National Gypsum Company marks 100 years
OnBoard Newsletter | September 2025
A CENTURY OF PARTNERING WITH ARCHITECTS LIKE YOU
Founded in 1925 in Buffalo, New York, the original National Gypsum Company began developing gypsum board to construct better walls and buildings. Fast-forward to 2025 and the decades of gypsum board innovations have been unstoppable: high-performance gypsum board that is fire resistant, sound damping and can withstand severe impact; mold-, mildew- and moisture-resistant board that is lighter and easier to cut and install; gypsum board engineered to contribute to a more sustainable environment and meet or exceed certifications for new building codes and improved energy standards.
Throughout our history, we have listened to the needs and desires of the architectural and building community. Thanks to the valuable input of architects and construction professionals like you, our products and systems have helped push the industry forward. Your expectations have been high, and we have delivered. Innovations have been shaped by what you told us you need to get your job done. We are still listening, still developing innovative products, and continuing to evolve our systems and resources to honor your partnership and serve your needs well into the next hundred years.
The timeline below highlights some key product innovations provided by National Gypsum Company.
CELEBRATING INNOVATIONS
PURPLE | Gold Bond® PURPLE®gypsum board is the color of confidence from coast-to-coast because it offers superior protection. Both the premium, high-performance PURPLE XP® and the technologically advanced, fiberglass-faced PURPLE eXP® lines of gypsum board resist moisture, mold and mildew. Select PURPLE products also defend against abuse and impact and can dramatically reduce noise between spaces. With specific attributes and project applications, there are PURPLE products to cover all your commercial building requirements.
EVOLVE | The newest line of next-gen, sustainable products, Gold Bond® EVOLVETM is engineered to conserve water, reduce energy use and lower carbon emissions during manufacturing. The EVOLVE family of products is lightweight and easier to install.
RESOURCES
Technical Guides | Among the best in the industry, our comprehensive technical books address real project challenges and provide detailed, illustrated answers. The PURPLE Book® features hundreds of fire-rated assemblies in commercial construction, The SoundBook® provides solutions to your toughest acoustical challenges and The Wood BookTM is a top resource for fire-rated assemblies in wood-frame construction.
NGConnects | NGConnectsTM
content keeps you informed, inspired and ahead of the curve. Read our insightful NGConnectsTMBlog, listen to our compelling NGConnectsTMPodcast and earn CEUs through our interactive, AIA-accredited LIVE and on-demand Webinars. Explore everything from levels of finish to commercial shaftwall construction, abuse- versus impact-resistant gypsum board to understanding the ratings for acoustical wall assemblies and much more. Stay connected with the latest in industry trends and product knowledge.
Continuing Education | For the expertise and information you need, our Continuing Education program offers online and in-person courses related to product application, technical standards and industry trends. All programs qualify for AIA learning units.
Sustainability Documents | National Gypsum provides products that contribute to LEED certifications and meet high-performance demands – to help you build green and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Our portfolio of sustainability documentation includes Health Product Declarations (HPD), Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and UL GREENGUARD certifications, conveniently located within the NGC Design and Resource Center. To create a customized Green Product Score (GPS) report containing information to aid in the preparation of LEED certification documents, try our Green Product Score application.
Construction Design Managers | National Gypsum Construction Design Managers partner with you to provide resources, answer technical questions and recommend solutions that help make your job easier and enhance your projects. There is a CDM for each region of the country. Part of my mission as your CDM is to help you meet your CE goals. Our onsite Lunch N’ Learns bring your team together, give your firm an edge and qualify for AIA learning units. I’ll help you stay in front of the latest industry information, so call or email me any time.
“As National Gypsum celebrates 100 years, we are reminded of our commitment to education and collaboration. For 100 years, we have been dedicated to learning and growing together through real conversations with members in the industry where we can share ideas, explore new products, and stay ahead of what’s next. Together, we are building products for a better future.”
Jordan Polk
Jordan Polk
Construction Design ManagerNational Gypsum Company“For the past 100 years National Gypsum has been serving the building industry. Not only have we provided great products but also worked closely with architects, contractors, designers and engineers, like you, to ensure you’re up to date on technical changes and the latest products, like EVOLVE lightweight gypsum panels. Our goal has always been to support your projects, the community, the environment and the people that have made us a great American company. We look forward to our continued partnership with you and exploring what the next 100 years has in store.”
Amy Wilson
Amy Wilson
Construction Design ManagerNational Gypsum CompanySTREAMLINE WALL ASSEMBLIES
Six UL Designs | To simplify your fire-rated assemblies in commercial, metal-framed construction, consider one of these six UL designs – part of National Gypsum’s large portfolio of options. These six are so versatile, you can use them to build nearly every rated wall in your building. They are: V438, W419, V488, V497, V449 and W469. National Gypsum is constantly updating our fire-rated assemblies, and any new iterations will automatically be reflected in your project specification and partition schedules.
Fire & Sound Assembly Selector | Explore our extensive database to consolidate your project planning and fire-rated design options. The Fire & Sound Assembly SelectorTM features nearly 350 UL designs from National Gypsum. Rather than navigate multiple sources, find the right sound- and fire-rated assemblies for your projects in one location. In just a few clicks, you can find the necessary test reports and access all the combined technical information – or tailor the filter to one specific item. The Fire & Sound Assembly Selector is quick and easy to use and will save you valuable time.
