TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (March 13, 2008) – Boral Bricks Inc., the nation’s largest brick manufacturer and distributor of masonry products, opened a state-of-the-art brick manufacturing plant in Terre Haute, Ind., that will employ 50 full-time workers.  Local and state officials, as well as Boral executives from as far away as Australia attended a ceremony at the plant this morning.

The 295,000 square foot facility is the largest in the United States and can produce approximately 120 million bricks per year, enough to build more than 8,300 all-brick homes. The plant is a technological marvel featuring robotic setting and packaging as well as an advanced firing process. The kiln is an astounding 530 feet long by 33 feet wide and operates at 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The kiln can accommodate 27 cars that weigh approximately 57 tons each when loaded with brick.  A batch of bricks can be stacked, fired and cooled in less than 30 hours.

The Terre Haute facility is not only the largest brick manufacturing facility in the U.S., but it is also one of the most energy efficient. Boral Bricks has partnered with Republic Services, owners of the nearby “Victory” landfill to utilize methane gas from the landfill as a substitute for natural gas.

This is the second brick plant owned by Boral Bricks, to tap this relatively new energy source; the other facility is in Union City, Oklahoma. The facility is a zero waste plant where nearly all materials used in the process are recycled in new batches.

Additional sustainability is achieved by reclaiming shale from a nearby coal mining property for use in the manufacturing process.   The plant also features premium efficiency motors, sensors and timers for minimal light usage.

Boral, an Australian based company with U.S. headquarters in Atlanta had officials on hand for the grand opening ceremonies from both headquarters. “This technologically advanced plant will help us service the building needs in the Midwest and also help protect the environment as we’ve put into place several energy saving and recycling measures,” said Bob Kepford, president of Boral Bricks. “We’re excited to expand our reach in the Midwest and this facility will help us meet the needs of builders in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Wisconsin and Ohio.”

“Terre Haute is excited to welcome Boral Bricks to our community and to the Midwest,” said Steve Witt, president of the Terre Haute Economic Development Corporation. “We have formed a great partnership with Boral Bricks the past couple years while making this facility a reality, these jobs are extremely important for our area.”

About Boral Bricks:
Boral Bricks is the largest clay brick and paver manufacturer in the United States.  Boral Bricks Inc. is the largest operating company of Boral USA, a holding company that owns Boral’s U.S. operation.  Boral Bricks Inc. is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.  For additional information, please visit www.boralbricks.com or call 800-5-BORAL-5.

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Media Contact: Brian Remsberg, Imre Communications
brianr@imrecommunications; 864-232-6380

Media Note: For plant photography, tours or any additional information please e-mail Brianr@imrecommunications.com