North Carolina Governor Mike Easley joined CertainTeed executives and associates in a ground-breaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art, four-wide laminated shingle line. "Companies such as CertainTeed continue to thrive and grow in North Carolina because of our continued commitment to provide the education, skilled workforce and infrastructure businesses need," Gov. Easley said. "This expansion is further proof that we are making sound economic choices to keep the state's economy strong."

The Oxford expansion comes on the heels of the company's two successful laminator installations over the last 14 months at its Shakopee, Minn., and Shreveport, La. facilities. The project, which is expected to add up to 55 new jobs at the facility, is set to begin immediately with shingles shipping to customers in early 2007. It will involve the demolition of part of the existing plant structure with a 65,000-square-foot building added to accommodate the new roofing line.

The Oxford plant currently employs more than 200 people and manufactures a number of high-end architectural shingles, including Grand Manor Shangle®, Carriage House ShangleTM, Centennial SlateTM and Hatteras®, a high-performance shingle. All of these products are shipped to customers coast-to-coast. "This facility, its location, its product line and now this expansion are critical to our continued success," said John Donaldson, president of CertainTeed's Roofing Products Group.