Clarion, PA, March 24, 2006--Forecasts of growing demand for laminate flooring mean Tarkett affiliate Clarion Boards Inc., will add a $40 to $50 million plant to its Pennsylvania fiberboard operation, adding some 100 new jobs to the area, noted grateful local officials.
Jean desAutel, general manager of Clarion discussed the development at the facility, which is a joint venture of Aconcagua Timber Corp., and Tarkett.
Officials are in the permitting process to build a new 330,000-square-foot automated plant, which is projected to be in production early next year. DesAutel said the new facility will create about 100 new jobs.
Clarion is to become the North American headquarters for Tarkett Laminate. The facility now produces wood panels and laminate for the North and South American markets.
The laminate market is expected to increase 15 percent per year for the next three years, according to desAutel. And in one year, the United States is expected to account for 40 percent of worldwide sales.
The current facility will serve as the main supplier of the new automated plant, consuming 30 percent of its capacity.
DesAutel said Clarion was the best location for the enterprise, with an excellent workforce and supply of hardwood.
The company's wood supply is coming from a distance of 300 miles or less.
"We have a much better raw material to manufacture our product," said desAutel. "Producing where you sell is important."
The flooring product will be distributed to area locations, he said.
A transportation dilemma brought about late last year due to the loss of the Knox & Kane Railroad has been resolved, he said.
DesAutel said the use of reload centers in DuBois and Butler have helped to bring shipment schedules back to normal.
DesAutel said Tarkett is the first flooring company that can remove an existing floor and reuse it to make new flooring.
