Postle plans two extrusion presses at Howe site

Postle Aluminum plans to install two extrusion presses at a new 230,000-square-foot facility in Howe, Ind., adding capacity for larger profiles and higher-volume trim products.

The company, a subsidiary of THOR Industries, disclosed the project in a July 15 announcement published by the North American Trailer Dealers Association (NATDA). The announcement highlighted a 10-inch press for larger profiles and a 7-inch press for smaller sections and trim.

Postle expects equipment deliveries to begin this summer. It is targeting an initial production for early fall and full-rate operations by the end of the year, according to the announcement.

The 10-inch press will allow Postle to produce larger and more complex shapes, including hard alloy extrusions from 6061 aluminum. The 7-inch press will focus on trim and profile products, including painted and finished components.

The company did not provide annual extrusion capacity or press tonnage.

Howe plant and equipment

State filings provide the only numerical measure of the Howe plant potential aluminum throughput.

The state approved three billet-heating furnaces at the site, each rate to process 1.25 tons per hour. The permit also lists three curing ovens with the same individual throughput rates.

Combined, the equipment carries a maximum billet-processing rate of 3.75 tons per hour, which would equate to approximately 32,850 short tons, or 29,800 metric tons, under continuous annual operation.

However, the figure represents a theoretical equipment limit rather than a stated utilization rate capacity and the announcement identifies two presses. The filings do not provide expected operating hours or metal recovery rates.

For comparison, Postle’s existing Reflex operation in Elkhart has one billet-heating furnace and one curing oven rated at 1.25 tons per hour. Therefore, the Howe equipment has three times Reflex’s listed hourly billet processing rate.

Repurposed site and existing operations

Postle is developing the facility at a former Heartland Recreational Vehicle site. Heartland revoked its air permit in November 2025 and removed its operations from the property before Postle applied for registration.

Heartland’s North American RV operations are among THOR Industries subsidiaries.

Postle told state regulators Howe will not receive products from or supply products to its existing Elkhart-area plants.

Those operations include the Reflex extrusion and fabrication division and the Temple finishing division. Postle also operates another plant in Cassopolis Michigan.

Elkhart, considered the “RV Capital of the World,” has a concentration of aluminum extruders that largely serve the recreational vehicle end market.

Nicholas Bell

Nicholas brings over half a decade of experience covering metals markets, pricing trends, and supply chain dynamics. Prior to joining AMU, he reported on aluminum, high-temperature scrap, and ferro-alloy markets at Argus Media, with additional coverage of minor metals and rare earths. His work has built deep expertise in North American metals pricing and trade flows. A native of Houston, Nicholas holds a bachelor’s degree in Media Production and an MBA with a concentration in Finance, both from the University of Houston.