FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Over 600 people attend celebration at The Hayter Group’s Grand Opening

<Alvinston ON, April 5, 2008> Over 600 people from across Kent, Lambton and Middlesex Counties heard local, provincial and federal politicians praise the positive impact The Hayter Group has had on the environment.

Originally known as Hayter Plumbing and Heating Ltd., The Hayter Group is a combination of the original company and Shute Geothermal of Chatham. The company’s focus on eco-energy earned them accolades from dignitaries, suppliers and their staff.

“You’re going to save us energy and save us money,” said Maria Von Bommel, MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. “This is very important to us.”

Jim Burns, Warden for Lambton County, thought it was important for everyone to recognize the “green” footprint The Hayter Group is leaving, and helping others to leave, behind.

Located in Alvinston, The Hayter Group was also recognized for their value to the community.

“Business expansion is so important in the life of a small community, especially in rural Ontario,” added Ms. Von Bommel. “It is important to make sure the businesses are there for our young people.”

Don McGuggan, mayor of Brooke-Alvinston-Inwood, thanked the Hayter family for their contribution to the community. “It is great to see the incentive to hold their family together by bringing their son into the business.”

Chad Hayter, current owner of The Hayter Group and son of the original owner, Jim Hayter, spoke to the crowd with emotion in his voice.

“I’m a lucky guy,” he said. “I feel that way with my family, friends and neighbours. Unfortunately, too many young people feel the need to live in big cities. It is a real shame.

“It makes me concerned about the drastic shortage of people with trade-training. Especially in our industry. At this moment, the only thing holding back this company’s growth is the lack of trades-people.”

Bev Shipley, MP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex echoes Mr. Hayter’s concerns. “I’m glad to hear Chad focusing on the significance of trades. And not just in rural communities. It so often appears that college and skilled trades education doesn’t have the same accolades as a university degree. But we are trying to get schools to put more emphasis on college and skilled trades.”

The Hayter Group shared some impressive statistics with the crowd.

“Today, we consider ourselves to be eco-energy experts,” explained Mr. Hayter. “We install only state of the art natural gas, propane, oil and geothermal heating and cooling. We haven’t installed a mid-efficiency furnace since 2003. We’ve installed over 400 miles of underground geothermal piping with a positive environmental impact of planting over 750,000 trees and taking 5,800 cars off the road.

“In the last year alone, we’ve helped our customers get well over three-quarters of a million dollars in government grants and rebates with the products we sell, install and service.”

The current direction of The Hayter Group is the brainchild of Chad Hayter, who thanked the Sarnia-Lambton Business Development Corporation (SLBDC) for their guidance and education in building the business plan that got them to the point they are at today.

“In 2003, with the help of the SLBDC, we started on a formal business plan. The tail end of our five year plan was a new building. And here we are.”

About The Hayter Group

The business was purchased in 1982 by Jim Hayter and was originally called Hayter Plumbing & Heating Ltd. In 2003, Chad Hayter, his son, joined the company and was the driving-force behind the expansion of the business. The business currently employs 20 people and serves Kent, Lambton and Middlesex Counties.

The Hayter Group is a leading environmentally-conscious heating, cooling and plumbing resource.