Worthington Cylinders Announces
Expansion at New Albany Plant
Momentum Mississippi Incentives Help Create 80 New Job

Officials from Worthington Cylinders, a Worthington Industries company, and a global supplier of pressure tanks and pressure cylinders, have announced the company is expanding operations at its facility in New Albany. The expansion represents a company investment of more than $11 million and will create 80 new jobs over the next five years; 30 of those jobs will be added this year. Currently, the New Albany facility employs 165 workers.

In June 2009, Worthington acquired Piper Metal Forming of New Albany. The company recently acquired Virginia-based Hy-Mark Cylinders and will be relocating Hy-Mark’s physical assets to its New Albany facility, where it will be increasing production of existing products and adding new product lines.

“We made a significant investment in New Albany with the Piper acquisition last year, and we are making a very substantial additional commitment now,” said Harry Goussetis, president of Worthington Cylinders. “We are committed to growing our business, and this additional investment will expand our existing medical cylinder product line and will also add new products such as scuba tanks and cylinders for carbon dioxide used in beverage service applications.”

The Mississippi Development Authority (MDA) worked with company and local officials to help facilitate the expansion using Momentum Mississippi incentives. The State also provided workforce training assistance to the company.

“We appreciate the support and partnership of the State of Mississippi, the Mississippi Partnership Workforce Investment Board, Union County and the City of New Albany,” said Goussetis.

“I thank Worthington Cylinders for continuing to invest in New Albany and the state of Mississippi,” said Gray Swoope, MDA executive director. “I am pleased that the state’s business climate, along with the assistance we were able to provide, helped pave the way for the company’s expansion. I wish them continued success here in Mississippi.”

Worthington Cylinders is a division of Worthington Industries, a diversified metals manufacturing company that employs 6,400 workers in 64 facilities in 11 countries. Worthington Cylinders, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, is the world’s leading global supplier of pressure cylinders. With ten facilities in the U.S., Canada and Europe, Worthington Cylinders offers the most complete line of pressure cylinders in the industry, including cylinders to hold liquefied petroleum, refrigerant, oxygen and industrial gasses. Balloon Time™ and Worthington Pro Grade™ products are available at retailers nationwide and provide consumers products for grilling, party planning, outdoor leisure activities and home repair.

To learn more, please visit www.worthingtoncylinders.com .

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About Mississippi Development Authority
Mississippi Development Authority is the State of Mississippi’s lead economic and community development agency. Nearly 300 employees are engaged in providing services to businesses, communities and workers in the state. While the agency is best known for its efforts to recruit new businesses to Mississippi, the Authority provides services to promote tourism, help communities improve their quality of place, help existing employers identify and meet opportunities and challenges and help workers improve their skills – all with the goal of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of Mississippians. For more information, visit MDA’s website at www.mississippi.org  .