Thiele Kaolin Announces Price Increase for Kaolin Pigments

Sandersville, Georgia December 12, 2003

Thiele Kaolin announced today that it is implementing a price increase for their kaolin products, effective January 12, 2004.   Prices will increase 3 – 7% depending on the product grade.

According to Charlie Carter, Vice-President of Sales & Marketing, “The increases are necessary because of the increasing costs of energy, transportation and raw materials.”  Carter also noted that Thiele suspended the energy surcharge back in August 2003 when gas prices improved as compared to the beginning of 2003.  “We certainly understand our customers concerns with their rising material costs, but we cannot continue to absorb rising costs if we are to continue to provide the excellent service the paper industry has come to expect.”

® Thiele Kaolin Company 2004 P. O. Box 1056, 520 Kaolin Road, Sandersville, GA 31082 USA