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So far Kate Brown has created 95 blog entries.

Crane Composites Announces Vice President, Human Resources

May 19, 2025

Crane Composites announced today that Laura Walker has been appointed as Vice President of Human Resources. In this role, Ms. Walker will be responsible for leading human resource functions for the business and partnering with the staff and site leaders to support the development of our associates. She will report directly to Crane Composites’ President John O’Sullivan.

Crane Composites Launches 4th Generation FILON® sidewalls

Channahon, IL (April 15, 2025) —Crane Composites, the pioneers of fiberglass RV sidewalls and industry leader for over three decades, proudly announces the introduction of its latest innovation, 4th generation FILON coilable exterior sidewalls, offering new levels of performance.

Both FILON G4 and FILON G4+ are engineered for durability while weathering extreme conditions. These next generation products have undergone rigorous testing to ensure enhanced performance versus the current generation in key aspects including weathering and longevity. The Filon G4 design prioritizes durability and functionality, whereas Filon G4+ enhances aesthetics with a higher gloss, reduced fiber visibility, and an exceptional surface appearance. The 4th generation sidewalls achieve their superior performance and appearance without needing to increase thickness and weight. FILON’s product advancements continue to set the standard as superior fiberglass sidewalls for the RV industry.

“FILON has been an industry leader for decades, and we’re always looking for ways to advance our product line based on customers’ needs,” explains Mike Cheney, VP of Recreational Vehicles. “Building on our legacy, the introduction of 4th generation FILON marks a key milestone in our journey to elevate the ownership experience for RVers.”

Crane Composites sets the industry benchmark with FILON sidewalls, which are proudly manufactured in the USA. The brand combines the company’s expertise in composites material science, process, and technology with a deep understanding of customer requirements. Its localized manufacturing, support teams, and R&D center are recognized for delivering quality products, exceptional service, and superb flexibility to respond quickly to customers’ changing needs. For further insights into the full range of Crane Composites FILON offerings, including Filon G4 and Filon G4+, visit FILON.com.

About Crane Composites
Crane Composites Inc. is a leading provider of fiber-reinforced composite panels. We combine our composite material science, process, and technology expertise with a deep understanding of customer needs to deliver innovative products that outperform traditional metals and woods. Our lightweight composite products deliver unsurpassed strength and durability. Since 1954, we have continued to pioneer numerous patented technologies for industrial and commercial product applications. We’ve built a proven reputation for industry leadership by partnering with customers and suppliers to deliver advanced, industry-leading solutions. Follow Crane Composites on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube.

Contact:Evelyn Salgado | Sr. Marketing Specialist | edieguez@cranecomposites.com | 815.592.6315

Crane Composites Introduces GLASBOND™, The Next Generation of FRP

  • GLASBOND’s innovative, adhesive-backed panels are a new technology in FRP
  • The peel-and-stick GLASBOND system delivers significant installation time and cost savings

Channahon, IL – January 7, 2025 Crane Composites, the world’s leading manufacturer of fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panels, announces the launch of GLASBOND™  a next-generation option in FRP solutions. The innovative product redefines hygienic wall solutions with a prefabricated adhesive-backed design, enabling installation up to 60% faster than traditional FRP.

GLASBOND is a dramatic advancement in FRP technology. It offers all the benefits of Crane Composites’ trusted products with an enhanced, more efficient installation process through a revolutionary peel-and-stick design for the panels and trim profiles. The prefabricated adhesive backing of GLASBOND redefines the installation process because it is faster and cleaner to apply—a crucial advantage given market-wide labor shortages. Third-party lab testing has demonstrated considerable labor cost savings, making GLASBOND a game-changer for installers.

In addition to faster installation, GLASBOND offers the same exceptional qualities as Crane Composite’s traditional FRP products, including its protective Surfaseal® finish for superior durability, moisture resistance, and ease of cleaning. The smooth, non-porous surface helps prevent mold and bacteria growth, ensuring a more hygienic environment. It is ideal for environments with strict sanitation requirements, food processing facilities, cleanrooms, laboratories, dining, and hospitality settings.

“Traditional wet-troweled adhesive has long been the preferred method for FRP installation, but contractors told us it can be time-consuming and harder to work with for some installers,” said Matt Shields, vice president of Building Products and Transportation at Crane Composites. “With GLASBOND, we’ve developed an improved product that maintains the exceptional standards our customers expect and significantly reduces installation time and costs. We are excited to bring this next generation of FRP wall solutions to the market.”

The introduction of GLASBOND marks another milestone in Crane Composites’ 70-year history as an industry innovator whose products have advanced in response to customers’ needs. GLASBOND’s development began through the company’s extensive input sessions with FRP contractors across the U.S. The contractors’ desire to save time and reduce clean-up during installation emerged from the feedback, which led to the peel-and-stick attachment concept. After conducting prototype trials, the team further refined GLASBOND’s performance features and developed trim profiles to complement the panels.

The new product has undergone rigorous testing both in the field and at our R&D facility to ensure ultimate bond strength across various environmental conditions. Because of these unique features, the unique GLASBOND self-adhered FRP technology is currently patent-pending.

“We’ve listened to our customers and responded with an innovative FRP option that addresses their pain points,” added Shields. “GLASBOND demonstrates our commitment to advancements and our dedication to providing products that meet the evolving needs of our industry.”

Visit glasbondfrp.com for more information about GLASBOND™ and to use a new GLASBOND™ ROI calculator to determine time and labor savings over traditional FRP installation.

About Crane Composites
Crane Composites Inc. is a leading provider of fiber-reinforced composite panels. We combine our composite material science, process, and technology expertise with a deep understanding of customer needs to deliver innovative products that outperform traditional metals and woods. Our lightweight composite products deliver unsurpassed strength and durability. Since 1954, we have continued to pioneer numerous patented technologies for industrial and commercial product applications. We’ve built a proven reputation for industry leadership by partnering with customers and suppliers to deliver advanced, industry-leading solutions. Follow Crane Composites on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Contact: Kate Brown | Marketing Lead & Project Manager | kbrown@cranecomposites.com| 815.467.8637

Crane Composites Supports Local Non-Profit Charitable Organizations

CHANNAHON, IL, June 25th, 2024 – Crane Composites, a subsidiary of Crane Company, recently presented 56 local non-profit charitable organizations with donations from the Crane Fund for Widows and Children. Philanthropy is part of the company’s legacy and culture of giving back to the communities where our associates live and work. Each year, Crane Composites sponsors donation requests from associates at our sites in Channahon IL, Bolingbrook IL, Goshen IN, Florence KY, and Jonesboro AR. Our associates are also provided paid time off to volunteer during their normal workday to serve in their local communities.

“We are proud to be part of Crane and being able to give back to our communities with funds to support local charitable organizations and also through our volunteer efforts,” said John O’Sullivan, President. “We are following the lead of our founder RT Crane and focusing on improving the communities in which we live and work and making a positive impact as well.”

Crane Company has been involved with charitable giving for many years through three company-administered charitable entities: The Crane Fund, The Crane Fund for Widows and Children, and the Crane Foundation. The Crane Funds makes contributions to charitable organizations that provide direct assistance to underserved populations in the communities where Crane Company operates. This fund touches the lives of many through its donations to local organizations, global relief agencies, and school and scholarship funds in the United States and Canada.

About Crane Composites
Crane Composites Inc., a subsidiary of Crane Company (NYSE:CR), is the world’s leading provider of fiber-reinforced composite panels. We combine our expertise in composite material science, process and technology with a deep understanding of customer needs to deliver innovative products that outperform traditional metals and woods. Our lightweight composite products deliver unsurpassed strength and durability. Since 1954, we have continued to pioneer numerous patented technologies for industrial and commercial product applications. We’ve built a proven reputation for industry leadership by partnering with customers and suppliers to deliver advanced, industry-leading solutions. Follow Crane Composites on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Contact: Kate Brown | Marketing Lead & Project Manager | kbrown@cranecomposites.com | 815.467.8637

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