PA Governor Rendell Announces Establishment of New Manufacturing Facility in Fayette County

Roofing products manufacturer will create 66 jobs in Smithfield

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 28 -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced that Carlisle SynTec Inc. plans to construct a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing facility on a 25-acre site in the Fayette Business Park in Smithfield, Fayette County, that will result in at least 66 new jobs within the next three years. The facility will operate under the name Hunter Panels and will manufacture and distribute rigid foam roof insulation panels for use in commercial and industrial roofing construction projects.

"Pennsylvania is making investments to support our people, communities and businesses," Governor Rendell said. "We are working to bring new jobs and opportunities to all areas of the commonwealth.

"In Pennsylvania, one out of every eight jobs is in the manufacturing sector - proof that manufacturers continue to be a vital source of employment across the commonwealth. The fact that Carlisle SynTec chose the commonwealth for the location of its new facility further confirms our appeal to leading manufacturers. I look forward to continuing the state's long, successful partnership with Carlisle SynTec."

The new Hunter Panels location will provide on-site deliveries of products to construction sites for customers located in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Maryland, Kentucky and New York. The company expects to begin production in early 2006.

"There is a direct correlation between Hunter's expansion into this exciting new market and the growth of the polyisocyanurate market as a whole. Polyisocyanurate insulation is the #1 choice for energy conservation and environmentally intelligent building design," said Alma Garnett, Vice President of Hunter Panels.

The Governor's Action Team, economic-development professionals who report directly to Governor Rendell and state Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Dennis Yablonsky, worked with Carlisle SynTec to structure support for its new manufacturing facility. DCED has offered the company a financial package totaling $985,000 that includes: $850,000 in grants through the Infrastructure Development Program (IDP); a $100,000 Opportunity Grant; and $35,000 in Job Training Assistance.

The Allegheny Conference on Community Development, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council and the Pittsburgh Regional Alliance also worked with Carlisle SynTec on its expansion in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Created in 1997, Hunter Panels is a leading manufacturer of rigid polyisocyanurate roof insulation for use in public, commercial and residential buildings. Polyiso commands a 65 percent market share in the insulation market.

Hunter Panels is a business segment of Carlisle SynTec, which is a subsidiary of Carlisle Companies Inc. - a diversified global manufacturing company serving the commercial roofing, specialty tire and wheel transportation, automotive, food service, data transmission and other specialty industries.

Carlisle SynTec Inc., headquartered in Carlisle, has been manufacturing single-ply membrane roofing systems for more than 40 years. To date, the company has produced more than 10 billion square feet of roofing membrane.

For information on the Governor's Action Team and other DCED funding, visit http://www.newpa.com/ or call 1-866-GO-NEWPA (1-866-466-3972).

To learn more about Hunter Panels, visit http://www.hunterpanels.com/. For more information on Carlisle SynTec, visit http://www.carlisle-syntec.com/.