Dura-Bond Bearings, Fasteners, Automotive Parts

Dura-Bond Industries was founded in 1960 by J.M. Norris to provide corrosion protection services for manufacturers of steel products at the customers’ facilities. In 1965 Dura-Bond established its headquarters and first coating plant in the historic Western Pennsylvania town of Export. Dura-Bond added to its reputation for quality by providing protective coatings for the fabricated steel and internal linings of underground storage tanks. During this time, the company also developed a close working relationship with Bethlehem Steel. Dura-Bond built on this business by opening satellite facilities in Buffalo, NY and Jacksonville, FL. Throughout the 70s, the success of these two operations led to new acquisitions of a plant in High Point, NC and the property of the former McKeesport Coatings near Export.

Pipeline commodity products and tubular products divisions soon became important contributors to Dura-Bond’s growth. The company also began production of bridge and marine fabrication projects in North Carolina, leading to the creation of Dura-Bond Steel. Late in the 80s, Dura-Bond localized its area of operation by selling its North Carolina plant and acquiring a coating facility in Allentown, PA.

The 90s started with important expansion projects for Dura-Bond. The company opened a state-of-the-art fusion bond epoxy (FBE) coating facility in McKeesport, PA that was strategically located near U.S. Steel’s Camp Hill ERW pipe manufacturing operation. The McKeesport coating plant established Dura-Bond as a regional leader in the protective coating market. During this period, the company also began management of an FBE coating plant adjacent to Bethlehem Steel’s pipe manufacturing operation in Steelton, PA. Extrusion (X-Tec) coating followed in 1996 at McKeesport and soon all Dura-Bond facilities were able to coat, fabricate and furnish products to the oil and gas, heavy highway and marine industries.

The year 2003 marked another turning point for Dura-Bond as Bethlehem Steel abandoned its Steelton facility. In a bold move, Dura-Bond purchased the Bethlehem Steel plant and resumed pipe making operations at the Steelton plant. This unique mill manufactures deep submergible arc weld (DSAW) straight seam pipe utilizing a unique expansion process and UOE testing. The Dura-Bond API approved pipe mill can produce OD and ID coated straight seam pipe ranging from 24 to 42 inches in diameter.