News

Glass Fabrication Veterans Combine under Single Name & New President

Antwerp, OH & Niles, MI - November 1, 2013 - The Cypress Companies is pleased to announce that, effective today, Tem-Pace LLC in Niles, MI and Spec-Temp LLC in Antwerp, OH will now collectively be known as Paragon Tempered Glass LLC. The name change follows the acquisition of Spec-Temp by Tem-Pace in June 2012. Interestingly, the name was selected by associates of both locations, who collaborated to be called Paragon Tempered Glass.

Paragon's Antwerp location was founded in 1977; the former rival location opened its doors in Niles, Michigan in 1987. Collectively across its two locations, Paragon Tempered Glass operates five tempering furnaces with capabilities for a wide range of thicknesses, lengths and widths of glass to meet demand for both flat and bent tempered glass. In addition to its tempering capabilities, Paragon offers customized fabrication enhancements including: cutting, edging, drilling, screen printing and fabrication of insulated glass "IG" units.

With the combined efforts of the locations, Paragon is able to offer an expanded range of high-precision glass applications to a variety of end markets. These markets include transportation (Recreational Vehicle, truck cap, limousine, bus, automotive OEM and aftermarket), food service equipment, home and commercial fixtures, agricultural/construction equipment cabs, doors and windows, furniture, retail display, lighting, marine, and others.

In addition to the change in name, the locations also welcome a new website to showcase their capabilities and branding; visit www.paragontemperedglass.com to learn more. Employees from both locations also contributed to the development of the website, as well as in the creation of the accompanying new logo. Other exciting changes include the addition of an 800 number, expanded customer services, as well as a newly appointed President.

As a result of the growing unity of efforts of the locations, earlier this year Terry O'Rourke assumed the role of President of Paragon Tempered Glass LLC. O'Rourke has served as President & CEO of Tredit Tire & Wheel Company, another Cypress business, for more than 30 years. He is well versed in the Cypress guiding philosophies of: Commitment, Trust & Respect and Empowerment. Under his leadership, Tredit Tire & Wheel Company grew rapidly from a handful of employees in 1982 to its seven current locations, nationwide.

"Both of these facilities have excellent reputations for producing high quality tempered glass. The dedication of our associates, along with their commitment to quality and exceptional customer service, will continue to be the foundation of each operating location. With the investments we have made in the last 12 months, along with those coming in the future, we will bring the best value in tempered glass to our customers for many years to come," noted O'Rourke.

Dennis Raney, Executive VP of The Cypress Companies, stated: "we have made significant investments to streamline flow at both manufacturing facilities and are now working to further synchronize the strengths of the two sites. We cannot think of a better choice than Terry O'Rourke to continue this important process."

Cypress believes there is significant opportunity to provide enhanced service to fabricated glass buyers.

"We take a long-term, methodical approach to growth", commented Rollie Bauer, CEO of The Cypress Companies, and we're confident that Terry will guide these two operations to new levels of excellence, just as he has done with Tredit Tire & Wheel Company.

About Paragon Tempered Glass LLC

Paragon Tempered Glass LLC is a specialty fabricator offering custom glass solutions to numerous markets from two U.S.-based facilities. Products include both flat and bent tempered as well as insulated glass to meet demanding expectations of strength, thermal and aesthetic quality.
www.paragontemperedglass.com

About The Cypress Companies

The Cypress Companies is a private investment firm specializing in the industrial sector. Located in Akron, Ohio, it provides management services to six operating companies. For more than 15 years, Cypress has enabled responsible growth in its diverse, autonomous companies by offering the right resources for long-term success.
www.cypresscompanies.com