MARATHON, Wis. (February 27, 2002) – County Materials Corporation has been selected as the 2001 Business of the Year by the St. Croix Economic Development Corporation (SCEDC). The County Materials location in Roberts, Wisc. has earned the concrete and construction products manufacturer the SCEDC's highest award in the medium category, 50-149 employees, in St. Croix County.

The officers and directors of SCEDC evaluated nominated companies based upon economic vitality, community development and capital investment.

2001 was a defining year for County Materials and its Prestress, Precast & Pipe division as it geared up to target large construction markets in Wisconsin and Minnesota. The company expanded facilities and invested in state-of-the art equipment to support major construction projects like the Hiawatha Light Rail Tansit tunnel in Minnesota. With the expansion of a 70,000 square foot building, County Concrete was able to manufacture new innovative products, including Hollowcore Roof and Floor Systems, and Superseal® Gasket Elliptical Concrete Pipe. In one year the Ready Mix concrete division added 10 trucks to its fleet of four. Expansion led the progressive company to more than tripling its workforce providing the community with a variety of employment opportunities. Internal growth and expansion also tripled sales for the division in 2001.

County Materials proved itself as a leader and showed its commitment to the region through continuing education, hosting seminars and being active members of professional and community associations for the advancement of the industry.

SCEDC Executive Director William Rubin said County Materials's significant progress put it right on track for receiving the award. "They're a forward looking company that seeks out new markets and defines their niches. They have displayed staying power in achieving desired goals," he said. Rubin added that the Hiawatha LRT tunnel project also made County Materials stand out because of the skill and ingenuity that it put into producing concrete tunnel segments of precise tolerances.

Last year County Materials began the production of creating nearly 3,000 tunnel segments for an underground portion of Minnesota's first light rail transit system. Segments continue to be manufactured and shipped from the Roberts plant to the Twin Cities where they're assembled on site.

In addition to the manufacturing facility, County Materials's Roberts operation houses a masonry block plant, a storage yard and a HomeScape Studio for commercial and retail consumers.

On February 7, Kurt Krueger, general manager in Roberts, joined fellow County Materials associates to formally receive the Business of the Year Award at a banquet at Hudson Golf Club.

SCEDC has been honoring St. Croix County businesses for nearly a decade. Other categories receiving recognition are emerging business, small business and large business. SCEDC formed in 1993 to promote the economic development of new and existing companies in St. Croix County, which has a population of 64,752.

With over 55 years of industry experience, County Materials is the upper Midwest's solution for premium building, construction and landscaping products. It continues to add new and innovative concrete solutions, facilities, equipment, services, and locations throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota. Headquartered in its founding city of Marathon, Wisc., County Materials currently owns and operates 14 facilities and HomeScape Studios. The Prestress, Precast & Pipe division of County Concrete Corporation is headquartered in Roberts at 1203 70th Avenue.

For more information, please call 800-426-1126.