EASTON – A local plant was recognized Wednesday for its commitment to superior safety and health practices in the workplace and used the opportunity to announce plans for a $39 million capital improvement project that will allow the plant to redesign, upgrade and add equipment for operational efficiency.

Huber Engineered Woods LLC has achieved merit status in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Voluntary Protection Program. Standards for certification are very high; it takes most facilities between three and five years to qualify. The Easton plant is the 23rd in Maine to achieve the status, according to a press release.

Gov. John Baldacci and officials from OSHA and Huber attended a recognition and flag-raising ceremony at the 26-year-old plant to celebrate the achievement.

“I am so impressed with your work, your productivity and your safety,” Baldacci said.

During the ceremony, OSHA’s Acting Area Director Bill Coffin presented plant officials with the Voluntary Protection Program logo flag.

“Seeing the VPP flag flying over the entrance to the Easton facility will serve as a constant reminder to our employees, partners and visitors of the high regard we place on safety at Huber,” Plant Manager John Goding said in a press release.

The Easton mill manufactures specialty building products including engineered structural panels, an alternative to plywood. The plant is a wholly owned subsidiary of J.M. Huber Corp., based in Edison, N.J., and is one of the largest family-owned companies in the United States. Huber is a diversified, multinational supplier of engineered materials, natural resources and technology-based services to markets ranging from paper and energy to plastics and construction, according to the company Web site.

The 130 employees who work at the Easton facility were honored with a luncheon after the recognition ceremony.