Oldcastle Glass^® is Largest Participant in New PPG Certified Laminator Program

Santa Monica, CA – (March 21, 2005) — Oldcastle Glass^®, North America’s largest independent supplier of architectural glass products and services, is now the industry’s largest participant in a new Certified Laminator Program by PPG Industries, Inc. (Pittsburgh Plate Glass). Under the new program, Oldcastle Glass^® will significantly expand its ability to meet the needs of the architectural glass market. Five Oldcastle Glass^® laminating locations are currently certified, including Los Angeles, CA; Montreal, QC Canada; Perrysburg, OH; Wausau, WI; and Lithia Springs, GA.

PPG’s Certified Laminator Program is designed to provide a quality driven supply channel for transparent solar control laminated glazing products; offering architects, building owners and glazing contractors the highest possible levels of quality, reliability, performance and service.

“Our participation in the program will enable Oldcastle Glass^® to provide high performance glazing solutions to the industry, particularly in specialty applications,” says John Bush, Director of Laminated Products at Oldcastle Glass^®. “We’ll have a particular focus on areas with high light transmission in the skylight, hurricane, seismic, blast mitigation and fall-out protection segments. Because of our extensive coverage in North America, we’ll be able to provide quick fabrication and delivery (typically within 3-4 weeks of order receipt) which is a huge benefit for contractors and architects on projects of any size.”

Oldcastle Glass^® was required to pass rigorous audits that covered every aspect of its production and service capabilities – from initial glass storage to final packaging and shipping. Adherence to strict procedures was necessary, including glass cutting and seaming; polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer preparation; laminate assembly and processing, including heating, de-airing and autoclaving.

“Our customers are already beginning to see the value in this program,” says Bush. “Plans are underway to certify additional locations within our network of 13 laminating facilities.”

About Oldcastle Glass^® – Oldcastle Glass^® has a strong reputation for its quality service and innovative glass products. Some of the most high-profile architectural installations in North America feature Oldcastle Glass^®, including the Getty Center, the William J. Clinton Presidential Library, The Hawaii Convention Center and the Glass Cauldron created for the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City. Oldcastle Glass^® is a U.S. subsidiary of CRH plc, a leading international building materials and products company based in Dublin, Ireland.

For More Information contact
Susan Trimble: Director of Corporate Communications