ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 11, 2005--GE Consumer Finance, Retail Sales Finance has announced a multi-year agreement with Elk Premium Building Products, a nationally prominent manufacturer of roofing and decking products, to provide a consumer credit finance program.
The new Peak Performance "homeowner finance" program, which launches this month, will be offered exclusively through the national network of Elk Peak Performance(SM) Contractors. Peak Performance Contractors will now have an opportunity to offer homeowners a quick, convenient financing option with competitive rates and terms. This program will allow contractors to close more sales and provide fast funding while presenting a competitive advantage.
"GE's ability to respond quickly and accurately to credit applications was a big factor in our decision to choose them for our new consumer credit finance program," explained Curt Barker, senior vice president for sales and marketing at ElkCorp. "We think this program will have a significant impact on our ability to empower our Peak Performance Contractors to close more sales."
Elk roofing and decking products are considered among the best in the industry and are referred by many contractors and homeowners. The company, which was started in 1955, has won numerous quality awards over the years, including the name "Best Quality" in the category of "Roofing: Asphalt/Fiberglass Shingles" for the eighth consecutive year by readers of BUILDER magazine. Elk is a leading manufacturer of premium building products and has developed many of the most significant laminated roofing product innovations of the last 20 years. The company's brands include the Prestique(R) line of laminated asphalt shingles and CrossTimbers(TM) brand composite decking and fencing. Elk's subsidiaries operate manufacturing facilities in Ennis, Texas; Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Shafter, Calif.; Myerstown, Pa.; and Lenexa, Kan., and serve the entire continental United States..
"It is always flattering when a company with a reputation for quality chooses you as a business partner," said Bruce Christensen of GE Consumer Finance, Retail Sales Finance. "Elk has an excellent reputation in the building materials industry. We are delighted to work with them on their consumer financing program."
About ElkCorp.
ElkCorp, through its subsidiaries, manufactures Elk brand premium roofing and building products (over 90 percent of consolidated revenue) and provides technologically advanced products and services to other industries. Each of ElkCorp's principal operating subsidiaries is a leader within its particular market. Its common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ELK). See www.elkcorp.com for more information.
About Retail Sales Finance and GE Consumer Finance
Retail Sales Finance, based in Kettering, Ohio, is part of GE Consumer Finance and provides private label credit card programs, marketing, installment lending and financial services for national and regional retailers in key industries: home improvement, powersports, outdoor equipment, automotive/recreational vehicles, consumer electronics and appliances, furniture, floor covering, jewelry and health care. With $150 billion in assets, GE Consumer Finance, a unit of General Electric Company, is a leading provider of credit services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 47 countries around the world. GE Consumer Finance, based in Stamford, Conn. (USA), offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, auto loans and leases, mortgages, corporate travel and purchasing cards, debt consolidation and home equity loans and credit insurance. More information can be found online at www.geconsumerfinance.com. GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified technology, media and financial services company dedicated to creating products that make life better. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
(C) 2005 General Electric Company, All rights reserved.
Contacts
Elk Marketing
Jennifer Plummer, 972-851-0459
[email protected]
or
Elk Investor Relations
Stephanie Elwood, 972-851-0472
[email protected]
or
GE
Jim Thomas, 636-586-1964
[email protected]
Cristy Williams
[email protected]
678.518.2596