HAMPSHIRE, IL — Construction products industry leader W. R. Meadows, Inc. announced the formation of a new subsidiary, Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc., to resume the manufacturing of Celotex branded fiberboard products. The company made the announcement following its purchase of Knight-Celotex which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in June of 2009.

According to W. R. Meadows’ management, Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. is already preparing for the re-opening of the Celotex® plant in Danville, Va. Actual manufacturing operations are expected to begin in December. In addition, the re-opening of a second Celotex plant in Lisbon Falls, Maine, is slated to coincide with growing market demand.

According to chairman, H.G. Meadows, "W. R. Meadows, Inc. is pleased to be in a position to launch Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. and re-open the Celotex plant in Danville at a time when many businesses are struggling. As an 80-plus-year-old family-owned and operated company, we are equally pleased to welcome back many former plant employees. We know the quality and experience of the workforce will be an important contributing factor to Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc.’s overall success.”

Meadows is also quick to say that decades-old synergies between W. R. Meadows, Inc. and Celotex helped cement this new relationship. Both companies have long been associated with quality, consistency and innovation in building products: Celotex was originally established in 1920, while W. R. Meadows, Inc. was founded in 1926 and began doing business with Celotex around 1930.

“The formation of Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. is an extension of W. R. Meadows’ commitment to providing architects, engineers and contractors with the best quality products possible,” said Meadows. “Under the Blue Ridge Fiberboard, Inc. banner, Celotex products such as Structodek roofing insulation board, SoundStop fiberboard panels, SturdyBrace structural wall sheathing and VersaKor all-purpose fiberboard will continue to offer building professionals the same uncompromising performance they have depended on in the past.”