Zeus recognized for impact on region’s economy, community

	(L-R) Gov. Mark Sanford, Zeus' John Worley, Doug Tourville and Frank Tourville, Jr. and Sec. of Commerce Joe Taylor at the Rural Summit Awards

ORANGEBURG, S.C., March 15, 2006 — Zeus, Inc., an internationally recognized leader in the design and production of high performance fluoropolymer tubing, was recognized with the Rural Entrepreneur Award for its economic impact on rural communities in South Carolina and for its contributions to the residents of those communities at the annual South Carolina Rural Summit in North Charleston on March 6.

Commenting on the award, Doug Tourville, Executive Vice President of Manufacturing, said, “Forty years ago, my father founded Zeus with a big dream, a lot of passion, and little money. He started with the business philosophy that we are a ‘people company’ and continues to support both our employees and the people in local communities where Zeus does business.”

Headquartered in Orangeburg, Zeus employs more than 1,000 people at nine facilities in the United States and Europe, seven of which are located in South Carolina. In 2005, the company opened its first European operation, a 28,000-square-foot plant in Letterkenny, Ireland, and expanded its operation in Aiken, S.C.

Zeus employees also are highly committed to their communities as well. Many are active in organizations such as the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce, the Orangeburg County Development Commission and the Boy Scouts of America.

Orangeburg County Development Commission Executive Director Gregg Robinson called Zeus a “tremendous asset” for Orangeburg County, saying, “Zeus’ success, from both a corporate and an advanced manufacturing standpoint, sends a clear message to corporations all over the world that Orangeburg is a great environment for success.”

Governor Mark Sanford thanked Zeus, along with six other South Carolina individuals and organizations honored at the South Carolina Rural Summit, for its “day-in and day-out work in growing the economy of our State’s rural areas.” The annual summit provides an opportunity for rural community leaders, economic developers, State officials, and specialists from across the country to learn and discuss creative ways to tackle development challenges and foster desirable growth in rural communities.

“These award winners are making a real difference in their communities,” Commerce Secretary Joe Taylor said. “Through their hard work and creative thinking, they’ve shown us all how to make a small community’s dreams of a better future reality. And they’ve shown us that, when it comes to rural economic development, one individual or one organization can truly accomplish a great deal.”

About Zeus
Headquartered in Orangeburg, S.C., Zeus, Inc., is a world leader in the design and production of high-performance fluoropolymer tubing used in demanding applications. Zeus products and services are preferred by companies in medical, automotive, electrical, fluid handling and mechanical markets. For more information, visit www.zeusinc.com.