Animal Health & Sciences Plans Thomaston Manufacturing Facility

ATLANTA, May 19, 2010 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that Georgia-based Animal Health & Sciences is opening a manufacturing facility in Thomaston, Georgia in Upson County.  This project represents the creation of 100 new jobs, and a $9.1 million investment.  The company's Thomaston facility will manufacture a new line of non-toxic, biodegradable chemicals to be used in the animal health industry. 'Specialized manufacturers like Animal Health & Sciences help ensure that advanced manufacturing in Georgia remains a diverse and flourishing sector of our state's economy,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  'Georgia's manufacturers employ ten percent of the state's workforce, so I am glad to see Animal Health & Sciences create a significant number of jobs that will benefit Thomaston and surrounding communities.' Animal Health & Sciences is the largest contract packager of products that protect small and large animals such as dogs, cats, equine, farm and dairy animals from a wide range of pests. The company's primary focus is the development, enhancement, and manufacturing of high quality products for the animal industry.  These products are distributed to more than 600 companies in the form of liquid pumps, aerosols, shampoos and powders. 'The opportunities afforded by the strategic location of the Thomaston area contributed highly to this site selection,' said Chris Callas, president and CEO of Animal Health & Sciences, Inc.  'The unprecedented collaboration of the teams led by the state in conjunction with Mayor Arnold's office and the Thomaston-Upson County Development Authority were paramount in bringing this facility to Thomaston, Georgia.' Upson County, one of Georgia's Certified Work Ready Communities of Excellence, is home to a highly-skilled pool of talent for operations such as the Animal Health & Sciences manufacturing operation.  The Georgia Work Ready program works with counties throughout Georgia to ensure that the state's workforce remains a primary competitive advantage. 'Mayor Hays Arnold and County Commission Chairman Maurice Raines worked hard on this project, representing another fine team effort between our elected officials, the Thomaston-Upson County Industrial Development Authority and the Department of Economic Development,' said Neil H. Hightower, chairman Thomaston-Upson County Industrial Development Authority.  'Animal Health & Sciences will be a real asset to Thomaston and Upson County, and we all look forward to working with them to make their business a success.' Georgia Department of Economic Development project managers Costas Simoglou and E. Jane Caraway assisted the company with this location. About Animal Health & Sciences, Inc. Animal Health & Sciences (AHS) manufactures and distributes a wide range of the highest quality products for the animal industry, and supplies to the top 25 pet care companies in the United States.  AHS has technical capabilities spanning more than 40 years, with a staff of chemists with more than 25 years of experience each. About GDEcD The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development.  For more information, visit www.georgia.org.