MANHEIM, Pa.—Fenner Precision Polymers, a Michelin company, continues to expand its coated textile market presence, this time investing $4 million to expand its operations in Manheim. The investment comes several months after acquiring Los Angeles-based Fabri Cote.
In Manheim, Fenner is adding a treat line operation, which is scheduled to be completed by mid-2021. The expansion furthers Fenner's goals of establishing a complete coated fabric and technical textile portfolio, according to a Sept. 22 news release.
Once operational, the Manheim site will improve lead time and allow Fenner to better meet growing demand for products. The company expects to add several new full-time positions at the site, which is expected to generate "seven-figure revenues" once the expansion is onstream.
"We are proud and confident about our work and our investment in this community," Brian Slingluff, vice president, global sales and marketing, said in a statement. "Not only will the new line generate both jobs and revenue for the local economy, it also helps speed to market the kinds of engineered solutions that allow our clients to innovate and further lift the economy at the national level."
To mark the progress made on the expansion, Fenner recently welcomed Pennsylvania State Rep. Mindy Fee (R-Manheim) for a tour of the facility.
In a move that Fenner said will expand its reach in the coated textile market and aerospace industry, the company acquired Los Angeles-based Fabri Cote in February.
According to Fenner Managing Director Jack Krecek, all 25 employees of Fabri Cote will remain with Fenner, which employs 800 across operations in Pennsylvania, North Carolina, the United Kingdom and Shanghai.
Fabri Cote will lean on Fenner's global reach, varied technologies, depth of manufacturing and available growth space.
The partnership will allow Fabri Cote, with its ISO:9001 and AS9100D QMS industry certifications, to gain traction in new markets such as the organic rubber-coated fabric space, Bacall said.
In turn, the acquisition allows Fenner access to Fabri Cote's knife- or blade-coating process, a way of applying an elastomer to a textile with a metered, angled blade that cuts excess coating to a fine measurement.
Fabri Cote's customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed, Northrup, Bombardier, Embraer and Gulfstream, according to Bacall.