Insulation industry news from Global Insulation

US: Johns Manville (JM) joined US Senators Michael Bennet and Johnny Isakson in Washington, DC on 19 October 2011 to applaud the introduction of the SAVE (Sensible Accounting to Value Energy) Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at encouraging greater investment in insulation and other forms of energy-efficiency in homes.

Todd Raba, CEO of Johns Manville, spoke at the Capitol Hill event to endorse the bill. The SAVE Act will aim to direct federal mortgage agencies and the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create a new mortgage underwriting and realty appraisal process that reflects actual homeowner energy costs, thereby stimulating greater demand for energy-efficient homes. The market-driven proposal is designed to promote cost-effective investments in home energy-efficiency while strengthening federally insured mortgages and creating as many as 83,000 jobs nationally in the construction, manufacturing and home renovation sectors.

"On behalf of the thousands of Coloradans whose jobs depend on vibrant insulation and energy efficiency industries, JM would like to salute Senators Bennet and Isakson for their leadership on this bill," said Raba. "Incorporating energy efficiency calculations into federal mortgage underwriting is a smart and budget-neutral way of creating real jobs and stimulating widespread economic activity."

The SAVE Act is supported by a broad-based coalition including the US Chamber of Commerce, the Council of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (CNAIMA), the Alliance to Save Energy, the US Appraisal Institute, homebuilders, environmental groups, green building advocates and other champions of energy efficiency.

"Energy efficiency truly is a 'win-win-win.' Homebuyers are able to lower their monthly utility bills, the economy benefits from job creation and the country as a whole saves energy," said Raba. "Considering that 45 million US homes are under-insulated there is a significant opportunity to make American homes more energy efficient and America more energy secure."

Slovakia: Johns Manville (JM) has announced plans to expand current fibre insulation production capacities in its Trnava facility in Slovakia. According to JM, an expanded furnace will be installed at the plant, which is due to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2012. It will enable added production flexibility within JM's product families and expand the production of selected products by as much as 40%.

In 2004 JM invested in a greenfield project to produce glass fibres at the site. The company says that its expansion plan clearly demonstrates its commitment to the European composites business.

Enno Henze, JM's vice president and general manager for Engineered Products Europe/Asia stated, "We feel confident that this major investment will continue to support our customers' plans for growth and underscores JM's commitment to growing the composites industry. Additionally, it highlights our drive to enhance customer relationships, product innovation and service excellence."

"With our commitment to innovative growth and the financial stability provided by being a part of the Berkshire Hathaway family of businesses, our fibres business is set to make its mark while supporting the growth agenda of our customers," added Henze.

US: Johns Manville (JM) officially broke ground on a new commercial roofing single ply membrane manufacturing facility in Milan, Ohio on 8 July 2011. The production facility will manufacture ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) roofing products beginning in the second quarter of 2012.

During the groundbreaking ceremony - which hosted local officials, members of the Milan community, media and JM leadership - JM Chairman, President and CEO, Todd Raba noted that "This is a great day for JM and it's really incredibly gratifying to see the level of community support. JM has a strong presence in the state of Ohio and we are excited to be part of the Milan community." This facility marks the company's third facility in Ohio, with representation in three lines of its North American businesses of Insulation Systems, Engineered Products and Roofing Systems.

Raba also noted that, "This is the right time to invest in enhancing our product portfolio and JM now has one of the broadest offerings of commercial roofing products in the industry."

"Everything starts with our customers," stated Bob Wamboldt, vice president and general manager of JM's Roofing Systems business. "With over USD125m invested in our commercial roofing business over the past five years, this is really the crowning jewel of a five-year effort. JM has dedicated substantial resources to underscore our commitment to the single ply business and ensure a strong future for our customers in this segment of the commercial roofing industry."