Centre targets RV industry majors

A new science and technology centre in Elkhart, Indiana, will allow OC Fabwel to bring RV industry component solutions and expertise to the doorstep of major manufacturers.

At the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) annual trade show, the OC Fabwel Division of Owens Corning announced the opening of a new science and technology centre in Elkhart, Indiana, that will allow the company to bring RV industry component solutions and expertise to the doorstep of major manufacturers.

OC Fabwel has been a leading manufacturer and fabricator of RV components for more than 30 years, and locating near key customers in Elkhart - home to several of the industry's top RV manufacturers and component suppliers - and Riverside, California, is part of the company's strategy of growth through customer satisfaction.

"As the RV industry continues to grow and prosper, OC Fabwel is committed to supporting RV manufacturers by creating relationships that help our customers succeed through innovative solutions, superior customer service and quality products", said Chuck Jerasa, General Manager, OC Fabwel.

"As we continue to expand our capabilities and reach, we can now provide one-stop shopping from either of our locations that are right in our customers' back yard".

The 1500m2 facility will open in January, use six sigma quality processes, and provide technical leadership including application engineering, various testing functions at an on-site laboratory, process prototyping and material qualification for innovative product development and business solutions.

All activities will focus on enhancing the current OC Fabwel product portfolio, which ranges from base materials to RV exterior and interior sub systems such as walls, floors and doors.

"The Elkhart S and T centre builds on Owens Corning's 67 years of innovation and leadership in the composites and building materials markets, joining Owens Corning's worldwide network of R and D centres", said Frank O'Brien-Bernini, Vice President, Science and Technology, Owens Corning.

Other Owens Corning technical centres are in Granville, Ohio; Novi, Michigan; Tallmadge, Ohio; Summit, Illinois; Apeldoorn, The Netherlands; Battice, Belgium; Shanghai, China; Mexico City, Mexico; and Rio Claro, Brazil.

The announcement of the S and T centre is Owens Corning's second major initiative with its OC Fabwel business in recent months, the first being the acquisition of Wolverine Fabricating in September.

The Wolverine acquisition extends the company's RV product offerings and business presence on the West Coast, for which the main facility is in Riverside, California, and is now titled OC Fabwel-Riverside.

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