Contech Construction Products Inc., a comprehensive civil engineering site solutions products and services company, has acquired Scarborough-based Vortechnics, Inc., the stormwater industry's leading provider of engineered solutions for the treatment of urban runoff. Through the purchase of 100 percent of the outstanding shares of Vortechnics, it 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.
"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."
Source: Vortechnics, Inc.
