Fenner buys US producer of rubber-coated textiles

Manheim, Pennsylvania – Fenner Precision Polymers has expanded its coated textile portfolio, acquiring Los Angeles-based Fabri Cote, a producer of custom rubber-coated fabrics primarily for aerospace applications.

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

"I am pleased to welcome Fabri Cote to the Fenner family," said Jack Krecek, Fenner's managing director. 

"This acquisition is part of an ongoing effort to build a complete coated fabric and technical textile portfolio which is targeted at numerous end-use markets."

Krecek said Fabri Cote offers an "innovative product line, strong technical design capabilities, and exceptional, long-term customer relationships."

According to Fenner, all employees of Fabri Cote have been offered positions with the new division, known as Fenner Precision Polymers business line, which maintains operations in Pennsylvania, North Carolina; Lincoln, UK; and Shanghai.

Fabri Cote has nearly 50 years of experience creating custom rubber-coated fabrics for a wide variety of customers, according to Robert Bacall, president of Fabri Cote. 

Bacall said the partnership will allow Fabri Cote, with its ISO:9001 and AS9100D QMS industry certifications, to gain traction in new markets.

Krecek said he hopes Fenner's growth mirrors that of the burgeoning coated textile and fabric industry.

"As part of our integration strategy, we plan to invest in additional capacity to improve lead times," Krecek said.

Fenner, part of the High-Tech Materials Division of the Michelin Group, makes polymeric, metal- and textile-based industrial products for the motion control, power transfer and related industries.