FREDERICK, Md., Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Silica
Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SLCA) announced today that the Company has
entered into an agreement with Union Pacific Railroad (UP) to build
a new, unit train capable silica sand storage facility in
Odessa, Texas. In addition, the
Company has completed modifications to its resin-coated sand
facility in Rochelle, Illinois.
These changes now enable the plant to ship raw sand to multiple
destinations across the country. The plant will continue to produce
resin coated sand for the oil and gas and foundry industries.
U.S. Silica and Union Pacific Distribution Services, a
subsidiary of Union Pacific Railroad, plan to develop a 20,000-ton
frac sand storage facility, which is expected to be operational by
the end of 2014. U.S. Silica's investment in this state-of-the-art,
world class loading facility is approximately $12 million.
Bryan Shinn, U.S. Silica
president and chief executive officer said the Company is "very
excited to have the opportunity to work closely with Union Pacific
to bolster our transload network and get our customers even closer
to the wellhead in the Permian, which is one of the fastest growing
shale basins in the country."
Brad Thrasher, VP and General
Manager of Industrial Products at Union Pacific said, "We are
excited at the potential opportunities that will arise from the
Odessa Transload facility. This will serve as a great outlet
for continued growth in the Permian Basin."
The modifications simply enable the facility to function, in
part, as a transload as well as being unit train capable. The first
unit train was shipped from Rochelle last month. Mike Winkler, U.S. Silica vice president and
chief operating officer said, "Rochelle gives us a tremendous amount of
flexibility to move material cost effectively to all of the major
shale basins in the country while at the same time optimizing the
utilization of this very important asset."
About U.S. Silica
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc., a member of the Russell 2000, is one
of the largest domestic producers of commercial silica, a
specialized mineral that is a critical input into the oil and gas
proppants end market. The company also processes ground and
unground silica sand for a variety of industrial and specialty
products end markets such as glass, fiberglass, foundry molds,
municipal filtration and recreational uses. During its 100-plus
year history, U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. has developed core
competencies in mining, processing, logistics and materials science
that enable it to produce and cost-effectively deliver over 250
products to customers across these end markets. U.S. Silica
Holdings, Inc. is headquartered in Frederick, Md.
U.S. Silica Holdings, Inc. Contacts
Media Inquiries:
Alison Holder
Manager of Corporate Communications
301-682-0326
holder@ussilica.com
Investor Relations Inquiries:
Michael Lawson
Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications
301-682-0304
lawsonm@ussilica.com
SOURCE U.S. Silica