Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

Germany: Knauf Insulation has launched its ‘As Safe As Home’ marketing campaign to promote health and safety issues in relation to new working environments created by the coronavirus pandemic. Chief executive officer (CEO) Jean-Claude Carlin said, “Safety has always been our first priority but when the crisis hit our business, it inspired the best in us. We learnt to create places that are safer than ever. Safety had to be everywhere for everyone. At home. At work. 24/7. Having achieved so much, this approach can now never be compromised.”

Denmark: Rockwool International has appointed Jessica Jonasson as Senior Vice President for Group Human Resources and a member of group management. She succeeds Camilla Grönholm, who after eight years with Rockwool, has decided to return to Finland, spend more time with family and to pursue non-executive work.

Jonasson, a Swedish national, currently holding the position of Vice President for Human Resources at ASSA ABLOY Entrance Systems, based in Sweden. She is expected to start her new position at Rockwool in August 2020 after a transitional period following Grönholm’s departure at the end of May 2020.

Australia: The Green Building Council of Australia has awarded Kingspan’s Somerton phenolic foam insulation plant for ‘leadership in sustainability, innovation, and promotion of more energy efficient building stock across nine impact areas.’

Green Building Council of Australia CEO Davina Rooney said, “What sets this project apart is that it is the first manufacturer to pursue and deliver performance certification, representing world leadership in sustainable building practices.” Kingspan Insulation Australia managing director Scott Gibson said, “Our facility in Somerton proves that with some effort, and using the right products, we can build better manufacturing buildings in Australia, not just offices and residential. I hope that more manufacturers decide to take this challenge on in the future.”

Davy Stockbrokers has predicted that Kingspan’s profit will fall by 27% year-on-year to Euro365m in 2020, according to the Irish Independent newspaper.

US: Germany-based Knauf Insulation has launched an appeal against the decision of a Californian court in a civil dispute over staff pay. The claimants allege that Knauf Insulation has failed to pay overtime wages, meal and rest period premiums and minimum wages. Knauf was also accused of failing to maintain records to provide accurate wage statements. Class Action reporter has reported that case will pass to the US Court of Appeals.

Australia/New Zealand/US: Ireland-based James Hardie has announced the planned closure of three of its fibre cement board plants. The Cooroy, Queensland plant in Australia, Summerville, South Carolina plant in the US and Penrose, Auckland plant in New Zealand will close permanently in mid-2020, resulting in a total of 375 job cuts. The NZ Herald newspaper has reported that the decision to shut the plants came about due to the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak on the global economic situation. James Hardie will now supply the New Zealand market from its Carole Park, Queensland and Rosehill, New South Wales plants. James Hardie also closed its Siglingen, Baden-Württemberg plant in Germany on a temporary basis, ‘in order to better match supply and demand in the European market.’

James Hardie revised its 2020 profit forecast to US$355m, down by 4.1% from US$370m.