HARRISBURG, Penn., Dec. 8, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Worldwide industrial services and products company Harsco Corporation (NYSE:HSC) announced today that its Harsco Track Technologies (HTT) railway track maintenance division has been honored as a 2004 World Trader of the Year by the South Carolina World Trade Center.
The award, presented in recent ceremonies on behalf of U.S. Senator Ernest Hollings, recognizes Harsco Track Technologies for its successful pursuit of international growth, which in the past three years alone has resulted in new equipment orders from China, the United Kingdom, Germany, North Africa, India and elsewhere totaling more than $160 million and supporting U.S.-based production well into 2005.
The award also reflects the strong international trade support that Harsco Track Technologies has received from South Carolina's government leaders, led by Governor Mark Sanford and Commerce Secretary Bob Faith, as well as Senator Hollings, Senator-elect Jim DeMint and U.S. Representative Joe Wilson. In fact, while on a trade mission last year in China, Governor Sanford and Secretary Faith were present for the signing of HTT's largest-ever export order, an 11-machine, $68 million contract for the Chinese rail system, while Senator Hollings, Senator-elect DeMint and Representative Wilson have played vital Congressional roles.
Headquartered in West Columbia, South Carolina, Harsco Track Technologies serves as a leading source for over 140 types and models of equipment and services used to maintain and build railway track. The division employs approximately 1,100 people at its Columbia production headquarters and additional facilities in North America, the U.K. and Australia.
"Export sales will continue to be a key part of our growth," said Harsco Track Technologies division president Robert Newman, "especially considering that more than 80 percent of the world's railway track is outside the United States." The division anticipates that international deliveries will grow to approximately one-third of its total sales this year. The division also plays a significant role supporting major railroads and transit systems throughout North America.
The prestigious South Carolina World Trade Center is part of the World Trade Centers Association, an international organization headquartered in New York City comprising nearly 300 trade centers in over 75 countries worldwide. The organization provides hands-on trade development assistance for both exporters and importers as well as entrepreneurial training, workshops and seminars.
Harsco Corporation is a diversified, worldwide industrial services and engineered products company with annual sales in excess of $2 billion. The company employs 18,000 people at more than 400 locations in over 40 countries of operation. Harsco's market-leading businesses provide mill services, access services, gas containment and control technologies, and engineered products and services to customers worldwide. Additional information about Harsco, including its Harsco Track Technologies division, can be found at www.harsco.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo opportunities are available at HTT's production headquarters in Cayce-West Columbia, South Carolina. The division is completing several international track maintenance machines in December and has photo- and video-appropriate manufacturing and test track facilities at its plant. Contact: Donald Benza, Vice President -- Export Sales, 803.822.7404
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