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Koppers Purchases Pre-Plating Business
July 23, 2009 at 4:39 PM EDT
PITTSBURGH, PA, Jul 23, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) announced today that it has acquired the crosstie pre-plating business and related assets from Coastal Timbers, Inc. for an undisclosed purchase price. This business, which is based on proprietary technology, is expected to generate approximately $15 million of annual revenue. Management estimates that the total annual market for pre-plated crossties is approximately $20-25 million. The purchase includes the rights to a patent on the pre-plating equipment and is part of Koppers strategy of expanding on the services currently provided to its Class I railroad customer base. The equipment will be used at existing Koppers facilities.

"The purchase of this business is a continuation of our strategy of performing more services for the Class I railroads," said Walt Turner, President and CEO of Koppers.

Mr. Turner continued, "We are excited about the opportunity to perform more services in a cost-effective way for our Class I customers, and we believe we are uniquely positioned to provide these services by virtue of our existing customer relationships coupled with the logistical benefits of having our treating plants located on their existing rail networks."

About Koppers

Koppers, with corporate headquarters and a research center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is a global integrated producer of carbon compounds and treated wood products. Including its joint ventures, Koppers operates facilities in the United States, United Kingdom, Denmark, Australia, and China. The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KOP." For more information, visit us on the Web: www.koppers.com. Questions concerning investor relations should be directed to Brian H. McCurrie at 412 227 2153 or Michael W. Snyder at 412 227 2131.

Safe Harbor Statement

This news release may contain forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures and financial results are forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements may be identified by words like "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," "projects," "indicates," and similar expressions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors, including those discussed more fully elsewhere in this release and in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Koppers, particularly its latest annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly report on Form 10-Q, as well as others, could cause results to differ materially from those stated. These factors include, but are not limited to, changes in the laws, regulations, policies and economic conditions, including inflation, interest and foreign currency exchange rates, of countries in which the Company does business; competitive pressures; the loss of one or more key customer or supplier relationships; customer insolvencies; successful integration of structural changes, including restructuring plans, acquisitions, divestitures and alliances; cost and availability of raw materials; and other economic, business, competitive, regulatory and/or operational factors affecting the business of Koppers generally.

For Information:
Brian H. McCurrie
Vice President
Chief Financial Officer
412 227 2153
Email Contact


SOURCE: Koppers Holdings Inc.

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