Visions - Fall 2007 - (Page 3)

Chemicals CANTEX State of the Art Plant Key to Southwestern Market Expandable Plant Ensures CANTEX’s Growth in Region K ingman, Arizona is in the middle of the desert. The drive into Kingman along the historic Route 66 offers a glimpse into an America most people can never imagine seeing. In the midst of this arid land is an oasis of development and the state-of-the-art CANTEX plant is just one sign that this northeastern corner of Arizona is experiencing new growth and expansion. Sumitomo Corporation of America is sharing in that success. In 1992, Sumitomo acquired CANTEX, a fixture in PVC pipe manufacturing since 1946, their production of PVC having begun over 40 years ago. The company invested in extruders (a key production move), and pushed forward in premier pipe manufacturing. In 1999, CANTEX shifted focus to become solely a manufacturer of nonmetallic electrical conduit and accessories. In 2001, they opened a 122,000 square foot distribution center in Mineral Wells,Texas. The Auburndale, Florida, warehouse location opened in 2002 to service clients east of the Mississippi, while Mineral Wells operated west of the Mississippi. CANTEX currently operates eight manufacturing facilities, with Mineral Wells as a central location facility for several facets of manufacturing. Currently, CANTEX divides its overall PVC manufacturing operations into three categories: 1) pipe extrusion, 2) injection molding, and 3) fabrication, meaning the creation of elbows and fabricated fittings and accessories. In addition to a new PVC recycling (or “regrinding”) facility in Mineral Wells and expanding the distribution center in Auburndale, progress at CANTEX included the 2006 headquarters move from Mineral Wells to downtown Fort Worth,Texas. The opening of the Kingman location completes the picture as Sumitomo and CANTEX expand into Southwest markets. “This facility really represents an opportunity for us to get into the important Western regional marketplace,” Greg Wilson, CANTEX’s Vice President of Supply Chain Management stated.“It’s where all the growth and opportunities are at the moment.” The new CANTEX facility in Kingman, Arizona CANTEX is the largest producer of PVC conduit in the U.S. with 32% of the market share. Kingman Location Offered the Best Package of Services Finding a suitable location was very challenging. Vice President of Manufacturing, Larry Lack, knew a rail system for raw material and product transport would be a key issue at any new location.“Some other places wanted us but we could not get rail service. If there was rail service, there were no people. We did not realize that it would be so difficult to get rail service in the western United States.” In addition, Kingman provided a worker base eager to support the operation, as shown by other manufacturing success stories in the area. Their new office measures nearly 11,000 square feet, and sits on 30 acres, supporting the facility’s 110 workers. “We thought we might need more sales people out here on the West Coast in the future,” Lack declared,“so we did make it bigger. Everything in here is designed for continued on page 4 Sumitomo Corporation of America 3

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Visions - Fall 2007

Visions - Fall 2007 Contents CANTEX State of the Art Plant Key to Southwestern Market SCOA Steel & Non-Ferrous Group Enters Wind Energy Market Perennial Power Holdings Continues Policy Of Expertise In Marketplace SCOA Finances New Fluorspar Mine in Mexico SC Rail Leasing America, Inc. Acquires Southern Illinois Railcar Company and its Affiliate Ohio Ag Terminals LLC New Sumitomo Subsidiary Summit VetPharm Enters Booming Animal Healthcare Market

Visions - Fall 2007

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