For Immediate Release
September 11, 2001

Contact:
Beryl Wolfe
(207) 775-5115
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com
Web Site: http://www.dragonproducts.com

Raymond J. DeGrass has been appointed maintenance manager at Dragon Cement and Concrete, Maine's largest concrete supplier and New England's only cement manufacturer. He will oversee maintenance operations at Dragon's Thomaston plant, which produces approximately 450,000 metric tons of cement each year.

DeGrass has more than 24 years of industry experience, most recently in Bethlehem, Pa., as a senior sales engineer in the Customer Service Department for F.L. Smidth, a Denmark-based supplier of cement-making technology. He began his career in 1977 with Martin Marietta in Thomaston, and subsequently held positions in engineering and maintenance at plants in Maryland, West Virginia and New York.

"Ray has tremendous, hands-on experience," said Joseph M. Koch III, president of Dragon Cement and Concrete. "He's a great hire for us."

DeGrass, a resident of Rockport, is a 1976 graduate of the University of Maine at Orono and a 1971 graduate of Presque Isle High School.

Founded in 1928, Dragon Cement and Concrete supplies "Portland" cement from its plant in Thomaston to most ready-mix companies in the state and others throughout New England by barge through Coastal Cement terminals in Newington, N.H. and Boston. The cement produced in Thomaston is mined from its limestone quarry on the company's familiar site on coastal Route 1.

Dragon also has more than 10 concrete plants located throughout the state in Biddeford, Portland, Brunswick, Lewiston, Augusta, Fairfield, Canton, Farmington, Madawaska and Presque Isle. Dragon concrete, which is a blend of cement, sand, stone and water, is used throughout Maine in buildings, bridges, pavement, roads and many precast products.

Headquartered at 38 Preble St. in Portland, Dragon employs more than 230 people in Maine. Dragon recently received a Real Hero Award from the American Red Cross Chapter of Southern Maine for its efforts and success at keeping its employees safe and accident-free.

For more information, visiten ogon online at http://www.dragonproducts.com.
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