"The new plant will give us the production capabilities we need to address the ongoing high demand for roof tile for both new construction and reroofing," said Dylan Walters, executive vice president of Hanson Roof Tile. "Our first priority is the Florida market, but this location in northern Florida will also allow us to grow into new markets after the supply situation in our own state stabilizes."

The new 96,000-square-foot plant will be located on an 18-acre site in Sanderson, which is just outside Jacksonville. The new plant will have an initial production capability of 300,000 squares per year and will also serve to enhance the capabilities of the four other Hanson plants in Florida.

Plant construction is set to begin before the end of the year, with roof tile production projected by the end of 2006.