Palmetto Brick Co. recently announced a $25 million expansion to its Cheraw, S.C., headquarters, increasing residential and commercial brick production by 50% from 100 to 150 million brick per year. The company expects to add 20 new employees to fulfill the organization's increased manufacturing capacity. Construction of the new plant is expected to last 10 months, and production will begin in October 2005. The expanded facilities will produce modular engineer, closure and utility sizes, creating six to seven new types of brick. The new facility will focus on commercial brick manufacturing, allowing the current plant to expand its residential brick output. Palmetto Brick began planning for this expansion in early 2003. The new facility will be located on the premises of the current manufacturing site at the corporate headquarters and will include two separate production buildings. Once completed, there will be a building dedicated strictly to manufacturing residential brick and one for commercial brick. The breakdown for residential to commercial production will be 50/50.

For more information, call (843) 537-7861 or visit http://www.palmettobrick.com.