I.N.C. engineered materials was founded  in 1977, as Industrial Noise Control. This was dawn of the new era of awareness of noise control in the workplace. Initial activities centred on investigation and implementation of acoustic treatments for diesel generators, tractors, earth moving and mobile equipment.

In those days, high quality acoustic materials were imported from the USA. The market demanded products more suited to Australia’s tougher conditions, and in response, the company developed proprietary noise control materials.

This resulted in a substantial change in the nature of the business, from acoustic contracting to materials manufacturing and supply . The company developed a broad range of OEM customers, supplying components cut-to-size and ready for use.

DECI-FOAM, DECI-BAR, DECI-FLEX, DECI-MATE and DECIDAMP quickly became the leading products in the Australian market , replacing all imported materials and spawning a number of serious competitors.

In 1987 I.N.C. acquired A-Bond, a specialist laminating and coating company, originally established in 1962. The name was changed to I.N.C. Corporation Pty Ltd., to reflect the broader scope of operations, beyond acoustics.

I.N.C. then applied the same focus on innovation that produced Australia’s leading acoustic materials, to the development of technical laminated textiles. This was shortly followed by the development of Australia’s first laminated waterproof breathable fabrics for wet-weather wear and barrier applications.

Continued innovation in acoustics did not stop with these developments. Unique new lamination facilities were installed and further applied to the development of  acoustic materials. Once again, the focus was on the needs of original equipment manufacturering and I.N.C. further developed and expanded market leadership in this area. At all stages, the focus was on product and market differentiation.

CAD/CAM cutting facilities were introduced in 1997, allowing OE customers access to flexible supply of parts, cut to size, in mangeable order quantities. Another first for the Australian industry.

To provide cost-effective pressure sensitive adhesives, in 1998, I.N.C. installed the first UV-coating line in the Southern Hemisphere. Radical adhesive tapes were subsequently developed and released to the market in 1999. I.N.C. is the only manufacturer of industrial specialty tapes in Australia, and has secured a strong position in the automotive industry for use with insulation, seals and gaskets.

In 2000, I.N.C.  installed a complete non woven manufacturing line for the development of specialised 3-dimensional textiles for automotive insulation, filtration and upholstery applications. Recognising the potential of this technology, this project was supported by The Federal Government, with a substantial AusIndustry START research and development grant.

In August 2002, the acoustic materials developed under this technology, gained I.N.C. the Society of Automotive Engineers, Australasia, Gold Award for Engineering Excellence for the development of “Lightweight Acoustic Trim Systems”.

This technology leap, saw I.N.C. become a vertically integrated manufacturer and supplier of high-performance acoustic materials for the most competitive markets and in particular for the automotive and white goods markets.

In December 2002, I.N.C. acquired Insulform, and has commercialised additional innovations through the proprietary DECI-TEX acoustic textile technology. These products provide a high-peformance alternative to the traditional bonded felts and fiberglass.

Recognition of the importance of the protection of intellectual property has seen I.N.C. lodge a number of Patent Applications. Licensing of technology is now becoming an important element of the plans for ongoing success.

This committment to innovation and technology firmly places I.N.C. as Australia’s leading producer of engineered materials for OEMs, with a global outlook, with many more developments yet to come.

In May 2004, INC was inducted into the Victorian manufacturing Hall of Fame, in recognition of innovation and industry leadership.