Trex Company, Inc.

Trex Company, Inc.
Public
Traded as NYSE:TREX
Industry Consumer Discretionary
Founded 1996 (1996)
Headquarters Winchester, VA
Area served
 U.S.A., International
Key people
 James E. Cline
(President and CEO)[1]
Products decking, railing
Revenue Increase US$ 441 million (2015)[2]
Increase US$ 77.4 million (2015)
Increase US$ 48.1 million (2015)
Total assets Increase US$ 211.9 million (2015)[3]
Number of employees
 630
Website www.trex.com

Trex Company, Inc. known to global consumers and others simply as Trex or Trex Decking, is the leading recycled materials manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railings and other outdoor items.[4] It has been a public company since 1999 and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “TREX”. The company was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Winchester, VA, USA.[5] With manufacturing facilities in Fernley, Nevada and Winchester, Virginia, the company’s products are sold in 29 countries. Trex products are carried by approximately 6,700 retail locations worldwide.[6]

According to public documents, the company is the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing,[7] with approximate 2015 annual revenues reported of $441 million, annual operating income of $77.4 million and net income of $48.1 million. James E. Cline was named President and CEO of Trex effective August 17, 2015. Bryan H. Fairbanks was named Vice President and CFO effective August 17, 2015. Key executives of Trex Decking include; James E. Cline, President and Chief Executive Officer; Bryan H. Fairbanks, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer; Ron Kaplan, Chairman; Jay Scripter, Vice President of Operations, Chris Gerhard, Vice President, Sales; Adam Zambanini, Vice President, Marketing; Bill Gupp, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary.[8][9][10][11]

Trex Composite Decking

Trex Composite Decking

Trex is widely considered as one of the inventors of composite decking made from recyclable materials.[12] The idea for a process and product created to maximize the use of materials that would otherwise wind up in landfills is credited to inventors Kjell-Ake Gustafsson, of Binghamton, NY; John J. Muller, of Winchester, VA; and Roger A. Wittenberg of Newton, PA.[13]

Company Patent

The first patent for a “Method of Producing a Wood-Thermoplastic Composite Material” was filed as U.S. Patent number 5746958 in March 1995 and granted in May of 1998. The Assignee was Trex Company LLC, operating in Winchester, VA.[13] The process abstract for the creation of composite decking is: “A method for producing a wood-thermoplastic composite material using a high bulk density feedstock. Since the feedstock is easy to handle it provides manufacturers with lots of control over the process. Prompted by the prospect of environmental regulations mandating recycled materials, this process uses spent sawdust and plastic material rather than disposing of it.”[13]

Manufacturing Processes

Trex continues to employ a process that combines different materials, mostly wood and plastic, that are formed to create a product that has the appearance of wood. The wood content in Trex products is largely wood byproducts like sawdust, wood pallets, wood chips and wood fiber. The polyethylene plastic continues to be mostly recycled materials from commonly discarded items like stretch wrap, packaging films, grocery and retail bags and case/carton/product overwraps.[14] Trex uses about 100,000 tons of waste polyethylene film each year and claims to keep 200,000 tons of plastic and hardwood scraps out of American landfills each year.[15] Over 120,000 pieces of post consumer film (packaging, bags, overwraps, etc.) can be used to create a 500-square-foot Trex deck.[16] The components are mixed and a pigment and preservative are added during the process. The mixture is then heated, formed into a board shape, and cooled.[14]

Transcend Decking

In 2009 Trex introduced a ‘Transcend’ line of decking [17] that is a co-extruded composite decking product that includes a shell around the composite boards on three sides to protect the boards from staining, fading and scratching.[18] The Trex Transcend line of decking claims a recycled content rate of 95.4%.[19]

Products

Transcend® Porch Flooring and Railing System

Trex products include:[20]

Environmental Record

Trex promotes an environmental stance as part of its commercial appeal in the marketplace.[21] In public materials, Trex Company, Inc. cites that no trees are cut down to make Trex decking products; that the company uses vegetable-based oil hydraulics in transportation trailers; and that it recycles factory waste back into the manufacturing line.[20]

Recycled Components

Trex composite decking contains 97% recycled content and offers verification by ICC-ES.[22] In July 2010 Trex received a Verification of Attributes Report (VAR-1011) from the International Code Council Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) under the Sustainable Attributes Verification and Evaluation Program. The verification validates Trex’s wood-alternative products are manufactured with a minimum of 95.4% recycled content. Trex claims is the first composite decking manufacturer to obtain this certification.[22]

Environmental Affiliations

Trex has been a member of the Green Building Council, a trade group promoting environmentally friendly building practices, (USGBC) since 2009. USGBC is best known for the widely recognized LEED program (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design).[23]

Through the LEED point-based system, the use of Trex decking and railing products add points based on the percentage of recycled product content.[20]

Environmental Programs

Trex conducts and participates in eco-friendly educational and recycling programs in various parts of the United States.[21] Since 2006, students at selected schools throughout the East Coast and Midwest have participated in a ‘Trex Plastic Bag Challenge’ (recently renamed ‘Plastic Film Recycling Challenge’[20] ). Students collect plastic bags in exchange for a gift of Trex benches to participating schools.[24]

The company has also provided in-kind contributions, financial assistance and expertise to environmental projects around the country. These include:

Environmental Recognition

Trex corporate participation in environmental efforts, coupled with its eco-friendly product profile, has led to recognition by governments, publications and trade groups.

These include:

Industry Recognition

  • Trex Outdoor Lighting - Platinum Award
  • Trex Aluminum Gates - Platinum Award
  • Trex Transcend in Island Mist - Platinum Award
  • Trex ADA-Compliant Handrails - Gold Award
  • Trex Spiral Stairs - Gold Award
  • Trex Transcend in Havana Gold - Gold Award
  • "Brand Familiarity,"
  • "Brand Used in the Past Two Years"
  • "Brand Used Most" within the Decking Category
  • "Quality Rating"
  • Decking: Trex tied for #1 in Brand Familiarity
, Brand Used in the Past Two Years
, Brand Used the Most
, Highest Quality Brand

  • Railing:
 #1 Brand Familiarity
, #1 Brand Used in the Past Two Years
, #1 Brand Used the Most
, #1 Highest Quality Brand

Controversy

Lawsuit: A manufacturing problem at the Trex manufacturing facility in Fernley, Nevada led to the production of some decking boards from 2002 to 2007 that were prone to surface flaking. These boards were sold throughout 16 Western states in the U.S. and resulted in a class action suit against the company.[47] In a settlement approved in 2010[48] Trex agreed to replace any decking boards, including some resulting labor costs, for decking affected by surface flaking.[47]

Company History

Year Event
1988
  • Roger Wittenberg combined sawdust and plastic bags to create park benches and, later, decking[7]
1996
  • Mobil Chemical Co. acquired Wittenberg’s technology and later that same year Trex Company LLC was formed after a buyout of the Mobil division that owned the technology[7]
  • Trex established its corporate headquarters in Winchester, VA[5]
1999
  • Company IPO on New York Stock Exchange NYSE:TREX[5]
  • Trex opened a second manufacturing facility in Fernley, NV[5]
2000
  • Trex created the TrexPro program, providing installation and sales training to pre-screened contractors in U.S.[5]
2003
  • Trex introduced a line of railing products to complement the composite decking offering
2004
  • Trex introduced the Accents decking line
2005
  • Trex introduced Seclusions Fencing[49]
2007
  • Trex introduced the Escapes decking line[50]
2009
  • Trex introduced Transcend decking with protective shell technology
  • Trex introduced Trex Hideaway Universal Fastener, which installs to connect composite boards without visible surface screw heads[51]
2010
  • Trex introduced Trex Outdoor Furniture
  • Trex introduced Trex Deck Lighting[51]
  • Trex introduced Trex RainEscape from a licensing agreement with Dri-Decking Enterprises LLC[52]
2011
  • Trex acquired Iron Deck Corporation and adds Elevations Steel Deck Framing to its product line[53]
  • Through a licensing agreement with Backyard America, Trex adds Pergola kits to its product line
  • Trex introduced Transcend Porch Flooring[51]
2012
  • Trex began distributing Enhance, a mid-tier decking line in new colors – Beach Dune (brown) and Clam Shell (grey)
  • Trex began marketing internationally
  • Trex introduced Reveal aluminum railing and Select decking and railing for its 2013 product line[51]

References

  1. ↑ "Tex Names James E. Cline President and CEO Effective August 17, 2015". Business Wire. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  2. ↑ "Trex Number of Employees". MacroAxis. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Trex Company Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results". Business Wire. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  4. ↑ Harrison, J.D. "Not-real-wood company Trex posts a very real earnings bump". www.washingtonpost.com. Washington Post. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Trex Company, Inc. Stock Quowte & Summary Data". NASDAQ. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "Trex Investor Presentation - November 2015". Trex Company, Inc. Retrieved 28 January 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "The Inventor of Composite Decking". WCTDistributors. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  8. ↑ "Trex Investor Presentation, June 2013". Trex Company, Inc. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  9. ↑ https://finance.yahoo.com/q/is?s=TREX&annual "Trex Names James E. Cline President and CEO Effective August 17, 2015" Check |url= value (help). Business Wire. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  10. ↑ "Trex Company Announces Record Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Results". Business Wire. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "Leadership". Trex Company, Inc. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "Product of the Month: Composite Decking". Natural Element Houses. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 "Method of producing a wood-thermoplastic composite material". United States Patent. USPTO Patent Full-Text and Image Database.
  14. 1 2 Winter, Richard. "How Composite Decking Works". How Stuff Works. HowStuffWorks, Inc. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  15. ↑ "Coastal Zone Management: Trex Plastic Recycled Lumber, Virginia Marine Debris Summit 2013" (PDF). Coastal Zone Management. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  16. ↑ "Recyclopedia: Plastic Shopping Bags". 2Good2Waste. IWasteNot Systems, Inc. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  17. ↑ DeGroot, Paul (January 1, 2012). "Synthetic Decking Roundup". Professional Deck Builder. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  18. ↑ Feingold, Jean (April 1, 2012). "Latest decking trends for remodelers". Housing Zone. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  19. ↑ "Trex® Sweeps Composite Decking Category In Remodeling Magazine's 2013 Brand Use Study". Market Watch. July 10, 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2013.
  20. 1 2 3 4 "Trex". Trex Company, Inc. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  21. 1 2 Roach, John (September 2, 2003). "Are Plastic Grocery Bags Sacking the Environment?". National Geographic News. National Geographic. Retrieved 14 October 2013.
  22. 1 2 "Trex Composite Wood Products Obtain Sustainable Attributes Verification Report from ICC-ES" (PDF). ES-ICC Evaluation Service. The Green Destination. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  23. ↑ "Trex Company". LEED. U.S. Green Building Council. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  24. 1 2 3 "How "Green" Outdoor Living Should Feel" (PDF). Quinns Construction. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  25. ↑ "Trex Company". BASF Construction. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  26. ↑ "Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge". Hawaii for Visitors.
  27. ↑ "Green Resource Guide" (PDF). The Green House. National Building Museum. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  28. ↑ "How to Clean a Trex Composite Deck". Miles Bradley Building And Remodeling, Inc. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  29. ↑ "Reader's Choice 2013: Green Builder". Green Builder. Green Builder Media. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  30. ↑ "Trex Company wins "Excellence in Plastics Recycling" award". SolidWaste.com. VertMarkets, Inc. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  31. ↑ "Winslow Management Names Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Timberland, Trex 2005 Green2 Award Winners". Winslow Management Company. April 20, 2005. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  32. ↑ "STUDY FORECASTS INCREASE IN RECYCLED THERMOPLASTICS DEMAND". Recycling Today. GIE Media, Inc. November 17, 2005.
  33. ↑ "The Washington Post Top Workplaces 2014". The Washington Post. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  34. ↑ "Trex Elevations® And Trex Pergola™ Named 'Best New Products'". KFVE. WorldNow. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  35. ↑ "Corporate Leaders Receive Thirteenth Annual Emerald Asset Management "E-3 Awards"". Wall Street Journal. February 11, 2013. Retrieved 2 October 2013.
  36. ↑ "Trex Company". ADEX Awards. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  37. ↑ "2015 Builder Brand Use Study Results". Builder Magazine. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  38. ↑ "Trex® Sweeps Composite Decking Category In Remodeling Magazine's 2013 Brand Use Study". 8 News Now. WorldNow. Retrieved 1 October 2013.
  39. ↑ "2015 BUILDER BRAND USE STUDY RESULTS". Builder. Retrieved 19 June 2015.
  40. ↑ ProSales Information Services. "Trex Transcend Decking". ProSales. Hanley Wood, LLC.
  41. ↑ [- http://www.greenbuildermedia.com/2016-readers-choice-awards "2016 Reader Choice Awards"] Check |url= value (help). Green Builder. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  42. ↑ "Golden Hammer Update: Decking honors". HBS Dealer. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  43. ↑ "Brand Use Study" (PDF). Remodeling. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  44. ↑ "100 Best New Products of 2014: Outdoor Living". Pro Remodeler. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  45. ↑ "TOH Top 100 2015: Best New Outdoor Living Products". This Old Home. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  46. ↑ "GAIA Awards 2014 Winners". GAIA. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  47. 1 2 "Trex Company Reminds Consumers of Replacement Program for Defective Decking Manufactured between 2002 and 2007 for Sale in the Western United States". WorldNow. July 9, 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  48. ↑ "Trex® Surface Flaking Class Action Settlement". Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  49. ↑ "Trex Composite Fencing - Our Company". www.trexfencing.com. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  50. ↑ "Trex Company Introduces 'Trex Escapes' Decking". Business Wire. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  51. 1 2 3 4 "Trex Company Inc (TREX.K)". Reuters. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  52. ↑ "Trex Company Announces Licensing Partnership with Dri-Deck Enterprises, LLC". Gulf South Forest Products, Inc. Retrieved 19 September 2013.
  53. ↑ "Steel Deck Framing". Professional Deck Magazine. Retrieved 19 September 2013.

42. ^ “Pool Decks”. Professional pool Deck builder. Retrieved 19 March 2005.

External links


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