G&S Metals, Inc. to open first Southeast facility in Meriwether County

ATLANTA, June 8, 2006 - The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that Indiana-based G&S Metals, Inc. will establish its first manufacturing facility in the Southeast in Manchester, Ga. The company, which chose Georgia after a multi-state search, will initially create 55 jobs and invest more than $5 million in the project, and anticipates it will hire 20 additional workers and invest $2 million more by 2009. Payroll is expected to exceed $2 million. 'Georgia is fortunate to a dynamic business environment that is attractive to expanding businesses,' said Craig Lesser, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'We're confident G&S Metals will enjoy great success in Manchester.' G&S Metals, Inc. produces industrial high grade aluminum for use in automotive wheels, ABS systems and automotive structural components along with other applications in the casting industry. The company plans to complete the build-out of an existing spec building in the Manchester Industrial Park with the goal of starting production during the first quarter of 2007. 'We appreciate the hard work and responsiveness of the community and the state,' said Bob Bex, project manager for G&S. "We have been very impressed by the people and the business community in this area. We believe G&S Metals has a bright future here, and we look forward to helping build a strong and lasting partnership with our new neighbors over the coming decades.' 'G&S Metals is a quality addition to our community and we are thrilled they have chosen Manchester to locate,' said Jennifer Meares, executive director of the Manchester Development Authority. 'We certainly appreciate all the city, state and county development officials for their assistance in making this project a success.' G&S Metals, based in Wabash, Ind., supplies the automotive industry and related industries with primary-grade recycled aluminum and is the largest supplier in the Midwest region. Its customer commitment, product quality and strong employee efforts have enabled the company to grow from a nine-person operation in 2000 to 140 in 2006, while adding $14,000,000 in new investment in as many years. 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, video and music projects, as well as planning and mobilizing state resources for economic development. For more information, visit www.georgia.org.