“We look forward to supporting the Columbus area’s growth through the water transportation products this facility produces,” said Richard Manning, president of Hanson Building Products North America. “This new addition will help us not only increase production but also modernize our Columbus operations.”

Columbus is ranked fifth in the nation for FORTUNE 500 companies and is home to the nation’s third largest manufacturing sector. Hanson’s Columbus expansion adds to the city’s manufacturing clout with modern technology and is evidence of the area’s economic strength. Many of the products produced at the facility will be used in potable water systems, sewers and drainage systems for local universities, roadways and commercial or public works projects, such as improved storm water drainage systems at Intermodal Railway Facility at Rickenbacker Airport.

“Hanson is proud to be a part of Columbus’ history and this new addition will help us grow along with the city,” said Eric Wheeler, Hanson’s Northeast region president. “Thanks to new technology and additional production space, this facility can now produce 400 tons of concrete products per production shift.”

The new addition, managed by Dan Coleman, at Hanson’s Columbus site represents a significant increase in production and employs approximately 18 employees. The facility will manufacture concrete pipe products, which are used for storm water drainage systems, sewers and transporting water to treatment facilities. Pipe will be produced on the Hawkeye PipePro III XT Machine, which is the first of its kind in the state. The Hawkeye PipePro III XT includes modules for creating three different diameters of pipe at the same time.

This facility is part of Hanson’s Northeast operating region based in Columbus. The Northeast region services Connecticut, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Ontario Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Virginia. The region’s 26 facilities produce products used for community and roadway development, such as reinforced concrete pipe, drainage structures, precast vaults, noise barriers, bridge products such as HansonArch and Premier Railroad Crossings.

Hanson Pipe & Precast is a division of Hanson PLC, a world leader in providing heavy building materials to the construction industry. Hanson Pipe & Precast is North America’s largest manufacturer of concrete pipe and precast products, including residential and commercial building components, bridges, manholes and retaining walls; as well as being a premier producer of steel and pressurized pipe.

About Hanson Building Products North America
Hanson Building Products North America, a division of Hanson PLC, is comprised of Hanson Brick, Hanson Roof Tile, Hanson Pipe & Precast, Hanson Structural Precast and Hanson Paver Products. Hanson Brick is the largest brick producer in North America. Hanson Roof Tile is a leading manufacturer of concrete roof tile in the United States. Hanson Pipe & Precast is a manufacturer of concrete pipe; precast concrete products including manholes, drainage structures, box culverts, bridge components, retaining walls and concrete block; and steel and concrete pressure pipe. Hanson Structural Precast produces products used in commercial, residential and educational buildings, sports facilities, bridges and parking structures. Hanson Paver Products produces decorative concrete pavers for residential and commercial building. For more information, please visit www.hansonbrick.com, www.hansonrooftile.com, www.hansonpipeandprecast.com, www.hansonpipeandprecast.com/structural and www.hansonpaverproducts.com.

Hanson Building Products North America has grown and prospered into an organization of more than 7,400 employees and 140 facilities with products available throughout the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about Hanson’s quality products, services and building technology, please visit www.hanson.biz.

About Hanson PLC
Hanson is one of the world's largest suppliers of heavy building materials to the construction industry, with turnover in 2006 of £4.1bn. Our products fall into two categories: "aggregates" (crushed rock, sand and gravel, ready-mixed concrete, asphalt- and cement-related products), and "building products" (concrete pipes, pre-cast products, concrete pavers, blocks, tiles and clay bricks). We employ approximately 26,000 people, operating primarily in North America, the UK and Australia with further operations in Asia Pacific and continental Europe.

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