Harold James to be Appointed Managing Director of Compass Minerals' U.K. Subsidiary

January 3, 2007
OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Jan 03, 2007 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Salt Union Ltd. U.K., a wholly owned subsidiary of Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP), will name Harold James its managing director, subject to required approvals. James will be responsible for the profitability of Salt Union, the largest salt producer in the U.K. and owner of DeepStore, a document storage business housed in excavated areas of the company's 160-year-old rock salt mine in Winsford, England.

James was previously director of supply chain, consumer tires for The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He also served 19 years at Great Lakes Chemicals, a predecessor company of Chemtura, in senior business-unit management, marketing and supply chain roles. He is a graduate of the University of North Carolina.

James will report to Ronald Bryan, vice president and general manager of Great Salt Lake Minerals and Salt Union. Bryan commented, "Harold brings a solid record of accomplishment as well as a wealth of global business management, commercial and supply chain experience to our U.K. businesses. He is a seasoned team player who will ensure that best practices translate seamlessly from one business or region to another, thus maximizing Compass Minerals' overall performance."

About Compass Minerals

Based in the Kansas City metropolitan area, Compass Minerals is the second-leading salt producer in North America and the largest in the United Kingdom. The company operates ten production and packaging facilities, including the largest rock salt mine in the world in Goderich, Ontario. In addition, Compass Minerals is North America's leading producer of sulfate of potash, which is used in the production of specialty fertilizers for high-value crops and turf, and magnesium chloride, which is a premium deicing and dust control agent. The company produces products for highway deicing, consumer deicing, water conditioning, consumer and industrial food preparation, agriculture and industrial applications.

SOURCE: Compass Minerals

Compass Minerals Rodney L. Underdown, 913-344-9395 Chief Financial Officer or
Peggy Landon, 913-344-9315 Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Communications