Owens-Corning

Owens-Corning Corporation is the world's largest manufacturer of fiberglass and related products. It was formed in 1935 as a partnership between two major American glassworks, Corning Glass Works and Owens-Illinois. The company was spun off as a separate entity November 1, 1938. The company achieved major successes after the Second World War, with eventual annual sales of $5 billion (USD). However, major medical liabilities due to the company's use of asbestos as a fireproofing agent led to the company's Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2000. This action led to a major executive reshuffling in 2001-2.

Related Topics:
Fiberglass - 1935 - Partnership - American - Glassworks - Corning Glass Works - Owens-Illinois - November 1 - 1938 - Second World War - Billion - USD - Liabilities - Asbestos - Chapter 11 - Bankruptcy - 2000

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Among the many products of Owens-Corning is its fiberglass insulation. Since 1956, the company's insulation has been dyed pink to provide visual contrast; the company became so associated with its pink insulation (originally planned as red, but the dye was not sufficiently concentrated, resulting in its current, trademarked light pink coloring) product that it even copyrighted the term "PINK" (in capital letters only) to refer to its insulation. The cartoon character of the Pink Panther is used by Owens-Corning as the mascot of its insulation division.

Related Topics:
1956 - Pink Panther

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Another major product of Owens-Corning is derived from its use of fiberglass as reinforcement for plastic products. The resulting fiberglass-reinforced plastic is the form of "fiberglass" used in boat hulls, automobile roofs, pipes, electris windmill blades, etc. Their product is copyrighted under the name of "Fiberglas".

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