Cooper named to American Foundry Society board

7/10/2008 DUBLIN, Ohio – Dana R. Cooper of Ashland Inc. (NSYE:ASH) has been named to the American Foundry Society Inc. (AFS) National Board of Directors for a four-year term ending in 2012. Cooper is currently global business development manager for Ashland Casting Solutions, a business group of Ashland Performance Materials, a division of Ashland. Cooper was selected to serve on the AFS board based on her extensive knowledge of the metal castings industry and previous volunteer efforts with her local AFS chapter. In addition, she was a recipient of the AFS Member of the Year award for 2008. Since joining Ashland in 1994, Cooper has held positions including managing the operations of one of the company’s resin manufacturing facilities and serving as plant manager of the Cleveland East Casting Solutions plant. She also served as global marketing manager, sleeves and filters, and led the Casting Solutions group’s strategic planning and SAP implementation activities. Cooper holds a degree in chemical engineering from Michigan State University and an MBA from Cleveland State University. As the leading U.S.-based metal casting society, the AFS assists member companies and individuals to effectively manage all production operations, profitably market their products and services and to equitably manage their employees. Ashland Casting Solutions, a business group of Ashland Performance Materials, is a leader in supplying products, processes, services and technologies to the global metal casting marketplace. Ashland Performance Materials, a division of Ashland Inc., is a worldwide manufacturer and supplier of specialty chemicals and customized services to the building and construction, packaging and converting, transportation, marine and metal casting industries. It is a technology leader in metal casting consumables and design services; unsaturated polyester and vinyl ester resins and gel coats; and high-performance adhesives and specialty resins. Ashland Inc., a diversified, global chemical company, provides quality products, services and solutions to customers in more than 100 countries. A FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four divisions: Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland Water Technologies.

FOSECO INTENDS TO CLOSE FOSECO CANADA INC. SITE IN GUELPH, ONTARIO

 Guelph, Ontario—June 27, 2008— Foseco has announced plans to close its Guelph, Ontario plant.  The site presently houses administrative offices, operations of the Foseco-Morval division, and a warehouse of the Foundry and Steel divisions of Foseco Canada Inc.  Foseco-Morval will cease operations on October 31, 2008 and the Foseco Canada warehouse will close on December 31, 2008.

  According to Brian Alquist, President  & CEO of Foseco-Morval Division, “The plan to discontinue the operations of Foseco-Morval in Guelph represents a very difficult decision based on a sharp decline in the market for lost foam castings and a corresponding reduction in revenue. We are looking to consolidate operations in Canada in an effort to remain competitive in a tough North American market.”

 Foseco-Morval, the lost foam division of Foseco, manufactures expandable polystyrene patterns focusing exclusively on the lost foam foundry industry. Foseco-Morval produces the highest quality patterns available to the industry, specializing in complex geometries and multiple segment patterns. The molding and assembly equipment used by Foseco-Morval is self-designed to meet the unique and challenging requirements of the lost foam foundry industry. Foam patterns are produced from several polymers, including Foseco’s own PROBEAD range of co-polymers for ferrous casting.

 Mr. Alquist also stated that the company’s focus is to provide professional support in either transitioning 44 affected employees to other career opportunities or offering fair and equitable severance packages.

 Foseco is also working to address the underlying needs and concerns of customers.  “Foseco-Morval customers will continue to receive excellent service while we are in negotiations with another lost foam company to seamlessly transfer our Guelph operations to a new location.  We are also developing a plan to relocate the Foundry and Steel warehouse to a location that is convenient to the current customer base of Eastern Canada,” said Alquist.

 Foseco is a world leader in the supply of consumable products for use in the foundry and steel making industries. Typically, Foseco’s products represent only a small portion of the overall cost of the foundry or steel making processes, yet they are significant contributors to the overall quality and yield. The Foseco Group has a highly-trained sales and service network in 32 countries around the world and operates 29 production facilities in 17 countries, which provides the company with a key competitive advantage. Foseco’s sites are strategically located in Europe, the Americas and the Asia Pacific regions; with major operations in Germany, USA, UK, Brazil, China, India, South Korea and Japan.  This gives Foseco customers ready access to support teams, efficient logistics and supply chain management, providing a swift and effective response, whenever and wherever it’s needed. For more information, visit http://www.foseco.com                                                                               ##

For media inquiries and additional information, contact Nancy M. Valent, 216-513-8740, nancy@NMVstrategies.com

Lee Plutshack has been named the new President, Foundry Business Unit for the combined global foundry businesses of Foseco and Vesuvius. The announcement was made in a communiqué from François Wanecq, President and CEO of the Vesuvius Group.

   Wanecq said that Plutshack would have responsibility for the new unit which combines the existing Foseco foundry business together with the resources of the Vesuvius foundry organization.

In this new position, Plutshack will also be a member of the Executive Committee of the Vesuvius Group. Previous to the announcement, he was Chief Executive of the Foseco Steel Business Unit.  Since joining Foseco in 1975, Plutshack has held a number of senior positions, including President and CEO of Foseco, Inc. He also served as Chief Executive Officer of Sericol from 1998 to 2001 and Chief Executive Officer of Chem-Trend from 2001 to 2004.

 A long-time member of the American Foundry Society and a past Treasurer of the Ductile Iron Society, Plutshack earned a B.S. and an M.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Wisconsin. He will be based in Brussels, Belgium, the headquarters of the Vesuvius Group.

Allied Named ESOP Company of the Year EMI acquires Herman Foundry Equipment Superior Graphite to increase production of materials Ashland Names Swartzlander New India Operations Chief YELLOW announces new CISA Member Benefits Fairmount Minerals wins Corporate Stewardship Award Jeff Weeks new CEO at FOSECO  A NEW MEMBER BENEFIT Check This Out and SAVE An exclusive benefit for CISA Members Contact CISA for further details Allied Mineral Products Inc. is Named ESOP Company of the Year Columbus, Ohio-March 19, 2008- Allied Mineral Products, Inc. was named ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) Company of the year in the Ohio / Kentucky Region at the Annual Spring ESOP Conference of The Ohio / Kentucky Chapter of the ESOP Association on March 12, 2008. Allied was chosen based on a nomination letter which detailed events and activities Allied sponsors and/or participates in relating to the ESOP and ESOP awareness. The letter also contained a brief overview of Allied and a history of Allied’s ESOP. Allied formed it’s ESOP in 1976 making it one of the oldest ESOP companies in Ohio. Allied is now in the running for National ESOP Company of the Year. The winner of this award will be announced in Washington D.C. in May. Allied Mineral Products, Inc. was founded in 1961 and has grown to be a leading producer of monolithic refractories for the foundry, steel, aluminum and heat containment industries worldwide. Allied offers custom lining designs for optimum thermal and mechanical characteristics, leading edge refractory technology and personalized sales and service support. Allied Mineral Products, Inc. is independently owned and operated, is ISO 9001 certified, and employs over 435 people worldwide. Primary manufacturing, research and corporate headquarters are located in Columbus, Ohio. For more information visit www.alliedmineral.com. EMI Acquires Herman Foundry Equipment Equipment Merchants International, Inc. (EMI), Cleveland, Ohio has acquired the Herman Foundry Equipment product line from Genesis Worldwide II, Inc., formerly Herr-Voss. The Herman Foundry Equipment includes the Herman Moldmaster, Matchmaster and standard molding machines. EMI product lines include automated and standard molding systems, flasks, core making systems, gas generators, aluminum casting systems, casting wedge units, casting trimming systems, robotic handling systems and briquetting presses. The trade names of this equipment are recognized worldwide as SPO, Osborn, CE Cast, and Sutter. New equipment, remanufacturing services and replacement parts are available for all product lines. Contact information is phone number 216-651-6700 and www.emi-inc.com  Superior Graphite Superior Graphite to Increase Silicon Carbide Powder and Ceramic Armor Production.   Superior Graphite, a 90-year, U.S. family-owned small business based in Chicago, Illinois, has been awarded $3.1M by AFRL/Defense Production Act Title III Production  Technology Partnership for Silicon Carbide Powder Production and Ceramic Armor Manufacturing.  The Advanced Materials Plant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky will be expanded to accommodate increased silicon carbide powder production as well as ceramic armor tile production.   Superior Graphite is a "World Class Leader" in the global graphite industry.  We have been developing innovative products and processes since 1917.  In addition to graphite products, we produce beta silicon carbide and manufacture value added alpha silicon carbide; and have become a major supplier of silicon carbide powder for the Advanced Ceramic Industry,  including ceramic armor.  Among our company goals is to help save soldier's lives, by building on our experience in the manufacturing of the raw material, as well as becoming another source of lightweight armor tile. This critical market is facing an inadequate supply of qualified armor tile as an alternative to steel plate for military vehicles.   Ashland, Inc.   Ashland Names New Head for Casting Solutions Group  Swartzlander to lead Ashland Inc. in India        Mike Swartzlander   March 29, 2007 — Scott Hoertz is the new vice president and general         manager of Ashland Casting Solutions, a business of Ashland Inc. that       supplies products, services, and technologies to the metalcasting industry  worldwide. Hoertz replaces Mike Swartzlander, who recently was named        Ashland Inc.'s vice president and managing director for India.                                                                                                                                                  Hoertz has been director of global marketing for Ashland Composite          Polymers, and begins his new assignment immediately. “Scott’s proven        leadership within Ashland’s Composite Polymers business and his previous    automotive and international experience make him uniquely qualified to      lead Ashland’s Casting Solutions business,” stated Hank Waters, president,  Ashland Performance Materials and Ashland Water Technologies. “We are       fortunate to have Scott’s marketing and management expertise as we          continue to grow our casting business.”                                                                                                         Hoertz joined Ashland in 1980 as a technical service engineer. He is a      graduate of the University of Kentucky with an undergraduate degree in      chemical engineering, and he earned a master’s degree in business           administration from Morehead State University. Calling the new              responsibility "a very exciting opportunity," Hoertz added that "the        legacy left by Mike Swartzlander was one of growth and excellence, and I    look forward to building upon that tradition.” Swartzlander is relocating to Mumbai to direct Ashland’s business          activities in India. “This is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate our   growth in a very exciting and growing economy,” he said. “India is the     second-fastest growing economy in the world, and I look forward to living, working and growing Ashland’s business there.”

Ashland names Mike Swartzlander
to head India business operations

 DUBLIN, Ohio – Mike Swartzlander has been named vice president and managing
director, India, for Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH). Swartzlander previously served as vice
president and general manager of Ashland’s Casting Solutions business. The
announcement was made by Peter Rijneveldshoek, president, Ashland Europe. 
Ashland Europe includes Europe, the Middle East, Africa and India.

“Mike’s leadership within Ashland’s Performance Materials Division
coupled with his knowledge of emerging markets makes him the ideal
candidate to lead Ashland’s business growth across our organization
in India,” said Rijneveldshoek. Although Ashland’s business interests
have been represented in India for a number of years, Swartzlander will
be tasked with organizing, aligning and growing the businesses as one
Ashland enterprise. 

“This is a tremendous opportunity to accelerate our growth in a very exciting
and growing economy,” said Swartzlander. “India is the second-fastest
growing economy in the world, and I look forward to living, working and
growing Ashland’s business there.” Swartzlander will be relocating to Mumbai
to direct Ashland’s India business activities.

Swartzlander joined Ashland in 1989.  Throughout his career with the company
 he has been promoted to roles of increasing responsibility and was named
vice president and general manager of Ashland Casting Solutions in 2001. A
native of Butler, Pa., Swartzlander holds a bachelor's degree in chemical
engineering from Carnegie-Mellon University and a master's degree in chemical
engineering from the University of Delaware. He is a member of several industry-
related trade and professional associations, currently serving as vice president of
the American Foundry Society, a board member of the Ohio Cast Metals
Association and past president of the Foundry Educational Foundation Ashland
Inc. (NYSE: ASH), a diversified, global chemical company, provides quality
products, services and solutions to customers in more than 100 countries. A
FORTUNE 500 company, it operates through four wholly owned divisions:
Ashland Performance Materials, Ashland Distribution, Valvoline and Ashland
Water Technologies. To learn more about Ashland, visit www.ashland.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Contact Media Relations                                                      

Ken Gordon                                                             

(614) 790-1832

kdgordon@ashland.com

 

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Fairmount Minerals

Winner, 2006 Corporate Stewardship Award, Small/Midsize Business

The Award
The Corporate Stewardship Award is a prestigious award in the field of corporate citizenship and recognizes businesses that integrate economic performance with a sustained contribution to community and social progress.

Commitment to Being a Corporate Steward
Fairmount Minerals mission states a commitment to exceed all expectations while fulfilling their economic, social, and environmental responsibilities. Its way of doing business is called the "Fairmount Minerals Sustainable Development Business Model," which guides the company in stakeholder engagement, environmental improvements, and community involvement. In 2007 Fairmount will produce its first CSR report, a rare accomplishment among businesses of Fairmount's size.

• Stakeholder engagement

Fairmount Minerals' open and transparent engagement of societal stakeholders is achieved through its community action teams (CAT). Each Fairmount location has a CAT that involves the site manager, a site supervisor, an hourly employee, an external environmental scientist, an NGO, and a facility neighbor. The CAT is provided transparent information about the site's business plan and is influential in short- and long-term business planning. The CAT also helps define participation in local and regional corporate citizenship practices.

• Environmental improvements

Fairmount Minerals has implemented specific programs to reduce its impact on the environment, land, community, and society. The programs are assessed at Management Review meetings and in 2005, 10 of 11 environmental objectives were 100% complete.

The company's efforts to recycle resources, reduce energy and carbon dioxide consumption, and eliminate or restrict substances that endanger health and environment have earned recognition or awards from the Wildlife Habitat Council, the National Wildlife Federation, Saving Birds Thru Habitat, and the Wexford (Michigan) Conservation District.

• Community involvement

Fairmount Minerals dedicates 1% of its pre-tax profits to nonprofit organizations and social issues. The company's employees annually donate 1% of employee hours to the community needs. For example, in 2005 more than 200 hours were dedicated to habitat restoration, 100 hours to area schools, 80 hours to river clean up, and 50 hours to neighborhood support projects.

Commitment to Being a Profitable Business
Fairmount Minerals and Subsidiaries is one of the largest producers of industrial sand in the United States, comprising eight mining locations, four resin-coated sand manufacturing facilities, a processing site in Canada, and numerous U.S. and Mexican terminal locations.

Fairmount strives to prove that a business can be both profitable and dedicated to sustainable development. In the last five years, Fairmount increased its revenue by more than $100 million to reach $300 million, while dedicating a significant amount of time and resources to develop its Sustainable Development Business Model.
 

Corporate Press Release