Lafarge Gypsum, a part of Lafarge North America Inc., announced it has earned Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse Supplier of the Year Award in the Building Materials category. Lowe's, the 14th largest retailer in the U.S., selected Lafarge Gypsum from a pool of 100 contestants covering not only the gypsum drywall industry but also vendors of masonry products, roofing materials, insulation, vinyl siding and other specialty building materials. According to Lafarge Gypsum President Alain Bouruet-Aubertot, the environmental benefits of producing board from completely recycled materials at Lafarge's Silver Grove, Ky., and Palatka, Fla., plants figured prominently in Lowe's decision to tap Lafarge for this honor. “Lowe's chooses its suppliers of the year using a list of 14 criteria. Among the criteria on Lowe's list is a reputation for — and demonstration of — excellence in environmental stewardship.” Lowe's, which carries both Lafarge drywall and Lafarge Rapid Coat joint compound in its stores located primarily in the eastern half of the U.S., recognized Lafarge Gypsum for its accomplishment at the retailer's vendor conference in Greensboro, N.C.