Xella Aircrete USA to Locate New Plant in Adel

ATLANTA, September 19 – Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that a leader in the European construction materials market, Xella International, will locate its first U.S. plant in Adel, creating 100 new jobs and a $20 million investment. The facility is expected to be operational by the spring of 2007. 'Our aggressive international marketing strategy is continuing to pay dividends,' said Governor Sonny Perdue. 'I'm pleased Xella International has chosen Adel as the ideal location for its first plant in the U.S.' Xella International is the world's largest producer of Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC) construction materials. The German company is a subsidiary of the Haniel Company and has been family-owned for 250 years. Xella produces innovative concrete building materials which have superior wind load strength, fire resistance, durability and insulating properties for lower energy consumption. Xella Aircrete North America Inc., a Georgia company, will manufacture and market pre-engineered AAC panels and blocks under the trade name 'Hebel.' Xella's North American headquarters will be in Atlanta. 'We have made tremendous advances in the state's business climate and infrastructure network,' said Governor Perdue. 'This means that rural areas such as Adel can provide any company with the resources it needs to succeed.' 'I am pleased that Xella has chosen to come to Georgia and to locate one of its plants in Adel,' said State Senator Greg Goggans. 'I would like to congratulate and applaud Adel and Cook County for their hard work and leadership in bringing this company to South Georgia.' Georgia's Quick Start training program, consistently ranked as one of the nation's best state-sponsored training programs, will provide training for the plant's employees. Quick Start is administered by the Department of Technical and Adult Education. 'With this investment, Xella will enter the U.S. market with AAC building materials, and we look forward to close cooperation and good relations with the local community,' said Sylvester Schmidt, president of Xella Aircrete North America, Inc. 'It is exciting to announce another industry for Adel-Cook County. The leadership from the state, community and the Cook County Economic Development Commission has been the key to successfully locating Xella. Our partnership with Xella will continue to bring opportunity not only to our community and state, but the U.S. as a whole,' stated Kerry S. Waldron, economic developer for the Cook County Economic Development Commission. For more information, please visit www.xella.com/html/com/en/ytong_products.php.