BYHALIA, Miss., March 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ROXUL® USA Inc. affiliate ROCKFON® LLC, a subsidiary of Denmark-based ROCKWOOL® International A/S, officially broke ground today on its first North American acoustic ceiling panel manufacturing facility.
Speaker of the House Philip Gunn, Mississippi House of Representatives, was in attendance to celebrate the milestone with ROCKFON, ROCKWOOL and ROXUL executives, their customers, industry stakeholders, and community leaders.
"ROCKWOOL remains steadfast in its commitment to the North American marketplace," says ROXUL USA President, Trent Ogilvie. "The investment in this new facility is a testament to the rising demand for mineral wool products. ROCKFON's line of mineral wool acoustic ceiling products are best-in-class, and with this manufacturing site set to extend global capacity, it paves the way for further growth and innovation."
The new 130,000 sq. ft. ROCKFON facility––ROCKFON's fifth in the world––represents an initial investment of approximately $40 million by ROCKWOOL International A/S. In North America, ROCKWOOL has been operating under the name ROXUL since 1988.
"Today is a great day for Marshall County as ROCKFON prepares to begin construction of its new acoustic ceiling tile facility," says Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant. "Once complete, the company's significant investment and creation of 90 new jobs will have a strong positive affect on the local community and economy. I congratulate the ROCKFON team and everyone involved in bringing this great company to Mississippi on this milestone event."
The new ROCKFON plant will be situated adjacent to the current ROXUL USA factory in Marshall County, Mississippi, which manufactures a full line of residential, commercial and industrial mineral wool products. Production at the ROCKFON facility is expected to commence mid-2017.
ROCKFON is working closely with the State of Mississippi, Marshall County, and local authorities to ensure that this project is designed and constructed to meet or exceed building code and environmental standards.
ROCKFON has been operating in North America since January 2013. With the acquisition of Chicago Metallic® in Oct. 2013, ROCKFON provides customers with a complete ceiling system. Its product offering combines ROCKFON stone wool and specialty metal ceiling panels with Chicago Metallic suspension systems.
The new facility in Mississippi will manufacture ROCKFON stone wool acoustic ceiling products. ROCKFON specialty metal ceiling panels and Chicago Metallic suspension systems will continue to be manufactured in its Chicago and Baltimore facilities. Chicago Metallic suspension systems also are manufactured in Belgium, Malaysia and China. ROCKFON's other stone wool manufacturing facilities are located in the Netherlands, Poland, France and Russia.
ROCKFON's new manufacturing facility in Mississippi and its strategically positioned U.S. distribution centers will provide for comprehensive coverage and servicing of the North American market.
About ROXUL Inc. and ROXUL USA Inc.
ROXUL Inc. located in Milton, Ontario and Grand Forks, British Columbia and ROXUL USA Inc. located in Marshall County, Mississippi are subsidiaries of Denmark-based ROCKWOOL International A/S, the world's largest producer of stone wool insulation. ROCKWOOL International A/S is a publicly-held company, which trades on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange. Operating 28 factories in 35 countries, the ROCKWOOL Group employs over 11,000 people and features a global network of sales companies, trade offices and dedicated commercial partners. ROXUL's products provide superior thermal and acoustical value and are fire resistant, water repellent, non-corrosive and resistant to mold. For more information, visit: www.ROXUL.com.
About ROCKFON
ROCKFON® is a leading provider of acoustic stone wool and metallic ceiling solutions and suspension systems. With the acquisition of Chicago Metallic®, ROCKFON provides customers a complete ceiling system offering combining ROCKFON stone wool and specialty metal ceiling panels with Chicago Metallic suspension systems. ROCKFON complete ceiling systems are a fast and simple way to create beautiful, comfortable spaces. Easy to install and durable, they protect people from noise and the spread of fire while making a constructive contribution towards a sustainable future. ROCKFON is a subsidiary of Denmark-based ROCKWOOL International A/S, the world's largest producer of stone wool products. The ROCKWOOL Group has more than 11,000 employees in 35 countries and is listed on the Nasdaq Copenhagen stock exchange. In North America, the ROCKWOOL Group operates under the name ROXUL. For more information, visit: www.ROCKFON.com.
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SOURCE Roxul Inc.
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