Scrap Masters to open plastics processing facility in Toccoa

Atlanta, May 5, 2006 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that Scrap Masters, Inc. will open a new plastics processing facility in Toccoa, Ga. The company will invest $1 million in the facility, which will recycle surplus plastic from area manufacturers for use as new raw material for other plastics manufacturers. Scrap Masters will initially employ 15 people within the year and up to 25 people as the market grows. 'This industry is an excellent fit for the community and for Georgia,' said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser. 'We're proud to have the kind of business climate that supports diversified industries and efficient use of our resources.' The new facility is scheduled to open in May 2006. Production will initially focus on grinding plastic scrap from area automobile parts manufacturers with whom Scrap Masters has long-standing relationships at its other plants in the Midwest, and will expand to include a range of recycling services for virtually any plastic and other manufacturers. 'We are excited about the opportunities that exist in Toccoa and the surrounding area. We anticipate processing five million pounds in our first year of operation with growth potential of up to 15 million pounds per year by 2008, 20 percent of which we estimate would otherwise be sent to landfill,' said Scrap Masters President and CEO Keith Hansen. 'We value the great assistance we received from the Stephens County Development Authority and from the State.' 'We appreciate that Scrap Masters has recognized the excellence of our workforce and anticipate that our area businesses will take good advantage of their services," said Bob Defenbaugh, chairman of the Stephens County Development Authority. 'Scrap Masters' recycling operation is a significant addition to our community's economic diversification, and we're certainly looking forward to helping the company grow and prosper in Stephens County.' Scrap Masters is a family-owned and operated, ISO 9001 certified plastics processing company with almost two decades worth of experience. Headquartered in Chelsea, Mich., Scrap Masters has over 40 employees with facilities in Illinois, Michigan and now Georgia. Scrap Masters specializes in the processing of post industrial plastic scrap. 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, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.