GNB Technologies to Restructure Operations at Columbus, Ga. Battery Recycling Facility

23 August 1999

GNB Technologies to Restructure Operations at Columbus, Ga. Battery Recycling Facility

    ATLANTA--Aug. 20, 1999--Atlanta-based GNB Technologies today announced plans to idle the company's lead-acid battery recycling facility in Columbus, Georgia. GNB is a leading manufacturer and recycler of lead-acid batteries.
    Executives from GNB have met with Columbus employees and appropriate federal and state officials to discuss the company's plans. 150 employees will be laid off as the recycling operation works toward an indefinite suspension of operations. The ramp down is expected to begin in early October and be completed by the end of the month.
    "We deeply regret having to make this move," said Thomas O. Minner, president and CEO of GNB. "Unfortunately, after four years of operation, the recycling facility failed to reach full production capacity. With today's price of lead, the cost of producing recycled materials at this plant is simply too high to be competitive."
    Mr. Minner noted that the Columbus economy is robust, and he is optimistic that the GNB employees who are laid off will find employment in the Columbus area. The company is working with local employers and the Georgia Department of Labor Worker Adjustment Section to help place employees in new positions.
    The GNB facility recycles spent -- or used -- automotive and other lead-acid batteries, reclaiming lead and plastic for use in the production of new batteries and producing sodium sulfate, a product sold to the textile, consumer products and other industries.
    In Columbus, GNB also employs 240 people in an industrial battery manufacturing facility and distribution facility at its Joy Road complex. Neither of these operations will be affected.
    GNB operates three other lead-acid battery recycling facilities located in California, Texas and New Zealand. The company also operates seven automotive and specialty battery manufacturing plants, five industrial battery manufacturing plants and two plastics plants in the U.S. and Australia.
    GNB is owned by Pacific Dunlop Limited, a publicly traded company based in Melbourne, Australia.

Editor's Note:

GNB Technologies is an integrated provider of power technology products. It manufactures and recycles lead-acid batteries for the automotive, recreational, boating, farm, heavy duty truck, electric utility, electric vehicle, fork lift, photovoltaic, railroad, telecommunications and uninterruptible power supply markets in more than 50 countries. GNB can be found on the Internet at www.gnb.com.