Flexco Setting Up Alabama Distribution Site

Muscle Shoals, AL, Oct. 22, 2008--Roppe Holding plans to turn a vacant manufacturing home business into a distribution site for Flexco Co.

Officials with Roppe Holding, parent company of Flexco, said the company plans to begin distribution in the old Waverly Homes building by the end of March, according to the TimesDaily newspaper.

Flexco is a leading manufacturer of rubber and vinyl flooring.

Gary C. Schroeder, vice president of business development for Roppe Holding, of Fostoria, Ohio, said there are two distribution sites - one will be at the local site and the other in Jonesboro, Ga., where the bulk of the distribution is situated. Schroeder said once the new distribution center is operational, the facility at Jonesboro, Ga., will be phased out.

In an internal letter announcing the expansion plans, Roppe Holding president and CEO Donald P. Miller said the new distribution center will "provide us a more economical approach to providing the same world-class service to our customers we are known for in the industry.

"In addition, the new location will provide us the space we need to continue to successfully grow our business," Miller said.

The expanded operation will mean an additional 12 to 15 jobs initially.

The company has about 190 employees at the Tuscumbia operation, plus an additional 40 to 45 at its Tuflex business, which is inside Flexco.

Tuflex was relocated from Florida to Tuscumbia in late 2007, and makes a recycled rubber flooring product, Schroeder said.

Forrest Wright, executive director of Shoals Economic Development Authority, said Roppe has an option to purchase the building.

Schroeder said a light manufacturing operation could be added to the distribution center later.

"We have a great management team here and good employees," Schroeder said. "Everyone has been fabulous to work with to make this happen. We're very happy here."