James Hardie announces the expansion of its U.S. manufacturing facility in Prattville, Alabama

UPDATE: Chicago, IL (December 19, 2024) — James Hardie Building Products Inc. ("James Hardie") is thrilled to announce a major manufacturing milestone. James Hardie’s largest manufacturing plant in Prattville, Alabama is nearing the end of a multi-year expansion project that will double its production capabilities and workforce. This will allow the plant to produce an impressive 1 billion standard feet of siding annually and add twice as many new, high-quality jobs to the local area.

However, this expansion is about more than just growth. “We’re not only increasing our production capacity,” said Aaron Erter, CEO of James Hardie, “but also integrating cutting-edge technology to ensure efficiency, quality, and progress towards our sustainability goals, all of which is vital for a continued growth strategy in North America.”

“Our James Hardie Prattville facility has been designed to not only provide significant scale to the James Hardie network, enabling significant growth of the company, but also an extensive product mix that allows the products that are made in this facility to go into cold weather climate markets, as well as hot and humid climates,” Sean Gadd, EVP of James Hardie Building Products Inc., explained. “Our Prattville facility has the ability to produce Hardie® products at a large scale, making up roughly 25 percent of our current capacity. As a result, this siding facility is a vital piece of our grow strategy.”

James Hardie is also proud to support the Prattville and local surrounding economies by sourcing raw materials locally. “We prioritize the use of locally sourced materials and work with suppliers who use lower carbon cement during the production stage of our products,” explained Ryan Kilcullen, EVP of Global Operations for James Hardie. “Approximately 83 percent of our raw materials are purchased within 100 miles of our plants, supporting local businesses and minimizing the length of haul and carbon footprint.”

Prattville Mayor Bill Gillespie said, “It means so much, the investment of James Hardie has done, not only for our community, but globally as well. Now, we’re known across the world, and we’re able to tell folks that James Hardie put Prattville on the map.”

This expansion not only enhances James Hardie’s manufacturing footprint, but also reinforces the company’s dedication to Building a Better Future For All™. James Hardie is excited about the positive impact both locally and globally.

Chicago, IL (June 8, 2022) — James Hardie, the world’s leading producer of high-performance fiber cement building solutions, announces the planned expansion of its manufacturing capabilities in Prattville, Alabama. This expansion will more than double the square footage of the current plant while creating over 200 additional jobs in the local community, in addition to the over 200 employees already working at the James Hardie plant in Prattville.

The Prattville location will continue to produce the high-demand Hardie® plank, panel, and trim products that are beautifying and helping to protect homes all over the South. The plant expansion is a significant milestone in James Hardie’s strategic transformation to a consumer brand.

This announcement comes as the Prattville City Council and Mayor Bill Gillespie, Jr. approved a development agreement, paving the way for James Hardie’s investment in the Prattville plant. This new project demonstrates James Hardie’s long-term commitment to the local community and the state of Alabama. Approximately 83 percent of the company’s raw materials are purchased within 100 miles of its plants, supporting local businesses, and minimizing the length of haul and carbon footprint.

“James Hardie is proud of our strong continued partnership with the state of Alabama, the City of Prattville, Mayor Gillespie, and City Council. We especially want to thank Governor Kay Ivey, Mayor Gillespie, the Autauga County Commission, and State Senator Clyde Chambliss Jr. for their vision and support,” said Sean Gadd, President of North America for James Hardie. “We look forward to driving economic development and creating new jobs in the community as we continue our mission to transform the way the world builds.”

James Hardie employs, sources, delivers, and donates locally with the goal of creating positive impact in the communities in which it operates. In Prattville, James Hardie has proven to be a valuable community partner through product donations to local fire and police departments, contributions to school programs, and local foundations benefiting underserved families.

“I’m very pleased that James Hardie is pursuing growth plans that will create 200 new jobs at its Alabama manufacturing center. This significant expansion project shows the world that another world-class company is thriving in our state,” Governor Kay Ivey said. “This growth will solidify James Hardie’s presence in Prattville, and I know we can work together to create a bright future for the community.”

"James Hardie's partnership with the City of Prattville is a true testament to our community's high-quality local natural resources, infrastructure, and workforce. An investment of this size shows that the world's leading fiber cement manufacturer is committed to Prattville," said Mayor Bill Gillespie. "With this expansion, not only will James Hardie have the largest worldwide facility located in our South Industrial Park, but it will offer 200 additional jobs with a workforce totaling a minimum of 405 employees. This industrial expansion is about community partnership and providing citizens with high-caliber employment while enhancing the quality of life for all."

“It was obvious when James Hardie was looking at building a plant in our community that they wanted to be a part of our community -- not just in our community. They have excelled in business development as well as community involvement. The upcoming expansion will provide much-needed good-paying jobs to our citizens. I know that James Hardie will continue to be a great employer and community partner for decades to come,” said State Senator Clyde Chambliss Jr.

“James Hardie is an important part of our community and once the third expansion is complete, it will be the second largest manufacturing employer in our community,” said Jay Thompson, Chairman of the Autauga County Commission. “Collaboration and teamwork are imperative in creating a strong business environment that fosters economic growth. On behalf of the Autauga County Commission, we are proud to partner with the Alabama Department of Commerce and the City of Prattville in support of companies like James Hardie that are creating job opportunities for our citizens and continuing to grow their investment in Autauga County. We appreciate James Hardie for the positive impact it is making throughout the entire region.”

The James Hardie manufacturing facility is a 103-acre site in Prattville’s South Industrial Park, an AdvantageSite-certified park located between U.S. Highway 82 and Autauga County Road 4. The plant will continue to produce innovative Hardie® fiber cement exterior solutions.

James Hardie
James Hardie is a global leader in premium building solutions that offer lasting beauty and endless design possibilities with trusted protection and low maintenance. The world’s #1 producer and marketer of high-performance fiber cement and fiber gypsum building solutions, James Hardie offers siding and accessories for every style. Extensive Hardie™ products empower homeowners and building professionals to achieve the home of their dreams. The company pioneered the technology of fiber cement building products made from sustainable raw materials and continues to invest in innovation to transform the way the world builds. James Hardie operates with an inclusive company culture, and an unwavering commitment to Zero Harm. James Hardie employs a diverse global workforce of approximately 5,200 employees across operations in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific.

For more information and media resources, visit JamesHardie.com and JamesHardie.com/why-james-hardie/media-resources. For investor information, please visit ir.jameshardie.com.au.

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Forward-Looking Statements
This Media Release contains forward-looking statements and information that are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of James Hardie to be materially different from those expressed or implied in this release, including, among others, the risks and uncertainties set forth in Section 3 “Risk Factors” in James Hardie’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 March 2020; changes in general economic, political, governmental and business conditions globally and in the countries in which James Hardie does business; changes in interest rates; changes in inflation rates; changes in exchange rates; the level of construction generally; changes in cement demand and prices; changes in raw material and energy prices; changes in business strategy and various other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. James Hardie assumes no obligation to update or correct the information contained in this Media Release except as required by law.

This media release has been authorized by Mr. Jason Miele, Chief Financial Offer.