Vicwest Inc. Appoints Neil Manning to Board of Directors

OAKVILLE, ON, June 1, 2012 /CNW/ - Vicwest Inc. (TSX: VIC) (TSX: VIC.DB) today announced the appointment of Neil D. Manning as a Director of the Company, effective immediately. Mr. Manning is an accomplished senior business executive and entrepreneur with 40 years of leadership experience in serving infrastructure, construction and oil and gas markets.

Before retiring in March, Mr. Manning was President and CEO of Wajax Corporation for a decade, leading a successful strategic transformation of this well-known Canadian equipment, industrial components and power systems supplier. At Strongco Corporation from 1990 to 1999, he held the positions of President, Strongco Supplies Division, President, Sheridan Equipment Division, and ultimately President and COO. Earlier in his career, he was owner of a private business acquired by Strongco. He currently serves with other respected Canadian and international business executives on the University of Alberta School of Business Advisory Committee.

"Neil's considerable knowledge of our customer markets along with his strategic planning, M&A and management expertise in multi-product-line businesses make him an invaluable addition to our board," said Fraser Berrill, Chairman of the Board of Vicwest Inc. "His extensive industrial and public company experience further strengthens our board and reinforces our commitment to deliver value to our shareholders."

ABOUT VICWEST INC.

Vicwest Inc. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of building construction products, and steel containment products for agricultural grain, fertilizer and liquid storage. Through its Vicwest Building Products division, the Company fabricates and markets metal roofing, siding and other metal building products under the trade names Vicwest, Mercury Metals, Valley Truss & Metal, RCA Metal and AWIP-Vicwest USA. The Company's Westeel Storage Solutions division manufactures storage solutions for agricultural grain and fertilizer, as well as liquid storage tanks and accessories. These products are manufactured and distributed under the trade names Westeel, Northern Steel Industries and NSI. Through a global alliance, Westeel distributes Buhler Industries-manufactured grain handling equipment in Canada under the Westeel brand while Buhler Industries markets and sells Westeel-manufactured products through its US distribution network. In Canada, Westeel also represents Skandia, Europe's most advanced elevator and conveyor grain handling systems. With approximately 1,100 dedicated employees and strategically located manufacturing facilities, the Company delivers superior quality products and excellent service to customers in chosen markets. Vicwest Inc. is a member of the S&P/TSX SmallCap Index. For more information, visit www.vicwestinc.com.

Colin Osborne
President & Chief Executive Officer
Tel:  [phone]
[email protected]

Kent Harris
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]