Industrial News

The new distributors are as follows (more information available at www.americanclay.com):
* DANA Wallboard Supply in Massachusetts is a 45-year old family-owned business that covers the Northeast and into Canada;
* Croydon Finishing in Alabama covers Georgia and the Panhandle -- they have also provided extensive plaster application services for Louis Vuitton and DKNY stores;
* Stucco Supply Co. will be distributing in the Carolinas; and
* Old World Finishes, LLC, in Baton Rouge is run by a remodeler and preservationist of 25 years, and will be supplying American Clay throughout Mississippi and Louisiana.

In addition to the easy of use and repair, large selection of colors and textures, non-toxicity, non-dusting, mold resistant properties, and, of course, the positive environmental effects, the true quality of the finish was the top reason for these distributors to sign on. "We came on board with American Clay because we feel it has potential in the Northeast high-end market," states Greg Dana, Owner of DANA Wallboard Supply. "It's an artsy type finish, it's a real faux finish, and it has a look that is unlike anything else. I also like that it's a renewable resource." American Clay has approximately 30 new, AC-trained applicators in the NE region.

Along the historically active south Gulf Coast region, especially post-Katrina and Rita, people share their concern daily with Bobby DeVillier, President and Owner of Old World Finishes, that they'll have to give up the former Old World appearance of their homes and use lime or cement plaster. That's when he pulls out American Clay and they flip. "It's the traditional architectural quality that American Clay achieves that really drew me in. It's mold-resistant potential is also important here in the wake of so much water damage, but since we pride ourselves on our historic style, it's the back-to-age-old quality of Old World-style finishes that really makes A.C. a perfect fit for us."

Carol Baumgartel, VP of Marketing and co-Founder of the company, states, "We're very excited about this expansion! With these distributors, we can now significantly offer the public and the architectural / design communities a range of sources for our products in these regions. They each have their specialty -- whether it be contractor supply, consumer supply, and/or focus on instruction. And they will all be offering training workshops."

As to American Clay's USGBC presence, the company will be providing continuous demos at their 20'x20' booth this year, says Baumgartel, "because scheduling demos, as in the past, just doesn't work. Once people come in and touch the material, they immediately want to play with it themselves or have us show them what fun, and how beautiful and easy it is."

Other American Clay news:
* American Clay will appear in Good Housekeeping's new and unique home renovation project, "Your Green House," that will set a standard for sustainable, environmentally responsible home-building. The home is on the Upper West Side of New York City, and the transformation of this brownstone to "green" will appear in the November supplement Your Good House and online at www.goodhousekeeping.com.
* In Colorado Springs, a privately-owned, 8000-sq ft French Country style home was the first Parade home to utilize the clay's "spray-on" technique developed by Founder and CEO Croft Elsaesser. Estimated time savings on the project: 30%. "The Parade Home garnered all but one award (Landscaping) in its category and everyone loved the clay," says applicator Deb Hall (Hall's Walls).
* American Clay is on display in the National Building Museum's new exhibition The Green House: New Directions in Sustainable Architecture and Design in Washington D.C.

ABOUT AMERICAN CLAY:
American Clay products -- the original Loma, the super-smooth Porcelina, and the new reclaimed shell-based Marittimo -- are applied much like a conventional plaster finish, but with none of the intrinsic problems of gypsum or cementitious plasters. It is a unique combination of clays, aggregates and natural pigments that offers builders and consumers a natural and elegant option. It is manufactured in and made of materials found in the U.S. American Clay Enterprises, Inc., is based in Albuquerque, NM, and its product is patent pending. The product and various workshops are available through their New Mexico office or through one of the growing number of retailers and distributors across the U.S. The website, www.americanclay.com, offers information on additional products, ordering, technical specifications, product application and additional resources and links.