ITR to open steel products manufacturing plant in Toccoa

Atlanta, May 2, 2006 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that ITR Industries, Inc., the parent company of GEM Industries, Inc., will open a fabrication facility in Toccoa, Ga. The company will invest $5 million in the facility, which will produce steel toilet partitions and dividers, employing 65 people by the end of 2006 and up to 100 people as the market grows.
'The company made an excellent decision in choosing Stephens County,' said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Craig Lesser. 'I have no doubt the region's first-rate workforce, business environment and quality of life will play a big part in helping ITR and GEM to thrive in Georgia.'

The new GEM facility is scheduled to open in July 2006. Production will focus on fabricating, warehousing and distributing steel toilet partitions and complements the company's existing facility in Toccoa, which produces plastic laminate, phenolic and polymer toilet partitions.

'We are excited about our expansion plans in Stephens County, and thank everyone who helped us with this expansion for their efforts and cooperation,' said ITR Industries owner and CEO Peter Rolla.

'We are pleased that GEM and ITR recognize the abilities of our workforce and the pro-business attitude of our community,' said Bob Defenbaugh, chairman of the Stephens County Development Authority. 'GEM and ITR have continued to be excellent partners in our economic development efforts by investing in our community and providing quality jobs for our citizens.'

ITR is the country's leading manufacturer of toilet partitions for the commercial and institutional markets. Headquartered in Long Island, N.Y., ITR has over 900 employees nationally with facilities in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Tennessee and Georgia. ITR manufactures steel, polymer, phenolic and laminate partitions and washroom accessories, crib components, plastic sheet extrusions and lockers under GEM Industries, Global Steel Products, American Specialties and Accurate Partitions brand names.

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.