Lehigh Cement Company Dedicates New Kiln Line at Union Bridge, Maryland

North America - Lehigh Cement Company
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release May 3, 2002
Contact: Public Affairs (610) 366-4753

ALLENTOWN- On May 3, 2002, the Lehigh Cement Company dedicated its new kiln line at the Union Bridge, Maryland, plant. Boasting a capacity of 2.0 million metric tons clinker per year, the new facility is the largest and most modern in North America. According to Helmut S. Erhard, President and CEO, "This $270 million project comprises not only the most advanced technology regarding process engineering and energy efficiency, but also the highest attention to workers' safety and the best available technology for environmental standards."

With the cooperative efforts of local and state governmental agencies and elected officials, plant employees, utility and service providers and equipment suppliers, Lehigh Cement Company built the plant in record time. After breaking ground in mid-1999, Lehigh Cement Company put raw feed to the new kiln on November 9, 2001. The Union Bridge facility is now the largest of the 13 cement plants operated by Lehigh Cement Company across North America. The company replaced outdated and inefficient equipment with state of the art technology designed to minimize energy and power demand, increase automated quality and process control and improve environmental performance. A single kiln, equipped with a 5 stage preheater and modern precalciner, takes the place four long rotary kilns dating from the 1950s and 1960s. Lehigh Cement Company also updated crushing facilities at its quarry, installed a new pre-blending dome, and revamped finish grinding with the addition of a roller press.

Site preparation required the removal of 400,000 cubic yards of soil - enough dirt to fill the stadium Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team, to the top twice. Plant construction used approximately 45,000 cubic yards of concrete - enough material to build foundations for 1,000 homes. Specialists from over 40 states as well as an international team of engineers were on-location to supervise construction and ready the plant for production. Approximately 150 attendees, including valued customers, equipment suppliers for the project, local, state and federal officials, the German delegation to the United States, neighbors, union representatives and plant employees, helped Lehigh Cement Company celebrate its latest engineering achievement. With this substantial investment, Lehigh Cement Company shows its leadership in providing quality cement products to the region. According to Helmut S. Erhard, President and CEO, "With this project, we expanded Lehigh Cement Company 's ability to supply our customers with high quality and environmentally sound products for years to come."

"We are extremely pleased Lehigh Cement Company is increasing its investment in Maryland with the expansion and modernization of their facility in Union Bridge," said Governor Parris N. Glendening. "The company's decision a real testament to the quality of life, excellent business climate and skilled workforce offered by the State and Carroll County. By giving companies the tools they need to grow and thrive, we are ensuring that Maryland's economy continues to provide good, family-supporting jobs to the community."

As part of the dedication ceremonies held at the plant, President and CEO, Helmut S. Erhard announced Lehigh Cement Company 's donation of $50,000 to the Town of Union Bridge to complete two important local projects, Little Pipe Creek Park and the William Henry Rinehart monument, which will anchor the new Town Square. As Helmut Erhard remarked in his comments at the dedication ceremony, "Lehigh Cement Company and its parent company, HeidelbergCement AG, believe that community involvement and support is one of our responsibilities."

In closing, Mr. Erhard told the audience, "Lehigh Cement Company is pleased to be able to help the Town of Union Bridge complete these two great ideas. We can commemorate our partnership with the citizens of Union Bridge by preserving the natural beauty, arts and history of the area for generations to come."

Lehigh Cement Company, along with its associated companies, is a major North American manufacturer of cement, concrete and construction materials that employs about 6,000 people in the United States and Canada. Lehigh Cement Company is a proud member of HeidelbergCement AG, one of the largest cement and construction materials manufacturers in the world. Lehigh Cement Company has served the construction industry in North America for over 100 years as a producer of high quality portland and specialty cements for use in concrete products. Lehigh Cement Company and its related companies produce and supply gray and white portland cements, masonry cements, custom color portland and masonry cements, aggregates, lightweight aggregates, ready mix concrete, concrete pipe, cement block, pre-cut and pre-stressed cement products, admixtures, fly ash and other pozzolanic materials. Lehigh Cement Company's newest product, ALLCEMT, is a granulated blast furnace slag and is available in certain areas for our customers. Lehigh Cement Company 's products are widely used by ready mix suppliers and for numerous highway, architectural, industrial and marine applications. Visit Lehigh Cement Company's website at www.lehighcement.com.

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