TYLER, Texas, Oct. 26, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Tyler Pipe Company, a leading supplier to the nation's water companies, utility purveyors, and wastewater treatment industry, today announced that it has established a Community Advisory Panel (CAP) to enhance its connection with the community.
Composed of community leaders representing diverse professional backgrounds, the CAP will provide advice and feedback on Tyler Pipe's operations, its relationship with the community and suggest additional opportunities for investment in community projects and activities.
To assure that it represents the community's range of interests, the advisory panel will include leaders of the business community; public officials from Smith County, Tyler and Lindale; educators; representatives with public health and safety backgrounds; and others. The following individuals have agreed to participate on the Tyler Pipe Community Advisory Panel:
Richard Bellar, Lindale Fire Chief
Greg Buckner, Tyler Pipe employee and member of the Safety Committee
Kathey Comer, President, Heart of Tyler
Larry Craig, retired Smith County Judge
Bill Crowe, President, Tyler Junior College
Joanne Hampton, Smith County Commissioner
Rodney Mabrey, President, University of Texas- Tyler
Dan Moore, President, Lindale Chamber of Commerce
Thomas Mullins, President, Tyler Chamber of Commerce
Skip Ogle, Director External Affairs, SBC Texas
Willie Pinke, President, United Steelworkers of America,
Local 1157
Joey Seeber, Mayor, Tyler, Texas
J.B. Smith, Sheriff, Smith County
Bob Turner, Tyler Business Manager
"Tyler Pipe is an important and longstanding member of the Smith County community," said Kent Brown, manager of Tyler Pipe's North Plant. "Seeking the advice and input of community leaders regarding our operations and how we can improve the quality of life for our workers and their families through the CAP is an effective way to manifest our commitment to the area in which we live and work."
"Actively seeking the community's involvement builds on successful collaborative efforts we've already undertaken with the United Steelworkers of America on workplace safety and other issues involving our employees," added Tony Orlowski, manager of Tyler Pipe's South Plant.
"We initiated a CAP at another of our facilities as a pilot program with very positive results," said G. Ruffner Page, Jr., president of McWane, Inc., parent company of Tyler Pipe. "Initiating a CAP in Tyler will foster even greater dialogue with local leaders, and will help us to work together for the overall betterment of the community."
About Tyler Pipe
Tyler Pipe operates two facilities at its Smith County site, the North Plant that manufactures soil pipe to deliver drinking water and wastewater and the South Plant that manufactures utility fittings for the water supply industry. Together, the two Tyler Pipe plants employ over 1250 people.
About McWane, Inc.
McWane, Inc. is a family-owned business based in Birmingham, Alabama with thirteen iron foundries across the United States and Canada. McWane's divisions focus on the safe, environmentally friendly manufacturing of ductile iron pipe, fittings, hydrants and valves. These and other products provide the backbone of vital water distribution and wastewater treatment systems for communities across North America. The company employs more than 7,000 workers in the communities in which it has operations and has a longstanding commitment of support to those communities. For media inquiries regarding McWane, please call (205) 871-9774.