01.01.07
Location: Ringgold, GA
Sales: $231 million
Description: Key Personnel
Joe Dana, president and CEO; W. Michael Coffin, executive vice president and COO; Lee McCarter, executive vice president and CFO; Mac Bridger, executive vice president worldwide sales and marketing
Nonwovens Plants
Ringgold GA; Hazlehurst GA; Seneca SC;
ISO Status
ISO 9002 Certified ISO 14001 Certified
Process
Needlepunch
Brand Names
Geotex, Petromat, Proguard, Petrotac, Duon, Synfab, Actionbac, Polybac, Earthscape, Matrix, RFX, Xtinguish
Major Nonwovens Markets
Geosynthetics, flooring, furniture and bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates, sorbents
With worldwide sales up 13% in 2006, another solid year was had by Propex Inc. The company produces polypropylene-based fabrics and fibers for geosynthetics, furniture and bedding, automotive, concrete reinforcement, carpet backing and a variety of other industrial end uses. Propex’s varied capabilities range from weaving, embossing and fiber spinning to film coating and laminating. These processes can be combined with needlepunched fabrics to offer an innovative range of products including Matrix carpet backing, a proprietary differentiated system designed for artificial turf requiring high tuft bind and made from a woven/nonwoven composite structure.
Overall, nonwovens sales—which continue to represent about 20% of Propex’s overall business—were significantly improved with the acquisition of SI Corporation in January 2006. Following Propex’s purchase of SI Concrete Systems and SI Geosolutions, all operations went live on the company’s SAP system in July and a full integration has been achieved. “Nonwovens continue to be a major factor in most of the markets Propex participates in,” commented Bob Tlumak, director of marketing.
He reported that demand is strong in all areas except furniture, where production is still migrating to the Far East, attracted by low labor costs and capital availability. “The new highway funding bill supports growth in geotextiles and the bedding industry seems solid. Automotive is sluggish, but it looks like things are improving.”
As for its U.S.-based production sites, last year, Propex transferred its manufacturing assets to Ringgold, GA from its Seneca, SC site. The consolidation, now complete, makes the Ringgold site the largest needlepunch operation in North America. “Much of our efforts have been centered on ensuring a smooth transition from Seneca to Ringgold,” commented Dr. Tlumak. “We are continuing to invest in quality improvements and converting equipment such as printing and coating.” Although Propex operates a total of four business reporting segments—Geosynthetics, Furnishings, Industrial Products and Concrete Systems—nonwovens use is primarily in Geosynthetics and Furnishings (flooring, furniture, bedding and automotive).
“There is still overcapacity and stiff competition. We are always working on products offering better value for our customers,” he said. “Demand growth for nonwovens is primarily in the geotextiles and bedding markets.”
Commenting on Propex’s growth strategy, Dr. Tlumak had this to say: “We plan to continue to be leaders in the areas that we participate in. Our focus on continuous improvement through LEAN manufacturing and Six Sigma sets us apart. We continuously work to improve performance across the organization and to eliminate waste in all areas of operations. Meeting or exceeding customer expectations is our primary concern. Our Advantage Creators corporate tag-line is a rally cry for all Propex teammates to focus on delivering value to the marketplace and make our customers more successful.” He added that Propex measures DPMU (Defects Parts Per Million Sold) to evaluate how well its processes meet customer expectations.
Sales: $231 million
Description: Key Personnel
Joe Dana, president and CEO; W. Michael Coffin, executive vice president and COO; Lee McCarter, executive vice president and CFO; Mac Bridger, executive vice president worldwide sales and marketing
Nonwovens Plants
Ringgold GA; Hazlehurst GA; Seneca SC;
ISO Status
ISO 9002 Certified ISO 14001 Certified
Process
Needlepunch
Brand Names
Geotex, Petromat, Proguard, Petrotac, Duon, Synfab, Actionbac, Polybac, Earthscape, Matrix, RFX, Xtinguish
Major Nonwovens Markets
Geosynthetics, flooring, furniture and bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates, sorbents
With worldwide sales up 13% in 2006, another solid year was had by Propex Inc. The company produces polypropylene-based fabrics and fibers for geosynthetics, furniture and bedding, automotive, concrete reinforcement, carpet backing and a variety of other industrial end uses. Propex’s varied capabilities range from weaving, embossing and fiber spinning to film coating and laminating. These processes can be combined with needlepunched fabrics to offer an innovative range of products including Matrix carpet backing, a proprietary differentiated system designed for artificial turf requiring high tuft bind and made from a woven/nonwoven composite structure.
Overall, nonwovens sales—which continue to represent about 20% of Propex’s overall business—were significantly improved with the acquisition of SI Corporation in January 2006. Following Propex’s purchase of SI Concrete Systems and SI Geosolutions, all operations went live on the company’s SAP system in July and a full integration has been achieved. “Nonwovens continue to be a major factor in most of the markets Propex participates in,” commented Bob Tlumak, director of marketing.
He reported that demand is strong in all areas except furniture, where production is still migrating to the Far East, attracted by low labor costs and capital availability. “The new highway funding bill supports growth in geotextiles and the bedding industry seems solid. Automotive is sluggish, but it looks like things are improving.”
As for its U.S.-based production sites, last year, Propex transferred its manufacturing assets to Ringgold, GA from its Seneca, SC site. The consolidation, now complete, makes the Ringgold site the largest needlepunch operation in North America. “Much of our efforts have been centered on ensuring a smooth transition from Seneca to Ringgold,” commented Dr. Tlumak. “We are continuing to invest in quality improvements and converting equipment such as printing and coating.” Although Propex operates a total of four business reporting segments—Geosynthetics, Furnishings, Industrial Products and Concrete Systems—nonwovens use is primarily in Geosynthetics and Furnishings (flooring, furniture, bedding and automotive).
“There is still overcapacity and stiff competition. We are always working on products offering better value for our customers,” he said. “Demand growth for nonwovens is primarily in the geotextiles and bedding markets.”
Commenting on Propex’s growth strategy, Dr. Tlumak had this to say: “We plan to continue to be leaders in the areas that we participate in. Our focus on continuous improvement through LEAN manufacturing and Six Sigma sets us apart. We continuously work to improve performance across the organization and to eliminate waste in all areas of operations. Meeting or exceeding customer expectations is our primary concern. Our Advantage Creators corporate tag-line is a rally cry for all Propex teammates to focus on delivering value to the marketplace and make our customers more successful.” He added that Propex measures DPMU (Defects Parts Per Million Sold) to evaluate how well its processes meet customer expectations.
