09.01.11
Chattanooga, GA
www.propexinc.com
2011 Nonwovens Sales: $140 million
Key Personnel: Michael Gorey, president and CEO, Ralph Bruno, executive vice president, Sales and Marketing; Martin deVries, executive vice president and CFO
Plants: Ringgold, GA
Processes: Needlepunch
Major Markets: Geosynthetics, flooring, furniture and bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates, sorbents
An adjustment in production demand, a relocation and an investment for growth are among recent headlines issued by needlepunch producer Propex Operating Company. Just last month, the Chattanooga, TN-based company announced it had retained the services of The Highland Group, a global consulting firm with expertise in implementation and operational excellence.
“Earlier this year, we introduced the new Propex logo and new tagline, ‘The Evolution of Infrastructure,’” says Ralph Bruno, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “To enhance the acceleration of this initiative, we have retained the services of the Highland Group.”
The Highland Group will assist Propex in gathering input through in-person visits and phone interviews with key market stakeholders. Together, the Highland Group and Propex will decide how to combine products, brands, engineering services and a world-class distribution network.
A leader in needlepunch technology, Propex is owned by a private investment fund managed by Wayzata Investment Partners, a Minneapolis, MN-based private equity firm. Wayzata purchased Propex in 2009 after a restructuring process. Under this new ownership, the firm has continued its strategy of aggressively pursuing business opportunities in existing markets.
One recent development was the launch of Gridpro Biaxial and Uniaxial geogrids for the geosynthetics market. These geogrids are manufactured to meet all industry specifications and help build on Propex’s promise to deliver the most complete portfolio of products to the industry.
Also included in Propex’s geosynethics range, which is manufactured in Ringgold, GA, are woven and nonwoven erosion control products.
In June, the company announced it was adjusting its production schedule in response to weakness in the geotextile market, caused by lower precipitation levels, a few abnormal weather events and reductions in military and government spending.
“As part of our strategic growth initiative, balancing production levels with marketplace demand will help to establish discipline in the geotextile and infrastructure markets that we serve,” says Mike Gorey, president and CEO.
Beyond geotextiles, Propex serves the flooring, furniture, bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates and sorbents markets.
Within roofing, Propex launched its Opus Roof Blanket at the 2010 International Roofing Expo in New Orleans, LA. 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,” notes 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.”
Meanwhile, in the carpet backing area, Propex was awarded a U.S. patent in March 2010, 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. 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.
In other news, in July, the company relocated its headquarters to warehouse row in Chattanooga, TN, a series of restored warehouse structures transformed into a contemporary destination for modern fashion, urban design, loft-style offices and gourmet dining.
“As a global company headquartered in Chattanooga, we are very pleased to be moving into the heart of the city and region, by relocating to Warehouse Row,” Gorey says.
www.propexinc.com
2011 Nonwovens Sales: $140 million
Key Personnel: Michael Gorey, president and CEO, Ralph Bruno, executive vice president, Sales and Marketing; Martin deVries, executive vice president and CFO
Plants: Ringgold, GA
Processes: Needlepunch
Major Markets: Geosynthetics, flooring, furniture and bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates, sorbents
An adjustment in production demand, a relocation and an investment for growth are among recent headlines issued by needlepunch producer Propex Operating Company. Just last month, the Chattanooga, TN-based company announced it had retained the services of The Highland Group, a global consulting firm with expertise in implementation and operational excellence.
“Earlier this year, we introduced the new Propex logo and new tagline, ‘The Evolution of Infrastructure,’” says Ralph Bruno, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “To enhance the acceleration of this initiative, we have retained the services of the Highland Group.”
The Highland Group will assist Propex in gathering input through in-person visits and phone interviews with key market stakeholders. Together, the Highland Group and Propex will decide how to combine products, brands, engineering services and a world-class distribution network.
A leader in needlepunch technology, Propex is owned by a private investment fund managed by Wayzata Investment Partners, a Minneapolis, MN-based private equity firm. Wayzata purchased Propex in 2009 after a restructuring process. Under this new ownership, the firm has continued its strategy of aggressively pursuing business opportunities in existing markets.
One recent development was the launch of Gridpro Biaxial and Uniaxial geogrids for the geosynthetics market. These geogrids are manufactured to meet all industry specifications and help build on Propex’s promise to deliver the most complete portfolio of products to the industry.
Also included in Propex’s geosynethics range, which is manufactured in Ringgold, GA, are woven and nonwoven erosion control products.
In June, the company announced it was adjusting its production schedule in response to weakness in the geotextile market, caused by lower precipitation levels, a few abnormal weather events and reductions in military and government spending.
“As part of our strategic growth initiative, balancing production levels with marketplace demand will help to establish discipline in the geotextile and infrastructure markets that we serve,” says Mike Gorey, president and CEO.
Beyond geotextiles, Propex serves the flooring, furniture, bedding, automotive, agriculture, laminates, vinyl substrates and sorbents markets.
Within roofing, Propex launched its Opus Roof Blanket at the 2010 International Roofing Expo in New Orleans, LA. 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,” notes 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.”
Meanwhile, in the carpet backing area, Propex was awarded a U.S. patent in March 2010, 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. 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.
In other news, in July, the company relocated its headquarters to warehouse row in Chattanooga, TN, a series of restored warehouse structures transformed into a contemporary destination for modern fashion, urban design, loft-style offices and gourmet dining.
“As a global company headquartered in Chattanooga, we are very pleased to be moving into the heart of the city and region, by relocating to Warehouse Row,” Gorey says.