A Milestone Anniversary: Mary Rhinehart on 25 Years of JM Spunbond

This year marked a special milestone for Johns Manville as we celebrate 25 years since acquiring our polyester spunbond nonwoven business from Hoechst AG. This transformative acquisition, completed in 1999, brought plants in Germany, the USA, and China into the JM family, significantly expanding our product portfolio and capabilities. To commemorate this anniversary, we spoke with Mary Rhinehart, JM chairperson, who played a pivotal role in the acquisition process. Mary shared her insights on the strategic vision, challenges, and memorable moments from this remarkable journey. 

The Strategic Vision Behind the Acquisition 

Question: What strategic advantages did JM foresee in acquiring the spunbond business of Hoechst AG? How did this acquisition fit into the broader vision and goals of JM at that time? 

Mary Rhinehart: Johns Manville’s leadership aimed to diversify and strengthen our capabilities beyond fiberglass. Bringing the spunbond business into our portfolio made it possible to offer more to existing customers while leveraging shared technological expertise. This aligned perfectly with JM’s vision for growth and innovation. 

Navigating Challenges and Integration 

Q: Can you elaborate on the key challenges JM encountered when integrating the new plants in Germany, the USA, and China? What strategies and solutions were implemented to address these challenges effectively? 

Mary Rhinehart: One of the greatest challenges was integrating teams from different regions into the JM culture. It was essential to take the best from both companies and bring together leaders from both organizations. It was never intended to be just a “takeover” by JM. Hoechst AG had many great people and best practices, and the goal was to meld the strengths of both sides. Making the Hoechst AG employees feel comfortable and truly part of the JM team was a priority. Joint meetings were held with JM employees from different businesses and regions across the globe. Many employees from Hoechst AG were promoted into broader JM roles, which created opportunities and highlighted the value of their contributions. Listening to feedback and engaging with the new teams were pivotal to the success of the transition. 

Facilitating Cultural Integration 

Q: What steps did Johns Manville take to facilitate a seamless cultural integration between the existing team and the new employees from the acquired plants? Were there any specific initiatives or programs that proved remarkably successful? 

Mary Rhinehart: Cultural integration began with understanding and respect. We took the time to get to know the Hoechst AG employees and customers by launching a “listening and learning” tour. Key Hoechst AG leaders were relocated to JM’s Denver headquarters to ensure they felt like integral members of the JM family. Additionally, we swiftly incorporated Hoechst AG employees into our JM benefits plans and operating processes, ensuring that everyone could work together as “ONE JM” as quickly as possible. 

Memorable Experiences Along the Journey 

Q: Reflecting on the acquisition, can you share a particularly memorable experience that stood out during the process? 

Mary Rhinehart: I had the privilege of leading the global due diligence for this acquisition. We had a great group of functional and business leaders from across the JM organization collaborating to ensure the process was thorough. At the same time, it was important to leave a positive impression on the Hoechst AG teams. The goal was to engage them and ensure they were motivated and excited to join JM. Communication was the key to our success and keeping everyone informed and involved was critical. We enjoyed working together and made sure we had fun along the way. Many of us gave up our vacations to meet the incentive to complete the acquisition in a certain period agreed upon between JM and Hoechst AG. 

A Message of Gratitude and Future Aspirations 

Q: Reflecting on the journey since the acquisition, what message would you like to convey to all the employees and stakeholders who have contributed to its success? Additionally, what are your thoughts and aspirations for the future of Johns Manville’s spunbond operations? 

Mary Rhinehart: To all our employees and stakeholders: a heartfelt thank you for your dedication and contributions over the past 25 years. Your hard work and commitment have been the foundation of this business's success. As we look ahead, innovation and growth remain paramount. We must continue to deliver exceptional experiences to both our employees and customers, ensuring that JM remains a leader in the industry. 

Looking Back, Moving Forward 

The acquisition of the polyester spunbond business was a defining moment in Johns Manville’s history. As we celebrate the 25 years milestone, we honor the legacy of collaboration and commitment that continues to drive our success. Here's to the next chapter of growth and achievement for JM's spunbond operations!