California-Based Manufacturer Expands to Coffee County

ATLANTA, January 27, 2010 —The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced today that Orcon Products, based in Union City, California, is expanding to Douglas, Georgia in Coffee County.  With this expansion, Orcon plans to create at least 50 direct jobs within the plant's first 12 months of operation. "Manufacturing companies like Orcon Products represent a vital part of Georgia's diverse economy,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development.  'Georgia's progressive business climate will benefit Orcon Products and foster continued economic growth for Coffee County.' Formed in 1962, Orcon Products manufactures seaming tape for aerospace and carpet applications.  The company's Douglas plant will primarily be tasked with manufacturing carpet seaming tape.  This operation will locate in an existing 45,000-square-foot warehouse in Douglas, and will be ready for production by March 2010. Hiring is scheduled to begin by the end of February 2010. "The positive guidance and assistance that the Georgia Department of Economic Development and the Douglas-Coffee County Development Authority provided to Orcon Products during its search for a location for a new manufacturing site were deciding factors in Orcon Products selection of Douglas-Coffee County,' said Hollis Bascom, Orcon Corporation founder, president and CEO.  'It's always a pleasure to work with professionals.' In addition to Coffee County's pro-business climate, Orcon Products will also leverage the benefit of a well-trained workforce through collaboration with Quick Start, Georgia's internationally acclaimed provider of strategic workforce training solutions. "It is always a great feeling to bring new jobs to Coffee County and Georgia,' said JoAnne Lewis, Executive Director of the Douglas-Coffee County Development Authority.    'With more than 40 years of success, Orcon is a great example of entrepreneurship.  The doors of our community are open to job growth and we are proud to have Orcon as a partner.' Michelle Shaw, senior project manager with GDEcD, assisted with this project. About Orcon Products ORCON Corporation was founded in 1962 to meet the rigid requirements of the aerospace industry. Mr. Hollis Bascom formed ORCON Corporation in response to aerospace's demand for quality lightweight, non-woven reinforced materials, filling a critical void in the fabrics industry. The company name is derived from the types of products ORCON produces: ORiented CONtinuous strand.  In 1970 the Carpet Seaming Tape Division was added to serve both the residential and commercial carpet industries. That year ORCON developed its first hot melt carpet seaming tape.  ORCON Corporation is a substantial, mature company, and continues to support the needs of growing industries by developing new and innovative products that meet stringent quality requirements. About GDEcD The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) is the state's sales and marketing arm, the lead agency for attracting new business investment, encouraging the expansion of existing industry and small businesses, locating new markets for Georgia products, attracting tourists to Georgia, and promoting the state as a location for film, music and digital entertainment projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic developmen