ORACAL Named Manufacturer of the Year

Atlanta, GA – April 16, 2009: Georgia`s chief operating officer, Jim Lientz, today named Bryan County manufacturer ORACAL USA the 2009 Georgia Manufacturer of the Year. ORACAL joined Peachtree City`s Alcan Packaging and Toyo Tires, which is located in White, as the state`s top three manufacturers.

The annual awards ceremony is the highlight of Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week, which is co-hosted by the Technical College System of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Economic Development.

In 2006, ORACAL USA began production at its advanced, ultra-modern manufacturing facility in Black Creek, Ga. The ca. 24.000m² facility helped the company meet the increasing demand for its popular products, including its signature PVC graphic film, manufactured for uses such as reflective signs on the highway, billboards, and the faux paint jobs on race cars and emergency vehicles.

Soaring success meant rapid growth, and in 2007 ORACAL moved its corporate headquarters to Black Creek and began a $ 20 million expansion including ca. 8.500m² dedicated to a state-of-the-art automated warehouse.

ORACAL is a model in advanced manufacturing not only due to its sophisticated equipment and products, but also because of its commitment to its community, education, and training. ORACAL participates in numerous projects with local schools and businesses to promote careers in graphic design.

Perhaps the company`s greatest gift to its community is its lack of impact on the environment. From the beginning, ORACAL has relied on the strategic engineering design of its manufacturing systems to maximize energy efficiency and totally eliminate any harmful emissions through recycling and reuse. The air coming out of the ORACAL plant is actually cleaner than the air that goes in.

ORACAL knows that continuous improvement is necessary for success. This requires a commitment to quality workforce training and development. The company partnered with Georgia Quick Start to develop and implement a customized training program for their startup and expansion, and the company has also partnered with Savannah Technical College and other area institutions.

In proclaiming April 13-17 Manufacturing Appreciation Week, Gov. Sonny Perdue noted the tremendous contribution manufacturing makes to the state`s economic wellbeing.