Fabcon Honored as Finalist for 10th Annual Tekne Awards

MHTA recognizes Minnesota?s top technology companies and individuals

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAVAGE, Minn. September 22, 2009 ?The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) has named Fabcon, one of America?s leading manufacturers of precast concrete wall panels, as a finalist in the ?Innovative Collaboration of the Year? category for the 2009 Tekne Awards. The Tekne Awards recognize Minnesota organizations and individuals who have shown superior technology innovation and leadership.

The Tekne Finalist designation recognizes the innovative effort between Fabcon and VAST Enterprises LLC, a material science research and manufacturing company. Earlier this year, the two companies worked together to launch the first precast wall panel using composite bricks that are made from up to 95 percent post-consumer/post-industrial materials. The wall panel significantly reduces construction and maintenance costs, and offers a unique new finish option for builders seeking sustainable building materials.

?Fabcon and VAST are committed to reducing Minnesota?s landfills and protecting community resources by offering cradle-to-cradle green products,? said Mike Le Jeune, president and CEO of Fabcon. ?Our unique partnership showcases how collaboration can lead to innovation. We are proud and honored to be named a Tekne Award Finalist this year.?

Presented by the MHTA in partnership with LifeScience Alley and Enterprise Minnesota, the Tekne Awards annually recognize Minnesota?s best and brightest technology users and developers in innovation, development, education, commercialization and management. A full list of finalists is available online at www.tekneawards.org.

?For 10 years the Tekne Awards have recognized those who make groundbreaking contributions to the growth of technology in Minnesota,? said Kate Rubin, president of MHTA. ?This year?s finalists should be extremely proud of their role in helping Minnesota excel at producing cutting-edge technology and continue to be a great place to do business.?

Recipients of the 2009 Tekne Awards will be announced at the award ceremony on Oct. 22. The event will begin with a VIP reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by general registration and reception at 5 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m., the awards ceremony at 7 p.m., and a post-Tekne party at 8:30 p.m. The event will be emceed by John Sweeney, author of ?Innovation at the Speed of Laughter,? and owner of the Brave New Workshop, the nation?s oldest satirical theater.

To register for the 2009 Tekne Awards ceremony, visit www.tekneawards.org or contact Lonni Ranallo at 952-230-4555 or lranallo@mhta.org.

About Fabcon

Fabcon, an ISO 9001 registered manufacturer, produces and installs precast concrete wall panels and other precast products including highway barriers, concrete columns and sound walls. Fabcon operates production facilities in Minnesota, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and serves customers throughout the Midwestern and Eastern United States and Canada. Since 1971, Fabcon has manufactured, delivered and installed precast wall panels for more than 9,000 projects and virtually every type of structure. Fabcon?s experience helping customers accomplish their building goals ranges from small additions to existing structures, to 50,000-square-foot retail stores, to million-square-foot distribution centers and 16-story housing facilities. For more information, visit www.fabcon-usa.com or call 1-800-727-4444 and ask to speak with a Sales Engineer in your area.

About Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA)

The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) accelerates the growth, sustainability and global competitiveness of Minnesota's technology-based economy through public policy advocacy, member collaboration and education, and community outreach. MHTA is the only membership organization that represents Minnesota?s entire technology-based economy. MHTA members include organizations of every size − involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Minnesota. MHTA works in partnership with TechAmerica, which represents Minnesota's technology organizations nationally. Find out more online at www.mhta.org or follow MHTA on Twitter at twitter.com/MHTA.

For Further Information

Alan Krane: 952-882-5381; alan.krane@fabcon-usa.com

Madeline Riggs: 612-455-1755; mriggs@psbpr.com