News

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) presented a short course in Columbus, Ohio on 27 October 2017 at the Ohio State University (OSU) to a sold out, standing room only crowd.  The short course was organized by the FGI and was offered in collaboration with the Ohio State University and Owens Corning.   Figure 1 shows the short course in the beautiful Ohio Staters Traditions Room at the OSU Union in which the short course took place. 

The excellent and timely presentations focused on the challenges and environmental concerns with containment and engineering technologies and how geosynthetics and geomembranes can be used to mitigate the concerns and risks.  The beginning portion of the short course focused on current advances in containment technology for water applications.  For example, a presentation by Allison MacKay of the Ohio State University, focused on the importance and scarcity of water resources, while Tim Stark of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), provided insight into the latest advancements in geo-storage designs and materials.  Doug Evans, of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) reviewed permitting geosynthetic liner systems for water resource projects.  Finally, Boyd Ramsey of Ramsey Consulting gave an informative presentation on geosynthetics in water containment and conveyance, followed by Joe Troxell, of S&ME, describing the large water reservoir containment project in Columbus, Ohio and the liner system design and factory v. field seam strengths.   

The second half of the presentations focused on various applications of geosynthetics in civil engineering applications.  For example, Chris Merklin, of the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) reviewed geosynthetics in Ohio roadway projects.  Gary Zych of American Electric Power in Columbus, Ohio gave an informative presentation on effective disposal techniques for Coal Combustion Residuals using PVC geomembranes

Brian Queen, of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) provided insight on geomembrane wrinkles and leak location surveys.  A presentation by Tim Stark detailed elevated temperatures in containment applications.  Finally, Daniel Pradel, of the Ohio State University, reviewed the use of MSE walls backfilled with lightweight cellular.  Nick Majerus of Demtech Services and Allen Bullock of Leister Technologies provided geomembrane welding demonstrations throughout the day.

Many attendee questions, comments, and experiences made the course a great success.  The topics and speakers from the successful short course are shown below:

Importance and Scarcity of Water Resources –Allison MacKay (OSU)

GeoStorage - Tim Stark (UIUC)

Permitting Geosynthetic Liner Systems for Water Resource Projects – Doug Evans (ODNR)

Geosynthetics in Water Containment & Conveyance:  Materials and Selection - Boyd Ramsey (Ramsey Consulting)

Columbus Reservoir Project - Joe Troxell (S&ME, Inc.)

Geomembrane Welding Demonstrations - Nick Majerus (DemTech) & Allen Bullock (Leister)

Geosynthetics in Ohio Roadway Projects - Chris Merklin (ODOT)

Containment for Coal Combustion Residuals - Gary Zych (AEP)

Geomembrane Wrinkles and Leak Location Surveys – Brian Queen (OEPA)

Elevated Temperatures in Containment Applications – Tim Stark (UIUC)

Use of MSE Walls Backfilled with Lightweight Cellular – Daniel Pradel (OSU)

Summary on Fabricated Geomembranes – Tim Stark (U. of Illinois)

The FGI is dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer.  The FGI is an industry sponsored consortium of manufacturers, fabricators/installers, designers, regulators, and material suppliers of fabricated geomembranes. For more information on the FGI, please visit www.fabricatedgeomembrane.com

Raven Industries, Inc. (NASDAQ:RAVN) today announced that it has completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Colorado Lining International, Inc., headquartered in Parker, Colo. Raven completed a cash transaction, paying approximately $14 million with the potential for up to $2 million in additional earn-out payments over the next three years. This acquisition will immediately align under the company’s Engineered Films division, an innovative manufacturer of polymer film and sheeting.

The acquisition enhances the company’s geomembrane business through extended service and product offerings with the addition of new design-build and installation service components. As previously announced, this acquisition will advance Raven Engineered Films’ business model into a vertically-integrated, full-service solutions provider for the geomembrane sector. Following the acquisition, Raven Engineered Films will operate facilities in four states — South Dakota, Colorado, California and Texas — to further optimize and expand customer services and logistics.

”We are excited to welcome the Colorado Lining International team to the Raven family and further expand our service and product offerings for the geosynthetics industry,” stated Anthony Schmidt, Vice President and General Manager of Raven Engineered Films. “The cohesive team dynamics between Raven and the CLI group have made the close process seamless, and we plan to progressively leverage the positive synergies of the two companies to increase overall value for our customers.”

With the close of the acquisition, John Heap, Owner and CEO of Colorado Lining International, will join Raven leadership under the Engineered Films segment as Director of Business Development reporting to Schmidt. Raven also plans to integrate the Colorado Lining International team of 90 employees into its Engineered Films division and align fabrication and materials directly within its core capabilities. Key suppliers and installation contractors of both companies will continue to play a vital role in the success of our business strategy.

“Our group is thrilled to be joining Raven,” stated Heap, “and we look forward to the positive enhancements we will bring to the industry by combining decades of experience. We will directly contribute to the enhanced market growth of the geomembrane segment as a new full-service provider, offering a valuable alliance to the existing partnerships Raven and CLI have established with their customers over time.”

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About Raven Industries, Inc.

Raven Industries (NASDAQ: RAVN) is dedicated to providing innovative, high-value products and solutions that solve great challenges throughout the world. Raven is a leader in precision agriculture, high-performance specialty films, and lighter-than-air technologies. Since 1956, Raven has designed, produced, and delivered exceptional solutions, earning the company a reputation for innovation, product quality, high performance, and unmatched service. For more information, visit http://ravenind.com.

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About Raven Engineered Films

Raven Industries’ Engineered Films Division has established a well-known reputation for manufacturing and supplying high performance flexible films and sheeting to major markets throughout the United States and abroad. Engineered Films’ strategic mission is to produce critical film and sheeting for the containment and protection of Earth’s natural resources and asset value. Its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and proven product expertise offer the most innovative and targeted product solutions in the industry. Raven Engineered Films welcomes all inquiries and can be reached at +1 (800) 635-3456. Learn more about Raven Engineered Films at http://ravenefd.com.

About Colorado Lining International

Colorado Lining International, Inc. (CLI) is a full service Geosynthetics Contractor offering factory expert geomembrane fabrication and installation under one roof. CLI offers assistance in flexible membrane liner selection, coating material selection, fabrication techniques and design/build installation. By taking a site-specific approach to geomembrane and liner selection, clients can rest assured the material will fit the application and will be fabricated and installed by trained and certified crews. For more information, visit http://coloradolining.com.

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Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provision of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the protection of the Act’s Safe Harbor for forward-looking statements.  While this release is based on management’s best judgment and current expectations, actual results may differ and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements include, without limitation: uncertainties as to the timing of the transactions described above; the possibility that various closing conditions for the transactions may not be satisfied or waived; uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the combined operations following completion of the transaction; the ability to successfully integrate CLI’s operations and employees; the ability to realize anticipated synergies and cost savings; unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transaction; general economic, financial and business conditions that could affect the company’s financial condition and results of operations; as well as risk factors listed from time to time in the Raven’s filings with the SEC.  Raven cautions readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Raven disclaims any obligation subsequently to revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

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Contact Information
Margaret Carmody, Director of Communications
Raven Industries
+1 (605) 336-2750
margaret.carmody@ravenind.com

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To register go to: https://fgi-columbus-2017.eventbrite.com

Resisting animal and insect attacks of geomembranes is an interesting problem.  Geomembrane installers and manufacturers have had numerous geomembranes damaged by bears, deer, coyotes, birds, beavers and ground squirrels.  In most cases, the damage is incidental to something else the animal is seeking.  Deer damage the liner with their hooves trying to climb out.  Bears dig through the liner to try and find something on the other side (organic matter left under a liner in a retrofit).  Coyotes burrow under the liner on the slope to create a den that doesn’t freeze. 

(Urbana, IL, April 25, 2017) The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) inducted new Officers and a new Board of Directors during their annual membership meeting in Orlando, Florida on March 13, 2017 at the ASCE Geo-Frontiers Conference. The FGI’s membership meeting was attended by forty-seven (47) people and held in conjunction with the Industrial Fabrics Association International. Before introducing the new Officers and Directors, Timothy D. Stark, FGI Technical Director and Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, acknowledged the service of the outgoing Officers and Board Members: Marlyn Waltner (Intertape Polymer Group, Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Jeremiah Boorsma (Accugeo, Bakersfield, California), and Dave McLaury (DemTech, Placerville, California). In particular, Tim recognized the FGI’s outgoing President, Andrew Mills (Layfield Group, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), for his instrumental ideas and initiatives for launching the FGI and establishing the successful membership and dues structure. Tim presented Andrew with a plaque in recognition of his service as the FGI President for three consecutive terms, i.e., six years.

The newly elected FGI Officers will serve a two-year term (2017-2019) and are:

• President – Patrick Elliott (Colorado Lining International, Parker, Colorado) 

• Vice President – Laura Storey (Plastatech, Saginaw, Michigan) 

• Treasurer – Ed Silva (Engineered Polymer Technologies, Hillside, New Jersey) 

• Secretary – Jimmie Eloff (Owens Corning, Granville, OH)

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The recently elected FGI Board of Directors also will serve a two-year term (2017-2019) and are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Dale Kemnitz (Leak Location Services) 

• Gary Kolbasuk (Raven Industries) 

• Ray Peebles (Cooley Group) 

• Bill Shehane (Seaman Corporation) 

• Duff Simbeck (Simbeck & Associates)

The FGI is dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. The FGI is a consortium of manufacturers, fabricators/installers, designers, regulators, and material suppliers of fabricated geomembranes. For more information on the FGI, please visit www.fabricatedgeomembrane.com.

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The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) presented its second annual Fabricated Geomembrane Engineering Innovation Award during its annual membership meeting in Orlando, Florida on March 13, 2017 at the ASCE Geo-Frontiers Conference. The FGI’s membership meeting was attended by forty-seven (47) people and held in conjunction with the Industrial Fabrics Association International. The 2017 Engineering Innovation Award was presented to Ronald K. Frobel & Associates and S&ME, Inc. for the Columbus Upground Reservoir Project. This is the largest geosynthetics lined reservoir in the United States, covering 843 acres. More than 37,000,000 square feet of fabricated polypropylene geomembrane, as well as 37,000,000 square feet of 10 ounce non-woven geotextile were used for the liner system on the base of the reservoir. The reservoir contains 475 fabricated geomembrane panels; each panel measures approximately 125 by 250 feet, with an area of about 31,250 square feet and weighing nearly 6,250 lbs. The FGI Engineering Innovation Award provides recognition for engineer(s) who have creatively used fabricated geomembranes to successfully fulfill a client/owner’s needs including, technical requirements, scheduling, and budget.

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research titled, “Geomembrane Market by Raw Material, Technology, and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014–2022,” the global geomembrane market was valued at $2,048 million in 2015, and is estimated to reach $3,537 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2016 to 2022. In 2015, extrusion technology segment held almost half of the total market share.

Summary of the Report Geomembrane Market can be accessed on the website at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/geomembrane-market