There's a new vinyl siding player on the block.
A newly formed subsidiary of Perrysburg, Ohio-based Jancor Cos. Inc. - Infinite Building Products Inc. - is operating an extrusion plant in Olive Branch, Miss., that it bought from Owens Corning in September for an undisclosed sum.
Jancor officials are looking for Infinite to be an innovator.
``We know the market is changing and we need to be a leader. We're looking to come out with next-generation products,'' said Stephen Tybor III, Jancor's senior vice president of sales, in an Oct. 26 telephone interview.
Infinite will be the second vinyl siding manufacturing company in Jancor's portfolio. Privately held Jancor also owns Booneville, Miss.-based Heartland Building Products Inc.
``For us, it makes sense to pursue another channel with vinyl siding,'' Tybor said. ``Our challenge is to find the next unique cladding markets that the industry is looking for.''
Tybor declined to disclose details of the newly acquired Olive Branch facility, though it employs about 90. Building size and capacity figures were unavailable.
The divestiture of the siding plant is not a sign that Toledo, Ohio-based Owens Corning has lost interest in vinyl siding, said spokesman Jason Saragian in a telephone interview. The firm recently discontinued its HomeSide-brand siding line, he said.
Owens Corning operates vinyl siding plants in London, Ontario; Claremont, N.C.; and Joplin, Mo.
``Vinyl siding remains a vital part of Owens Corning's strategy,'' Saragian said.
Owens Corning has been operating in Chapter 11 bankruptcy for the past six years. The company plans to exit Chapter 11 around Nov. 1.
In addition to Heartland and newly formed Infinite, Jancor also owns vinyl fence, deck and railing maker Outdoor Technologies Inc. in Macon, Miss.; and two vinyl window makers - Vandergrift, Pa.-based Kensington Windows Inc. and Hillside, N.J.-based Survivor Technologies Inc.
Jancor will continue to explore acquisitions, Tybor said.