HJR 285

Commending Strongwell.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 12, 2026
WHEREAS, Strongwell, a Bristol-based pultruder of fiber-reinforced polymer products, received the 2025 Manufacturing Innovations Award from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing for its innovative decking system; and
WHEREAS, Strongwell has played an important role in the Southwest Virginia economy for more than 100 years, tracing its origins back to 1924, when what is now the company's corporate headquarters and largest plant opened in Bristol; and
WHEREAS, Strongwell originally produced furniture, but also fabricated a number of other parts and products to support the war effort during World War II; the company first began working with reinforced plastics in the 1940s and began using its signature pultrusion process of manufacturing in 1959; and
WHEREAS, Strongwell continues to add capacity, diversify its product line, increase its engineering capabilities, improve its existing processes and products, and build strategic alliances with other organizations to meet the needs of its customers, all while maintaining its commitment to safety, sustainability, and overall excellence; and
WHEREAS, Strongwell received the 2025 Manufacturing Innovations Award for its patented STRONGDEK decking system, a breakthrough in decking technology that combines a pultruded fiber-reinforced polymer plank with a snap-on hybrid composite top cap, allowing for easy maintenance and replacement of walking surfaces without compromising the underlying structure; and
WHEREAS, Strongwell's STRONGDEK delivers exceptional strength, durability, and safety, along with an increased service life that minimizes replacement cycles and environmental impact; the product's closed-mold manufacturing process also reduces wastes and emissions; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend Strongwell, a world leader in the pultrusion of fiber-reinforced polymer composites, on winning the 2025 Manufacturing Innovations Award from the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing; and, be it
RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Strongwell as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the company's long legacy of service to the Southwest Virginia Region and contributions to the manufacture of high-quality, sustainable building materials.