SHERMAN, Texas - CertainTeed Corp. marked the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art mechanical insulation manufacturing plant here with a visit from Texas Governor Rick Perry, officials from Grayson County, and members of the media. Since the plant has already begun production, the company dubbed the event a "Texas Housewarming," according to Peter Dachowski, president and CEO of CertainTeed.

The opening of the 518,000-square-foot plant, located 50 miles north of Dallas, brings new life to a former auto glass manufacturing plant that had stood idle for four years. The plant will employ up to 50 people when fully operational. According to the company, CertainTeed has already committed to approximately a $15 million capital investment to make the facility the first U.S. plant designed especially for the production of textile fiberglass duct liner used to insulate heating and air conditioning duct systems.

The plant and the 70 acres it sits on are owned by the state's 150-year-old Permanent School Fund, a public education endowment dedicated to making money for the schoolchildren of Texas. It was the first such development deal in its history, brokered by the Texas General Land Office. The fund is leasing the building and land to CertainTeed in a 30-year lease.

In addition to the fully automated production line that will produce a new textile duct liner for CertainTeed for the entire U.S., the facility will also house CertainTeed's new service center, serving the central region of the country.

For more information, visit www.certainteed.com.

Publication date: 09/06/2004