Johns Manville announces significant expansion in Defiance, Ohio
January 9, 2019
DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Johns Manville (JM), a global building and specialty products
manufacturer and a Berkshire Hathaway Company, announced today it will
make a significant investment toward expanding capacity at its Defiance,
Ohio, manufacturing facility. The expansion will allow Johns Manville to
increase the production of its fiberglass pipe insulation products,
Micro-Lok® HP and Micro-Lok® HP Ultra.
“We are investing in our mechanical insulation business to meet
increasing customer demand for our market-leading fiberglass pipe
insulations,” said Mary Rhinehart, President and CEO of Johns Manville.
“Our decision to make this investment is an intentional step that
positions JM to support our customers in a growing industry.”
JM will begin the capacity expansion project early this year and
anticipates the completion of the first new production line in 2020.
“Thanks to the support of our customers, we have seen continued growth
in this business since we rebuilt the Defiance pipe insulation plant in
2007,” said Bob Wamboldt, President of JM’s Insulation Systems business.
“The growth is a result of market demand and, more importantly,
demonstrates a distinct preference for JM’s pipe insulation, Micro-Lok
HP and HP Ultra.”
Mike McCann, the mayor of Defiance, said the pipe expansion will benefit
the city.
“We are excited that Johns Manville has continued to support our
community by investing in its business here,” McCann said. “Naturally,
JM’s presence is good for the local economy, and the positive influence
JM has on the people and families who live in Defiance is incredibly
valuable.”
Jim Swift, the Plant Manager in Defiance, will lead the expansion
project.
“JM has been part of the Defiance community for more than 60 years,”
Swift said. “We are excited to create more jobs as part of this
expansion and to continue supporting community organizations. Our
employees have done an excellent job in driving the success of our pipe
insulation, and we will continue to focus on providing a consistently
high-quality product for our customers.”
About Johns Manville
Johns Manville, a Berkshire Hathaway company (NYSE: BRK.A, BRK.B), is a
leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality products for
building insulation, mechanical insulation, commercial roofing and roof
insulation, as well as fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial
and residential applications. JM serves markets that include aerospace,
automotive and transportation, air handling, appliance, HVAC, pipe and
equipment, filtration, waterproofing, building, flooring, interiors and
wind energy. In business since 1858, the Denver-based company has annual
sales over $3 billion and holds leadership positions in all of the key
markets that it serves. Johns Manville employs 7,600 people and operates
42 manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe and China.
Additional information can be found at www.jm.com.
Contacts
Johns Manville
Eric Brown, 303-809-2853
eric.brown@jm.com