- E-Grip III Introduced as Most Environmentally Friendly Adhesive on Market
- ECORE Expanding Its Business into Global Markets
- ECORE International Attracts $29 Million Equity Investment
- ECORE Taps Industry Leaders For Key Management Roles
- Ritz-Carlton Selects QT for Kapalua Resort in Hawaii
- President of A-Turf, Inc. Elected to Synthetic Turf
- Recycling Technology Leader Takes a New Name, Broader Focus
- Nike Partnership: A Perfect Fit For ECORE
- QT At Home in World’s Tallest Building
- National Survey Spotlights ECOsurfaces Growing Popularity
- QT Sound Control Underlayment (SCU) Continues to Exceed Independent and TCNA Testing Standards
News
7/2/2008 E-Grip III Introduced as Most Environmentally Friendly Adhesive on Market
ECORE International has launched E-Grip III, a revolutionary zero-VOC adhesive. The new low odor, one-component urethane adhesive is formulated for use with indoor and outdoor applications. Easy to trowel and apply, its moisture-cured, no-mix formula provides excellent adhesion to elastomers, concrete, and wood. The product is solvent free, anti-microbial, and has a 12 month shelf life.
“E-Grip III is truly an innovative product that reinforces our leadership in developing products that perform well and are sensitive to the environment,” said Brad Drexler, ECORE’s chief marketing officer. “A zero-VOC adhesive will be of significant interest to installations where air quality and off gassing are considerations.”
The zero-VOC content of E-Grip III is far less than that which is required by the California “South Coast Air Quality Management District” (SCAQMD) Rule #1168 for adhesive flooring and sealant applications, the most demanding standard in the U.S. Based on these criteria, E-Grip III can potentially contribute one point toward LEED (Leadership in Environmental Energy and Design) certification on building projects.
For further information on E-Grip III, please visit the ECOSurfaces website at http://www.ecosurfaces.com.
5/23/2008 ECORE Expanding Its Business into Global Markets
5/20/2008 ECORE International Attracts $29 Million Equity Investment
4/3/2008 ECORE Taps Industry Leaders For Key Management Roles
Lancaster, Pa., -- April 3, 2008 - ECORE International announced today two important appointments that will enable the company's accelerated growth plans. ECORE is a leader in manufacturing and marketing innovative, environmentally sustainable products and solutions for the global marketplace through a portfolio of brands that include ECOsurfaces commercial flooring, Everlast performance flooring and QT sound insulation, among several others.
Peter N. Saitis was named chief financial officer for the international manufacturer. He will direct all fiscal operations including the accounting, reporting, auditing and business planning functions. In addition, he will have oversight for the company's information technology area. Reporting directly to company President and CEO Arthur Dodge, Saitis will play a pivotal role in strategic planning for new business opportunities, joint ventures, alliances and new product development. He brings with him more than 30 years of experience in accounting and financial management and has held numerous leadership roles in strategic planning, mergers, acquisitions and facilities management. Most recently, he served as vice president, finance for the Hoeganaes corporation, Cinnaminson, H.J., an international organization that specializes in powder metallurgy for applications in numerous industries.
"Interest in sustainable materials is so great right now and ECORE is perfectly positioned to take advantage of that interest through its well developed portfolio of business brands," Saitis said. "It's a very exciting time to be part of the team that will lead the organization through global expansion and continued product development." Saitis holds a Bachelor's of Science degree form the University of Delaware and a Masters of Business Administration from Wilmington college. He is also a Certified Public Accountant.
ECORE also announced the appointment of Robert F. Dougherty as General Sales Manager. He will report to ECORE President and CEO Arthur Dodge and will be in charge of increasing the corporation's network of sales representatives and distributors worldwide to support revenue growth for the company's largest business units in commercial and sport surfacing. Before joining ECORE , Dougherty served as sales and marketing manager at BASF CONICA, Chicago, Ill., where held significant sales expansion for the company's indoor products division.
"Beyond having worked with ECORE as a customer for 15 years, the opportunity to be part of a company poised to enter the 21st century as a leader in 'green' products in a number of marketplaces is very exciting," said Dougherty. "The potential for success at ECORE is unmatched in our industry."
Dodge said, "We are extremely pleased to welcome both Peter and Robert to our management team. They bring a track record of demonstrated achievement across industries that will be extremely important to our successful business expansion. With their knowledge of global markets and understanding of our opportunities and challenges, I am confident that they will help drive our unrelenting focus on innovative product development, environmental stewardship and global expansion."
As North America's largest user of scrap tier rubber, ECORE has made a thriving business out of finding creative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. It manufactures innovatively designed cork, cork/rubber and recycled rubber products. Each year, ECORE recycles 80 million pounds of scrap tire rubber, helping to conserve more than 1 million barrels of oil in the process to convert pliable treads into durable products for the construction, consumer, commercial, industrial, and sports and leisure markets.
3/13/2008 Ritz-Carlton Selects QT for Kapalua Resort in Hawaii
The Ritz-Carlton Kapalua Resort in
The Ritz-Carlton, sited QT Impact Sound Insulation’s proven reputation as a leader in the sound control field, and was particularly impressed by its consistent performance in more than 185 independent laboratory and field tests.
1/29/2008 President of A-Turf, Inc. Elected to Synthetic Turf
Buffalo, NY. – James A. Dobmeier, President & Founder of A-Turf, Inc., was elected to the Board of Directors of the Synthetic Turf Council STC during their Annual Membership Meeting in Orlando, Florida on November 27- November 28. Founded in 2003, STC serves as an objective resource assisting buyers and end users with the selection, use, and maintenance of synthetic turf systems in sports field, golf and landscape applications throughout North America and abroad. His election to the Executive Board recognizes Jim’s leadership position within the industry overall.
"The Board sets the strategic direction of the organization," notes Rick Doyle, President of the Synthetic Turf Council. "Considering the dramatic changes that our industry is currently experiencing, Jim Dobmeier will play a critical role in guiding the growth and influence of the Council."
Based in Cheektowaga, NY, A-Turf, Inc. specializes in the supply, installation, and administration of synthetic turf field projects. The company has provided quality synthetic turf installations throughout the United States for five years. Jim Dobmeier has been especially committed to advancing STC’s mission of maintaining the highest quality practices and standards throughout the industry.
Demand for synthetic turf fields has escalated over the past few years, with over 800 multi-use synthetic turf sports fields being installed annually in North America in schools, colleges, parks and professional sports stadiums. As the need for durable playing fields continues to escalate, especially those that don’t require high water usage during times of drought, synthetic turf has become an increasingly popular solution to enhance athletic performance, deal with the issue of limited space in older cities and suburbs, and allow for multiple sports teams to practice and play on a grass-like surface.
About A-Turf, Inc.
Founded in 2002, A-Turf, Inc. is based in Cheektowaga, NY. Sister company, Surface America, Inc., was founded in 1993, by Jim Dobmeier and is also based in Cheektowaga, NY. These sister companies have been setting the standards in athletic and recreational surfacing venues nationwide. Since their inception, A-Turf and Surface America have been providing the industry with tremendous choices, outstanding quality, industry leading value, and ultimately, full-service client satisfaction. From the Florida peninsula to the Puget Sound, A-Turf and Surface America have a technical sales representative trained to support your efforts and direct your project to a successful conclusion. Our national installation networks feature certified, professional installation teams that specialize in applying the materials as ordered, and on schedule.
About the Synthetic Turf Council
Based in Atlanta, the Synthetic Turf Council recently launched a Public Outreach & Education Campaign to provide the community with honest answers to their most frequently asked questions. The effort focuses on presenting accurate information in layman’s terms for athletic directors, parents, school boards, parks and recreation departments, architects, landscapers, environmental groups and others interested in learning more about synthetic turf. STC actively collects reputable studies and research, as well as official statements by governmental agencies and sports organizations, which address the impact of synthetic turf sports fields. Producing and installing most of the synthetic turf sports fields in North America, membership includes builders, landscape architects, testing labs, maintenance providers, installation contractors and other specialty service companies. For more information, visit www.syntheticturfcouncil.org.
1/2/2008 Recycling Technology Leader Takes a New Name, Broader Focus
LANCASTER, Pa., -- January 3, 2008 – Dodge-Regupol announced today that the privately held business with roots that date back to the mid-1800s has taken a new name – ECORE International, and has broadened its strategic and geographic focus.
The company has operated as Dodge-Regupol since 1989, and prior to that as the Dodge Cork Company. As North America’s largest user of scrap tire rubber, the organization has made a thriving business out of finding creative ways to reduce, reuse and recycle. It manufactures innovatively designed cork, cork/rubber and recycled rubber products, which had primarily been distributed in the United States.
Although the company is best known for its recycled rubber products sold under the ECOsurfaces commercial flooring and Everlast performance flooring brands, it has a diverse portfolio of successful products and businesses. The company produces sound control products under the QT brand, load securement materials under the Transmat name, home gym flooring under the PuzzleTile brand, equine pavers under the PaveSafe name, and playground safety surfacing under the PlayGuard brand. Its subsidiary units, A-Turf, SurfaceAmerica and SpectraTurf, are leaders in playground surfacing, gymnasium flooring, fitness flooring, specialty surfacing and artificial turf industries.
With a new name, and growing global appetite for products that are environmentally friendly, ECORE has its eyes set on expanding its leadership as a provider of sustainable materials and systems for global markets. “We recognize that sustainable products and processes form the core of what we already do,” said ECORE President and CEO Arthur Dodge III, whose great, great grandfather founded the Dodge Cork Company more than 100 years ago.
“Our vision is to build an organization of talented individuals who share a common passion for protecting and preserving this planet and a passion for success in the marketplace of sustainable products and services. Our vision is also about finding solutions and developing systems and standards on the cutting-edge of sustainability. These ideas are not alien to who we are today. This company is already regarded as a pioneer in developing innovative recycled products and systems,” said Dodge.
Dodge-Regupol was formed 18 years ago through a partnership between the Dodge Cork Company and the Germany-based Berleburger Schaumstoffwerk GMBH (BSW). The companies mutually agreed to conclude their joint venture last November as a way to enable both organizations to pursue distinct business strategies and accelerate growth. According to Dodge, ECORE will continue to operate in Lancaster, Pa., and retain ownership of all its brands and operating units. “We’ll continue to make great products and deliver outstanding service as we have previously,” said Dodge.
Each year, ECORE recycles 80 million pounds of scrap tire rubber, helping conserve more than 1 million barrels of oil in the process to convert pliable treads into durable products for the construction, consumer, commercial, industrial and sports and leisure markets. With its headquarters in Lancaster, the company employs approximately 240.
1/2/2008 Nike Partnership: A Perfect Fit For ECORE
ECORE has built a thriving business model from developing innovative ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle. So when the opportunity presented itself to work with the Nike Corporation through its Nike Grind recycling program, the company leapt in with both feet!
The Nike Grind program is a unique combination of recycling, innovation, sports and community give-back.
Nike Grind is the raw material resulting from the recycling of athletic shoes through Nike’s Reuse-A-Shoe program and from the recycling of scrap materials left over from the manufacture of Nike product. Reuse-A-Shoe allows consumers to drop off any athletic shoe, Nike or not, at various Nike stores and other collection points across America. These shoes are then ground into rubber crumb, foam crumb, and upper crumb material affectionately called “Nike Grind”. Nike then partners with market-leading surfacing companies who use Nike Grind, in the manufacture of tennis and basketball courts, running tracks, athletic fields and playgrounds.
Many innovative uses have been developed for Nike Grind in high-quality sports surfaces. Using its state-of-the-art technology, ECORE uses a proprietary process which combines Nike Grind Rubber with other ground recycled rubbers and polymers. After this mixture is molded, sets and cures, it is cut into sheets to produce rubber matting and flooring used in Nike retail stores across America. This flooring features a distinct multi-colored speck surrounded by high quality black recycled tire rubber.
Using Nike Grind Foam, ECORE uses a similar process to create rubber and foam underlayment which is used underneath poured urethane sports surfaces. “ECORE appreciates our relationship with Nike and we are privileged to be a part of such a rewarding program,” said Art Dodge, president and CEO of ECORE International. “They share our commitment to preserving the environment and our passion for using our resources wisely.”
Proceeds generate by the Nike Grind program are invested through Nike’s Let Me Play initiative, Nike’s global movement to use sport to improves lives. One piece of this program includes contributing to the rebuilding of sports facilities in under-served communities around the world. Since 1993, Nike has contributed to over 250 surface donations and recycled over 20 million pairs of athletic shoes. To learn more about Nike Grind visit www.nikegrind.com.
1/2/2008 QT At Home in World’s Tallest Building
When Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, one of the most prestigious architectural firms in the world, specified sound and vibration insulation for the Burj Dubai Tower, the tallest building in the world currently under construction, QT was its top choice.
The recycled rubber-based underlayment will be installed in the residential portion of the building, directly under stone flooring in hallways and bathrooms. QT may also be installed in several other locations in the building including under ceramic tile and hardwood in condominiums and beneath vinyl flooring in the Armani Hotel housed in the structure. When the project is completed, nearly 2 million square feet of QT products will be installed in the mammoth skyscraper.
“The Burj Dubai Tower is an example of modern day extraordinaire,” said Paul Downey, QT business unit manager. “Naturally, a structure of its magnitude requires only the best materials. S.O.M. had its choice of sound underlayment but chose QT for its proven performance and acquired trust in the marketplace. It offers the versatility to perform at high levels with a variety of assemblies and under all floor coverings.”
QT’s appeal for inclusion in the Burj Dubai Tower was enhanced by the desire of Dubai Ruler Sheik Mohammed to invest in green building construction. While the word “green” generically refers to buildings that are environmentally friendly, it has also become synonymous for a set of standards put out by the United States Green Building Council called the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, system. LEED puts priority on using energy efficiency, employing innovative construction materials, and recycling. Comprised of 100% post-consumer SBR tire rubber and 30% pre-consumer waste, QT products are designed to earn points in two of the six categories of LEED for New Construction. Based on these criteria, QT products can potentially contribute up to 5 points toward LEED certification.
When finished in 2009, the Burj Dubai tower will stand alone as the tallest building on Earth. It is rising from a desert oasis to a height of more than 2,000 feet and it will be the crown jewel of Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
11/1/2007 National Survey Spotlights ECOsurfaces Growing Popularity
Top designers and architects across the nation gave ECOsurfaces high marks in a Floor Focus magazine survey of the country's largest design firms. The Top 250 Design Survey reflects feedback from designers and architects at the country's leading firms. It's conducted each year to gain opinions on flooring surfaces and manufacturers in a number of categories, and identify trends that will shape the future of the market.
This year, ECOsurface had its best showing ever in the important survey, claiming top 10 spots in a number of key categories incluidng:
- #8 for "Kudos" (overall satisfaction)
- #8 on "Service"
- #9 on "Green Kudos"
- #9 on "Design"
In addition, ECOsurfaces was ranked #16 on Best Overall Business Experience and received honorable mention for quality, performance, value and green leadership.
"It's extremely gratifying to see that designers and architects across the country, who are so influential in the building materials industry, consider ECOsurfaces as one of the leading brands in the commercial flooring category," said Art Dodge, president and CEO of ECORE International. "Clearly, this recognizes that our color selection, designs, service, quality and recycled rubber content are valued in the marketplace, as is our distributor relationship with Gerbert Ltd., and its sales force."
"This is great recognition of all the hard work that has been done to manufacture, market and sell our ECOsurfaces line. We should all feel proud of this accomplishment," added Dodge.
ECOsurfaces has appeared in the survey in previous years but has never been ranked so highly in so many categories. A number of high profile projects have installed ECOsurfaces, including the World of Coca-Cola retail store, Atlanta, GA, Dell Children's Medical Center, Austin, TX, a platinum-level LEED certified healthcare project and High Tech High Bayshore, Redwood, CA.
10/22/2007 QT Sound Control Underlayment (SCU) Continues to Exceed Independent and TCNA Testing Standards
Testing results have proven that QTscu continues to be one of the most trusted and tested names in sound control underlayment. Made from 100% recycled rubber and backed by over 165 independent laboratory and field tests to date, QTscu remains one of the most selected sound control products in the industry.
QTscu is a flat, resilient underlayment that is used directly under floor finishes, yielding exceptional results even under hard surface flooring and over concrete and wood joist construction.
Facts:
- QTscu testing results are backed by over 185 independent laboratory and field tests in a variety of floor-ceiling assemblies per ASTM E492,E90 and E1007.
- QTscu can thin-set tile and stone directly to the product per ASTM C627.
- The Tile Council of North America performed bond tests using QTscu. In these tests, QTscu passed bond results according to ANSI 118.12 standards.
- The Tile Council of North America performed the Robinson Wheel test using QTscu. QTscu passed ASTM C-627 with a residential rating.
- Engineered to provide the highest IIC rating improvement as measured by ASTM E2179
- Made from resilient 100% recycled rubber
- Meets and exceeds tough building code requirements while adding less than 1/2" of floor height
- Compatible with a direct application of floor finishes such as ceramic tile, stone, laminate, hardwood, engineered wood and vinyl
- Outperforms cork, felt, polyethylene, fiberglass and nylon matrix
- Available in rolls for simple and fast installation
