Saint-Gobain Plastics Formed From Combination of Furon and Norton

15 November 1999

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Formed From Combination of Furon Company and Norton Performance Plastics

    WAYNE, N.J.--Nov. 15, 1999--Saint-Gobain (Paris, France), a world leader in engineered materials, has combined the operations of its wholly owned subsidiary, Norton Performance Plastics, with recently acquired Furon Company to create a new business unit, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (SGPPL). SGPPL, headquartered in Wayne, NJ, which is expected to have annualized sales of about $830 million, employs about 5,400 people worldwide.
    According to Robert C. Ayotte, Chairman and CEO of the new unit, "The formation of Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics brings together two businesses with similar core competencies in high performance polymers. By combining the strong presence of Furon in the United States and Norton Performance Plastics in Europe and Asia, SGPPL enters the industry as a leader in engineered plastics products and the world's largest processor of high performance polymers, such as fluoropolymers, silicones and high-temperature thermoplastics.
    Gerard Walsh, President and Chief Operating Officer, noted "We solve customers' problems by using our skills in polymer formulation and processing. With over 50 engineering/sales offices and manufacturing plants in 14 countries, SGPPL can provide global customers with a local source for solutions to their most demanding applications as well as support customers almost anywhere in the world."
    In the United States, Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has manufacturing facilities located in 11 states.
    "SGPPL offers the customers of each of the two former companies enhanced product expertise and a broader range of product categories," stated Walsh.
    The newly formed business unit serves the following markets worldwide: aerospace, appliance, automotive, biotechnology, chemical processing, construction, dairy/food/beverage, document processing equipment, laboratory, pharmaceutical and semiconductor processing.

    SGPPL's product portfolio includes:

-	Ultrapure fluid handling systems;
-	High performance hose & tubing;
-	Medical devices for fluid control and delivery;
-	High performance films, tapes, coated fabrics and release liners;
-	Flexible foams for sealing, mounting and vibration damping;
-	Bearings and seals;
-	Composite and special formed parts for aerospace and other demanding applications.

    "Saint-Gobain has a heritage of 335 years of innovative transformation of materials," Ayotte stated, "and we are proud to have our high performance plastics products business under the Saint-Gobain banner."
    Saint-Gobain, one of the top 100 industrial companies in the world, is a leading producer of flat glass, glass containers, insulation, reinforcements, building materials, abrasives, industrial ceramics and piping. Founded in 1665, the company reported approximately $20 billion in sales in 1998 and employs about 117,000 people in 45 countries.

    Note to Trade Editors: Additional information concerning products manufactured by each SGPPL business unit will be sent to you soon.