an expanded universe of adjacencies and a larger platform for more substantial organic and inorganic investments.

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The near-term general and administrative, procurement and manufacturing cost savings and long-term cross-selling opportunities of the combined company are expected to enhance profitability and growth.

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Attractive Run-Rate Synergies and Cost Reduction Programs.   The NCI board considered that the synergies and cost reduction benefits would be meaningful for the combined company. In this regard, the NCI board considered that:

​

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•

The combined company is targeting $150 million or more in run-rate cost savings and synergies annually within the three years following the closing of the merger, including approximately $40 to $50 million in merger-specific synergies.

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The cost reduction programs have been clearly identified to include process automation and labor savings, improved yield and product quality, waste elimination, six sigma implementation and North America consolidation and off-shoring.

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That additional cost savings and synergies not reflected in the estimates referred to above could potentially be achieved in Ply Gem’s operations through the application of efficiency-enhancing techniques that had been successful at NCI in recent years.

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Many cost savings actions and activities resulting from the Ply Gem-Atrium merger in April 2018 are already implemented or underway and yielding early benefits.

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Strengthened Product Offerings and Reduced Volatility.   The NCI board considered that the combination of NCI and Ply Gem would reduce the volatility of NCI’s business by diversifying its product offerings and tilting them away from upstream metals processing and towards value-added building products. In this regard, the NCI board considered that:

​

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The combined company will have a more diversified product portfolio across a broader range of exterior residential and non-residential offerings.

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Downstream building products companies trade at a premium to upstream metal processors.

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The combination would provide greater balance across end-markets, channels and inputs to reduce volatility.

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The combination balances NCI’s raw materials exposure thereby limiting the volatility of sales and earnings.

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The combination expands NCI’s exposure across the new construction and repair and remodel markets.

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Attractive Valuation of a Combination Partner with Strong Growth Prospects.   The NCI board considered that the combination presented an opportunity to combine with a company with comparatively strong growth prospects at an attractive value. In this regard, the NCI board considered that:

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Ply Gem has stronger projected growth in both revenue and profitability compared to NCI or to other building products companies.

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The combined company would benefit from the increased scale and synergies generated by the Ply Gem-Atrium merger as well as the combination between NCI and Ply Gem.

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Attractive Exchange Ratio and Fair Merger Consideration.   The NCI board considered factors related to the attractiveness of the exchange ratio and the fairness of the aggregate merger consideration, including:

​

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That based on the relative expected growth prospects of each of NCI and Ply Gem, the expected synergies from the combination, the synergies from the Ply Gem-Atrium merger, and the immediate accretiveness of the transaction to NCI stockholders, among other factors, the sharing ratio provided for in the merger agreement (and implied by the number of shares of NCI common stock constituting the aggregate merger consideration) of 53% to NCI current stockholders and 47% to Ply Gem’s current owners was attractive from NCI’s perspective and that the transaction would have been beneficial to NCI and its stockholders even at a lower sharing ratio.

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The opinion of Evercore, NCI’s financial advisor, to the effect that, as of July 17, 2018, and based on and subject to, among other things, the assumptions made, procedures followed, factors considered and limitations on the review undertaken, the aggregate merger consideration to be paid pursuant to the merger agreement was fair, from a financial point of view, to NCI.

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•

Other Factors Considered by the NCI Board.   In addition to considering the strategic and financial factors described above, the NCI board considered the following additional factors that weighted in favor of the merger:

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Current and historical conditions in the residential and commercial construction products manufacturing sector.

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That the combined company expects to have maximum net leverage at the closing of 4.4x Adjusted EBITDA and is targeting a reduction in leverage to 2.0-3.0x Adjusted EBITDA within 24-36 months, guided by a prudent capital allocation policy that prioritizes debt pay-down.

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That the combined company is expected to benefit from significant excess cash flow generation and a flexible capital structure, with minimal leverage covenants and no significant maturities until 2025, leading to an attractive financial profile through market cycles.

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Terms of the Merger Agreement.   The NCI board considered the terms of the merger agreement, including (1) the strong commitments that the parties are making to complete the merger; and (2) that before the NCI stockholders approve the merger agreement proposal, the NCI board, under certain circumstances, is able to discuss and negotiate an unsolicited acquisition proposal, should one be made, and, under certain circumstances, is able to terminate the merger agreement to enter into an unsolicited superior acquisition proposal.

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Terms of the Stockholders Agreement. Limit on Investors’ Ability to Exercise Control.   The NCI board believes that the terms of the new stockholders agreement sufficiently constrain the ability of the Sponsor Investors or GGC Investors to exert control over NCI and the NCI board after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the merger agreement and align the interests of Sponsor with NCI’s other stockholders. For more information regarding the stockholders agreement, see section entitled “The Stockholders Agreement.”

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Subject to certain exceptions, the investors will be subject to the terms and restrictions in the new stockholders agreement until the “sunset date,” which is the earlier of  (i) a change of control event of NCI and (ii) the last day of the first six-month continuous period during which each investor group, respectively, holds less than 10% of voting power.

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Under the terms of the new stockholders agreement, until the Sponsor Investors’ beneficial ownership of NCI common stock falls below 7.5% or until the new stockholders agreement is otherwise validly terminated, the number of Sponsor Investors’ board representatives will always be lower than the number of independent directors.

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The number of board representatives the Sponsor Investors may nominate to the NCI board decreases in proportion to its beneficial ownership of NCI common stock.

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Until the sunset date, subject to certain exceptions, the investors are subject to certain voting limitations and customary standstill restrictions. The investors are also subject to transfer restrictions that for 18 months following the closing, with respect to the shares that the Sponsor Fund X Investor will receive in the merger, and for the later of 90 days following the closing or January 31, 2019, with respect to the shares of NCI common stock that the Sponsor Fund VIII Investors own prior to the consummation of the merger or shares that the GGC Investors will receive in the merger, permit them to transfer shares of NCI common stock only to affiliates or in connection with a change of control approved by independent directors not designated by Sponsor and, thereafter, permit them to also transfer their shares in a public market trade, pursuant to a private sale to a transferee who is not a competitor of NCI and will not hold, following the transfer, more than 10% of the common shares outstanding.

​

In the course of their respective deliberations, the NCI special committee and the NCI board also considered a variety of risks and other potentially negative factors, including the following:

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•

That NCI would be required to pay to Ply Gem a termination fee of  $45 million in the event the NCI board were to terminate the merger agreement in order for NCI to enter into an unsolicited superior alternative acquisition proposal, should one be made, or if the merger agreement were to be terminated by NCI or Ply Gem under certain other circumstances.

​

•

The potential for diversion of management and employee attention and the potential effect of the combination on the businesses of both companies.

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The risk that anticipated cost savings and operational efficiencies between the two companies, or other anticipated benefits of the merger, might not be realized or might take longer to realize than expected.

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The potential challenges and difficulties in integrating the operations of NCI and Ply Gem.

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The restrictions on the conduct of NCI’s business during the period between the execution of the merger agreement and the completion of the transactions contemplated thereby as set forth in the merger agreement.

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The obligations of NCI under the new stockholders agreement, including the obligation to honor the Sponsor Investors’ and the GGC Investors’ preemptive rights and registration rights with regard to the NCI common stock.

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•

Risks of the type and nature described under the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”

​

In addition, the NCI board and the NCI special committee were aware of and considered the interests that NCI’s directors and executive officers may have with respect to the transaction that differ from, or are in addition to, their interests as stockholders of NCI generally, as described in the section entitled “Proposal 1: Adoption of the Merger Agreement — Interests of NCI’s Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger.”

This discussion of the information and factors considered by the NCI special committee and the NCI board includes the material positive and negative factors considered by the NCI board, but it is not intended to be exhaustive and may not include all the factors considered by the NCI special committee or the NCI board. Neither the NCI special committee nor the NCI board quantified or assigned any relative or specific weights to the various factors that it considered in reaching its determination to approve the merger agreement and the transactions. Rather, the NCI special committee and the NCI board each viewed its position and recommendation as being based on the totality of the information presented to and factors considered by it. In addition, individual members of the NCI special committee and the NCI board may have given differing weights to different factors. All references to the NCI board in this section of the proxy entitled “Reasons of the NCI Special Committee and the NCI Board for the Merger” refer to the NCI board without the participation of the four directors affiliated with Sponsor.

Certain NCI and Ply Gem Unaudited Prospective Financial and Operating Information

Neither NCI nor Ply Gem, as a matter of course, makes public long-term forecasts or projections as to future performance, revenues, production, earnings or other results due to, among other reasons, the uncertainty of the underlying assumptions and estimates. However, in connection with the NCI special committee’s and the NCI board’s evaluation of the merger, NCI’s management prepared certain unaudited internal financial projections with respect to NCI that were provided to the NCI special committee and the NCI board in connection with their evaluation of the merger and to Evercore in connection with its preparation of its fairness opinion. In addition, NCI received from Ply Gem certain unaudited internal financial projections with respect to Ply Gem, which Ply Gem had prepared in connection with the obtaining of debt financing for its majority acquisition by the Sponsor Fund X Investor in the Spring of 2018. These Ply Gem projections, as provided by Ply Gem and as reviewed and adjusted by NCI’s management, were also provided to the NCI special committee and the NCI board in connection with their evaluation of the merger and to Evercore in connection with its preparation of its fairness opinion. The NCI and Ply Gem projections included below are referred to as the projections. The inclusion of the projections should not be regarded as an indication that any of NCI, Ply Gem, or their respective advisors

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or other representatives or any other recipient of the projections considered, or now considers, it to be necessarily predictive of actual future performance or events, or that it should be construed as financial guidance, and such summary projections set forth below should not be relied on as such.

The projections were prepared solely for internal use and are subjective in many respects. While presented with numeric specificity, the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections reflect numerous estimates and assumptions that are inherently uncertain and may be beyond the control of NCI’s or Ply Gem’s management, including the matters described in “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors.” The unaudited prospective financial and operating projections reflect both assumptions as to certain business decisions that are subject to change and, in many respects, subjective judgment, and thus is susceptible to multiple interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and business developments. NCI and Ply Gem can give no assurance that the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections and the underlying estimates and assumptions will be realized. In addition, since the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections cover multiple years, such information by its nature becomes less predictive with each successive year. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth below, and important factors that may affect actual results and cause the unaudited prospective financial projections to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to its business, industry performance, the regulatory environment, general business and economic conditions and other matters described under the section of this proxy statement titled “Risk Factors.” See also “Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Where You Can Find More Information.”

The unaudited prospective financial and operating projections were not prepared with a view toward public disclosure, nor were they prepared with a view toward compliance with U.S. GAAP, published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants for preparation and presentation of prospective financial information. Neither NCI’s nor Ply Gem’s independent registered public accounting firm, nor any other independent accountants, has compiled, examined or performed any procedures with respect to the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections contained herein, nor have they expressed any opinion or any other form of assurance on such information or its achievability. The report of the independent registered public accounting firm to NCI contained in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 29, 2017 and Current Report on Form 8-K, dated August 6, 2018, which are incorporated by reference into this proxy statement, relates to historical financial information of NCI, and such report does not extend to the projections included below and should not be read to do so.

Furthermore, the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections do not take into account any circumstances or events occurring after the date it was prepared. NCI and Ply Gem can give no assurance that, had the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections been prepared either as of the date of the merger agreement or as of the date of this proxy statement, similar estimates and assumptions would be used. Except as required by applicable securities laws, NCI and Ply Gem do not intend to, and disclaim any obligation to, make publicly available any update or other revision to the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections to reflect circumstances existing since its preparation or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, even if any or all of the underlying assumptions are shown to be in error, including with respect to the accounting treatment of the merger under U.S. GAAP, or to reflect changes in general economic or industry conditions. The unaudited prospective financial and operating projections do not take into account all of the possible financial and other effects on NCI or Ply Gem of the merger, the effect on NCI or Ply Gem of any business or strategic decision or action that has been or will be taken as a result of the merger agreement having been executed, or the effect of any business or strategic decisions or actions that would likely have been taken if the merger agreement had not been executed, but which were instead altered, accelerated, postponed or not taken in anticipation of the merger. Further, the unaudited prospective financial and operating information does not take into account the effect on NCI or Ply Gem of any possible failure of the merger to occur. None of NCI, Ply Gem, or their respective affiliates, officers, directors, advisors or other representatives has made, makes or is authorized in the future to make any representation to any NCI stockholder or other person regarding NCI’s or Ply Gem’s ultimate performance compared to the information contained in the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections or that the forecasted results will be achieved. The inclusion of the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections herein should not be deemed

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an admission or representation by NCI, Ply Gem, their respective advisors or any other person that it is viewed as material information of NCI or Ply Gem, particularly in light of the inherent risks and uncertainties associated with such forecasts. The summary of the unaudited prospective financial and operating projections included below is not being included to influence your decision whether to vote in favor of or against the merger or any other proposal to be considered at the special meetings, but is being provided solely because it was made available to the NCI board, Ply Gem and NCI’s financial advisor in connection with the merger.

In light of the foregoing, and considering that the special meeting will be held several months after the unaudited prospective financial and operating information was prepared, as well as the uncertainties inherent in any forecasted or projected information, NCI stockholders are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such information, and NCI urges you to review NCI’s most recent SEC filings for a description of NCI’s reported financial results and Ply Gem’s audited financial results included herein. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”

Two sets of projections for each of NCI and Ply Gem were provided to the NCI special committee, the NCI board and Evercore — an initial case and a later evaluated case. With respect to NCI, the initial case was prepared by NCI management in November, 2017 in connection with its regular long-range planning process. For Ply Gem the initial case was a “bank case” prepared by Ply Gem management and representing projections for the combination of Ply Gem and Atrium, which were provided to prospective providers of debt financing in connection with the majority acquisition of Ply Gem and Atrium by the Sponsor Fund X Investor in the first half of 2018.

For both NCI and Ply Gem, the evaluated case projections were prepared by NCI’s management after careful review of the initial case projections and discussion both internally and, with respect to the Ply Gem projections, review and discussion with Ply Gem’s management and representatives of the Sponsor Fund X Investor, and consideration of NCI’s performance and industry trends since the preparation of the NCI initial case projections. As a result of this review, NCI management believed that the evaluated case projections were more likely to be achieved than were the initial case projections. Below is a table summarizing these projections:

(* $ in millions)

Opinion of NCI’s Financial Advisor

In connection with the merger, NCI retained Evercore to act as a financial advisor to the NCI board and the NCI special committee. The NCI board engaged Evercore based on Evercore’s qualifications, experience and reputation, as well as its familiarity with the businesses of NCI and Ply Gem. Evercore is an internationally recognized investment banking firm and is regularly engaged in the valuation of businesses in connection with mergers and acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, competitive biddings, private placements and valuations for corporate and other purposes. As part of this engagement, NCI requested that Evercore evaluate the fairness of the aggregate merger consideration to be paid by NCI in the merger, from a financial point of view, to NCI. On July 17, 2018, at a meeting of the NCI board, Evercore rendered its oral opinion, subsequently confirmed by delivery of a written opinion that, based upon and subject to the

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factors, procedures, assumptions, qualifications and limitations set forth in its opinion, as of such date, the consideration to be paid by NCI in the merger, consisting of the right for holders of the Ply Gem LLC interests, to receive in the aggregate with respect to all such interests 58,709,067 fully paid and non-assessable shares of NCI common stock, was fair, from a financial point of view, to NCI.

The full text of the written opinion of Evercore, dated as of July 17, 2018, which sets forth, among other things, the procedures followed, assumptions made, matters considered and qualifications and limitations on the scope of review undertaken in rendering its opinion, is attached as Annex D to this proxy statement. The following summary of Evercore’s opinion is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the opinion, which is incorporated herein by reference. You are urged to read Evercore’s opinion carefully and in its entirety. Evercore’s opinion was addressed to, and provided for the information and benefit of, the NCI board (in its capacity as such) in connection with its evaluation of the aggregate merger consideration to be paid by NCI in the merger from a financial point of view and did not address any other aspects or implications of the merger. The opinion should not be construed as creating any fiduciary duty on Evercore’s part to any party, and such opinion is not intended to be, and does not constitute, a recommendation to the NCI board or to any other persons in respect of the merger, including as to how any holder of shares of NCI common stock should vote or act in respect of the merger. Evercore’s opinion did not address the relative merits of the merger as compared to other business or financial strategies that might be available to NCI, nor did it address the underlying business decision of NCI to engage in the merger.

Evercore’s opinion necessarily was based upon information made available to Evercore as of the date of its opinion and financial, economic, monetary, market, regulatory and other conditions and circumstances as they existed and could be evaluated on such date. Evercore undertook no obligation, and is under no obligation, to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion based on subsequent developments.

In connection with rendering its opinion and performing its related financial analysis, Evercore, among other things:

•

reviewed certain publicly available business and financial information relating to NCI and Ply Gem that Evercore deemed to be relevant, including publicly available research analysts’ estimates;

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•

reviewed certain non-public historical financial statements and other non-public historical financial and operating data relating to each of NCI and Ply Gem prepared and furnished to Evercore by the management of NCI and Ply Gem, respectively;

​

•

reviewed certain non-public projected financial data relating to NCI and Ply Gem, as well as certain non-public projected operating data, in each case prepared and furnished to Evercore by management of NCI and Ply Gem, respectively, as well as projected financial and operating data relating to NCI and Ply Gem under alternative business assumptions, as prepared by management of NCI;

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•

reviewed certain non-public projected financial statements and other non-public financial and operating data relating to NCI and Ply Gem, including cost savings and other operating synergies estimated to result from the merger (collectively, the “synergies”) and the amounts, as well as the timing and cost of realization, of such Synergies, in each case prepared and furnished to Evercore by management of NCI and Ply Gem, respectively;

​

•

discussed the past and current operations, financial projections and current financial condition of each of NCI and Ply Gem with the management of NCI and Ply Gem (including their views on the risks and uncertainties of achieving such projections);

​

•

reviewed the reported prices and the historical trading activity of the NCI common stock and of the common stock of Ply Gem prior to it becoming a private company;

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•

compared the financial performance of NCI and Ply Gem and their stock market trading multiples with those of certain other publicly traded companies that Evercore deemed relevant;

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•

compared the financial performance of NCI and Ply Gem and the valuation multiples relating to the merger with those of certain other transactions that Evercore deemed relevant;

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•

reviewed the potential pro forma financial impact of the merger on the future financial

​

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performance of the combined company, based on the projected financial data relating to each of NCI and Ply Gem referred to above, including the projected Synergies and other strategic benefits and the amount and timing of realization thereof, anticipated by management of NCI to be realized from the merger;

•

reviewed a draft of the merger agreement dated July 17, 2018, which Evercore assumed was in substantially final form and would not differ in any material respect from the executed merger agreement; and

​

•

performed such other analyses and examinations and considered such other factors that Evercore deemed appropriate.

​

For purposes of its analysis and opinion, Evercore assumed and relied upon, without undertaking any independent verification, the accuracy and completeness of all of the information publicly available, and all of the information supplied or otherwise made available to, discussed with, or reviewed by Evercore, and Evercore has not assumed any liability therefor. With respect to the projected financial data relating to NCI and Ply Gem referred to above (including the synergies), Evercore assumed that they had been reasonably prepared on bases reflecting the best currently available estimates and good faith judgments of the respective managements of NCI and Ply Gem as to (i) the future financial performance of the companies under the assumptions reflected therein and (ii) the synergies, including the amount and timing of realization of such synergies.

Evercore expressed no view as to any projected financial data relating to NCI and Ply Gem or the synergies or the assumptions on which they were based. Evercore relied, at the NCI board’s direction, without independent verification, upon the assessments of the management of NCI and Ply Gem (both on an individual and combined basis).

For purposes of rendering its opinion, Evercore assumed, in all respects material to its analysis, that the representations and warranties of each party contained in the merger agreement were true and correct, that each party will perform all of the covenants and agreements required to be performed by it under the merger agreement and that all conditions to the consummation of the merger will be satisfied without material waiver or modification thereof. Evercore further assumed that all governmental, regulatory or other consents, approvals or releases necessary for the consummation of the merger will be obtained without any material delay, limitation, restriction or condition that would have an adverse effect on NCI, Ply Gem or the consummation of the merger or materially reduce the benefits to holders of NCI common stock.

Evercore did not make nor assume any responsibility for making any physical inspection, independent valuation or appraisal of the assets or liabilities of NCI or Ply Gem, nor was Evercore furnished with any such inspection, valuation or appraisal, nor did Evercore evaluate the solvency or fair value of NCI or Ply Gem under any state or federal laws relating to bankruptcy, insolvency or similar matters. Evercore’s opinion was necessarily based upon information made available to it as of the date of the opinion and financial, economic, market and other conditions as they existed and as could be evaluated on the date of the opinion. Subsequent developments may affect Evercore’s opinion and Evercore did not undertake any obligation to update, revise or reaffirm its opinion.

Evercore was not asked to pass upon, and expressed no opinion with respect to, any matter other than the fairness to NCI, from a financial point of view, of the aggregate merger consideration to be paid by NCI in the merger. Evercore did not express any view on, and its opinion did not address, the fairness of the merger to, or any consideration received in connection therewith by, the holders of any securities, creditors or other constituencies of NCI, nor as to the fairness of the amount or nature of any compensation to be paid or payable to any of the officers, directors or employees of NCI, or any class of such persons, whether relative to the aggregate merger consideration or otherwise.

Evercore assumed that any modification to the structure of the transaction would not vary in any respect material to its analysis. Evercore’s opinion did not address the relative merits of the merger as compared to other business or financial strategies that might be available to NCI, nor did it address the underlying business decision of NCI to engage in the merger. In arriving at its opinion, Evercore was not authorized to solicit, and did not solicit, interest from any third party with respect to the acquisition of any

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or all of the NCI common stock, any acquisition (whether involving the issuance of NCI common stock or the payment of other consideration) or any business combination or other extraordinary transaction involving NCI. Evercore’s opinion did not constitute a recommendation to the NCI board or to any other persons in respect of the merger, including as to how any holder of shares of NCI common stock should vote or act in respect of the merger. Evercore expressed no opinion as to the price at which shares of NCI common stock will trade at any time. Evercore is not a legal, regulatory, accounting or tax expert and assumed the accuracy and completeness of assessments by NCI and its advisors with respect to legal, regulatory, accounting and tax matters.

Summary of Material Financial Analyses

Set forth below is a summary of the material financial and other analyses performed by Evercore and reviewed with the NCI board on July 17, 2018, in connection with rendering its opinion. All valuations of Ply Gem in this section represent the value of Ply Gem, including Atrium. The following summary, however, does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses performed by Evercore. The order of the analyses described and the results of these analyses do not represent relative importance or weight given to these analyses by Evercore. Except as otherwise noted, the following quantitative information, to the extent that it is based on market data, is based on market data that existed on or before July 11, 2018, and is not necessarily indicative of then-current market conditions.

In arriving at its opinion, Evercore did not draw, in isolation, conclusions from or with regard to any factor or analysis considered by it. Rather, Evercore made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all of the analyses. Considering selected portions of the analyses and reviews in the summary set forth below, without considering the analyses and reviews as a whole, could create an incomplete or misleading view of the analyses and reviews underlying Evercore’s opinion.

For purposes of its analyses and reviews, Evercore considered industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of NCI and Ply Gem. No company, business or transaction used in Evercore’s analyses and reviews as a comparison is identical to NCI or Ply Gem or the merger, and an evaluation of the results of those analyses and reviews is not entirely mathematical. Rather, the analyses and reviews involve complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition, public trading or other values of the companies, businesses or transactions used in Evercore’s analyses and reviews. The estimates contained in Evercore’s analyses and reviews and the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or review are not necessarily indicative of actual values or predictive of future results or values, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by Evercore’s analyses and reviews. In addition, analyses and reviews relating to the value of companies, businesses or securities do not purport to be appraisals or to reflect the prices at which companies, businesses or securities actually may be sold. Accordingly, the estimates used in, and the results derived from, Evercore’s analyses and reviews are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty. Any references below to NCI’s or Ply Gem’s “implied equity value” should be interpreted to refer only to the equity value of such company’s common stock or equity interests, as applicable.

The following summary of financial analyses includes information presented in tabular format. These tables must be read together with the text of each summary in order to understand fully the financial analyses. The tables alone do not constitute a complete description of the financial analyses. Considering the tables below without considering the full narrative description of the financial analyses, including the methodologies and assumptions underlying the analyses, could create a misleading or incomplete view of Evercore’s financial analyses.

Value of the Aggregate Merger Consideration

Evercore calculated the value of the aggregate merger consideration by multiplying the closing price of NCI common stock on July 11, 2018, by the proposed issuance of 58,709,067 shares of NCI common stock, for an equity purchase price of approximately $1,236 million.

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Selected Peer Trading Analysis

In performing a selected peer trading analysis of NCI and Ply Gem, Evercore reviewed and compared certain financial, operating and market information relating to NCI and Ply Gem to corresponding information of the publicly traded companies listed in the tables below, which Evercore deemed most relevant to consider in relation to NCI and Ply Gem, respectively, based on its professional judgment and experience, because they are public companies with operations that for purposes of this analysis Evercore considered similar to the operations of one or more of the business lines of NCI and Ply Gem, respectively.

Evercore reviewed, among other things, total enterprise value (“TEV”) of the selected companies as a multiple of estimated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) for the next twelve months (“NTM”) and for 2019. Enterprise values were calculated for the purpose of this analysis as equity value (based on the per share closing price of each selected company on July 11, 2018, multiplied by the fully diluted number of such company’s outstanding equity securities on such date), plus net debt. The financial data of Ply Gem and NCI were based on both the evaluated case and initial case projections provided to Evercore by NCI management. See “Certain NCI and Ply Gem Unaudited Prospective Financial and Operating Information.”

The EBITDA multiples for each of Ply Gem’s selected peer companies are set forth in the table below:

(1)

Other Building Product Companies include American Woodmark Corporation (AMWD), Apogee Enterprises, Inc. (APOG), Armstrong Flooring, Inc. (AFI), Armstrong World Industries, Inc. (AWI), Boral Limited (BLD), Caesarstone Ltd. (CSTE), Continental Building Products, Inc. (CBPX), Gibraltar Industries, Inc. (ROCK), Interface, Inc. (TILE), Kingspan Group plc (KRX) (pro forma Synthesia acquisition), Mohawk Industries, Inc. (MHK), Owens Corning (OC), Simpson Manufacturing Co., Inc. (SSD), Trex Company, Inc. (TREX) and USG Corporation (USG).

​

The EBITDA multiples for each of NCI’s selected peer companies are set forth in the table below:

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Evercore reviewed the evaluated case projections and applied a reference range of TEV/EBITDA multiples of 9.0x to 10.0x and 8.0x to 9.0x to Ply Gem and NCI, respectively, in each case derived by Evercore based on its review of the respective peer companies selected and its experience and professional judgment, to the estimated EBITDA for each of Ply Gem and NCI for the NTM period. Additionally, Evercore applied a reference range of TEV/EBITDA multiples of 8.5x to 9.5x and 7.5x to 8.5x to Ply Gem and NCI, respectively, in each case derived by Evercore based on its review of the respective peer companies selected and its experience and professional judgment, to the estimated EBITDA for each of Ply Gem and NCI for 2019. In the case of Ply Gem, estimated EBITDA was based on the evaluated case projections that NCI management developed for Ply Gem through its due diligence of Ply Gem’s business. Estimated EBITDA for Ply Gem also included run-rate synergies expected to be generated from Ply Gem’s acquisition of Atrium Windows & Doors, Inc. because in Evercore’s judgment, the illustrative value of Ply Gem should include the impact of these synergies. In the case of NCI, estimated EBITDA was based on the evaluated case projections provided by the management of NCI. This analysis indicated an implied equity value range for Ply Gem of  $939 million to $1,328 million based on EBITDA for the NTM period and $997 million to $1,416 million based on EBITDA for 2019, as compared to the value of the aggregate merger consideration in the merger of  $1,236 million.

Additionally, Evercore’s analysis indicated an implied equity value range for NCI of  $1,308 million to $1,523 million based on EBITDA for the NTM period and $1,317 million to $1,547 million based on EBITDA for 2019. Evercore noted that the equity market capitalization of NCI as of July 11, 2018 was $1,428 million.

While Evercore’s analysis primarily focused on the evaluated case projections, Evercore also supplemented its analysis using the initial case projections as a point of comparison. This analysis indicated an implied equity value range for Ply Gem of  $1,070 million to $1,474 million based on EBITDA for the NTM period and $1,074 million to $1,503 million based on EBITDA for 2019, as compared to the value of the aggregate merger consideration in the merger of  $1,236 million. Furthermore, using the initial case projections indicated an implied equity value range for NCI of  $1,346 million to $1,566 million based on EBITDA for the NTM period and $1,389 million to $1,630 million based on EBITDA for 2019.

Selected Precedent Transaction Analysis

Evercore performed an analysis of selected precedent transactions to compare multiples paid in other transactions to the multiples implied in the merger. Evercore analyzed nine merger and acquisition transactions that were announced between 2010 and 2018 involving acquisitions of companies in the exterior building products sector.

While none of the companies that participated in the selected precedent transactions is directly comparable to Ply Gem and none of the transactions in the selected precedent transactions analysis is directly comparable to the merger, Evercore selected these transactions because each of the target companies was involved in the exterior building products sector and had operating characteristics and products that for purposes of analysis may be considered similar to certain of Ply Gem’s operating characteristics and products.

For each of the selected transactions, Evercore reviewed transaction values and calculated the TEV implied for each target company based on the consideration paid in the selected transaction, as a multiple of the target company’s EBITDA (in each case, primarily calculated for the last full financial year prior to the date of announcement of such transaction).

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The selected precedent transactions and the TEV/LTM EBITDA multiples related thereto are set forth in the table below:

Evercore then applied a reference range of estimated TEV/LTM EBITDA multiples of 9.5x to 11.5x, derived by Evercore based on its review of the selected precedent transactions and its experience and professional judgment, to the LTM EBITDA of Ply Gem, including run-rate synergies expected to be generated from Ply Gem’s acquisition of Atrium Windows & Doors, Inc. This analysis indicated an implied equity value range for Ply Gem of  $734 million to $1,429 million, as compared to the value of the aggregate merger consideration in the merger of  $1,236 million.

Discounted Cash Flow Analysis

Ply Gem

Evercore performed a discounted cash flow analysis of Ply Gem to calculate the estimated present value of the standalone unlevered, after-tax free cash flows that Ply Gem was projected to generate from January 1, 2019 through calendar year 2022, based on the evaluated case projections of Ply Gem that NCI management developed for Ply Gem through its due diligence of Ply Gem’s business.

Evercore also calculated a terminal value for Ply Gem by applying both a range of TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples of 7.5x to 8.5x to projected EBITDA for the year after the terminal year, and a range of perpetuity growth rates of 2.0% to 3.0% to the unlevered, after-tax free cash flows in the terminal year. The ranges of terminal TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples and perpetuity growth rates were based on the professional judgment of Evercore given the nature of Ply Gem, its business, and growth rates in the residential building products sector. The cash flows and terminal values for Ply Gem were then discounted to December 31, 2018 using a discount rate of 10.0% to 11.0%, based on an estimate of Ply Gem’s weighted average cost of capital, to derive a range of implied TEVs for Ply Gem as of December 31, 2018. The discount rates were based on Evercore’s analysis of the capital structures and costs of equity and debt of publicly traded companies that may be considered similar to Ply Gem. Ranges of implied equity values for Ply Gem were then calculated by reducing the respective ranges of implied TEVs by the amount of Ply Gem’s projected net debt (calculated as debt and debt-like items less cash and cash equivalents) as of December 31, 2018. These implied equity values for Ply Gem were then discounted to present value using a discount rate of 12.0%, based on an estimate of Ply Gem’s cost of equity. Evercore’s analysis indicated an implied equity value reference range for Ply Gem on a standalone basis of approximately $1,357 million to $1,861 million in the terminal multiple case and $1,284 million to $2,185 million in the perpetuity growth rate case, as compared to the value of the aggregate merger consideration in the merger of  $1,236 million.

While Evercore’s analysis primarily focused on the evaluated case projections, Evercore also supplemented its analysis using the initial case projections as a point of comparison. This analysis indicated an implied equity value reference range for Ply Gem on a standalone basis of approximately $1,472 million to $1,991 million in the terminal multiple case and $1,366 million to $2,286 million in the perpetuity growth rate case, as compared to the value of the aggregate merger consideration in the merger of  $1,236 million.

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NCI

Evercore performed a discounted cash flow analysis of NCI to calculate the estimated present value of the standalone unlevered, after-tax free cash flows that NCI was projected to generate from January 1, 2019 through calendar year 2022, based on the evaluated case projections of NCI that were provided by NCI management.

Evercore also calculated a terminal value for NCI by applying both a range of TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples of 7.0x to 8.0x to projected EBITDA for the year after the terminal year, and a range of perpetuity growth rates of 1.5% to 2.5% to the unlevered, after-tax free cash flows in the terminal year. The ranges of terminal TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples and perpetuity growth rates were based on the professional judgment of Evercore given the nature of NCI, its business, and growth rates in the non-residential building products sector. The cash flows and the terminal values for NCI were then discounted to December 31, 2018 using a discount rate of 10.0% to 11.0%, based on an estimate of NCI’s weighted average cost of capital, to derive a range of implied TEVs for NCI as of December 31, 2018. Ranges of implied equity values for NCI were then calculated by reducing the range of implied TEVs by the amount of NCI’s projected net debt (calculated as debt and debt-like items less cash and cash equivalents) as of December 31, 2018 as provided by NCI management. These implied equity values for NCI were then discounted to present value using a discount rate of 12.0%, based on an estimate of NCI’s cost of equity. Evercore’s analysis indicated an implied equity value reference range for NCI on a standalone basis of approximately $1,703 million to $1,983 million in the terminal multiple case and $1,646 million to $2,088 million in the perpetuity growth rate case.

While Evercore’s analysis primarily focused on the evaluated case projections, Evercore also supplemented its analysis using the initial case projections as a point of comparison. This analysis indicated an implied equity value reference range for NCI on a standalone basis of approximately $1,738 million to $2,020 million in the terminal multiple case and $1,690 million to $2,137 million in the perpetuity growth rate case.

Present Value of Future Stock Price Analysis

Ply Gem

Evercore performed an illustrative analysis of the present value of the future equity value of Ply Gem, which is designed to provide an indication of the present value of a theoretical future value of a company as a function of such company’s estimated future EBITDA and its assumed TEV/NTM EBITDA multiple. Evercore used the evaluated case projections for Ply Gem through calendar year 2020 that NCI management developed for Ply Gem through its due diligence of Ply Gem’s business. Evercore first multiplied the EBITDA estimate by a range of TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples of 8.0x to 10.0x to calculate the implied future TEVs. Evercore then calculated the implied future equity values for Ply Gem as of December 31 of each year through calendar year 2020 by reducing the implied future enterprise values by the amount of Ply Gem’s projected future net debt as of each such date. Evercore then discounted the projected equity value as of a particular future date to the present using a discount rate of 11.5% to 12.5%. The discount rate was based on Evercore’s analysis of the cost of equity for Ply Gem. This analysis resulted in an implied future equity value reference range for Ply Gem of approximately $1,317 million to $2,486 million and an implied present value of equity reference range of approximately $1,242 million to $1,893 million, as compared to the value of the aggregate merger consideration in the merger of $1,236 million.

While Evercore’s analysis primarily focused on the evaluated case projections, Evercore also supplemented its analysis using the initial case projections as a point of comparison. This analysis indicated an implied present value of equity reference range of Ply Gem of approximately $1,550 million to $1,989 million, as compared to the value of the aggregate merger consideration in the merger of $1,236 million.

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NCI

Evercore performed an illustrative analysis of the present value of the future equity value of NCI, which is designed to provide an indication of the present value of a theoretical future value of a company as a function of such company’s estimated future EBITDA and its assumed TEV/NTM EBITDA multiple. Evercore used the evaluated case projections for NCI derived from assumptions provided by NCI management through calendar year 2020. Evercore first multiplied the EBITDA estimate by a range of TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples of 7.5x to 9.0x to calculate the implied future TEVs. Evercore then calculated the implied future equity values for NCI as of December 31 of each year through calendar year 2020 by reducing the implied future enterprise values by the amount of NCI’s projected future net debt as of each such date. Evercore then discounted the projected equity value as of a particular future date to the present using a discount rate of 11.5% to 12.5%. The discount rate was based on Evercore’s analysis of the cost of equity for NCI. This analysis resulted in an implied future equity value reference range for NCI of approximately $1,619 million to $2,543 million and an implied present value of equity reference range of approximately $1,526 million to $1,937 million.

While Evercore’s analysis primarily focused on the evaluated case projections, Evercore also conducted its analysis using the initial case projections as a point of comparison. This analysis indicated an implied present value of equity reference range of NCI of approximately $1,757 million to $2,036 million.

Combination Analyses

Relative Contribution Analysis

Evercore analyzed the respective contributions of NCI, Ply Gem and the run-rate synergies expected to be realized to the combined company’s EBITDA and EBITDA less Capital Expenditures for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020, based on the evaluated case projections provided by the management of NCI.

This analysis also indicated the relative contributions of NCI, Ply Gem and the run rate synergies expected to be realized to the combined company financial metrics described above, as compared to the relative contributions of NCI and Ply Gem to the implied enterprise value of the combined company following the merger based on the fact that holders of existing NCI common stock and holders of existing Ply Gem equity interests who will receive newly issued NCI common stock as a result of the aggregate merger consideration will hold 53% and 47%, respectively, of the pro forma combined company.

Implied Ownership Analysis

Based on each of the valuation methodologies described above, the expected 53% and 47% ownership split between current holders of NCI common stock and holders of Ply Gem equity interests, respectively, in the pro forma combined company falls within each methodology’s resulting range of implied equity value contributions.

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Based on the evaluated case projections, Evercore’s selected peer trading analysis resulted in an implied reference range for NCI’s equity value contribution of 49.6% to 61.9% for the NTM period and 48.2% to 60.8% for 2019. Evercore’s discounted cash flow analysis indicated an implied equity value reference range of 47.8% to 59.4% in the terminal multiple case and 43.0% to 61.9% in the perpetuity growth rate case. Evercore’s hypothetical present value of future stock price analysis for 2020 resulted in an implied future equity value reference range of 46.9% to 56.9%. NCI’s expected ownership of 53% in the pro forma combined company falls within each of these reference ranges.

Based on the initial case projections, Evercore’s selected peer trading analysis resulted in an implied reference range for NCI’s equity value contribution of 47.7% to 59.4% for the NTM period and 48.0% to 60.3% for 2019. Evercore’s discounted cash flow analysis indicated an implied equity value reference range of 46.6% to 57.8% in the terminal multiple case and 42.5% to 61.0% in the perpetuity growth rate case. Evercore’s hypothetical present value of future stock price analysis for 2020 resulted in an implied future equity value reference range of 46.9% to 56.8%. NCI’s expected ownership of 53% in the pro forma combined company falls within each of these reference ranges.

Pro Forma Combined Valuation Based on DCF

Evercore analyzed the potential pro forma financial effect of the merger, based on a discounted cash flow analysis run with the evaluated case projections and estimated cost synergies expected to be realized from the transaction provided by the management of NCI, to calculate the estimated value of the pro forma combined company’s unlevered, after-tax free cash flows that it is projected to generate from January 1, 2019 through calendar year 2022.

Evercore also calculated a terminal value for the pro forma combined company by applying both a range of TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples of 7.5x to 8.5x to projected EBITDA for the year after the terminal year, and a range of perpetuity growth rates of 2.0% to 3.0% to the unlevered, after-tax free cash flows in the terminal year. The ranges of terminal TEV/NTM EBITDA multiples and perpetuity growth rates were based on the professional judgment of Evercore. The cash flows and the terminal values were then discounted to December 31, 2018 using a discount rate of 10.0% to 11.0%, based on an estimate of the pro forma combined company’s weighted average cost of capital, to derive a range of implied TEVs for the combined company as of December 31, 2018. Ranges of implied equity values for the combined company were then calculated by reducing the range of implied TEVs by the amount of the combined company’s projected net debt (calculated as debt and debt-like items less cash and cash equivalents) as of December 31, 2018. These implied equity values for the combined company were then discounted to present value using a discount rate of 12.0%, based on an estimate of the combined company’s cost of equity. Evercore’s analysis indicated an implied equity value reference range for the pro forma combined company of approximately $3,483 million to $4,308 million in the terminal multiple case and $3,530 million to $5,062 million in the perpetuity growth rate case.

Under the terminal multiple case as calculated on a per share basis, Evercore’s analysis indicated a per share value reference range of standalone NCI of  $25.10 to $29.23, and a per share value reference range of the pro forma combined company of  $27.52 to $34.04 (representing a 13.3% implied premium calculated using each range’s midpoint). Under the perpetuity growth case calculated on a per share basis, Evercore’s analysis indicated a per share value reference range of standalone NCI of  $24.26 to $30.77, and a per share value reference range of the pro forma combined company of  $27.90 to $40.01 (representing a 22.3% implied premium calculated using each range’s midpoint).

Miscellaneous

The foregoing summary of certain material financial analyses does not purport to be a complete description of the analyses or data presented by Evercore. In connection with the review of the merger by the NCI board, Evercore performed a variety of financial and comparative analyses for purposes of rendering its opinion. The preparation of a fairness opinion is a complex process and is not necessarily susceptible to partial analysis or summary description. Selecting portions of the analyses or of the summary described above, without considering the analyses as a whole, could create an incomplete view of the processes underlying Evercore’s opinion. In arriving at its fairness determination, Evercore considered the results of all the analyses and did not draw, in isolation, conclusions from or with regard to any one analysis

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or factor considered by it for purposes of its opinion. Rather, Evercore made its determination as to fairness on the basis of its experience and professional judgment after considering the results of all the analyses. In addition, Evercore may have given various analyses and factors more or less weight than other analyses and factors, and may have deemed various assumptions more or less probable than other assumptions. As a result, the ranges of valuations resulting from any particular analysis or combination of analyses described above should not be taken to be the view of Evercore with respect to the actual value of NCI common stock or Ply Gem equity interests. No company used in the above analyses as a comparison is directly comparable to NCI or Ply Gem, and no transaction used is directly comparable to the merger. Further, Evercore’s analyses involve complex considerations and judgments concerning financial and operating characteristics and other factors that could affect the acquisition, public trading or other values of the companies or transactions used, including judgments and assumptions with regard to industry performance, general business, economic, market and financial conditions and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of NCI, Ply Gem and their respective advisors.

Evercore prepared these analyses for the purpose of providing an opinion to the NCI board as to the fairness of the aggregate merger consideration to be paid by NCI in the merger, from a financial point of view, to NCI. These analyses do not purport to be appraisals or to necessarily reflect the prices at which the business or securities actually may be sold. Any estimates contained in these analyses are not necessarily indicative of actual future results, which may be significantly more or less favorable than those suggested by such estimates. Accordingly, estimates used in, and the results derived from, Evercore’s analyses are inherently subject to substantial uncertainty, and Evercore assumes no responsibility if future results are materially different from those forecasted in such estimates.

With respect to the merger, Evercore did not recommend any specific amount of consideration to the NCI board or the NCI management or that any specific amount of consideration constituted the only appropriate consideration in the merger.

Pursuant to the terms of Evercore’s engagement letter with NCI, a fee of  $3.0 million was payable to Evercore upon the delivery of Evercore’s fairness opinion to the NCI board. If the merger is consummated, Evercore will be entitled to receive an amount equal to $12.0 million less the $3.0 million already received upon delivery of the fairness opinion. An additional discretionary fee may be paid to Evercore by NCI, the amount of which, if any, will not exceed $3.0 million and will be determined by the NCI board in its sole and absolute discretion and may or may not be contingent upon consummation of the merger. The NCI board has full discretion regarding the amount of such fee (if any) and the circumstances under which such a fee might be paid. In the event the NCI board determines to pay an additional discretionary fee to Evercore, the NCI board may consider any factors it deems relevant in determining the amount of such fee. At this time, the NCI board has not made any determinations regarding the payment of a discretionary fee or the criteria that it may use to assess whether a discretionary fee should be paid. In addition, NCI has agreed to reimburse Evercore for its expenses and to indemnify Evercore for certain liabilities arising out of its engagement.

“During the two-year period prior to the delivery of its opinion, Evercore and its affiliates provided investment banking services to a portfolio company of an investment fund sponsored by Sponsor in connection with a matter unrelated to NCI, for which Evercore and its affiliates received compensation of less than $1 million.” During the two-year period prior to the delivery of its opinion, no material relationship existed between Evercore and its affiliates and Ply Gem pursuant to which compensation was received by Evercore or its affiliates as a result of such a relationship. During the two-year period prior to the delivery of its opinion, Evercore and its affiliates did provide investment banking services to Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC, or one or more of its affiliated investment funds, in connection with unrelated transactions for which Evercore and its affiliates have received compensation. Evercore may provide financial or other services to NCI or its affiliates in the future and in connection with any such services Evercore may receive compensation.

In the ordinary course of business, Evercore or its affiliates may actively trade the securities, or related derivative securities, or financial instruments of NCI, Ply Gem and their respective affiliates, for its own account and for the accounts of its customers and, accordingly, may at any time hold a long or short position in such securities or instruments.

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The issuance of the fairness opinion was approved by an Opinion Committee of Evercore.

Interests of NCI Directors and Executive Officers in the Merger

In considering the approval of the NCI special committee and the recommendation of the NCI board with respect to the merger, NCI stockholders should be aware that the directors and executive officers of NCI have certain interests, including financial interests, in the merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of NCI stockholders generally. The NCI special committee and the NCI board were aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in approving the merger agreement, and in making its recommendation that NCI stockholders adopt the merger agreement. Four NCI directors, James G. Berges, Nathan K. Sleeper, Jonathan L. Zrebiec, and William R. VanArsdale, are all employed by or otherwise affiliated with Sponsor. The foregoing affiliations with Sponsor were known by or disclosed to the remaining directors on the NCI board. Accordingly, these four NCI directors recused themselves from participating in NCI board’s review and consideration of the merger and did not vote with respect to the merger.

Assumptions

For purposes of this disclosure, “officers” refers to: (1) Donald R. Riley, President and Chief Executive Officer, (2) Todd R. Moore, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal, Risk & Compliance Officer, (3) John L. Kuzdal, President of Group Manufacturing Segment, (4) Katy K. Theroux, Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Chief Human Resources Officer, (5) Robert D. Ronchetto, Vice President, Chief Procurement Officer and (6) Bradley S. Little, Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. In addition, for purposes of this disclosure, Messrs. Riley, Moore, Little and Kuzdal and Ms. Theroux are referred to as the “named executive officers”. As discussed below, Norman C. Chambers, NCI’s former Chief Executive Officer, retired on December 31, 2017 and Mark E. Johnson, NCI’s former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer retired on June 29, 2018.

The potential payments quantified in the narrative and tables below are, unless otherwise noted, based on the following assumptions: (1) the effective time of the merger occurs on August 6, 2018, which is the assumed date of the effective time solely for purposes of this compensation-related disclosure, (2) each officer is terminated without cause or resigns with good reason, in either case, immediately following the assumed effective time of the merger, (3) any performance metrics applicable to performance share units or annual bonuses are satisfied at target levels, (4) the relevant price per share of NCI common stock is $16.81, the average closing price per share over the first five business days following the announcement of the merger agreement and (5) each officer’s base salary and target bonus opportunity as in effect on August 6, 2018 remains unchanged. The amounts set forth in the narrative and tables below are estimates of amounts that may be payable to the officers based on the arrangements as in effect as of August 6, 2018 and multiple assumptions that may or may not actually occur, including the assumptions described above. Some of the assumptions are based on information not currently available and, as a result, the actual amounts received by an officer may differ materially from the amounts set forth in the narrative and tables below.

Treatment of NCI Equity Awards

Upon the effective time of the merger, certain NCI restricted stock awards, options, restricted stock units (“RSU awards”) and performance restricted stock units (“PSU awards”) will become vested. Following the effective time of the merger, all other outstanding NCI equity awards will remain outstanding, without adjustment, and continue to be subject to the terms and conditions (including any vesting terms that provide for acceleration upon a change in control or a qualifying termination of employment thereafter) applicable to such awards immediately prior to the effective time of the merger. A summary of the change in control provisions applicable to the unvested options, RSU awards, restricted stock awards, and PSU awards held by the officers is set forth in the next paragraph. The merger will constitute a “change in control” for purposes of NCI’s equity awards and the employment agreements described below.

Upon the effective time of the merger, RSU awards and PSU awards held by officers that were granted prior to May 31, 2016 and certain restricted stock awards held by Mr. Riley and Ms. Theroux will vest in full, with any applicable performance metrics deemed satisfied at maximum. RSU awards held by officers

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that were granted on or following May 31, 2016 will vest upon the officer’s termination without cause or resignation with good reason that occurs during the two years following the effective time of the merger (a “qualifying termination”). PSU awards held by officers that were granted on or following May 31, 2016 will convert into service-vesting RSU awards upon the effective time of the merger, and will continue to vest based on continued service through the end of the applicable performance period or upon an earlier qualifying termination. With respect to PSU awards, the number of shares of NCI common stock subject to the service-vesting RSU awards will be determined as follows: (1) if the applicable performance goal is based on free cash flow or earnings per share and the effective time of the merger occurs prior to the second anniversary of the grant date, the number of shares of NCI common stock subject to the service-vesting RSU award will equal the target number of shares, (2) if the performance goal is based on free cash flow or earnings per share and the effective time of the merger occurs on or following the second anniversary of the grant date, the number of shares of NCI common stock subject to the service-vesting RSU award will be equal to the number of shares that would have vested based on actual performance through the date of the effective time of the merger, prorated based on the number of quarters of the performance period completed prior to the date of the effective time of the merger and (3) if the performance goal is based on total shareholder return, the number of shares of NCI common stock subject to the service-vesting RSU award will be equal to the number of shares of NCI common stock that would have been earned at the completion of the performance period if the total shareholder return (or similar goal) at the completion of the performance period equaled (a) the actual total shareholder return (or similar goal) achieved during the performance period as of the date of the effective time of the merger divided by (b) the portion of the performance period (expressed as a fraction) that has elapsed as of the date of the effective time of the merger. RSU awards, restricted stock awards and option awards held by non-employee directors will vest in full upon the effective time of the merger.

For an estimate of the value of the payments and benefits described above that would become payable to each of the named executive officers in respect of their unvested RSU awards, restricted stock awards, and PSU awards, see “— Quantification of Payments and Benefits to NCI’s Named Executive Officers” below. The estimated value of the payments that will be made to the officer other than the named executive officers in respect of his unvested RSU awards and PSU awards is $1,199,109. The estimated value of the aggregate payments that may be made to the non-employee directors as a group in respect of their unvested NCI equity awards is: $1,125,547 in respect of their unvested NCI RSU awards and $110,828 in respect of their unvested NCI restricted stock awards. The estimated value of the outstanding, unvested restricted stock and RSU awards held by non-employee directors includes such awards that have been assigned to Sponsor by the applicable Sponsor directors, who are partners of Sponsor. Please see footnote four under “Beneficial Ownership of NCI’s Directors, Executive Officers, and Persons Owning More than 5% of the Outstanding Shares of NCI’s Common Stock” for more information regarding such assigned awards. The non-employee directors also hold 2,637 unvested NCI options in the aggregate, all of which have a per share exercise price of  $17.07 and are out-of-the-money based on the assumed stock price of  $16.81. All of the options held by officers are vested and none of the non-employee directors hold any PSU awards.

Employment Agreements

NCI entered into an employment agreement with each officer at or around the time the officer was hired or promoted into an executive-level role that provides for severance benefits that are payable upon a qualifying termination. The severance benefits are conditioned upon each officer’s execution and non-revocation of a release of claims. For each officer, upon a qualifying termination, the employment agreements provide for the payment of a lump sum cash payment on the first payroll date following the release effective date, in an amount equal to: (1) for Mr. Riley, the sum of two times his annual base salary plus three times his target annual bonus, (2) for Messrs. Moore, Kuzdal and Ronchetto, and Ms. Theroux, two times the sum of the officer’s annual base salary and target annual bonus, and (3) for Mr. Little, two times his annual base salary. In addition, upon a qualifying termination, each officer is entitled to (a) a prorated bonus for the fiscal year of termination based on actual performance, paid at the time such bonuses are paid to actively employed executive officers and (b) continued participation in medical and dental benefits at active employee rates for the officer and his or her dependents for up to 18 months (except for Mr. Riley, this benefit will be paid in the form of a lump sum cash payment equal to the cost of 18 months of COBRA premiums for Mr. Riley and his dependents). In addition, pursuant to the terms of the

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employment agreements, if an officer is terminated on or following July 17, 2018 and prior to the effective time of the merger, subject to the occurrence of the effective time of the merger, the officer will be entitled to the payments and benefits described in this paragraph.

Each officer is subject to certain obligations under his or her employment agreement. Those obligations include a perpetual confidentiality covenant and 12-month (24-month for Mr. Riley) post-termination non-compete, non-solicitation, non-disparagement, and non-interference covenants.

For an estimate of the value of the payments and benefits described above that may become payable to each named executive officer in respect of his or her employment agreement, see “— Quantification of Payments and Benefits to NCI’s Named Executive Officers” below. The estimated value of the aggregate payments that may become payable to the officer other than the named executive officers in respect of his employment agreement is $1,173,496.

Executive Officer Transition

Norman C. Chambers, NCI’s former Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, retired on December 31, 2017. Pursuant to the terms of Mr. Chambers’ employment agreement, his PSU awards remain outstanding following his retirement and will be treated as described above under “— Treatment of NCI Equity Awards” in connection with the merger. The estimated value of his outstanding, unvested PSU awards is $4,496,609.

Mark E. Johnson, NCI’s former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer retired on June 29, 2018. Following his retirement, Mr. Johnson is not entitled to any compensation or benefits in connection with the merger. On June 29, 2018, Mr. Little was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.

Retention Bonuses

NCI granted retention bonuses to Messrs. Little and Ronchetto in connection with the merger and, in the case of Mr. Little, in connection with his promotion to Interim Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. 33.3% of each retention bonus will vest upon the effective time of the merger and 66.7% of each retention bonus will vest on the date that is the latest of  (1) the 181st day following the effective time of the merger and (2) March 31, 2019. Any vested portion of the retention bonus will be paid within 15 days following the applicable vesting date. Upon a qualifying termination or termination due to death or disability prior to any applicable vesting date, any unvested portion of the retention bonus will be paid within 15 days following the applicable date of termination. The aggregate amount of the retention bonuses payable to Messrs. Little and Ronchetto is $366,500.

Subject to the approval of Ply Gem, NCI may grant additional retention bonuses or merger bonuses to its employees, including the officers, prior to the effective time of the merger. As of the date of this filing, no officer (other than Messrs. Little and Ronchetto) is entitled to any such retention or merger bonuses, and the recipients, amounts and terms of any such additional retention and merger bonuses have not yet been determined.

Pension/Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Upon the effective time of the merger, deferred compensation account balances for Messrs. Riley, Kuzdal and Little will become vested (to the extent not already vested) and payable in a cash lump sum, in each case in accordance with the terms of the deferred compensation plan. For an estimate of the value of these payments and benefits, see “— Quantification of Potential Payments to NCI Executive Officers in Connection with the Merger” below.

Transaction Equity Award Grants

NCI and Ply Gem have agreed to grant equity awards to selected employees of the combined company at or shortly following the effective time of the merger, which may include grants to the officers and Mr. Metcalf. As of the date of this filing, no officer is entitled to any such equity award and the recipients, amounts and terms of such equity awards have not yet been determined.

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