Johns Manville, manufacturer of insulation and commercial roofing, as well as glass fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial, and residential applications, completed a major investment in equipment essential to their manufacturing process for blowing wool insulation at their facility located at 814 Richmond Avenue. The company shut down operations on April 24^th of this year to completely rebuild a glass melter, along with fiberglass collection chambers, upgraded electrical and controls equipment and installed new robotics. The plant was brought back into production on July 2^nd with training for new and existing employees on the new equipment. The company invested more than $20 million, retained 107 existing full-time employees, and added two new full-time apprenticeship positions. Richmond Mayor, Dave Snow says “Johns Manville has continually shown a commitment to this community and its workforce through their growth and investment. It’s been a pleasure to partner in their continued success.”

Johns Manville will receive a $50,000 Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) Grant from the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) of Wayne County to assist with costs associated with training of new and incumbent staff on the new equipment. EDC of Wayne County president, Valerie Shaffer says the organization is happy to assist Johns Manville with employee training. “It’s always a positive when a company invests in their workforce and in upgrading their operations.”

Don Heaslip, Plant Manager at Johns Manville’s Richmond plant, said he and plant employees are thrilled about the improvements and grateful for the EDC’s backing. “We continue to invest in our business, customers and communities,” Heaslip said. “Growing the availability of our products while creating new jobs is a win-win – and having the support of the EDC makes doing so even more meaningful.”

The request for EDIT funds will now go before the Wayne County Commissioners for their consideration.

About Johns Manville

Johns Manville, a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies, manufactures insulation and commercial roofing as well as glass fibers and nonwovens for commercial, industrial, and residential applications. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado and has 46 manufacturing facilities across North America and Europe employing 8,000 people. Founded in 1858, Johns Manville has been in operation for over 160 years. For more information visit www.jm.com.