JoTUL NORTH AMERICA, INC. EXPANDS OPERATIONS WITH MOVE TO NEW FACILITY

Portland, Maine-JA? ?tul North America, Inc. recently demonstrated their commitment to keeping their business in Maine by signing a long-term leasing agreement for a larger facility, despite opportunities to move their business elsewhere along the eastern coast. This move includes plans to expand their manufacturing process and enhance business practices.

JA? ?tul North America is moving from two buildings in Portland totaling 80,000 square feet, to the former Sebago Shoe headquarters in Gorham with almost 120,000 square feet. Starting in July, the new facility will house corporate offices, assembly, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution and allow for more efficient business operations and potential expansion in the future. Within one year JA? ?tul North America anticipates a 15% increase in their workforce.

The new facility will allow JA? ?tul North America to bring the currently outsourced sheet metal fabrication process in house. By purchasing raw materials and implementing the fabrication process internally, they will not only save material costs, but this “just-in-time” inventory system will increase production efficiency and save significant storage space no longer needed to maintain the outsourced inventory.

JA? ?tul North America focuses on quality and customer service above all else and has approximately 400 U.S. and 300 Canadian dealers-all who must meet certain criteria in order to sell JA? ?tul products. They have proven their ability to meet the market demands and customer expectations by producing quality products, retaining committed and productive employees and consistently exceeding production and sales goals.

About JA? ?tul:

JA? ?tul of Norway, a Norwegian corporation, is the world’s oldest and largest producer of cast-iron stoves. Established in 1853, JA? ?tul produces approximately 100,000 stoves and fireplaces each year to an international market of over 20 countries. It utilizes a combination of subsidiary companies and importers for markets outside of Norway.

Who is JA? ?tul North America?

JA? ?tul North America, Inc. was founded in 1980 when it acquired Kristia and Associates, the United States importer who had been importing JA? ?tul stoves since the early 70’s. Prior to Kristia and Associates, various importers had been supplying JA? ?tul stoves to the U.S. market since the turn of the century.

In the mid-1980s JA? ?tul North America was a pioneer in the gas hearth products market in the U.S. when the company imported and distributed a freestanding gas room heater. In 1995, JA? ?tul North America’s Portland facility began the final assembly of the product line of the gas room heaters that are distributed by the parent company. In addition, JA? ?tul North America is responsible for the design and manufacturing of several gas products. JA? ?tul North America sells over 31,000 wood and gas units annually. As of July 2005, JA? ?tul North America will be located in Gorham Industrial Park.