McNichols Makes Commitment to Customers, Continuous Improvement $30 Million Investment Being Made in Technology, Equipment and Capital Improvements


TAMPA, Florida - June 13, 2008 - In the midst of its fifth consecutive year of record growth, McNichols Company is making a commitment to its customers and employees to continue providing Superior Service, Quality and Performance through the reinvestment of $30 million towards technology, equipment and capital investments over the next four years.

What started in 2003 with an initial $20 million dollar commitment from McNichols Company and its employees to be more customer-centered has resulted in a stronger focus on expansion, fabrication, new products, and advanced technology. McNichols Company has begun implementing a four-year plan that includes facility expansions totaling 75,000 square feet of both warehouse and office space including the relocation of its Boston service center to a new 35,000 square foot facility and the summer opening of a brand new 24,000 square foot facility in Kansas City, Kansas. The company's Tampa-based service center and corporate offices are also being expanded to accommodate additional staff, equipment and inventory. Along with the increased facility space comes a $2 million dollar investment in office decor improvements that will be visible at all 18 of the company's locations. The company's products will be integrated into each office space design, creating high-tech accents that promote their aesthetic and architectural appeal.

The expanded facilities are necessary to accommodate the company's growing product offerings and fabrication focus. In response to increased demand from its design and architectural customers, additional custom finish options have been added to McNichols' product offerings. This includes laser etched designs, wood grain finishes, marble and granite finishes and custom powder-coated paint schemes. The addition space is also being utilized by a $5.2 million investment in new warehouse equipment, including inventory racks, material handling and fabrication equipment and technology.

Growth of this magnitude also means significant technological advancements for McNichols Company. Due to the unique aspects of McNichols' products and business operations, the company's Information Services team is dedicating more than $20 million to completing a four-year applications development road map, which will provide the architecture for a staged, integrated rollout of critical systems designed to greatly enhance the customer service experience.

This technology investment will also bring significant efficiencies to many of the operations and support functions within the company. An Automated Call Distribution (ACD) system is being implemented companywide that will enable McNichols' customer service professionals to more accurately manage customer calls, while providing management with advanced reporting and automation capabilities. Currently five of McNichols' locations are using the ACD system. McNichols is also continuing its development of a world-class Business Intelligence system that provides management with real-time data and analytics necessary to make quick, informed business decisions.

Combined with investments made over the previous four years, McNichols Company will commit in excess of $50 million and add 225,000 square feet of warehouse and office space during the eight-year period from 2004 to 2011. This investment represents 3.5% of the company's projected revenue during that period.

For a company that started in 1952 with one employee and annual sales of $46,000, much has changed. In 2008, the company expects to reach sales in excess of $200 million. Today, the company is North America's leading supplier of metal products with holes. McNichols' product offerings include perforated and expanded metal, wire cloth and all types of grating and flooring. It services customers worldwide from 26 locations throughout the United States and Mexico, including 18 service centers, seven field sales offices and its corporate headquarters. It maintains ISO 9001:2000 quality certification at all of its domestic locations. For more information, visit www.mcnichols.com or call 800-367-5817.

For Further Information Contact:
Scott McNichols, Executive Vice President & General Manager
(813) 282-3828, ext. 2105
scottmcnichols@mcnichols.com

Kristen Powers, Communications Specialist
(813) 282-3828, ext. 2128
kristen.powers@mcnichols.com

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