01.01.10
Location: Chattanooga, TN
Sales: $165 million
Description: Key Personnel
Stan Brant, president and CEO, Martin deVries, executive vice president and chief financial officer
Plants
Ringgold, GA
Process
Needlepunch
Major Markets
Geosynthetics, flooring, furniture and bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates, sorbents
Eighteen months after being bought out of bankruptcy protection by a Minneapolis, MN-based private equity fund, needlepunch specialist Propex Holdings, Chattanooga, TN continues to grow its presence across its four major product categories—Flooring Solutions, Geosynthetics, Concrete Solutions and Performance Technologies.
Continuing its strategy of aggressively pursuing business opportunities in existing markets, the company has launched steady stream on new products and innovations in the past 12 months.
In March, the company celebrated one year under new ownership by announcing it was ideally positioned to leverage its global and U.S. assets for optimal growth and profitability.
“Propex has achieved and maintained its historical market dominance by investing in the development of innovative technology, building on its core competencies of scientific know-how and manufacturing operations excellence, and ultimately, delivering sustainable solutions to our customers," said David Gartshore, vice president of sales for Propex Furnishing Solutions division, which is responsible for the company's sales of primary and secondary backings for the carpet industry.
In its first year under new management, Propex introduced Polybac EX3 Advantage, an ecoefficient primary backing that offers improved performance while using 33% fewer natural materials.
Gartshore says, "As the largest independent backing producer in the industry, Propex has an unparalleled history of product design and innovation." He predicted that the company's robust development efforts will result in several product introductions in 2010 that will further Propex's commitment to sustainability and contribute to the strength of its current market-leading brands. This first year of new management also saw the company strengthen its leadership position with the addition of several key management roles.
Mr. Gartshore’s optimism about the future of Propex is echoed at all levels of corporate management. At the company's first international sales meeting held recently in Chattanooga, TN, executive vice president Ralph Bruno said Propex is “creating sustainable health in each of the company's business segments, which ensures our customers that that we are a strong, long-term supplier they can rely on to help grow their business.”
Another highlight was the launch of Opus Roof Blanket at the 2010 International Roofing Expo in New Orleans, LA in February. This blanket, which was in development and testing for the last six years with constant feedback from roofing contractors, creates an entirely new category in roofing underlayment.
“Unlike felt paper and plastic sheeting underlayment, Opus Roof Blanket was developed with roofing contractors in mind,” says executive vice president Ralph Bruno. “The unique composition of Opus gives it the most slip-resistant surface technology, meeting a top concern for roofing contractors. Additionally, the one-of-a-kind “blanket” surface makes it easy for roofers to snap a chalk line.”
In addition to these benefits, Bruno says roofers can expect to see many more advantages versus felt paper and plastic sheeting underlayment when they use Opus on their next job. “Opus is lightweight and easier to work with, cleaner with less wasted material, provides more coverage per roll, and is faster to install,” said Bruno.
“I’m looking forward to launching Opus at the IRE,” he added. “When roofers get this product in their hands, they’ll quickly realize it is vastly different and a far superior product than both felt paper and plastic sheeting underlayment. Opus truly is in a category of its own.”
The product is being distributed by Wolf, York, PA.
Meanwhile, in the carpet backing area, Propex was awarded a U.S. patent in March, showing that its latest technology provides improved performance, a plush feel and many other advantages that offer value to both its customers and the consumer.”
With the market-leading brands Actionbac and Polybac carpet backing products, Propex is the largest independent backing producer in the industry. Polybac primary backing provides a dimensionally stable foundation for superior tuftability, pattern definition and versatility. The industry standard for secondary backing, Actionbac carpet backing effectively provides long-term stability in almost any carpet installation and is crucial in extending the life of the carpet. Innovation remains the anchor of Propex’s success in providing high performance materials and solutions for the flooring industry.
Sales: $165 million
Description: Key Personnel
Stan Brant, president and CEO, Martin deVries, executive vice president and chief financial officer
Plants
Ringgold, GA
Process
Needlepunch
Major Markets
Geosynthetics, flooring, furniture and bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates, sorbents
Eighteen months after being bought out of bankruptcy protection by a Minneapolis, MN-based private equity fund, needlepunch specialist Propex Holdings, Chattanooga, TN continues to grow its presence across its four major product categories—Flooring Solutions, Geosynthetics, Concrete Solutions and Performance Technologies.
Continuing its strategy of aggressively pursuing business opportunities in existing markets, the company has launched steady stream on new products and innovations in the past 12 months.
In March, the company celebrated one year under new ownership by announcing it was ideally positioned to leverage its global and U.S. assets for optimal growth and profitability.
“Propex has achieved and maintained its historical market dominance by investing in the development of innovative technology, building on its core competencies of scientific know-how and manufacturing operations excellence, and ultimately, delivering sustainable solutions to our customers," said David Gartshore, vice president of sales for Propex Furnishing Solutions division, which is responsible for the company's sales of primary and secondary backings for the carpet industry.
In its first year under new management, Propex introduced Polybac EX3 Advantage, an ecoefficient primary backing that offers improved performance while using 33% fewer natural materials.
Gartshore says, "As the largest independent backing producer in the industry, Propex has an unparalleled history of product design and innovation." He predicted that the company's robust development efforts will result in several product introductions in 2010 that will further Propex's commitment to sustainability and contribute to the strength of its current market-leading brands. This first year of new management also saw the company strengthen its leadership position with the addition of several key management roles.
Mr. Gartshore’s optimism about the future of Propex is echoed at all levels of corporate management. At the company's first international sales meeting held recently in Chattanooga, TN, executive vice president Ralph Bruno said Propex is “creating sustainable health in each of the company's business segments, which ensures our customers that that we are a strong, long-term supplier they can rely on to help grow their business.”
Another highlight was the launch of Opus Roof Blanket at the 2010 International Roofing Expo in New Orleans, LA in February. This blanket, which was in development and testing for the last six years with constant feedback from roofing contractors, creates an entirely new category in roofing underlayment.
“Unlike felt paper and plastic sheeting underlayment, Opus Roof Blanket was developed with roofing contractors in mind,” says executive vice president Ralph Bruno. “The unique composition of Opus gives it the most slip-resistant surface technology, meeting a top concern for roofing contractors. Additionally, the one-of-a-kind “blanket” surface makes it easy for roofers to snap a chalk line.”
In addition to these benefits, Bruno says roofers can expect to see many more advantages versus felt paper and plastic sheeting underlayment when they use Opus on their next job. “Opus is lightweight and easier to work with, cleaner with less wasted material, provides more coverage per roll, and is faster to install,” said Bruno.
“I’m looking forward to launching Opus at the IRE,” he added. “When roofers get this product in their hands, they’ll quickly realize it is vastly different and a far superior product than both felt paper and plastic sheeting underlayment. Opus truly is in a category of its own.”
The product is being distributed by Wolf, York, PA.
Meanwhile, in the carpet backing area, Propex was awarded a U.S. patent in March, showing that its latest technology provides improved performance, a plush feel and many other advantages that offer value to both its customers and the consumer.”
With the market-leading brands Actionbac and Polybac carpet backing products, Propex is the largest independent backing producer in the industry. Polybac primary backing provides a dimensionally stable foundation for superior tuftability, pattern definition and versatility. The industry standard for secondary backing, Actionbac carpet backing effectively provides long-term stability in almost any carpet installation and is crucial in extending the life of the carpet. Innovation remains the anchor of Propex’s success in providing high performance materials and solutions for the flooring industry.