<?xml version="1.0"?>
<informationTable xmlns="http://www.sec.gov/edgar/document/thirteenf/informationtable" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>3M CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>88579Y101</cusip><value>2355</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>15260</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>15260</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ABBOTT LABS</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>002824100</cusip><value>883</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>17990</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>17990</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ABBVIE INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>00287Y109</cusip><value>1246</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>18540</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>18540</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AECOM</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>00766T100</cusip><value>57670</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1743352</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1743352</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AETNA INC NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>00817Y108</cusip><value>39688</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>311377</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>311377</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ALLSTATE CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>020002101</cusip><value>31887</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>491549</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>491549</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AMERICAN INTL GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>026874784</cusip><value>59862</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>968330</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>968330</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ARMSTRONG WORLD INDS INC NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>04247X102</cusip><value>727</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>13650</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>13650</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>AVON PRODS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>054303102</cusip><value>15797</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2523442</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2523442</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BAKER HUGHES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>057224107</cusip><value>59835</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>969780</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>969780</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BANK AMER CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>060505104</cusip><value>37760</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2218544</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2218544</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BAXTER INTL INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>071813109</cusip><value>31691</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>453186</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>453186</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>110122108</cusip><value>1791</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>26920</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>26920</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CHECK POINT SOFTWARE TECH LT</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>ORD</titleOfClass><cusip>M22465104</cusip><value>2025</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>25450</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>25450</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CHEVRON CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>166764100</cusip><value>244</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2528</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2528</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CIT GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>125581801</cusip><value>2061</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>44325</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>44325</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CITIGROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM NEW</titleOfClass><cusip>172967424</cusip><value>57840</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1047068</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1047068</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>CLEAN HARBORS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>184496107</cusip><value>1865</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>34700</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>34700</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>COBALT INTL ENERGY INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>19075F106</cusip><value>291</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>30000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>30000</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>COLFAX CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>194014106</cusip><value>488</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>10575</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>10575</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>DEVRY ED GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>251893103</cusip><value>1130</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>37700</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>37700</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>DRIL-QUIP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>262037104</cusip><value>978</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>13000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>13000</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>DUN &amp; BRADSTREET CORP DEL NE</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>26483E100</cusip><value>38676</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>317017</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>317017</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>EMERSON ELEC CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>291011104</cusip><value>1239</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>22355</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>22355</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>EQT CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>26884L109</cusip><value>822</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>10100</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>10100</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>EXXON MOBIL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>30231G102</cusip><value>459</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>5520</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>5520</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>FREEPORT-MCMORAN INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL B</titleOfClass><cusip>35671D857</cusip><value>15250</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>819024</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>819024</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>GENERAL ELECTRIC CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>369604103</cusip><value>31948</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1202400</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1202400</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>GILDAN ACTIVEWEAR INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>375916103</cusip><value>1885</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>56700</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>56700</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SPONSORED ADR</titleOfClass><cusip>37733W105</cusip><value>569</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>13656</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>13656</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HALLIBURTON CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>406216101</cusip><value>30847</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>716209</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>716209</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HEWLETT PACKARD CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>428236103</cusip><value>52050</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1734408</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1734408</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HOWARD HUGHES CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>44267D107</cusip><value>871</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>6068</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>6068</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>HUMANA INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>444859102</cusip><value>2487</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>13000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>13000</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHS</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>459200101</cusip><value>965</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>5935</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>5935</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>INTERSIL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>46069S109</cusip><value>31965</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2555130</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2555130</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>JOHNSON &amp; JOHNSON</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>478160104</cusip><value>1892</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>19409</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>19409</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>JPMORGAN CHASE &amp; CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>46625H100</cusip><value>40416</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>596459</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>596459</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>LEUCADIA NATL CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>527288104</cusip><value>1853</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>76300</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>76300</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>LILLY ELI &amp; CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>532457108</cusip><value>66163</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>792465</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>792465</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>LINCOLN NATL CORP IND</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>534187109</cusip><value>62149</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1049464</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1049464</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MATTEL INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>577081102</cusip><value>53576</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2085480</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2085480</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>METLIFE INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>59156r108</cusip><value>57403</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1025231</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1025231</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>595112103</cusip><value>717</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>38050</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>38050</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MICROSOFT CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>594918104</cusip><value>48567</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1100041</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1100041</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>MSC INDL DIRECT INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>553530106</cusip><value>36574</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>524210</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>524210</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>NETAPP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>64110D104</cusip><value>705</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>22350</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>22350</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>NN INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>629337106</cusip><value>2685</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>105200</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>105200</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>OMNICOM GROUP INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>681919106</cusip><value>16235</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>233636</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>233636</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ORACLE CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>68389X105</cusip><value>356</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>8837</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>8837</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PEPSICO INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>713448108</cusip><value>762</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>8160</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>8160</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PFIZER INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>717081103</cusip><value>2730</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>81430</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>81430</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PROCTER &amp; GAMBLE CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>742718109</cusip><value>2565</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>32784</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>32784</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>PROGRESSIVE CORP OHIO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>743315103</cusip><value>2516</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>90400</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>90400</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>74834L100</cusip><value>54015</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>744829</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>744829</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>RELIANCE STEEL &amp; ALUMINUM CO</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>759509102</cusip><value>35560</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>587963</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>587963</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ROWAN COMPANIES PLC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>SHS CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>G7665A101</cusip><value>37782</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1789781</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1789781</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SANDISK CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>80004C101</cusip><value>754</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>12950</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>12950</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SEALED AIR CORP NEW</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>81211K100</cusip><value>43436</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>845395</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>845395</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>SPDR S&amp;P 500 ETF TR</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>TR UNIT</titleOfClass><cusip>78462F103</cusip><value>439</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2133</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2133</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>STAPLES INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>855030102</cusip><value>24340</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1589798</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1589798</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>STRAYER ED INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>863236105</cusip><value>1045</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>24250</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>24250</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>TE CONNECTIVITY LTD</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>REG SHS</titleOfClass><cusip>H84989104</cusip><value>52654</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>818874</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>818874</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ULTRA PETROLEUM CORP</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>903914109</cusip><value>22641</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>1808420</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>1808420</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>UTI WORLDWIDE INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>ORD</titleOfClass><cusip>G87210103</cusip><value>1763</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>176500</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>176500</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>VEECO INSTRS INC DEL</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>922417100</cusip><value>1403</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>48800</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>48800</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>WPX ENERGY INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>98212B103</cusip><value>25295</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>2059870</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>2059870</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ZIMMER BIOMET HLDGS INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>COM</titleOfClass><cusip>98956P102</cusip><value>2257</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>20660</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>20660</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable><infoTable><nameOfIssuer>ZYNGA INC</nameOfIssuer><titleOfClass>CL A</titleOfClass><cusip>98986T108</cusip><value>438</value><shrsOrPrnAmt><sshPrnamt>153000</sshPrnamt><sshPrnamtType>SH</sshPrnamtType></shrsOrPrnAmt><investmentDiscretion>SOLE</investmentDiscretion><otherManager>
		</otherManager><votingAuthority><Sole>153000</Sole><Shared>0</Shared><None>0</None></votingAuthority></infoTable></informationTable>
