MARATHON, Wis. (June 9, 2004) – County Materials Corporation has expanded manufacturing operations and its sales force into the Chicago metro market with the recent purchase of assets from Elston Block Company. This adds two locations in downtown Chicago, including contractor stores and a new production facility.

For the past 12 years, Elston Block Company was privately owned and operated by the Luis Puig family, establishing their reputation as a quality manufacturer of state-approved standard and decorative architectural concrete masonry. County Materials will continue to manufacture architectural masonry, and expand the line with related products.

County Materials has been serving the construction industry since 1946. At the turn of the century, the company began purchasing concrete operations in southern Wisconsin:

2001 – County acquires Wisconsin Brick & Block Corp., a 100 year-old Madison-based concrete block and landscape products manufacturer.

2002 – County purchases Tews Lafarge retail and contractor location in Oak Creek.

2003 – County buys the assets of Best Block Company’s concrete block operations along with related masonry inventories, located in Milwaukee.

2004 – County acquires Quality Concrete Products, adding two manufacturing locations in Sussex and Hales Corners.

County Materials Corporation currently operates 23 locations throughout Wisconsin, eastern Minnesota and northeastern Illinois where they manufacture and supply a full range of concrete products for commercial and residential building and landscaping, including: decorative and standard concrete block, brick, manufactured and natural stone veneers, retaining wall systems, pavers, patio stones, benches, tables, birdbaths and landscaping aggregates.

For more information, call 1-800-289-2569. County Materials Corp. is proud to be American based and American made.