Oldcastle Glass^® Announces New Operating Platform

New unit to focus on architectural metal and glass systems, set to integrate Brite Vue^® brand

Santa Monica, CA. – September 03, 2002 – Oldcastle Glass^®, North America’s largest independent supplier of architectural glass products and services, announces the creation of its new Oldcastle^® Architectural Systems (OAS) business. The new platform has been created to provide growth opportunities and to increase market penetration by establishing Oldcastle Glass in the glass and metals systems market. Oldcastle^® Glass currently participates in this market segment through its offering of all-glass entrance doors and Stackwall^® structural glass walls from 40 locations throughout North America.

In conjunction with the creation of OAS, Oldcastle Glass^® is pleased to announce the purchase of the Brite Vue^® Glass Systems products, trade name, associated trademarks, product data testing information and intellectual property from Walters & Wolf Glass Company. Brite Vue^® has a well-established reputation in the glazing subcontractor and architectural communities and is known for its high quality and competitively priced products. Brite Vue is frequently specified by major architectural firms throughout the United States. “The integration of Brite Vue’s unique brand of products into the Oldcastle Glass family is further evidence of our commitment to offer premier products in a competitive manner with a strong emphasis on service,” said Ted Hathaway, Chief Executive Officer of Oldcastle Glass. Brite Vue will be integrated into Oldcastle Architectural Systems’ Northern California facility.

Joe Marks, formerly Executive Director of the Brite Vue Division of Walters & Wolf, has been appointed President of Oldcastle Architectural Systems. Joe brings significant industry background and experience in strategic planning, product development, and operations. He has spent the past 20 years involved with architectural glass systems including 10 years at Viracon, most recently as Vice President, Sales and Marketing. His technical expertise and strong business relationships are widely recognized throughout the industry. “Oldcastle Architectural Systems will enable Oldcastle Glass to provide full-service capabilities to architects and our glazing contractor customers and meet their needs for glass and specialty glazing systems throughout an entire building project.” said Marks.

Oldcastle Glass^® has a strong reputation for its quality service as well as many innovative glass products featured in some of the most high profile architectural installations in North America. Among them are the Getty Center, the LAX Gateway, the Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston, The Hawaii Convention Center and the 2002 Olympic Torch in Salt Lake City. Oldcastle Glass^® is a U.S. subsidiary of CRH plc, a leading international building materials and products company based in Dublin, Ireland.

For additional information please contact:
Susan Trimble: Director of Corporate Communications