SCARBOROUGH, Maine, March 15, 2004 -- Contech Construction Products Inc., a comprehensive civil engineering site solutions products and services company, announced the acquisition of Scarborough-based Vortechnics, Inc., a provider of engineered solutions for the treatment of urban runoff.
Through the purchase of 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Vortechnics, Vortechnics will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Contech.
Vortechnics employs 47 employees, 40 of which are based in Maine, and will continue to be operated by current management as a standalone profit center in Scarborough, ME.
"By joining with Contech, we are able to fulfill several key strategic objectives and strengthen our commitment to cleaning up the nation's waters - all without losing our ability to keep our headquarters, operations, and way of life in Maine. This company was built on Maine values, and Vortechnics would not be what it is today without the spirit, drive and determination of our employees, most of whom call Maine home," said David Miley, CEO of Vortechnics.
With products serving the municipal, industrial and commercial construction markets, Vortechnics has been a pioneer in the treatment of stormwater pollution, developing several technological innovations for the rapidly evolving industry, including the award winning Vortechs® System, which is used to clean stormwater that runs off parking lots, roads and other impervious surfaces. If not removed from stormwater runoff, the pollutants can accumulate in surface waters, damaging ecosystems and diminishing habitats for native plant, fish and bird species.
"Together, Vortechnics and Contech will have a comprehensive portfolio of stormwater related products, creating a single solutions source for the civil engineering community. Our combined strengths will give us the power to serve our customers in a way Vortechnics could not accomplish on its own," said Fran Tighe, vice president of Vortechnics.
Vortechnics has experienced an incredible growth rate over the last three years. In the summer of 2002, the company celebrated the grand opening of its new corporate headquarters, including a state-of-the-art 3,500 square foot lab, to continue its commitment to lead the market through a program of rigorous product testing and aggressive product development.
In the fall of 2003, Vortechnics launched a new product, the VortSentry, another hydrodynamic separator product with a compact design and backed by full laboratory testing. In 2004, the company plans to launch at least two new stormwater treatment products - a filter unit for the removal of fine solids, nutrients and metals, and a trash and debris removal product.
With a sales force of more than 170 sales engineers across the country, this acquisition further strengthens Contech's competitive posture and ability to lead the construction products industry in offering the full continuum of products and services.
"This is a natural transition for the relationship between these two companies," said Patrick M. Harlow, president and CEO of Contech. "Contech established a position in the stormwater market with detention systems and drainage solutions. We strengthened our position with a sales representative agreement with Vortechnics in 2002. This acquisition solidifies Contech as the leader in technology and solutions for the stormwater industry."
About Vortechnics, Inc.
As a provider of engineered stormwater management solutions, Vortechnics has set the industry standard with its emphasis on research and development, customization and ease of installation and maintenance.
The company's flagship product, the Vortechs® System, captures pollutants from runoff and protects waterways from damaging, contaminated stormwater flows. With the most comprehensive lab, field and third party testing in the industry, Vortechnics delivers proven results and site-specific solutions for all applications and rainfall conditions. Founded in 1988 and based in Scarborough, Maine, the company has installed thousands of systems throughout the U.S. and Canada, ensuring that millions of people are able to enjoy the benefits of cleaner, safer water.
Vortechnics has three environmental technology awards, including the New England Environmental Award, for significant contributions to the improvement of the quality of the environment.
In recognition of the Vortechs System's contribution to protecting the nation's water resources, the company won an EPA Environmental Technology Innovator Award and was also named a finalist in the 1998 CERF Charles Pankow Award for Innovation. In addition, Vortechnics has received three Maine Institute of Technology grants for the development of new stormwater-related treatment products.
More information about Vortechnics is available at www.vortechnics.com.
About Contech
Contech is a civil engineering site solutions products and services company. Privately-owned and headquartered in Middletown, Ohio, Contech is the only nationwide provider of corrugated metal and plastic pipe, detention/retention systems, geogrid and geotextile materials, erosion control products, concrete arch systems, retaining wall systems and bridge structures.
Its product portfolio is based on more than a century of research and practical field experience serving the highway, drainage, sewage and site- improvement markets. More information on Contech is available at www.contech-cpi.com.
