Corning Cable Systems to expand operations in Summerville, SC

HICKORY, N.C. Corning Cable Systems, one of the industry-leading manufacturers of fiber optic and copper communications network infrastructure solutions, announced today that it plans to expand its Summerville, S.C., coaxial cable manufacturing operations. The company will move from its existing 50,000-square-foot facility to a new building with approximately 250,000 square feet of production space.

The facility will continue to manufacture Corning Cable Systems’ unique braidless coaxial drop cables, marketed under the PENTABOND( cable brand name. Demand for this product is being driven by internet and high speed access requirements of residential CATV customers throughout the United States and internationally. Construction, to be managed by Quattlebaum Development Co., is expected to be completed in July 2001, with production scheduled to begin in August 2001.

Corning Incorporated integrated the Summerville operations, formerly Omega One Communications, LLC, into Corning Cable Systems’ cable and hardware business in November 2000.

“This expansion demonstrates Corning Cable Systems’ increased commitment to the coaxial drop cable business. The coaxial drop business is an essential piece of the company’s tip-to-tip solutions strategy,” said Peter Ballhaussen, director of operations at the Summerville plant. “This new facility is an instrumental step in giving us the capability to meet forecasted demand.”

“By laying a foundation with communications cable, Corning Cable Systems will assist in connecting South Carolina to thousands of companies through global technology,” said S.C. Gov. Jim Hodges. “Our technology-intensive companies created one out of every three jobs in South Carolina last year, and we look forward to even better jobs being created from companies like Corning Cable Systems for many years to come.”

William A. Moody, chairman of the Charleston Regional Development Alliance, an organization that helped facilitate the Corning Cable Systems expansion, said, “Today marks yet another high-technology announcement for the Charleston region. We are proud to know that this region has delivered strong benefits to Corning Cable Systems and that we have earned their trust with this expansion.”

“We pride ourselves on working with our corporate neighbors to ensure their businesses prosper here,” said William Byrd, Dorchester County Council Chairman.

“We are pleased to see a quality company such as Corning Cable Systems determine that our community is such a good fit for its future.”

For additional information on Corning Cable Systems products or services, please contact a customer service representative at (800) 743-2675, toll free in the United States or (+1) 828-327-5000, international or visit our Web site at www.corning.com/cablesystems.

Corning Cable Systems, committed to providing superior customer-support services and unparalleled product quality, has more than 14,000 employees in 20 countries. With sales of more than $2 billion, Corning Cable Systems, wholly owned by Corning Incorporated (NYSE: GLW), is the leading manufacturer of fiber optic and copper communications system solutions for voice, data and video network applications worldwide.

Established in 1851, Corning Incorporated (www.corning.com) creates leading-edge technologies for the fastest-growing markets of the world’s economy. Corning manufactures optical fiber, cable and photonic products for the telecommunications industry; and high-performance displays and components for television and other communications-related industries. The company also uses advanced materials to manufacture products for scientific, semiconductor and environmental markets. Corning revenues for 2000 were $7.1 billion.

Corning Cable Systems Contacts:
M. Elizabeth Dann
(607) 974-4989
[email protected]

Dana Spangler
(828) 323-6910
[email protected]