Panolam Industries To Consolidate Operations, Establish New England Plant As Flagship Facility

Changes Signal Company’s Investment in Future of Business, Interiors Industry

Shelton, CT (PRWEB) - Panolam Industries International, Inc. (Panolam) – a leading manufacturer of engineered and decorative surfaces including the Panolam®, Nevamar® and Pionite® brand names – today announced plans to consolidate manufacturing operations of its high-pressure laminate (HPL) product lines and establish its Auburn, Maine plant as its flagship HPL facility. The infrastructure changes are central to Panolam’s initiative to unlock resource savings, and invest in its business to accelerate future growth.

“Panolam is fully focused on how we can best align with and get ahead of the realities of our marketplace and the economy, and continue to innovate and differentiate our Panolam Surface Systems offering,” said Al Kabus, President and CEO, Panolam. “Building a flagship HPL facility will help us ensure we are best positioned to meet current and future production needs, and the evolving needs of our customers.”

The Auburn plant, which also houses the company’s resin and digital printing business, is a more modern and comprehensive facility. Consolidating operations will realize considerable efficiencies and resource savings – in time, money and environmental impact – helping to improve quality and service throughout Panolam’s HPL production line. The move also provides Panolam tax relief incentives from Maine’s Pine Tree Development Program.

As part of its strategy, Panolam will close its other HPL manufacturing facility in Hampton, S.C.

“As with any change of this scope and magnitude, and one that affects people, this decision was difficult, but it is necessary,” said Kabus. “We are very mindful of the impact these changes will have, particularly to our employees, and we are working closely with the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce to proactively assist all employees through this time of transition.”

By the end of 2014, production at the company’s Hampton plant will cease and the Auburn consolidation will be complete.

About Panolam
For more than 60 years, Panolam has engineered and manufactured high-quality, innovative surfacing solutions for a wide range of contract, industrial and residential applications. Panolam produces an extensive line of high-pressure laminates, thermofused laminates, fiberglass reinforced laminates, and other specialty products available in hundreds of colors and styles under the well known Panolam, Nevamar, Pionite, Pluswood, Conolite, and other brand names. Panolam provides the vision, value and versatility designers, architects, manufacturers and contractors seek today. All of Panolam’s materials are manufactured in North America. For more information, visit http://www.panolam.com.