Exotic wood supplier expands in $6 million relocation to Jeffersonville

JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind. - (January 11, 2008) – One Southern Indiana officials are pleased to announce expansion plans for Carl F. Booth Veneers, an exotic wood veneer supplier to the executive and head-of-state aircraft industry. The company’s expansion plans include a move to Jeffersonville’s River Ridge Commerce Center from its original location in New Albany where it was founded in 1976.

Carl F. Booth Veneers is a division of executive aircraft specialist DeCrane Aerospace Inc. and serves 95% of the private aircraft market. Notable aircraft incorporating its prized veneer include head-of-state aircraft around the world. Due to a lack of expandable space, the company will close its New Albany operation and relocate its plywood manufacturing operation and rare wood inventory to a planned 100,000-square-foot facility in River Ridge Commerce Center in Jeffersonville by the first quarter of 2009.

“This company’s industry is in a tremendous growth cycle right now, and we worked with company officials to do everything we could to keep them right here in Southern Indiana,” said Michael Dalby, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “A home-grown business like this holds enormous potential for our workforce. We competed with other states for this development opportunity and are happy they have chosen to grow here.”

Beginning in 2008, Carl F. Booth Veneers expects to hire 60 new employees including sales staff and manufacturing specialists. The company currently employs 74 at its New Albany site and will use the new larger facility in Jeffersonville to increase production efficiency and meet the growing demand for its custom cabinetry, furniture, door, and veneer components used in executive aircraft, yachts, and offices around the world.

“I couldn’t be more pleased we are able to stay in Southern Indiana,” said general manager Carl Booth. “The people at One Southern Indiana, the State of Indiana, and local officials all supported us in this endeavor. We look forward to growing our business and employing Hoosiers for many years to come,” he added.

The Indiana Economic Development Corporation offered Carl F. Booth Veneers up to $550,000 in performance-based tax credits and up to $72,000 in training grants based on the company’s job creation plans. Additionally, through the coordination of One Southern Indiana, the City of Jeffersonville will provide the company with the benefit of phasing-in its property taxes through its Urban Enterprise Zone.

Since One Southern Indiana’s founding in July 2006, the organization’s economic development efforts have resulted in the creation of more than 3,193 net new jobs, $127 million in new capital, and more than $111 million in new payroll annually to Clark and Floyd Counties.

“We are excited that Carl F. Booth Veneers chose to remain in Southern Indiana and elated they will grow their business here in Jeffersonville,” said City of Jeffersonville Mayor Tom Galligan. “Retaining the jobs we have in Southern Indiana is just as important as attracting new business to our area,” he added.

“Although we are sad to see Carl F. Booth Veneers Company leave New Albany,” said City of New Albany Mayor Doug England. “We are fortunate to keep these jobs in Southern Indiana,” he added.

About Carl F. Booth Veneers
Carl F. Booth has been a premier supplier of fire treated veneer wood products for corporate and head-of-state aircraft since 1976. Carl F. Booth manufactures veneer plywood that's just 1.8 mm thick, consisting of three plies of the world's finest, rarest, most prized veneers. The veneers are produced from the company's multi-million-dollar inventory of 750 logs, many of which are centuries old. More than 150 tree species and cuts are represented, gathered from every continent except Antarctica. For more information about Carl F. Booth Veneers, visit http://www.decraneaerospace.com/Booth/About.aspx.