Fiberglas
Canada Inc. faces and meets the challenge shared by most Canadians since
Confederation—that of energy conservation and efficiency in one of the
world's most forbidding climates. Fiberglas Canada has converted a tremendous
investment in research and development into a range of products extending
far beyond insulation.
Envisioning a productive future for glass fibres being made by a process developed by OwensCorning Fiberglas Corporation in the United States, founder Colonel W.E. Phillips struck a licensing deal with this corporation and formed Fiberglas Canada.
Since its incorporation in 1939, the firm has undergone rapid expansion and diversification and thus proven Phillips correct in his foresight about the applicability of glass fibre. Significant dates in the company's development include: the opening of its first insulations plant, 1948, Sarnia, Ont.; the opening of a textile plant, 1951, Guelph, Ont.; the institution of an insulation plant, 1960, Edmonton, Alta.; the creation of a research and development facility, 1967; the opening of a chemical plant for the manufacture of polyester resins, 1974 Guelph, Ont.; the start of production at the insulation plant, 1978, Scarborough, Ont.; the initiation of production at the insulation plant, 1980, Mission, British Columbia; the purchase of assets of Victomix Inc. of Victoriaville, Quebec, 1984, which gave the company technology to produce modified bituminous membranes for roofing and wall applications; and the opening of an $11-million Technical Centre, 1985, Sarnia, Ont.
Today, the annual sales of Fiberglas Canada exceed $400 million. The corporation is the country's leading manufacturer of glass fibre products and an acknowledged world industry leader in research and development. Led by President and C.E.O. Ronald Jones, Fiberglas Canada's new head office in North York, Ontario, employs almost 200 of the company's 2,500 employees.
The organization is now divided into two main groups: Insulation; and Textiles, Reinforcements and Chemicals (TRC). Insulation group products are used in residential, commercial, and industrial construction and include its best-known residential product, FIBERGLAS PINK home insulation. Commercial and industrial products include roofing, mechanical and equipment insulation as well as insulations for transportation vehicles, home appliances, refrigeration facilities and acoustical products. The TRC group produces glass fibre materials and thermosetting polyester resins, sold primarily to the plastics industry, to make everything from boat hulls to processing equipment for the pulp and paper industry.
The company has also moved into energy-saving fields, recently developing its Habitair Energy Centre system which provides heat recovery, ventilation, hot water, and background cooling for houses.
Fiberglas Canada is keenly interested in employee health and safety. A computerized healthmonitoring system, introduced in 1979, stores medical data on all employees and notifies medical staff when an employee's medical examination is due. As well, an Industrial Hygiene Group monitors all plants and evaluates environmental conditions by measuring chemicals, physical agents, and noise levels.
Despite the firm's diverse concerns, it remains focused on the key imperatives of conservation and efficiency. Fiberglas Canada has strongly supported the federal government's R2000 housing initiative, aimed at reducing home heating costs by 80 percent, paralleling the company's goals of supplying the best, most affordable products for the residential market, as well as the nation's construction and manufacturing industries. Fiberglas Canada Inc.
Fiberglas Canada Inc. faces and meets the challenge shared by most Canadians since Confederation—that of energy conservation and efficiency in one of the world's most forbidding climates. Fiberglas Canada has converted a tremendous investment in research and development into a range of products extending far beyond insulation.
Envisioning a productive future for glass fibres being made by a process developed by OwensCorning Fiberglas Corporation in the United States, founder Colonel W.E. Phillips struck a licensing deal with this corporation and formed Fiberglas Canada.
Since its incorporation in 1939, the firm has undergone rapid expansion and diversification and thus proven Phillips correct in his foresight about the applicability of glass fibre. Significant dates in the company's development include: the opening of its first insulations plant, 1948, Sarnia, Ont.; the opening of a textile plant, 1951, Guelph, Ont.; the institution of an insulation plant, 1960, Edmonton, Alta.; the creation of a research and development facility, 1967; the opening of a chemical plant for the manufacture of polyester resins, 1974 Guelph, Ont.; the start of production at the insulation plant, 1978, Scarborough, Ont.; the initiation of production at the insulation plant, 1980, Mission, British Columbia; the purchase of assets of Victomix Inc. of Victoriaville, Quebec, 1984, which gave the company technology to produce modified bituminous membranes for roofing and wall applications; and the opening of an $11-million Technical Centre, 1985, Sarnia, Ont.
Today, the annual sales of Fiberglas Canada exceed $400 million. The corporation is the country's leading manufacturer of glass fibre products and an acknowledged world industry leader in research and development. Led by President and C.E.O. Ronald Jones, Fiberglas Canada's new head office in North York, Ontario, employs almost 200 of the company's 2,500 employees.
The organization is now divided into two main groups: Insulation; and Textiles, Reinforcements and Chemicals (TRC). Insulation group products are used in residential, commercial, and industrial construction and include its best-known residential product, FIBERGLAS PINK home insulation. Commercial and industrial products include roofing, mechanical and equipment insulation as well as insulations for transportation vehicles, home appliances, refrigeration facilities and acoustical products. The TRC group produces glass fibre materials and thermosetting polyester resins, sold primarily to the plastics industry, to make everything from boat hulls to processing equipment for the pulp and paper industry.
The company has also moved into energy-saving fields, recently developing its Habitair Energy Centre system which provides heat recovery, ventilation, hot water, and background cooling for houses.
Fiberglas Canada is keenly interested in employee health and safety. A computerized healthmonitoring system, introduced in 1979, stores medical data on all employees and notifies medical staff when an employee's medical examination is due. As well, an Industrial Hygiene Group monitors all plants and evaluates environmental conditions by measuring chemicals, physical agents, and noise levels.
Despite the firm's diverse concerns, it remains focused on the key imperatives of conservation and efficiency. Fiberglas Canada has strongly supported the federal government's R2000 housing initiative, aimed at reducing home heating costs by 80 percent, paralleling the company's goals of supplying the best, most affordable products for the residential market, as well as the nation's construction and manufacturing industries.
