Worthington Steelpac Expands Line of Steel Shipping and Storage Products Centered Around Steel Pallets


Designer and manufacturer of steel pallets and shipping products is extending its line to include steel skids and runners.

COLUMBUS, Ohio - June 4, 2009 - Worthington Steelpac, a Worthington Industries (NYSE: WOR) company, announced today it is adding steel coil and cut to length skids and runners to its existing line of steel shipping and storage products. Steel pallets, skids and runners are targeted to replace traditional wood products typically disposed of after just one use.

Stronger, reinforced steel skids and runners offer manufacturers a way to reduce expenses by dramatically increasing the number of turns each unit can sustain compared to current wood and plastic skids.

"In addition to an increased number of turns, steel coil skids and runners can potentially lower associated insurance premiums and reduce the repair and replacement costs that often occur with plastic or wood pallets," said Steve Letnich, vice president of sales and marketing for Worthington Steelpac.

The Worthington Steelpac steel coil and cut to length skids are designed to more effectively support the stacking of multiple steel and metal coils, increasing warehouse space without sacrificing employee safety. Steel runners offer a stronger, multi-use, lightweight solution for the shipment of metal coils when used with standard steel banding. Additionally, the steel pallets and steel skids have a less than a one percent repair/loss rate significantly reducing the amount of debris and disposal costs associated with damaged plastic and wood pallets.

Made of 100 percent recyclable steel, Worthington Steelpac skids and runners are available in standard and custom sizes. Standard skid sizes include 32" x 32", 40" x 40" and 48" x 48". Leasing, tracking and return logistics support are also available.

"Throughout our testing period, Worthington Steelpac skids had less than a one percent repair rate, which is 30 percent less than the average rate for traditional wood skids," added Letnich. "When looking at the entire cost of ownership of a skid, we feel the Worthington Steelpac skid can not only help an organization work more efficiently, but also reduce its long-term packaging and storage expenses."

Worthington Steelpac began operations in 1999 and concentrates on the customized steel pallet, rack and crate business. For more information on steel coil and cut to length skids and runners, or Worthington Steelpac's entire line of products, visit WorthingtonSteelpac.com.

About Worthington Steelpac

Worthington Steelpac, a Worthington Industries company, designs and manufactures reusable custom platforms, racks and pallets made of steel for supporting, protecting and handling products throughout the shipping process for industries such as automotive, lawn and garden and recreational vehicles. Headquartered in York, Pa., the company has three facilities in Ind., Ohio and Pa. and recently began mass-producing the Steelpac Distribution Pallet. The first light weight, flame-resistant steel pallet designed to meet Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) capacity and compatibility standards. More information at SteelpacPallets.com.

About Worthington Industries

Worthington Industries is a leading diversified metal processing company with annual sales of nearly $3 billion. The Columbus, Ohio-based company is North America's premier value-added steel processor and a leader in manufactured products such as automotive aftermarket stampings, pressure cylinders, metal framing, metal ceiling grid systems and laser-welded blanks. For more information, visit WorthingtonIndustries.com.

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