
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 19, 1993                   TAG: 9306190198
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RURAL RETREAT                                LENGTH: Short

MANAGER CLAIMS INDUSTRIAL SPIES DAMAGED PLANT

The new Klockner-Pentaplast of America Inc. factory in Wythe County has been victimized by industrial espionage, the plant's manager said.

Louie Pritchett said more than 100 power and control cables leading to recently installed equipment were found cut earlier this week.

The cost of replacing them will be $70,000. Klockner is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever was responsible.

Special Agent J.H. Wheatley of the Virginia State Police said the investigation into the damage is considering all possibilities, including industrial espionage. The plant now has a 24-hour security force.

It is tentatively scheduled to start production July 19 with more than 60 employees. - Southwest bureau

by CNB