Elk announced that its asphalt shingle manufacturing facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala., began operations April 2004

Elk Premium Building Products Inc., Dallas, announced that its 415,000-square-foot asphalt shingle manufacturing facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala., began operations April 2004, and is expected to add $75 million annually to the local economy.

The $75 million, state-of-the-art facility manufactures Elk's nationally distributed Prestique® line of premium, laminated shingles for steep-slope residential and commercial roofs.

"Tuscaloosa is the ideal manufacturing and distribution point in the Southeast to meet the growing demand for our products," says Thomas D. Karol, Elk's chairman of the board and CEO. "Tuscaloosa has been a very good home to us, and we are pleased to positively impact the community with more than 100 new jobs."

Elk's existing Tuscaloosa facility employs approximately 150 and will continue operations in its current facility. Built just next door, the new shingle facility hired an additional 125 people.