In the US, he held positions as: Scientist, Senior Scientist, Project Scientist, and Lab Director at the Owens Corning Science and Technology Center in Granville, Ohio. In 1986, Mr. Ernest received the prestigious “OC Innovators Award” for his development of the SSLII pipe insulation closure system, still an exclusive product offered by Owens Corning today. He also developed and led a team of Scientists and Engineers in installing a 32-point real time process monitoring system and installed the system in all of Owens Corning’s 18 North American roofing plants.

In 1990, Al began his work in Manufacturing as Plant Leader in the Flex Factory in NEWrk, Ohio. Mr. Ernest put into practice TQM type teamwork operation styles that formed the framework for TQM introduction across the division.

In 1995, Mr. Ernest accepted a position as Plant/General Manager of the “Building Materials Asia Pacific” Guangzhou, China plant. This was the first Owens Corning plant in China and was having trouble during this first phase of building operations in China. He performed a turnaround of the manufacturing facility and sales & marketing processes, and was featured in an article in the EIU Magazine for his ability to navigate in the Chinese environment.

From Guangzhou, in 1999, he became the Plant/General Manager of the Second Owens Corning plant in Shanghai China. After setting up the Shanghai plant, Mr. Ernest accepted the Senior Management position “Director of Manufacturing and Engineering”, his responsibilities included: Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Capital Sourcing and Science and Technology.

He has set up Greenfield plant operations in China and Korea as well as relocated Manufacturing Plants from North America to China. Mr. Ernest has also increased capacity in existing facilities by expanding operations, within the same plant footprint.

Mr. Ernest built or relocated facilities throughout China and Korea, including Anshan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Nanjing, Beijing, Jiang Yin and Asan. Since all Owens Corning products produced in China were for the domestic market, he developed innovative ways to keep costs in line, his hallmark is “Capital efficient”, asset light facilities, to allow competing efficiently in the China market, while meeting the US and China standards. While Mr. Ernest identified, trained and developed local plant managers for all of the China plants, he consistently focused on “Localizing operations”.

During his time with Owens Corning, Mr. Ernest has invested and purchased equipment worth over two hundred million dollars in China.

Al retired from Owens Corning in December of 2005, and began consulting in China operations and manufacturing. Mr. Ernest and his wife live in Boone, NC and have a home in SongJiang District, Shanghai.