Metso Minerals Industries, Inc. has announced plans for a major expansion of its manufacturing operations in Northeast Ohio, near the company’s existing state-of-the-art engineering and manufacturing facility in Brunswick (formerly BEST, Inc.). The company expects the new facility to be online in the spring of 2008. It will feature a total crane capacity of 80 tons and is expected to double the fabrication capacity of Metso Minerals Industries’ Ohio operations.

To support the increased production, the company has added personnel in the automation, mechanical design, electrical design and controls departments, along with control panel building and assembly. The expansion is part of the company’s ongoing effort to be the preferred supplier of precision-engineered equipment and turnkey systems for North America’s bulk material handling industry. Acquired by Metso in March 2007, the Brunswick facility has increased its fabrication capacity by 100%.

“This expansion gives us the platform to continually grow and introduce new and innovative bulk material handling products in the future,” said Tim Conway, vice president of Marketing and Business Development. “The strength of the BEST brand name, with our reputation for superior product quality and first-class customer support, makes Metso Minerals Industries, Inc. the perfect choice for our customers’ bulk material handling needs.”

The existing Brunswick facility produces the complete line of BEST vibratory feeders; screeners; conveyors; tables; bulk bag loaders and unloaders; single- and twin-screw feeders; and complete weighing systems for filling drums, cartons and boxes. The new facility will allow Metso to increase output, reduce manufacturing lead times and produce larger bulk material handling systems. In addition, it will include a full technical test laboratory where customers’ products and materials can be demonstrated in a test or simulation environment to ensure final results.

For additional information, call (330) 273-1277 or (800) 827-9237, fax (330) 225-8740, e-mail tim.frajter@metso.com, or visit www.bestvibes.com.