ConMet Adds Plastics Manufacturing Plant in North Carolina

8-09-2004

Portland, OR Ð Consolidated Metco Inc. (ConMet), a leading supplier of products for the heavy-duty transportation industry, announced today it will open a new plastic manufacturing plant in Canton, North Carolina in response to increased demand for its products.

When fully operational, the plant will employ up to 70 workers who will produce plastic interior components for heavy duty truck manufacturers like Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack and International. Components include dashboards, instrument panels, interior trim, door panels, cabinets and other interior pieces. The 219,400 square foot facility will house 13 new injection molding presses ranging in size from 225 tons to 2000 tons.

ãThis site offers us the best opportunity to quickly and effectively expand our plastics manufacturing capabilities,ä explains Steve Norman, ConMetâs Vice President of Operations. ãThe location is not far from our other factories in North Carolina, and the work ethic of the people in the Canton area is excellent.ä

Craig Ketchum, a veteran of the plastics industry, will serve as Plant Manager. Ketchum comes to ConMet from Green Garden, Inc, a manufacturer of plastic hose-end application systems, where he recently served as Operations Manager.

On July 27th, ConMet opened up the facility to local media and government officials to show off the facility and announce the creation of manufacturing jobs for workers in Haywood County. ConMet currently has plastics manufacturing plants in nearby Cashiers and Bryson City, North Carolina. The Bryson City facility was recently expanded by 90,000 square feet to accommodate increased levels of business activity.

A grand opening for the new Canton plant is planned for this fall after the company completes modifications to the building and installs manufacturing equipment. Besides plastic components, Consolidated Metco, also produces hubs, brake drums, fifth wheels and fuel/water separators as well as permanent mold castings and die castings for class 8 trucks.

ConMet is a subsidiary of Amsted Industries, one of the worldâs largest transportation component manufacturers, specializing in products that serve the rail, heavy-duty vehicle, automotive, construction/building, and general industrial markets. Amsted is also one of the largest 100 percent employee-owned companies in the United States.

Media Contact

For more information on any ConMet news, please contact:

Mark Jorgensen
Marketing Communications Manager
Consolidated Metco, Inc.

Phone: 503.978.6689
Fax: 503.240.5443
mjorgensen@conmet.com