Summitville Tile Fights to Keep D.C. Subway Work

Salem, OH, April 9, 2007--For 35 years Washington D.C. Metro subway stations have been surfaced exclusively with tile made out of Columbiana County’s Summitville Tile factory, but in recent weeks Summitville Tile owner David Johnson learned that may not continue to be the case, according to Salem News.

The newspaper quited Johnson as saying the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority plans a major new phase of station building in the next year, and is considering using a company out of Argentina for the tiles for those stations.

Ever since the first metro stations were built, the walkways and platforms have been surfaced with tiles from Summitville, and Johnson pointed out that his company fills orders for station renovation and repair as well as for new stations. “We supply a certain quantity every year,” he noted.

Johnson observed, “This is not something that would make or break our company... but I fight for every order, large and small, and this is a prominent order for Summitville Tile.”

He called his company’s red hexagonal tiles, “an integral part of the design concept for the stations,” but explained that a recent Washington Post article reported the new construction phase may not include those tiles.

When Johnson heard the news, he went to Washington to meet with the Transit Authority’s chief architects, head of construction and head of design. According to Johnson, those officials said they were happy with Summitville’s product but told him they may not be the ones to make a final decision on where the tiles are purchased.

No plans for tile purchase have been announced either way, so in the meantime Johnson, who is the Columbiana County Republican Party Chairman, has sought assistance from U.S. Rep. Charlie Wilson (D-6). Johnson explained that he hopes subtle political pressure from Congress will help the Transit Authority decide to stick with an American-made product.

Wilson freely offered his help, stating in a press release: “This isn’t about Democrats or Republicans. This is about Ohio workers and fighting for their jobs. Preserving our jobs matters so much more than politics, and it was clear to me that I needed to take action.”

In a letter to Charles Deegan, Chairman of the Transit Authority Board, and John B. Catoe, the General Manager of the Transit Authority, Wilson wrote, “I believe that the nation’s premier subway system ought to use American-made products whenever possible, and that the quality and beauty of these tiles has been proved beyond a doubt during their thirty years of service.”

Johnson added that in upcoming weeks Wilson will seek a similar letter of support from the entire Ohio Congressional delegation.

“I’m grateful to Congressman Wilson for his interest and concern. All 250 workers at Summitville Tile say thank you. It’s a kind gesture from him,” Johnson remarked.