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| Tuesday, February 9, 2010 |
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JM opening is good news
Published November 13, 2008
Despite a staggering national economy Jackson County got a little bit of welcomed good news Wednesday.
Johns Manville, a leader of quality building, insulation, roofing and specialty products for commercial, industrial and residential applications, officially celebrated the start-up of its TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin roofing membrane) facility in the Scottsboro. The company, which currently employs 34 people, expects to employ more than 100 at full production.
Calling the start-up ceremony "a great occasion," Alabama State Senator Lowell Barron said, "we're very proud of this plant. It means a lot to us.We're pleased to have them as new neighbors."
State and local leaders along with JM customers joined company executives for the brief ceremony and a tour of the thoroughly modern facility.
The company is occupying a 163,000 square foot facility that once housed CommScope in the Scottsboro Industrial Park off U.S. Highway 72 west. Johns Manville offers a full line of roofing systems for commercial, industrial and institutional roofing markets. It is the only manufacturer to offer a complete line of roofing membranes, including TPO.
The 150-year old company was purchased by Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., headed by Warren Buffett, in 2000. Berkshire Hathaway owns a variety of companies including GEICO Auto Insurance, Benjamin Moore and Co., Fruit of the Loom and International Dairy Queen, Inc. Its home office is located in Omaha, Neb.
"This company is structured conservatively with no debt," JM Chairman David Sokol said. "We want to be 100 percent capable of meeting all obligations at all times. Today's ceremony is a great example of this company's commitment."
The company invested $30 million in the Scottsboro facility. It began operations in July with the first product shipments leaving the plant in August.
Johns Manville's product line includes a range of roofing insulations, cover boards and a broad line of accessories, sealants and adhesives. Its wide array of materials is designed to work together in a fully integrated system enabling the company to offer the industry's most comprehensive roof performance guarantee.
TPO single-ply roofing material is made with a reinforced polyester fabric. It is available in various widths, lengths and thicknesses for use in mechanically fastened and adhered roofing applications. The product can be used in new, re-roof and re-cover roof constructions. It is fire and chemical resistant and contains UV inhibitors for added longevity.
"We are delighted to have them here," Jackson County Economic Development Authority President Dus Rogers said. "The company will be a good addition to our community."
The plant is currently operating five days a week, according to safety director Jason Walling.
"We're looking forward to that," Walling said of the company reaching full production levels and eventually employing 100 or more people. "We want to get to seven days a week."
TPO, the fast-growing segment of the roofing membrane market in North Amerca, is energy-efficient and the plant is environmentally friendly.
"We don't send anything to the landfill," Walling said. "We recycle and put it back into the process."
"It's nice coming into a town that is looking for industry," Plant Manager Dan Stott said. "Johns Manville has a long and proud tradition of making a difference in the communities where we work and live and we enjoy being a part of the Scottsboro community."
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