Malaysian copper products manufacturer to locate plant in Waynesboro

ATLANTA, December 4, 2007 – The Georgia Department of Economic Development announced today that Malaysian copper products manufacturer ASTA Inc. will locate its first U.S. facility in Waynesboro.
'Georgia is continuing to be an attractive location for international manufacturers that are looking to expand in the North American market,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD.) 'ASTA will benefit from our strong workforce, low cost of doing business and unparalleled transportation network.'

ASTA Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Metrod Group based in Klang, Malaysia, will manufacture a type of specialized copper wire called Continuously Transposed Conductors for the North American market at the plant in Waynesboro. ASTA plans to retrofit the former Cummins Filtration Building, a 200,000 square foot facility on 50 acres in Burke County.

The new plant will be the first U.S. location for the Metrod Group, which has facilities in Malaysia, China and Austria. Metrod is also locating a new plant in Savli, India. Both facilities are expected to be up and running by the end of 2008.

'We see a tremendous opportunity in North America,' said Lord Bagri, chairman of Metrod. 'We hope to add significant value to our customers in terms of supply chain lead time, costs and also help them to meet the demands of their strong order book.'

Pooja Kumarhia was project manager for the GDEcD.

'I am proud to welcome the new ASTA facility to Burke County,' said Jimmy Dixon, chairman of the Burke County Board of Commissioners. W.H. Harper, chairman of the Development Authority of Burke County, added, 'This is a historic day for us and I know that ASTA will be a great addition to our business community.'

Metrod manufactures electrical conductivity grade copper wires, rods and strips. Metrod's products are used as component materials for cables, transformers and electrical appliances in the power, telecommunications and electrical/electronic industries. Metrod is also a leading manufacturer of specialized copper wires and is a solution provider to the transformer industry through its subsidiary ASTA. ASTA's main product is Continuously Transposed Conductors (CTC), a type of specialized copper wire. For more information on Metrod, please visit www.metrod.com.

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.