Columbia, SC; The South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership has awarded Edward L. Kabine the SCMEP Chuck Spangler Outstanding Manufacturing Lifetime Service Award. Mr. Kabine, President of Manufacturing for Briteline Extrusions, Inc. in Summerville, SC, was recognized for his 61 years of dedicated service to the aluminum extrusion industry and the South Carolina manufacturing community.

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Ed graduated from Georgia Southern University after a tour of duty with the United States Navy. He helped his father Ken Kabine install the first extrusion press, bright dip anodizing line, and powder coat line at their plant in the late 1960’s. Since then, Briteline has grown to a 90-person multigenerational business serving the shower door, lighting, and trim industries around the world.

In 1993, fire destroyed 75% of the Briteline plant. Under Ed’s leadership, the ruins were cleared, equipment restored, and Briteline had a press running in just three months.

Ed’s legacy is visible throughout the plant, from custom equipment he designed to the wastewater treatment system built to ensure environmental compliance. One of the clearest measures of Ed’s tenacity and influence is the first-class quality for which Briteline is known worldwide. 

Today, Briteline operates with 110,000 square feet under roof, two six-inch circle-size extrusion presses, a 20-foot bright dip and acid etch anodizing line, CNC machines, and a powder coat line. This 73-year-old family business includes Ed, his two sons Christopher and Tradd, grandson Christopher Jr., his sister Diane Bagwell, and nephew Bo Bagwell working alongside him.