Norbord Completes OSB Plant Expansion in Cordele, Georgia

Richmond, British Columbia – January 23, 2007

Norbord Inc. (Norbord) has announced the successful completion of its OSB plant expansion in Cordele, Georgia.  The construction of this US$135 million project on a second OSB line at Cordele OSB had commenced in May 2005.  The project was delivered on track for start-up in December 2006, creating one of the largest and most efficient OSB manufacturing facilities in the world. 

Cogent Industrial Technologies Ltd. (Cogent) successfully completed the industrial automation and system integration for the entire expansion. Cogent’s proven project execution methodology and technology implementation ensured a fast start-up with low risk at Cordele OSB and helped further strengthen Norbord’s position as a low cost-OSB producer. 

Ric Bowman, Project Manager – Norbord Cordele Georgia OSB said: “Cogent provided Norbord with a quality solution for the expansion of our Cordele Georgia OSB mill. Cogents project team are some of the most committed and professional specialists I have ever had the pleasure of working with; they delivered beyond our expectations.”

About Norbord Inc.

Norbord Inc. is an international producer of wood-based panels with assets of $1.3 billion.  Norbord employs approximately 2,700 people at 16 plant locations in the United States, Europe and Canada.  Norbord is one of the world’s largest producers of oriented strand board (OSB).  In addition to OSB, Norbord manufactures particleboard, medium density fiberboard (MDF), hardwood plywood, I-joists and related value-added products.  Norbord is a publicly-traded company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol NBD.

About Cogent

Cogent is a high technology company that engineers and designs plant wide electrical, automation and industrial IT infrastructure with projects ranging from small expansions to complete design of green field plants.  Cogent delivers excellence to the forest products, mining and mineral, material handling and oil sand industries

Cogent is vender independent and applies industrial automation and information technology solutions to improve equipment and process control performance, enhance operator effectiveness and facilitate real time information sharing. 

This is the Cogent advantage, as plant equipment, processes, and plant operators are fused together for improved productivity. 

Cogent is driven by high expectations.  We set a high standard for ourselves and are determined to exceed our client’s expectations.  Cogent is committed to its client’s success and our team accepts no excuses, only results.

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