The Noron Story

Noron Composite Technologies was founded in Manistee, Michigan, by its owner Ronnie Melchert and his brother Charles Melchert. They realized the opportunity to go into business together when Century Boat moved to Florida in 1986.

The Melcherts used their 50 combined years of experience in the fiberglass industry to build the business you see today. The original building, one of four additions, went up in September of 1987. With one other employee the company started building parts for the RV industry in June of 1988. The company held its own for the first few years, hiring employees during peak season and laying them off during the slow times. The company started their own line of dock boxes and picnic tables in this period and also produced a riverboat and a goose blind.

In 1992, the company took on a contract with Four Winns, a local boat manufacturer. By the end of the year they were also building running boards for the conversion van industry. This enabled Noron Industries to make two of the four additions to the building and to hire twelve people at full time positions.

When 1994 came around, Noron Industries acquired a contract for making handicapped bathtubs. The contract allowed the company to hire five more people on a full time basis. At that time the company still had most of the production listed above to do and the addition of the tubs kept the company rolling year around.

1998 through 2003 were the strongest years for the company. Forty-five people were hired and the building has been expanded making its total square footage 34,000 feet. Contracts to help build items for the El Camino, Monte Carlo, Mustang Mach III, Corvette, and Jaguar have set the standard for the company. New lines in production are pylons for the food industry, handicap accessible bathtubs, restaurant seats for major food chains, outdoor planters and tables, and various parts for yachts.

Noron Composite Technologies started out small, but thanks to their employees, they have remained in the industry for more than two decades and with their continued dedication and enthusiasm will be here for decades to come.