In a surprising move, two glass reinforcement competitors, Owens Corning (Toledo, Ohio, U.S.A.) and Saint-Gobain (Paris, France), have entered into a 50/50 joint venture to build a state-of-the-art, innovative glass fiber manufacturing facility in Xicohtencatl, Tiaxcala, Mexico.
The facility's output of high-quality glass fiber reinforcements will be sold in equal shares through both the Saint-Gobain Vetrotex and the Owens Corning International sales networks. Construction commenced in August of this year and plant completion is scheduled for late 2004.