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Johns Manville

Johns Manville Plant Has 7-Alarm Fire

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville had a 7-alarm fire on April 7-8 at its plant located in Winslow Township, New Jersey.

The fire was initially extinguished, but it rekindled the following evening, before being fully subdued.

No injuries were reported, and the extent of the damage is not known. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

Johns Manville manufactures insulation and building materials.

“Nearly thirty (30) hours after the first alarm was transmitted, firefighters remain on the scene of the Johns Manville Fire. Seven alarms were ultimately struck for this fire yesterday,” the Camden County IAFF Local 3249 posted on their Facebook page. “As part of an organized incident management plan, fire companies throughout the region are being rotated in to the scene for defined operational periods to prevent safety hazards due to fatigue from overwork. Other companies are also covering for units committed to the scene in order to ensure adequate coverage is maintained for any other emergencies that may occur within the region while this extended operation continues.”

Berkshire Hathaway has been snakebit with fires recently, with a major fire destroying a Lubrizol plant in Rouen, France in September 2019, and just last month a fire destroyed a Forest River RV plant in Goshen, Indiana.

© 2021 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Johns Manville

Johns Manville Building Polyiso Production Plant in Texas

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville has begun construction of a new production plant in Hillsboro, Texas.

The plant, which is projected to be completed by mid-2022, will manufacture polyiso products including ENRGY 3® roof insulation, ProtectoR® HD high density cover board, AP® Foil Faced Foam sheathing and GoBoard® tile backer.

These products are preferred in the market due to their high R-value per inch and the strength and durability they offer.

“We continue to invest in our business, customers and communities,” said Joe Smith, President of Roofing Systems at Johns Manville. “Increasing the availability of our products while creating new jobs is a win-win.”

When complete, the Hillsboro plant will employ more than 50 people and include a JM roofing distribution center.

The warehouse will stock many JM products, including TPO and accessories to expand customer service. Hughes Commercial Real Estate and Development will develop the site and FA Peinado Construction will be the general contractor.

The groundbreaking in Hillsboro comes on the heels of a recent expansion of JM’s Milan, Ohio, roofing products plant. That expansion increased the facility’s production capacity and added approximately 50 jobs.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Johns Manville

Johns Manville Announces E3 Pallet Technology

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville has announced the release of an innovative, new shipping pallet technology called the E3 Pallet™. The new E3 Pallet is a large pallet, designed to be cut into smaller, more functional pallet sizes for easy repurposing or recycling in warehouses.

E3 Pallets™ are manufactured in 4×8’ or 4×10’ pallet sizes. Historically, pallets this large are very costly to recycle or dispose of, and many businesses are unable to reuse them because of their atypical size. Unlike typical large pallets, the E3 Pallets™ can be easily broken down into smaller sizes using a hand-held circular saw. The 4×8’ pallet is designed to be cut into two, 48×48” pallets, and the 4×10’ pallet is designed to be cut into three, 40×48” pallets, allowing JM customers to either reuse the pallets in their warehouse or recycle the pallets more economically – ultimately decreasing waste at their facilities.

“We named our new technology the E3 Pallet™ because it is efficient, economical, and, since it reduces waste, it is environmentally-friendly,” said Brennan Hall, JM’s Senior HVAC Product Manager. “For years, we have heard from our customers and distributors that large, 4×8’ and 4×10’ pallets are incredibly expensive to scrap or recycle, and they lack functionality for warehouse reuse. We wanted to offer a solution that can be either more functional for reuse in warehouses or more economically recycled, depending on the customer’s needs. Ultimately, this allows us to offer a more sustainable solution to the industry as a whole. The E3 Pallet™ has the potential to reduce waste all the way to the contractor level.”

E3 Pallet™ Technology can ship anywhere in the U.S. and Canada. Beginning on Aug. 18, 2020, the following products will be shipped using E3 Pallets:

– Micro-Aire® Duct Board Products
– SuperDuct® RC Duct Board
– Spiracoustic Plus® Duct Liner
– Linacoustic® R-300 Duct Liner
– Diffuser Board
– Fitting Fab Board

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments Johns Manville

Johns Manville Appoints New Chief Financial Officer

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville, a global building and specialty products manufacturer, has named Sabine Schmidt as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer, effective on September 1.

“Sabine brings a breadth of financial experience at Johns Manville and in the industry to her new position,” said Bob Wamboldt, President of JM’s Insulation Systems business. “Her expertise will serve JM well as we strive to be the Employer of Choice and Supplier of Choice in the markets we serve. We are delighted Sabine will be part of our leadership team.”

Wamboldt will become JM’s President and CEO at the same time Schmidt assumes her new job. Greg Clarke, JM’s current CFO, will become President of the Insulation Systems business.

“Johns Manville is in great hands with these experienced leaders in their new roles,” said Mary Rhinehart, JM’s President and CEO. “I am confident we will continue delighting our customers, adding value and delivering positive JM Experiences that position JM well into the future.”

Rhinehart will continue as Chairman of Johns Manville when the leadership changes take effect this fall.

Schmidt joined JM in 2006 as the Corporate FP&A Manager. She was later promoted to Finance Director, Engineered Products North America. Schmidt assumed her current job of Director of Finance for JM’s Insulation Systems business in 2012.

In her new role, Schmidt will be responsible for all global financial functions and corporate development activities for the company.

Before joining Johns Manville, Schmidt held several jobs at Fortune 100 automotive supplier Dana Corporation. She began her career in internal audit for both the U.S. and Europe and gained increasing responsibility throughout her six-year tenure there, including jobs as Plant Controller for both an axle assembly plant and unionized drive shaft manufacturing plant. Sabine later worked at Holcim as Corporate Manufacturing Controller and was responsible for all aspects of operations accounting and controllership for 12 cement plants.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments Johns Manville

Johns Manville Appoints New President for Insulation Systems Business

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville has announced that Greg Clarke will become President of the company’s Insulation Systems business, effective Sept. 1, 2020.

Clarke will succeed Bob Wamboldt, who will be JM’s next President and CEO.

Mary Rhinehart, the company’s current Chairman, President and CEO, will retain the role of Chairman.

“Greg is a trusted business partner and a critical member of JM’s leadership team,” Rhinehart said. “He brings a broad base of JM knowledge and experience to this new role and we are confident our Insulation Systems business will continue to succeed under his leadership.”

Clarke was named JM’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer when he rejoined the company in 2013. In this role, he led JM’s finance organization, global procurement and logistics operations, and corporate development activities. He previously worked for Johns Manville from 1997 to 2002 and was Vice President and General Manager of the company’s Building Insulation and Commercial & Industrial Insulation divisions.

“Greg and I have worked well together over the last seven years, and I look forward to continuing this relationship as he transitions into his new role,” Wamboldt said.

Before returning to Johns Manville, Clarke was Chief Financial Officer and a Director at AeroGrow International Inc., an early-stage consumer products company, and President and CEO at Ankmar, LLC, a building products company. Earlier in his career, he held finance leadership and strategic planning roles at PepsiCo Inc. and The Coleman Company Inc.

“I’m excited about the opportunity to get back to our Insulation Systems business,” Clarke said. “We have an outstanding team and a strong market presence with the most complete line of insulation solutions for commercial, residential, OEM and industrial applications. I know there is a compelling future ahead for the business and I look forward to helping to achieve that vision.”

Clarke earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Amherst College and an MBA from Columbia University Graduate School of Business. He serves on the AeroGrow Board of Directors and is a member of the Board of Alumni and Friends of the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado. He and his family live in Denver.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Appointments Johns Manville

Johns Manville To Have New President & CEO

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville has announced that Bob Wamboldt will become President and CEO on Sept. 1, 2020.

Mary Rhinehart, the company’s current Chairman, President and CEO, will retain the role of Chairman.

Wamboldt joined Johns Manville in 2003 and became President of JM’s Insulation Systems business in February 2017. He earlier led the Engineered Products North America and Roofing Systems businesses at JM. Wamboldt is also Chairman of the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association and previously served as president of the Asphalt Roofing Manufacturers Association.

“I have been privileged to lead each of our businesses and learn first-hand the strength of the Johns Manville customer relationships, products, technologies and people,” Wamboldt said. “I look forward to working with the JM team and our customers to make the company even stronger in the global markets we serve. I also want to thank Mary for her leadership and guidance over the years and know I will benefit from her continued support as Chairman.”

Before joining Johns Manville, Wamboldt worked 16 years at PPG Industries Inc., where he held a variety of positions in the company’s Fiber Glass and Coatings divisions. He earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Lehigh University. He and his wife live in Denver.

Rhinehart became Johns Manville’s President and CEO in 2012 and assumed the additional role of Chairman in 2014. Before becoming President and CEO, she was the company’s Chief Financial Officer for eight years. During her more than 40 years with Johns Manville, she also held leadership roles in treasury, supply chain, M&A and human resources, and she managed several of the company’s business units.

“I am immensely proud of JM’s employees and all we have accomplished together,” Rhinehart said. “Johns Manville is an important part of my life, and its continued success is my top priority as we transition to new leadership. I am pleased to hand the company over to such an accomplished JM executive as Bob and am confident he and our 8,000 employees around the world will continue to build on JM’s 162-year track record of success.”

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Johns Manville

Johns Manville Producing Nonwoven Fabric for Medical Gowns

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, started production this month to make nonwoven fabric that will be used for manufacturing of urgently needed disposable medical gowns used in the fight against the spread of COVID-19.

“There is a desperate need in North America and in Europe for medical gowns,” said John Vasuta, President of Johns Manville’s Engineered Products business. “Our teams are working quickly to create solutions and manufacture a new coated polyester spunbond nonwoven fabric. We are going through unprecedented times – so every step to support health care workers and others on the front lines helps right now.”

This is the second move by Johns Manville to quickly develop and launch a product that can improve the safety of people in potential direct contact with the COVID-19 virus. In April, production started in Richland, Mississippi, of nonwoven media for the manufacturing of face masks.

“Given the urgent need for action,” Vasuta said, “we quickly decided to build on our own capabilities and develop a coated product to supply the domestic medical gown manufacturing industry.”

The new polyester spunbond nonwoven is designed for the production of Level 3 medical gowns. “The fabric offers superior liquid barrier performance compared to materials used for Level 1 and Level 2 medical gowns, while also providing comfort and stitch-strength,” said Souvik Nandi, Director Nonwovens Technology at Johns Manville Engineered Products.

The JM plant in Spartanburg employs 100 people and produces a variety of polyester nonwoven products for the use in mainly filtration, roofing and specialty applications using JM’s proprietary spunbond technology. Johns Manville operates a multitude of polyester spunbond lines across the globe with a distinct customer and market focus.

The new fabric is formally known as Evalith® 017/120H3 and is a coated continuous filament, calendared polyester nonwoven. It meets the requirements for a Level 3 medical gown as established by ANSI/AAMI PB70:2012 Liquid barrier performance and classification of protective apparel and drapes intended for use in health care facilities. Per this standard, the material was tested to AATCC 42-2017 Water Resistance: Impact Penetration Test and AATCC 127-2017 Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure Test. Additionally, Evalith 017/120H3 has been tested to and meets the flammability standard per 16 CFR Part 1610 Class 1, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy and guidance.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway and BYD, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell a stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Johns Manville

Johns Manville Producing Nonwoven Media for Face Masks

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville, a leading manufacturer and marketer of premium-quality building and specialty products, started production this month to make nonwoven filtration media that will be used to create needed face masks to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The filtration media is being produced at its plant in Richland, Mississippi.

“Johns Manville is in a unique position to serve a market that is fulfilling a great need across the world,” said Mary Rhinehart, President and CEO of Johns Manville. “We are proud of our teams in Richland and throughout JM for finding new ways to support the communities and people who are on the front lines of this global crisis.”

Most nonwoven production of face masks was abandoned in the U.S. many years ago and moved to Asia. Given the shortage of face masks in the U.S. and Europe, JM’s Engineered Products business decided to build on its existing capabilities and help fill the market demand.

“Our high-performance nonwoven material is designed to provide high levels of filtration for various types of face masks,” said John Vasuta, President of JM’s Engineered Products business.

JM media meets or exceeds Level 1 BFE 95% (Bacterial Filtration Efficiency) and VFE (Viral Filtration Efficiency) requirements. These results were verified by an FDA-registered national laboratory.

The JM plant in Richland employs about 50 people and produces a variety of filtration products for various air and liquid applications using polypropylene and polyester meltblown technology. Richland’s meltblown filtration media can be found in numerous industrial, automotive, consumer products and FDA-approved food and healthcare applications.

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Johns Manville

Johns Manville to Build Polyiso Production Plant in Texas

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Johns Manville, a global building and specialty products manufacturer that is a Berkshire Hathaway company, plans to build a polyiso production plant in Hillsboro, Texas.

“We take great pride in creating and delivering the best products for our customers,” said Mary Rhinehart, President and CEO of Johns Manville. “This expansion south of Dallas/Fort Worth, in an area where construction is surging, will increase availability of our premium products to customers throughout the region.”

JM will begin construction on the new production facility later this year, pending various government approvals, and anticipates the completion in mid-2021. When complete, JM will employ more than 50 people at the new facility.

“There are tremendous growth opportunities in the Southwest for polyiso products,” said Joe Smith, President of JM’s Roofing Systems business. “Three of the 10 largest cities in the country are a short drive from Hillsboro, and some of our largest roofing contractors are located within the service area.”

The Hillsboro plant will manufacture polyiso products including ENRGY 3® roof insulation, ProtectoR® HD high density cover board, AP® Foil Faced Foam sheathing and GoBoard® tile backer. These polyiso products are preferred in the market due to their high R-value per inch and the lightweight strength and durability they offer for several building applications.

The Hillsboro facility will also include a JM roofing distribution center. The warehouse will stock many JM products, including TPO and TPO accessories, to help JM meet local demand.

“We are excited to build in an area close to our customers and where we can hire good people into the JM family to help our customers be successful,” said Matt Sayer, Polyiso and Boards Product Manager for JM. “Johns Manville will be well-positioned with this expansion to increase product supply to meet the growing demand from our customers.”
Local officials welcomed JM’s decision to expand in Hillsboro.

“Johns Manville is an important addition to the manufacturing and industrial base in Hillsboro,” said Hillsboro City Manager Frank Johnson. “Johns Manville has a long-term, stable national and international presence and is known to be a good corporate citizen. We are excited to have them become part of our community.”

© 2020 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

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Acquisitions Johns Manville

Johns Manville Acquiring ITW Insulation Systems

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Berkshire Hathaway’s Johns Manville has signed an agreement to acquire ITW Insulation Systems, a business owned by Illinois Tool Works Inc. that is well known in the industrial industry for its premium, low-temperature polyisocyanurate foam insulations and metal jacketing solutions.

ITW Insulation Systems has been a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc.

The deal is expected to close in early December.

“The acquisition of ITW Insulation Systems represents an important strategic opportunity to offer expanded insulation solutions to the industrial market,” said JM President and CEO Mary Rhinehart. “This will give us greater versatility and allow JM’s Insulation Systems business to continue to offer a robust and well-rounded portfolio of insulation solutions.”

ITW Insulation Systems has 100 employees who work at four manufacturing plants in the U.S. and Canada (Houston, Texas; La Porte, Texas; Edmonton, Alberta; and Mississauga, Ontario).

ITW Insulation Systems’ primary markets include refining, petrochemical, power, LNG, food & beverage, oil sands and other energy applications.

“There is substantial growth occurring in the cold and cryogenic markets,” said Bob Wamboldt, President of JM’s Insulation Systems business. “We wanted to participate more actively in this space and the product portfolio offered by ITW Insulation Systems allows us to do exactly that.”

JM plans to integrate ITW Insulation Systems as a key part of its industrial insulation portfolio without making significant changes to the existing operations at ITW Insulation Systems.

“JM’s Industrial Insulation business is a market leader, producing the broadest product portfolio of any manufacturer in the industrial insulation industry,” said Dave Skelly, General Manager of Performance Materials at JM. “Historically, this has included high-temperature calcium silicate, expanded perlite, mineral wool, microporous blankets and silica aerogel, and now, with the addition of ITW Insulation Systems, our portfolio includes both low-temperature polyisocyanurate foams and metal jacketing. These additions make our industrial insulation portfolio incredibly robust and allow us to be a single source for our customers’ insulation and jacketing needs.”

© 2019 David Mazor

Disclosure: David Mazor is a freelance writer focusing on Berkshire Hathaway. The author is long in Berkshire Hathaway, and this article is not a recommendation on whether to buy or sell the stock. The information contained in this article should not be construed as personalized or individualized investment advice. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.