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Artisan Announces Tumbled Brick
Line
MANSFIELD, OHIO – October 12, 2004
– Artisan Moulded Brick, LLC announced the addition of a line
of tumbled brick, unique in the industry. The new bricks are
a blend of colors of moulded brick, which are tumbled to give
them a "used" look. "We named them Ashland Common," said Harvey
Cahoon, company president, "because they look a lot like the
common brick recovered from demolished buildings." The advantage
of Artisan's Ashland Common
is that it is a severe-weather grade brick. Common brick from
demolition sites are often not so durable and crumble when
exposed to the elements. Artisan sees the new color being
popular in the residential brick market, where rustic, earthy
looks have been long preferred.
Ashland Common will be available in the Modular and Ontario
sizes. The modular brick range from 7-5/8 to 8" in length
and are 2-1/4 inches high. Ontarios are 8-3/8 long and 2-3/8
inches tall and popular in the Canadian market.
Artisan's manufacturing plant is located in Mansfield, Ohio
and produces moulded brick in a wide variety of colors and sizes.
The company began operations in June of 2004 as a result of purchasing
assets of old Richland Moulded Brick. Artisan is owned by a small
group of investors including ProServices USA, LLC and Clarke Brothers
Limited, both based in Georgia.
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Richland Moulded Brick Acquired
MANSFIELD, OHIO – June 1, 2004 – ProServices
USA, LLC announced today the acquisition of certain assets of Richland
Moulded Brick Company located in Mansfield, Ohio. The company
will now trade under the name ARTISAN MOULDED BRICK, LLC. The business
produces moulded bricks and pavers for commercial and residential
use and sells them through a network of distributors in Ohio, the
eastern states, the Mid-West and Canada.
There has been a brick plant on the Richland site since the early
1900’s. The company was acquired in 1986 by Mr. Dudley Frame of Anniston,
Alabama, and operated successfully until recent years. Lately, it
has operated at reduced capacity, producing 8 million bricks per year
and closing the plant in the winter months. Richland was considering
closing the plant due to the substantial investment required to upgrade
the plant to modern standards.
Funded with ProServices equity, and
with additional funds from the Ohio Department of Economic Development,
and the Richland County Regional Planning Commission, Artisan plans
to add new machinery and equipment to boost production to 27 million
bricks per year. When the equipment upgrades are complete in early
2005, Artisan plans to operate year around by producing moulded and
handmade brick. As a result, 26 new jobs will be created and 42 existing
jobs retained in the Richland - Mansfield area.
Commenting on the acquisition, Helmut Lauff, ProServices Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer said, “We are delighted with the acquisition
of Richland Moulded Brick. The plant has tremendous potential with
its long-term clay reserves and strategic location.” Mr. Lauff has
assembled a strong management and sales team lead by Harvey Cahoon,
President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Cahoon will relocate
to Ohio and begin immediately to make repairs, boost production,
improve service, and add distributors.
Artisan produces moulded brick, highly desired in the architectural
community, in a wide variety of colors and sizes. The company also
plans to expand its paving brick line.
ProServices USA, LLC has offices in Augusta and Marietta Georgia
and is experienced in the ceramic building materials sector in both
the US and Europe. ProServices partnered with Clarke Brothers Limited,
of Peachtree City, Georgia, in this acquisition. |
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