CorStone Industries announced plans this week to open an acrylic manufacturing facility designed to produce forged acrylic plumbing fixtures in Greenville.

The $ 2.5 million investment will have an annual capacity of 300,000 sinks and lavatories, and will be one of the most modern and efficient acrylic plants in the nation.

The review and permitting

process is currently underway and the initial construction phase is expected to be completed by April 2000 and will eventually require a manufacturing force of 200 employees.

The new facility will utilize the proprietary COR2000 forging production system developed by CorStone, with state-of-the-art manufacturing that facilitates more efficient production and allows for greater environmental protection.

With this new production facility, CorStone will retain its lead as the most popular forged acrylic sink line in America.

When the Greenville facility is completed, it will be the largest dedicated acrylic sink production plant in the United States.

The manufacture of CorStone Forged Acrylic Products is energy intensive and a technologically demanding process.

The process begins with a pure, virgin cast cross-linked acrylic sheet that is molded by custom-designed thermo-forgers.

This molded product is treated and then reinforced with a proprietary substitute that creates mono-bonded products with linked features, offering the strength and durability expected of premium plumbing fixtures.

The raw materials used include fiberglass fibers, resins, and proprietary fill materials.

These components are blended to a chemically engineered formula specifically designed for each individual CorStone product.

"The Butler County Commission for Economic Development, and World Business Alabama, have been instrumental in our decision to locate our new facility in this area

and we have formed an excellent working relationship with the City of Greenville and the Greenville Industrial Development Board.

I am convinced Alabama has an outstanding business environment and an excellent local force.

CorStone has a strong corporate commitment to the State of Alabama," said Sam Roberts, CorStone's president and CEO.

"The new Greenville facility is a substantial investment and a long-term commitment to the area.

When completed, the new CorStone Acrylic forging production line will allow us to increase capacity by 1,200 units per day."

CorStone Industries is a national manufacturer of forged acrylic kitchen and bath fixtures that are used in the construction industry.

The company's corporate offices are based in North Attleboro, Mass., and this location is headquarters for all administrative operations.