Plastpro Opens World's First Fully Automated Door Manufacturing Facility in Northeast Ohio; New Plant Creates 100 Jobs; Features Industry's Most Advanced Technologies; Governor Taft To Attend Ceremony

Business Wire, June 3, 2005

ASHTABULA, Ohio -- Plastpro Inc., a leading supplier of exterior door products in the United States, today announced the official opening of the most advanced and first fully automated fiberglass door manufacturing facility in the world. Located in Ashtabula, Ohio, the 250,000 square foot production facility will produce one million finished doors per year, create over 100 new jobs directly, and bring economic benefits to suppliers and communities in Northeastern Ohio valued at about $100 million over the next three years.

Among the more than 300 citizens and dignitaries attending the ceremony were Ohio Governor Robert Taft; Ohio State Senator Mark Dann; Ohio State Representative George Distel; representatives of U.S. Senator George Voinovich and U.S. Representative Steven LaTourette; Ashtabula Country Commissioners Joe Moroski and Robert Boggs, and Saybrook Township Trustee Gregory Staida.

"This is a major step in Plastpro's 10 year journey to become the leading provider of exterior fiberglass doors," commented Shirley Wang, President of Plastpro. "In addition to maintaining control over raw material quality and cost, as well as manufacturing every part of our doors, Plastpro was built by listening to customers and delivering what they wanted. This new plant will dramatically enhance our ability to quickly respond to customer needs and marketplace demands." Wang noted that Plastpro's current customers include some of the nation's largest building companies such as American Building Supply and Stock Building Supply, as well as leading retailers.

Integrated Factory Technology

The new facility features integrated factory control technology that automates repetitive tasks to enable greater quality control, product consistency and manufacturing precision. This will allow the Ashtabula plant to reduce delivery lead times by up to 75 percent and realize 200 to 300 percent greater productivity than traditional door manufacturing operations. Additionally, the manufacturing methods being introduced will enhance employee safety through improved ergonomics.

"We're taking a proven product and assembling it in a unique and interesting way with the aid of an unprecedented level of automation," said Wang. "Fiberglass door skins can be cut, weighed and prepared for assembly using robotics. The system is able to pick, place, and assemble the various parts and components, resulting in minimal waste of material. All of these advances allow Plastpro to create innovative, high quality products, bring them to market faster, and ultimately offer buyers the widest possible choice of product designs, colors, and size at the best price."

Fiberglass Expertise

As the cradle of the fiberglass industry, Ohio offers one of the most highly skilled and experienced workforces in the nation with specific expertise in fiberglass molding and assembly technologies.

"I commend Plastpro for choosing to expand in Ohio, and we appreciate your commitment to our state," said Ohio Governor Bob Taft. "We're working hard to improve Ohio's business climate through our tax reform plan so that Plastpro and all our manufacturers will continue to succeed in today's competitive business climate."

Ashtabula County Commissioner Robert Boggs noted that Ohio would benefit from Plastpro's presence in both the short- and long-term. "The positive economic impact from the new jobs that Plastpro will create - as well as from its work with the area's various suppliers and vendors - will be significant," he said.

U.S. Manufacturing Can Compete

"Our new facility in Ashtabula will play a significant role in supporting our history of making durable and value-added products," said the company's CEO, Walter Wang. "It also demonstrates that with the right investment, the right strategy and plan, and the right people, you can successfully manufacture products in the U.S. and be competitive with anybody in the world."

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, although the second half of 2005 will be strong for U.S. manufacturing, an important part of ongoing growth will be driven by technology.

"While the manufacturing glass will be more than half full as we go through the rest of the year, what's critical for continued growth is the application of new technologies to traditional manufacturing industries," commented Jerry Jasinowski, president of The Manufacturing Institute which is the research arm of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Ms. Wang noted that Plastpro's new facility is a great example of using new manufacturing methods in an established sector. "We're committed to advancing door manufacturing as well as leading the industry through continued product innovation," she said.

About Plastpro, Inc.

Headquartered in Livingston, New Jersey, Plastpro, Inc. is a leading supplier of fiberglass door products in the United States. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.plastproinc.com.