ADS plant hosts congressional visit

Sept. 9, 2009

• Federal highway bill key discussion point

MUNCY, PA, Sept. 9, 2009 -- The Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS) manufacturing plant here was the focal point of a visit on Sept. 2, 2009 by Congressman Chris Carney (D -- Dimock, PA) to provide him with insight to the company's long-life, cost-effective products that are used in the country's infrastructure. Rep. Carney is a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. ADS designs and makes pipe and other products used in municipal storm and sanitary sewers, waste disposal facilities, and highway drainage projects.

Congressman Chris Carney (left) is shown by ADS Muncy plant manger Jeff McPeek how a stormwater retention system component is fabricated from ADS corrugated HDPE pipe for a customer. Photo: ADS."This is certainly a good learning experience," Rep. Carney said. "This product can last 100 years, and that means it doesn't have to be replaced every 10 years at taxpayers' expense."

A key topic of discussion was the 2006 change in the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) national "construction and maintenance" regulation applying to the use of alternative types of pipe on Federal-aid highway projects. The regulatory change was made to ensure that state departments of transportation (DOTs) provide for competition in their specifications of types of stormwater drainage pipe, thus promoting greater efficiencies and cost-saving in the use of transportation tax dollars.

"There are many state DOTs that limit the use of products to those made from outdated materials," stated Jim Goddard, chief engineer for ADS. "But the FHWA will not fund a project that restricts the selection because they recognize that competition is good, especially when corrugated HDPE pipe has been validated and can be used at lower costs."

Congressman Chris Carney, third from left, receives an overview of the ADS plant's manufacturing capabilities while a 20-foot section of the company's N-12 corrugated HDPE pipe comes off the production line. Also in the photo are ADS' Dan Kowalchuk, regional sales manager, Jeff McPeek, Muncy plant manger and Nathan Jovanelly, regional engineer. Photo: ADS.Rep. Carney also saw how corrugated HDPE pipe is manufactured with 36-inch diameter pipe coming off the production line. The Muncy plant, opened in 1984, has some 93 employees, and is the largest in terms of production for the company. ADS is the world's largest producer of corrugated high-density polyethylene pipe and is headquartered in Hilliard, Ohio. It has a global network of 42 domestic and international manufacturing plants and 30 regional distribution centers plus engineering support and customer service groups.

Additional information about ADS and its products can be found at www.ads-pipe.com, or by calling 800-733-7473.

About Advanced Drainage Systems
Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS) is the world's largest producer of corrugated HDPE pipe. Founded in 1966, it serves the stormwater drainage and on-site industry through a global network of 42 domestic and international manufacturing plants and more than 30 distribution centers. In addition to its flagship N-12® pipe, the company offers a complete line of fittings and other accessories including StormTech® stormwater chambers, Nyloplast® drainage structures and various geotextiles. To learn more about ADS, log on to www.ads-pipe.com, or call 800-733-7473.

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