Oldcastle Glass^® & Arpal Aluminum Systems Ltd. Joint Venture

Santa Monica, CA. – July 22, 2002 – Oldcastle Glass^®, North America’s largest independent supplier of architectural glass products and services, and Arpal Aluminum Systems Ltd., Israel’s premier supplier of blast mitigation glazing solutions, announce the formation of a new joint venture to supply blast mitigation systems to U.S. Government agencies and commercial building structures. The joint venture combines the geographic reach, product depth, service and marketing expertise of Oldcastle Glass^®, with the advanced, energy-absorbing blast mitigation glazing solutions developed by Arpal Aluminum Systems Ltd. Based in Arlington, Virginia, the new company will be called Oldcastle-Arpal LLC.

“With our newly formed partnership with Arpal Aluminum Systems Ltd., we are pleased to offer architects and engineers the most innovative and technically advanced glazing systems available which satisfy both governmental and commercial blast mitigation specifications,” said Ted Hathaway, Chief Executive Officer of Oldcastle Glass^®.

Oldcastle Glass^® had a keen interest in working with the Israeli company’s patented product innovations, comprehensive product testing, design engineering capacity to provide aesthetically pleasing blast mitigation window systems and their ability to provide the highest levels of protection available at the lowest possible cost. Since 1999, Arpal’s U.S. subsidiary has been actively marketing its blast mitigation systems in the U.S. and has secured a number of contracts with U.S. Government agencies.

Moty Emek, Founder, Chief Engineer, and Director of Arpal Aluminum Systems Ltd., created the company in 1986 with the mission of developing attractive and effective blast mitigation windows that were neither heavy, nor cost prohibitive or difficult to install. Arpal systems answer all of these concerns, as well as ensuring the highest level of safety available today.

“We are pleased to join forces with Oldcastle Glass^®,” said Emek, “We admire their ability to offer glass solutions for virtually any concept an architect can create and feel our blast mitigation technology will further enhance their product offering. Moreover, we believe Oldcastle Glass’^® vast reach and focus on marketing, sales and customer service will bring our blast mitigation technology to architects across North America.” Emek will serve as Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of the new company.

Peter Fillmore, formerly General Manager of Oldcastle Glass’^® Telford, PA facility, has been named its President. Fillmore’s twelve years as a member of Oldcastle Glass’^® senior management team, where he was extensively involved in integrating new acquisitions, developing sales and marketing initiatives and introducing new architectural glass products, will serve him well as President of this new venture.

Oldcastle Glass^® is proud of its reputation for customer service and its innovative glass products specified on such high-profile projects as the LAX Gateway, the Anaheim Convention Center, the Caesar’s Palace Spa Tower, and The Getty Center Entrance Pavilion. Utilizing Oldcastle Glass’^® exclusive Stackwall™ the company also completed the largest suspended glass wall in the U.S. for the Hawaii Convention Center. Oldcastle Glass^® is a U.S. subsidiary of CRH plc, a leading international building materials group.

Arpal Aluminum Systems Ltd. Israel is a leading provider of security window solutions. Widely recognized for its innovative blast resistant glass technology, Arpal’s Blast Mitigation Window Systems are the only Commercial, Off The Shelf (COTS) solution on the market providing the same level of protection as the wall itself, eliminating the need for expensive and complicated reinforcement of the window opening. Arpal’s product line also includes Ballistic and Forced-Entry resistant window, door and curtain wall solutions.

For additional information please contact:
Susan Trimble: Director of Corporate Communications