Combined Resources and Experience Creates an Unstoppable Force in the Synthetic Turf Sports Industry
October 30, 2009 - Dalton, Georgia – Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, announced today the completion of the acquisition of Sportexe Construction Services, Inc., a leading synthetic turf company dedicated to sports surfacing.
With an impressive list of high profile field installations, Sportexe is one of the premier synthetic turf companies in North America. Sportexe has demonstrated industry leadership in both quality and innovation for more than two decades. During that time, Sportexe has provided fields to organizations such as the New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, University of Pittsburgh, LSU, University of California, University of Arkansas and many others. Sportexe is also the exclusive or official turf system supplier for The Arena Football League (AFL/AF2), National Lacrosse League (NLL) and the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).
In commenting on the transaction Vance Bell, Chief Executive Officer of Shaw Industries Group, Inc., stated, “We are very pleased to have Sportexe joining Shaw Industries. The turf market offers exciting opportunities for us. We intend to be a fully integrated producer from manufacturing through installation. With the combined strengths of these two companies, we look forward to accelerated growth in the synthetic turf market.”
Mr. Bell continued, “We plan to continue to remain at the forefront of addressing industry needs by constantly evolving the products and services we provide. One of these issues will be developing a sustainable business model for the synthetic turf market. We will apply to turf those core principles which define our industry leading position in sustainability.”
Stephen P. Noe, President and CEO of Sportexe Construction Services, Inc., commented further, “Joining Shaw will give Sportexe the financial support and resources needed to boost the company to the next playing level. The combined strength of the two companies will allow Sportexe to continue delivering great service to its clients both before the sale, during the installation and throughout the ownership experience. It will also ensure we give athletes the best platform on which to play their game.”
The acquisition will bring together Shaw’s current TerraSport™ sports turf and TerraSoft™ recreational surfaces’ brands, sold under the Spectra Sports Surfaces division, with Sportexe’s current product offering. In the following weeks, the company will begin executing the planned integration of the two companies’ operations, networks and customer care organizations to ensure a smooth transition and immediate value for customers, partners and employees.
About Shaw
Shaw Industries Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., is the world’s largest carpet manufacturer and a leading floor covering provider with more than $5 billion in annual sales and approximately 26,000 associates. Headquartered in Dalton, Ga., the company manufactures and distributes carpeting, rugs, hardwood, laminate and ceramic tile for residential and commercial applications worldwide. A recognized leader in environmental stewardship, Shaw has implemented hundreds of sustainability initiatives and cradle to cradle design solutions, collectively termed the Shaw Green Edge. For more information, visit www.shawfloors.com .
Shaw Press Contact: Mollie Surratt, phone: 706.275.1792, email: Mollie.Surratt @shawinc.com
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Validates Safety of Lead Chromate in Synthetic Turf and STC Announces Voluntary Reduction Standards
Atlanta, GA - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced today that synthetic turf fields are okay to install and play on for children and people of all ages. The CPSC evaluation of old and newer synthetic turf fields concludes that "young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields." Their full statement is accessible at: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml08/08348.html
Immediately following the CPSC's call for the development of voluntary standards to eventually eliminate lead from synthetic turf, the Synthetic Turf Council announced its proactive plans to achieve that goal.
"The Synthetic Turf Council fully supports the efforts by the CPSC, EPA, and CDC to eliminate lead in all products where feasible," says Rick Doyle, President of the Association. "With this commitment, we are voluntarily agreeing to reduce lead levels in accordance with the proposed Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, and to the same strict standards Congress is likely to impose on the children's toy industry."
STC's Voluntary Commitment
Throughout the years, the synthetic turf industry has developed and tested new pigment formulations to enable the removal of all or most of the lead from over 90% of the pigments used to color synthetic turf. Now the STC plans to reduce lead levels in the remaining 10% of all colored fibers that still require lead chromate to meet the consumer's demand for long-term colorfastness.
The STC voluntarily agrees to comply with the revised lead restrictions currently proposed for children's products in H.R. 4040. Specifically, the level of lead will be reduced in all pigments used to color synthetic turf to 300 ppm or less by no later than January 1, 2010, and to 100 ppm or less by no later than January 1, 2012.
About the Synthetic Turf Council
Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council was founded in 2003 to promote the industry and to assist buyers and end users with the selection, use and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf and landscape applications. The organization is also a resource for current, credible, and independent research on the safety and environmental impact of synthetic turf. STC members produce and install most of the synthetic turf sports fields in North America. Membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, installation contractors, infill material suppliers and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org .
Click here for additional News Coverage at USToday, "Feds: Synthetic turf OK, kids 'not at risk' from lead exposure".
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) staff today released its evaluation of various synthetic athletic fields. The evaluation concludes that young children are not at risk from exposure to lead in these fields.
CPSC staff evaluation showed that newer fields had no lead or generally had the lowest lead levels. Although small amounts of lead were detected on the surface of some older fields, none of these tested fields released amounts of lead that would be harmful to children.
Lead is present in the pigments of some synthetic turf products to give the turf its various colors. Staff recognizes that some conditions such as age, weathering, exposure to sunlight, and wear and tear might change the amount of lead that could be released from the turf. As turf is used during athletics or play and exposed over time to sunlight, heat and other weather conditions, the surface of the turf may start to become worn and small particles of the lead-containing synthetic grass fibers might be released. The staff considered in the evaluation that particles on a child's hand transferred to his/her mouth would be the most likely route of exposure and determined young children would not be at risk.
Although this evaluation found no harmful lead levels, CPSC staff is asking that voluntary standards be developed for synthetic turf to preclude the use of lead in future products. This action is being taken proactively to address any future production of synthetic turf and to set a standard for any new entrants to the market to follow.
As an overall guideline, CPSC staff recommends young children wash their hands after playing outside, especially before eating.
Click here for additional News Coverage at USToday, "Feds: Synthetic turf OK, kids 'not at risk' from lead exposure".
CALHOUN, GEORGIA: March 11, 2008-- Sportexe Construction Services, Inc. and ACT Global Sports announced the formation of a partnership for synthetic turf production. Each company will be contributing equipment and technology to the partnership. Capital improvements are also being made to house these new manufacturing operations within the existing Sportexe operations center. Sportexe's equipment contributions are being financed through its recently announced banking relationship with Wells Fargo.
"We are very pleased to continue to expand our investments in the synthetic turf market. Through our partnership with ACT Global Sports, we are creating a state-of-the-art manufacturing and research center," Stephen Noe, CEO of Sportexe said. "While pleased with our current tufting provider, this new partnership will provide us with greater flexibility in our product development and allow us to interact more closely with all our vendors in the supply chain. With this move, we see tremendous opportunity to be more strategically positioned as one of only a few turf installation companies that have control over their turf production. Additionally, this demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver a superior sporting experience and tangible value to our customers."
ACT Global Sports Managing Director John Baize is equally happy with the agreement. "We are pleased to enter into a strategic partnership with Sportexe," Baize said. "We are making significant manufacturing investments in the North American market, so it is valuable to find a partner with such a high reputation for building excellent sports fields."
Sportexe is one of North America's largest installers of artificial turf surfaces for recreational and athletic facilities. Sportexe fields are used by The Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49'ers and Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. More than 200 Sportexe fields have been installed at NCAA, NAIA and high school facilities from coast-to-coast. Sportexe is owned by Insight Equity, a Dallas based private equity firm.
ACT Global Sports brings its international reputation and manufacturing expertise to the partnership. While ACT Global Sports is headquartered in Austin, TX, it has regional locations in The Netherlands, Cyprus, Hong Kong and China. The company is one of the largest international artificial turf manufacturers and has ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality-certifications.
IRVING, TEXAS: February 12, 2008-- Sportexe Construction Services of Irving, TX recently acquired a $10 million line of credit from Wells Fargo Business Credit, a division of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. The transaction was negotiated through Insight Equity of Dallas, TX, owners of Sportexe beginning February 2007.
Wells Fargo Business Credit is a leading provider of asset based lending, factoring and debtor-in-possession financing. John Wattinger of Wells Fargo Business Credit is pleased with the transaction. "We are excited to close the Sportexe transaction," he said. "I have worked with Insight Equity on a number of deals and feel comfortable with the leadership and direction that Insight Equity provides. I believe that Sportexe management is heading in the right direction and will remain a major player in the synthetic turf industry for many years to come."
Sportexe Chief Executive Officer, Stephen Noe is equally pleased with the completion of the transaction. "All of us at Sportexe are very pleased with our new relationship with Wells Fargo both for the financial flexibility they provide as well as their endorsement of our current financial position and the confidence in our plan going forward. We look forward to a long relationship."
New Orleans – When the Louisiana State University Bayou Tigers recently defeated Ohio State University in New Orleans' legendary Superdome, all of the action took place on a Sportexe® synthetic turf system.
The indoor stadium's record crowd of 79,651, along with a national television audience, saw LSU come back from an early deficit to defeat the Buckeyes for the BCS Championship. The game was contested on a playing surface highlighted by tufted five-yard lines, inlaid numbers and hash marks. Additional field markings, such as center and end zone logos were painted.
After the turf was installed, it was filled with a mixture of rounded silica sand and SBR rubber. While the Sportexe system is normally installed over a compacted crushed stone base, the field in the Superdome was installed over a concrete base.
Sportexe turf has been the playing surface at the Superdome for several years, and is used primarily by the National Football League's New Orleans Saints. The extremely durable field, which is tufted into multiple layers of backing, is also used by Tulane University and several local high schools. The 2004 BCS Championship was also played on Sportexe synthetic turf.
The Superdome, which was renovated following Hurricane Katrina, was originally completed in 1975. It has hosted more NFL Super Bowls than any other sports facility, and this year's BCS Championship was the third to be played in the mammoth venue. It also serves as host to the Sugar Bowl, the New Orleans Bowl and the annual Bayou Classic, a gridiron contest between Grambling State and Southern University.
LSU might have had a hidden edge in this year's BCS Championship, although an explosive offense and tenacious defense might have played the major role in the Tiger's victory. The Baton Rouge, LA campus of the Tigers is home to a Sportexe practice field.
Although LSU, this year's BCS Champions, had an explosive offense and tenacious defense, the hidden edge may have been the campus of the Tigers is home to a Sportexe practice field.
DALLAS--Following its acquisition in the first quarter of 2007 by private investment firm Insight Equity, Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry for the past 18 years, has undergone an extensive review of its operations with a view to enhancing cost effectiveness and functional efficiency.
This review has resulted in several changes at Sportexe, including an enhanced focus on project management, direct customer contact and improving the overall experience of making an investment in a synthetic turf system.
Consistent with this focus, Sportexe has announced the establishment of a new corporate headquarters and consolidation of its primary executive, financial and operational functions in Dallas, Texas. Sportexe's Round Rock, Texas, facility will be relocated and all functions previously located there will be transferred to the new corporate headquarters in Dallas.
Sportexe will continue to have a long-term presence in Canada where the concentration will remain on the golf, indoor sports, and other specialized turf applications. Sportexe's Calhoun, Georgia, facility will continue to host the research and development, warehousing and field assembly functions. In addition, Insight Equity has announced the appointment of Sportexe's current President, Stephen Noe, to the post of Chief Executive Officer. This appointment follows the departure of founder and former CEO, Mark Nicholls, who leaves Sportexe to pursue other endeavors.
"The Dallas location was selected due to its proximity to superior airport facilities and its central U.S. location," said Noe. "This will enable an increased interaction with our client base during all aspects of the turf selection and installation process, all of which are designed to provide a superior buying experience."
Noe joined Sportexe in July of 2007. Prior to this he was Group Vice President at Day International, a $400 million provider of products to the printing industry. Before Day, he was employed at FMC Corporation, a $5 billion company, as Business Director for the Phosphorus Chemical Division.
Sportexe, which can be found underfoot of many of the world's elite athletes, will continue to focus on its areas of core competency, in particular athletic applications and the aviation turf market, while it ramps up its corporate and U.S. operations functions in the Dallas headquarters.
"This is an exciting time for Sportexe," added Noe. "The synthetic turf industry is undergoing unprecedented growth globally and this acquisition simply solidifies the Sportexe commitment to offering competitive products and pricing while raising the bar on industry standards and practices."
Insight Equity Holdings, based in Southlake, Texas, is a private equity firm that makes control investments in strategically strong, middle-market companies that have the potential for significant industry growth. Insight's experienced principals, who themselves are the second-largest investors in their own fund, have acquired and managed businesses with over $3B in aggregate revenue since 1998.
Insight's current fund has $280 million in capital with significant assets in reserve, available for investment in new or existing portfolio companies.
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City of Doral Selects Four Sportexe Synthetic Turf Fields for City Park
DORAL, Fla. August 10, 2007--The City of Doral recently dedicated Doral Meadows Park Phase II - which includes two Sportexe synthetic turf pitches - along with thousands of enthusiastic football and soccer players, coaches, citizens and community leaders.
The park, located off 58th Street adjacent to the Florida Turnpike, includes two lighted baseball fields, bleachers, a shade-covered playground, concession/restroom building and ample parking. Phase II improvements added one Sportexe synthetic turf football field and one Sportexe multipurpose soccer/football field. Both fields are illuminated with the Musco Light Structure GreenTM system and are accessible from new walkways. Protective shade-covered spectator bleachers, a picnic pavilion, exercise trail with fitness equipment and native landscaping round out the project.
During the past three months, the City has dedicated four lighted Sportexe sports fields within the City of Doral: two at Doral Park and two new fields at Doral Meadows Park. With no downtime for weather conditions or maintenance, the fields are readily available for extended year-round and night use.
"The longterm maintenance benefits of installing Sportexe synthetic turf will be extremely beneficial to the City of Doral," said Recreational Design and Construction's Ariel Guitian, project manager. "Sportexe is a great company with great people. The City of Doral will be happy with these facilities for a long, long time."
Doral Park features two lighted soccer fields designed with Sportexe synthetic turf, three lighted basketball courts, two lighted sand volleyball courts, walking path with 10 station Vita Course, picnic shelters, large ADA accessible playground with shade canopy, lighted tennis courts, 5,000-square foot Recreation Center Building, parking for 152 cars, open play areas, landscaping and perimeter fencing, scoreboard for all sports and a central plaza for gathering with neighbors.
"This has been a team effort with RDC," said Sportexe representative Joe Simpson. "Our working relationship with RDC is great as is our relationship with the City of Doral."
ROUND ROCK, Texas. August 13, 2007--The University of Florida is expanding its existing weight room facility located inside Ben Hill Griffen Stadium at Florida Field from 7,500 square feet to more than 22,000, and have chosen Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, for its new indoor sprint surface.
The turf installation, set for January 2008, is a small part of a $12 million renovation to offices, meeting rooms, weight room, interactive exhibition/reception area, Gator Room and support space for the football program.
"This project adds a new dimension to our strength and conditioning program," said Greg McGarity, Senior Associate Athletics Director of Internal Affairs. "We are extremely proud of the success of our student-athletes and this expansion project is proof of our continued commitment to our entire athletic program."
Throughout the past year, 10 of the 18 Florida athletic programs finished in the top 10 nationally, including a national championship in football and a second-straight national title in men's basketball. Gators baseball won a national title in 2005.
"All of our sports, especially football, base much of its training to speed work," said McGarity. "Now we can offer all our student-athletes a designated area to train – rain or shine."
Sportexe incorporates the finest technology in its industry-leading, high-performance synthetic turf systems. Sportexe turf is a superior surface designed to maximize performance and safety.
"Sportexe more than met the requirements for this project," said project architect Marty Miller of RDG Planning and Design. "This will be an important installation for the University of Florida athletic department."
Sportexe can also be found underfoot of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers, along with the NCAA's Cal-Berkeley, Indiana, Alabama, Southern Miss and Pitt. Sportexe is the official turf provider for the AFL, af2, Major Indoor Soccer League and National Lacrosse League.
Sportexe Installs Second Turf System at IU
ROUND ROCK, Texas. Aug. 3, 2007--Just days after announcing its latest turf installation inside Indiana University's Mellencamp Pavilion, Sportexe, a global leader in the synthetic turf industry, proudly announces the completion of yet another turf install for the Hoosiers athletic program.
Over the past decade IU field hockey team was one of many Hoosiers squads forced to split field time inside the 100,000-square foot Mellencamp Pavilion, so named after benefactor and singer/songwriter John Mellencamp, a Bloomington, Ind., native.
However, in June 2007 during the midst of a multi-million dollar facilities expansion and facelift, the Hoosiers field hockey program now has its own field to call home. Currently called the IU Field Hockey Field, the brand new facility is utilizing the latest Sportexe turf system specifically designed for field hockey as Sportexe has a turf system uniquely engineered to meet the stringent criteria of each individual sport.
"We are thrilled about the quality and the high performance standard of our newly installed Sportexe field hockey field," said IU field hockey head coach Amy Robertson. "Aside from how well the field plays at the high performance level it also holds the water very well and is not as slippery as new fields that I have been on in the past."
The Hoosiers will have ten home contests at the brand new facility. The season begins with a scrimmage at Ball State on August 18 and is followed by a road trip to Cal-Berkeley. The Hoosiers will open the regular season against Pacific in Berkeley on August 25 and follow that up the next day against Cal.
The Hoosiers will return home for their next five games starting on August 31 against Albany. "We are extremely excited about the addition of the new field hockey field," added IU Associate Athletic Director Janet Kittell. "It is great facility that will be a tremendous asset to our field hockey program now and in the future."
Sportexe can also be found underfoot of the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills, along with the NCAA's Cal-Berkeley, Alabama, Southern Mississippi and Pittsburgh. Sportexe is the official turf provider for the AFL, af2, Major Indoor Soccer League and National Lacrosse League.
