Press Release
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Trex Company to Expand Operations in Virginia and Nevada
WINCHESTER, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 16, 2000--Trex Company, Inc. (NYSE: TWP), manufacturer of Trex(R) Easy Care Decking(R), today announced details of the next phase of a long-term expansion plan.
To meet continuing strong demand, the Company will add additional manufacturing capacity at the sites of existing plants in Winchester, Virginia and Fernley, Nevada. At the Winchester site, Trex Company has purchased 39 acres of land adjacent to the present 26 acre property. In Fernley, Trex Company already owns sufficient property on which to complete the planned construction.
Trex Company President Robert Matheny stated, "Customer demand for Trex decking continues to exceed our production capacity. Although we have nearly doubled our capacity with the new Fernley plant, our dealers remain on allocation. After studying a number of options, we have concluded that the most efficient next step is to expand our two present locations. The economies of scale available with this choice clearly outweigh those of building a third site at this time. While we are delighted at the extraordinary demand for Trex decking, we are always mindful of the need to carefully manage this growth. We also continue to evaluate locations for the construction of a third, large-scale manufacturing facility."
The additional property in Winchester has been purchased from the Henkel-Harris Company, and includes a 184,000 square foot building that will be utilized primarily for warehousing. The Company plans to construct a new 150,000 square foot facility that will accommodate six manufacturing lines bringing the total in Winchester to 14 lines.
In Fernley, Trex Company will soon finish installation of lines five and six in the existing 160,000 square foot plant. Construction will begin late this year on a 100,000 square foot addition to this facility, which will accommodate six new manufacturing lines, bringing the total in Fernley to 12 lines.
Mr. Matheny concluded, "It is clear that our brand-building campaign is successfully communicating the benefits of Trex decking to consumers and contractors. Across the U.S., Trex wholesale distributors are purchasing the maximum quantity of product available to them and requesting more. We will continue to implement our controlled build-out of manufacturing capacity in step with our marketing plan."
Trex Company is the nation's largest manufacturer of non-wood decking, which is marketed under the brand name Trex(R). Trex Wood-Polymer(TM) lumber offers an attractive appearance and the workability of wood without the ongoing need for protective sealants or repairs. Trex decking is manufactured in a proprietary process that combines waste wood fibers and reclaimed polyethylene and is used primarily for residential and commercial decking. The Company sells its products through 62 wholesale distribution locations, which in turn sells Trex decking to more than 2,300 independent contractor-oriented retailer lumberyards across the United States. Company sales have increased from $3.5 million in 1993 to $74.3 million in 1999.
Trex(R) Easy Care Decking(R) and Wood-Polymer Lumber(TM) are trademarks of Trex Company, Inc., Winchester, VA. The statements in this press release regarding the Company's expected sales performance and operating results, its anticipated financial condition and its business strategy constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual operating results to differ materially. Such risks and uncertainties include the extent of market acceptance of the Company's products, the Company's ability to increase its manufacturing capacity, the sensitivity of the Company's business to general economic conditions and the highly competitive markets in which the Company operates. The Company's report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2000 discusses some of the important factors that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward looking statements.
CONTACT: Robert G. Matheny
President
540-678-4070
or
John Nesbett/William Walkowiak, CFA
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
212-838-3777