Castle/ Better Way Conducts Open House At Milford
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Castle/Better Way Products is located in the Lippert Building, 802 N. Ind. 15.
Korenstra went before the Milford Town Council to advise them that his company had started using the facility and that they had applied for the needed air permits required for their type of production. The company makes component parts for the RV industry out of polyester resin that is poured into molds, not injected under pressure.[[In-content Ad]]Korenstra said that by being in Milford, the company has in a way come full circle.
Better Way started in Milford in 1984 in the back of a body shop. They moved to another location in town before settling in New Paris. At first, the company made agricultural products, but moved into the manufacture of RV parts, conversion van tops and dock storage boxes.
The New Paris facility is Better Way's home office and main facility, and the company also maintains plants in Elkhart and Jasper. While the Milford facility currently employs 28 people, companywide Castle/Better way has just more than 600 workers on the payroll.
The Milford plant is actually part of Castle Products, which originated in Nappannee. Korenstra's younger brother, Joel, was instrumental in the start up of that company. Since their product line was similar to Better Way, it was decided that instead of competing against each other, it would be more beneficial for the two businesses to join together.
"We had a close connection," said Korenstra of Castle. "They were developing products that complimented Better Way. When they needed some more horse power to develop their company, we got together and decided to join forces. We bought into the company, we didn't buy the company. We're helping them manage the company, using our ideas to grow. This is the only facility that Castle has."
The open house attracted about a dozen local residents to the Castle facility.
Korenstra explained the process that is used to produce the parts, and also answered questions in regard to concerns residents had. Concerns regarding the upkeep of the building's exterior and grounds as well as noise were addressed. While there are homes located to the west, and a few to the east of the plant, the business is in an industrial area and is bordered by other manufacturing plants on the north and south.
"The company has an exempt air permit with Indiana Department of Environmental Management," said Don Sabbe, environmental consultant with D&B Environmental Services, Osceola. "The EPA is a federal agency, and IDEM is a regulatory agency for the EPA in Indiana. The air permit is now in place. The facility was checked by environmental engineers before being presented to IDEM. We are now in what is called the public comment phase of the process. The public has 30 days to address any concerns at this point."
Sabbe said the manufacturing process is closely monitored. There are exhaust fans in place, and his company is also responsible for removing any waste that is generated.
"Waste is very limited," said Korenstra. "Liquid waste, acetone, which is only used for clean up, that can be distilled and recycled. That's very limited. The little bit that's accumulated is hauled off to be incinerated as a fuel. It's very environmentally friendly. We don't use water in our process, so there's no water issues, or issues of recycling into the earth.
"This is a low-tech process. The resin is mixed and poured into molds for the products. Only the amount of resin needed is mixed. The parts are then allowed to harden, then pulled from the molds. They are then sanded and buffed down. The entire process is very low-tech and produces almost no waste."
With the open house and the air permit comment period still in effect, Korenstra and Castle want to be a viable business in the Milford community.
"We want to be good neighbors," he said. "We want people to know that we care about the community and are here to be a part of it."
Latest News
E-Editions
Castle/Better Way Products is located in the Lippert Building, 802 N. Ind. 15.
Korenstra went before the Milford Town Council to advise them that his company had started using the facility and that they had applied for the needed air permits required for their type of production. The company makes component parts for the RV industry out of polyester resin that is poured into molds, not injected under pressure.[[In-content Ad]]Korenstra said that by being in Milford, the company has in a way come full circle.
Better Way started in Milford in 1984 in the back of a body shop. They moved to another location in town before settling in New Paris. At first, the company made agricultural products, but moved into the manufacture of RV parts, conversion van tops and dock storage boxes.
The New Paris facility is Better Way's home office and main facility, and the company also maintains plants in Elkhart and Jasper. While the Milford facility currently employs 28 people, companywide Castle/Better way has just more than 600 workers on the payroll.
The Milford plant is actually part of Castle Products, which originated in Nappannee. Korenstra's younger brother, Joel, was instrumental in the start up of that company. Since their product line was similar to Better Way, it was decided that instead of competing against each other, it would be more beneficial for the two businesses to join together.
"We had a close connection," said Korenstra of Castle. "They were developing products that complimented Better Way. When they needed some more horse power to develop their company, we got together and decided to join forces. We bought into the company, we didn't buy the company. We're helping them manage the company, using our ideas to grow. This is the only facility that Castle has."
The open house attracted about a dozen local residents to the Castle facility.
Korenstra explained the process that is used to produce the parts, and also answered questions in regard to concerns residents had. Concerns regarding the upkeep of the building's exterior and grounds as well as noise were addressed. While there are homes located to the west, and a few to the east of the plant, the business is in an industrial area and is bordered by other manufacturing plants on the north and south.
"The company has an exempt air permit with Indiana Department of Environmental Management," said Don Sabbe, environmental consultant with D&B Environmental Services, Osceola. "The EPA is a federal agency, and IDEM is a regulatory agency for the EPA in Indiana. The air permit is now in place. The facility was checked by environmental engineers before being presented to IDEM. We are now in what is called the public comment phase of the process. The public has 30 days to address any concerns at this point."
Sabbe said the manufacturing process is closely monitored. There are exhaust fans in place, and his company is also responsible for removing any waste that is generated.
"Waste is very limited," said Korenstra. "Liquid waste, acetone, which is only used for clean up, that can be distilled and recycled. That's very limited. The little bit that's accumulated is hauled off to be incinerated as a fuel. It's very environmentally friendly. We don't use water in our process, so there's no water issues, or issues of recycling into the earth.
"This is a low-tech process. The resin is mixed and poured into molds for the products. Only the amount of resin needed is mixed. The parts are then allowed to harden, then pulled from the molds. They are then sanded and buffed down. The entire process is very low-tech and produces almost no waste."
With the open house and the air permit comment period still in effect, Korenstra and Castle want to be a viable business in the Milford community.
"We want to be good neighbors," he said. "We want people to know that we care about the community and are here to be a part of it."
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092