Hanson
Hanson Pipe & Precast Announces Groundbreaking for one of the Largest Automated Pipe Plants in the United States
171,000-Square-Foot Facility to Be Built in Winter Haven, Fla.
July 17, 2006
Hanson Pipe & Precast, Southeast region, recently announced the groundbreaking for what will be one of the largest automated pipe plants in the United States. The 171,000-square-foot facility will reside on 91 acres of land near Lucerne Loop Road in Winter Haven, Fla. The groundbreaking ceremony will be held Thursday, July 27, at 10:30 a.m. The plant is scheduled to begin operations in August 2007.

Joan Blecha, president of Hanson Pipe & Precast’s Southeast region, stated, “We at Hanson Pipe & Precast are thrilled to be a part of the City of Winter Haven and Polk County community. We are dedicated to being the best corporate citizens we can be. We look forward to providing a positive economic impact for the area and hope our presence encourages further economic growth.”

With two completely automated pipe production lines, the Winter Haven facility is set to be Hanson’s flagship pipe plant in the Southeast region. The facility will feature the latest technology in quality control and testing, and automated production lines will place a priority on safety.

“The City of Winter Haven is very pleased to welcome Hanson Pipe & Precast and its automated flagship plant to our community. Working with the people of Hanson over the last year to make this project a reality has been a great experience, and we look forward to continuing this community partnership far into the future,” said Debbie Murphy, account services division director for the City of Winter Haven.

While employing approximately 50 personnel, the plant will operate two shifts five days a week. The facility’s central location will enable it to provide service to all of Florida.

About Hanson Pipe & Precast North America
Founded in 1931, Hanson Pipe & Precast, a division of Hanson PLC, has become North America’s largest manufacturer of concrete pipe and precast concrete products, including residential and commercial building components, bridges, manholes and retaining walls.

Originally founded to provide manufacturing of concrete pipe for sewer and culvert construction, Hanson Pipe & Precast North America has grown and prospered into an organization of more than 7,800 employees and 108 plants with products available throughout the U.S. To learn more about Hanson’s quality products, services and building technology, please visit www.hansonpipeandprecast.com.

About Hanson PLC
Hanson is one of the world’s leading heavy building materials companies. It is one of the largest producers of aggregates — crushed rock, sand and gravel — and also one of the largest producers of concrete products, clay bricks and ready-mixed concrete in the world. Its other principal products include asphalt and concrete roof tiles, and its operations are in North America, the UK, Australia, Asia Pacific and continental Europe.

Hanson operates through six divisions: Hanson Aggregates North America, Hanson Building Products North America, Hanson Aggregates UK, Hanson Building Products UK, Hanson Australia & Asia Pacific and Hanson Continental Europe.

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