Insulation industry news from Global Insulation
Installed Building Products acquires BDI Insulation
13 March 2015US: Installed Building Products Inc has acquired BDI Insulation (BDI) for an aggregate purchase price of about US$36m. Funding for the acquisition is being provided by availability under the company's line of credit and cash on hand.
US: Johns Manville (JM) has announced plans to expand the capacity at its Scottsboro, Alabama, thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) plant. The state-of-the-art TPO plant was first opened in October 2008. JM will complete the expansion in April 2015, increasing its total TPO production capacity by 20%.
JM's TPO formulation has remained unchanged since its launch and has proven to be durable under real-world conditions of heat and ultra-violet (UV) exposure. "Commercial Roofers Inc began installing TPO more than 10 years ago. We have found it to be installer-friendly and energy compliant. It has a long, useful life expectancy and is cost effective. This provides great benefits for the building owner," said Scott Howard, president of Commercial Roofers Inc.
Johns Manville’s Jennifer Ford-Smith appointed to the 2015 Women in Roofing leadership team
05 March 2015US: Johns Manville has announced that its director of marketing and single ply systems Jennifer Ford-Smith was recently appointed to the 2015 Women in Roofing (WinR) leadership team. WinR is a council of the Midwest Roofing Contractors Association (MRCA). While the MRCA serves the interests of roofing contractors and the overall industry for the US Midwest region, they are also serving as a national platform for the WinR.
Owen Corning’s executive Alan Dibble Booth has passed away
24 February 2015US: Alan Dibble Booth, a long-time Owens Corning executive, died on 18 February 2015 in Casa de la Luz Hospice, Tucson. He was 71. Booth, who had lived nearly year-round in Tuscon, died from complications of lung cancer, according to his daughter, Katie Booth.
Booth was employed by Owens Corning in Toledo for 31 years, starting as a sales trainee in 1967 and worked his way through the ranks to vice president of marketing and sales in manufacturer and mechanical products in 1986. He retired as head of the insulation division for North America.
USI acquires Cardalls Insulation
24 February 2015US: USI, a national provider of installed insulation and related services to builders, contractors and homeowners, has announced the acquisition of Cardalls Insulation, a Utah-based full-line insulation services contractor.
Founded in 2001 by Joe Cardall, family-run Cardalls Insulation has shown steady growth and employs approximately 125 personnel across four offices. After closing, Joe Cardall will become branch manager.
"We are excited to increase our service presence in Utah and Idaho with this acquisition," said L W Varner Jr, president and CEO of USI. "The prospect of bringing Cardalls' expertise, valued people and assets to USI is a significant opportunity for us. We expect a smooth transition and enhanced value for both our current and future customers." Varner added that USI's in Utah and Idaho is indicative of the future growth prospects of commercial and residential construction in the region.
US: Johns Manville (JM) has announced a significant upgrade to its nonwoven glass mat production plant in Waterville, Ohio. Beginning in late 2015, JM will upgrade an existing nonwoven mat line with advanced manufacturing technology that will allow it to better serve customers in growing segments of the global specialty glass mat market. JM anticipates the upgraded production line will be fully operational in early 2016.
"Our upgraded Waterville plant will enable JM to provide global product capability between Europe and the Americas and to deliver global product consistency with regional availability," said Tanya Bradby, portfolio leader of Nonwovens America.
US: The Owens Corning Foundation will donate US$1.1m in cash and gifts-in-kind to Habitat for Humanity International over three years. The partnership will support house construction and revitalisation projects nationwide.
The Owens Corning Foundation has donated US$200,000 for 2015 and pledged US$200,000/yr for 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Owens Corning anticipates gift-in-kind donations of US$500,000 over the three years. These gifts include insulation and roofing products to support Habitat's affordable housing efforts.
"One of the most important benefits of community investment is the positive impact it has on our employees and the communities where they live and work," said Don Rettig, president of the Owens Corning Foundation. "Habitat is an ideal partner for Owens Corning. We provide financial support, donate building materials and encourage employee volunteerism. What's more, Habitat has a presence in nearly every Owens Corning location across the US and Canada."
During 2015 - 2017, Owens Corning will also contribute and install science-supported insulating systems and its Total Protection Roofing System™. These systems are designed to improve the thermal, air and moisture performance in the building envelope of Habitat homes, as well as help protect them from harsh weather conditions.
"We are grateful for Owens Corning's commitment to Habitat for Humanity," said Colleen Finn Ridenhour, deputy director of Corporate, Foundation and Institution Relations for Habitat for Humanity International. "Their support will enable us to help more families have access to safe, decent, affordable homes where they can create a brighter future."
Cash and gifts-in-kind from the Owens Corning Foundation and the company itself totalled more than US$1m in 2012 – 2014. The gifts-in-kind insulated and/or roofed more than 1100 homes. Owens Corning employees participated in more than 30 Habitat builds across the United States and Canada during this period. Owens Corning has supported Habitat for Humanity since 1997.
Owens Corning to make insulation for Aquatherm pipe
02 February 2015US: Owens Corning Insulating Systems LLC has announced plans to produce fibreglass insulation with an all-service jacket for Aquatherm metric-sized polypropylene-random (PP-R) piping systems as part of an exclusive agreement with Aquatherm North America.
US: Stepan plans to sell its speciality polyurethanes business to J6 Polymers. In 2014, the business generated sales of US$2.8bn. Stepan expects to make US$2.5 - 2.8m from the deal.
The sale includes intellectual property, formulations and production units, as well as client and supplier lists. Stepan makes polyurethanes at its plant in Millsdale, Illinois. It also uses custom manufacturers. Stepan will continue making polyurethanes on J6 Polymers' behalf at its Millsdale plant during the transition period. Stepan's polyurethanes are used in thermal insulation, coatings, adhesives, insulation materials and elastomers.
Johns Manville launches Spider® Plus blow-in insulation
15 January 2015US: Johns Manville (JM), a Berkshire Hathaway company, has launched JM Spider® Plus blow-in insulation, a re-engineered blow-in system. JM Spider Plus replaces JM Spider spray-in fibreglass insulation and JM said that it is ideal for residential, commercial and manufactured buildings.
JM Spider Plus is designed for installation by professionals using a blowing wool machine and features 'Interlocking Fibre Technology,' a new innovation from JM. Interlocking Fibre Technology allows the insulation fibres to spring and lock into cavities with no adhesive or netting. JM Spider Plus achieves an R-value of 15 in a 2x4 cavity and an R-23 in 2x6 walls.
JM Spider Plus is available to customers in North America immediately.