TinyMobileRobots Named Proud Field Painter Supplier Partner of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center

ATLANTA, GA, April 17, 2026 - TinyMobileRobots has been named the proud field painter supplier partner of the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center, the home for soccer in America. This partnership exemplifies TinyMobileRobots' contribution to enhancing the training environment for athletes and coaches alike, ensuring that sports fields are maintained to the highest standards of precision and quality. TinyMobileRobots is revolutionizing how field markings are managed, delivering state-of-the-art technology to one of the foremost sports training facilities in the United States.

TinyMobileRobots sets a global benchmark for reliability and precision — a commitment now solidified by its partnership with the National Training Center. This partnership reflects a shared dedication to elite standards where every centimeter of the pitch can impact the game.

The implementation of TinyMobileRobots' fleet of robots will contribute significantly to the efficiency of operations at the training center. TinyMobileRobots will fulfill the National Training Center’s line marking needs across multiple natural grass and indoor and outdoor synthetic turf pitches across the facility.

For TinyMobileRobots, this partnership serves as a cornerstone of its long-term commitment to the American sports landscape. Beyond providing world-class line-marking technology to the National Training Center, TinyMobileRobots is invested in the people who power the industry. With a dedicated team of over 40 U.S. employees stationed nationwide, it is our mission to ensure a standard of excellence that is accessible to every soccer club and school in the United States.

"At TMR, our core purpose is to enable kids and adults to play sports outside to be healthy and happy together, " said Daniel Breum, TinyMobileRobots CEO. “We believe that the National Training Center is an important catalyst for exactly this mission, and we are proud to be considered as the best possible partner for line-marking.

The integration of the TinyMobileRobots at the Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center will further elevate the world-class environment for athletes training there. The robots will aid in providing straight lines and minimizing errors during remarking, which is essential for maintaining fair play standards. This advancement not only benefits the athletes but also enhances the overall training experience.

About TinyMobileRobots

TinyMobileRobots is an autonomous field-painting robotics company, grounded in its values of knowledge, experience, technology, and service. Founded in 2015, TinyMobileRobots aims to turn technology into meaningful solutions by improving robot usage and positioning in daily tasks. For more information, visit TinyMobileRobots.us.

For general updates regarding the organization, follow TinyMobileRobots on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.

About U.S. Soccer

Founded in 1913, U.S. Soccer, a 501(c)3) nonprofit, is the official governing body of the sport in the United States. Our vision is clear; we exist in service to soccer. Our ambition, working across the soccer ecosystem, is to ignite a national passion for the game. We believe soccer is more than a sport; it is a force for good. We are focused in three areas: Soccer Everywhere, ensuring everyone, everywhere experiences the joy of soccer; Soccer Success, our 27 National Teams and pro leagues winning on the world stage; and Soccer Investment, maximizing and diversifying investments to sustainably grow the game at all levels. For more information, visit ussoccer.com/ourvision. 

Media Contact

Ty Wood, TinyMobileRobots
404-595-1163 | TW@TinyMobileRobots.com

Cincinnati, Ohio – Sportworks Design, a division of The Kleingers Group, has added Kyle Wright, PE, to its team as Senior Civil Project Engineer. Sportworks specializes in athletic and recreational facility planning and design, delivering award-winning facilities for schools, municipalities, and communities across the region.

Kyle brings 13 years of civil engineering experience spanning athletic, K-12, park, residential, healthcare, and industrial projects. A University of Dayton graduate and licensed professional engineer in Ohio, his experience ranges from conducting field surveys to designing and managing complex land development projects. In his role with Sportworks, Kyle will contribute to the planning and design of sport complexes, school athletic facilities, and community recreation projects. His recent work includes the Ross High School Baseball and Softball Dugouts, Friendship Village of Dublin Pickleball Courts, and City of Fairborn Ernie Park Master Plan.

"I'm excited to be part of the Sportworks Design team and have the opportunity to design spaces that bring people together, promote health, and inspire the next generation of athletes," said Wright.

Sportworks Design is proud to have Kyle on the roster and looks forward to the expertise he brings to future projects across the region.

About Sportworks Design

Sportworks Design, a division of The Kleingers Group, is a dedicated group of civil and sports engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects, focused on sports facility planning and design. Sportworks has successfully completed more than 400 athletic projects. Using innovative engineering modeling technology and national sports industry standards, Sportworks has designed awardwinning athletic facilities, campus site plans, synthetic turf fields, and field performance testing. For more information, visit www.sportworksdesign.com. 

Photo: Kyle Wright

Image provided by The Kleingers Group, 2025

Contact:

Kate Walls, Director of Marketing

Sportworks Design, a Division of The Kleingers Group

513.779.7851

kate.walls@kleingers.com

Liberty Tire Recycling Earns EcoVadis Bronze Sustainability Rating, Ranking in Top 35% of Companies Worldwide

Pittsburgh, PA – February 17, 2026 – Liberty Tire Recycling, the leading tire recycler in North America, has been awarded a Bronze sustainability medal from EcoVadis, placing the company in the top 35% of more than 150,000 rated companies worldwide. The new rating reflects Liberty’s continued progress in building a resilient, transparent, and sustainable business that helps customers reduce environmental and supply chain risk. 
 
Liberty Tire Recycling is a sustainability partner that provides nationwide end‑of‑life tire collections and advanced processing that transforms scrap tires into reusable raw materials such as recycled rubber, recycled steel, and other products. Liberty’s family of companies convert end-of-life tires into high‑value products such as mulch, molded rubber goods, sports and recreation surfaces, and advanced construction and industrial materials that help customers meet their sustainability and performance goals. 
 
In only its second year of participation, Liberty improved its overall EcoVadis score to 66/100, achieving a 73rd percentile global ranking and outperforming Waste Recovery industry averages across all four EcoVadis themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. Liberty scored 76 in Environment, 65 in Labor & Human Rights, 62 in Ethics, and 50 in Sustainable Procurement, compared with industry averages of 56, 54, 46, and 39, respectively. 
 
“This recognition affirms that our sustainability strategy is ambitious, measurable, and credible,” said Amy Brackin, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Liberty Tire Recycling. “Earning a Bronze medal in our second year demonstrates that Liberty is a partner our customers can rely on to help meet their own circularity and responsible sourcing goals.” 

EcoVadis is one of the world’s largest and most widely used providers of business sustainability ratings, relied on by thousands of procurement teams to evaluate environmental, social, and ethical performance across their supply chains. Ratings are based on documented policies, actions, and performance data, and are reassessed regularly to drive continuous improvement. 
 
Liberty’s rating recognizes the company’s long‑standing work to find a sustainable home for more than 215 million end‑of‑life tires annually. The company has set a goal to achieve zero‑waste operations by 2030 and continues to expand sustainable product solutions that return recycled materials back into consumer and industrial markets. 
 
To view Liberty Tire Recycling’s sustainability commitments and report visit our Sustainability page.

Contact:
Stratton Kirton
Liberty Tire Recycling, Corporate Affairs
850-545-1763
skirton@libertytire.com

DANIEL ISLAND, S.C., Jan. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprinturf announced the recipients of its 2026 LEAP Grant program, awarding nearly $500,000 in total funding to support community-driven projects that expand access to high quality athletic and recreational spaces.

This marks the second round of the Sprinturf LEAP Grant program, with the company planning to continue awarding grants through future funding cycles.

The 2026 LEAP Grant program awarded funding to 12 projects across eight states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, Texas, New Mexico, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. The grants will support a mix of field replacements, grass to synthetic turf conversions, and new installations, to provide surfacing for a variety of sports, including baseball, softball, football, soccer, multipurpose use, and practice fields.

Recipients were selected in December 2025, with all projects required to be installed by the end of 2026. The LEAP Grant program provides matching funds to help schools, municipalities, and nonprofit organizations move forward with projects that improve durability, safety, and year-round access to play.

"Communities are healthier when they have reliable places to play, gather, and stay active," said Justin Reddy, President of Sprinturf. "Synthetic turf extends the amount of time fields can be used, which helps improve equity and access by allowing more play, more programs, and more opportunity for the people who rely on them. That is why we created the LEAP Grant."

In addition to grant funding, Sprinturf supports LEAP Grant recipients with design expertise and installation support to help projects move efficiently from planning to completion.

More information about the Sprinturf LEAP Grant program, including future application opportunities, is available at https://www.sprinturf.com/LEAP.

About Sprinturf

Sprinturf, a PlayCore company, is a premier manufacturer of synthetic turf systems for sports fields, parks, and commercial applications. Sprinturf systems are engineered for durability, safety, and performance, helping communities create spaces built for consistent play and long-term value.

Media Contact:
Donna Kent, Director of Marketing
407745@email4pr.com
854-500-1954

Pittsburgh, PA – December 19, 2025 – Some exciting news to end the year--Tire Business has named Amy Brackin, Liberty Tire Recycling’s senior vice president of sustainability, the 2025 Innovator of the Year in Sustainability, recognizing her leadership in making sustainability a core operating principle across Liberty.

Brackin’s team tracks and reports environmental performance, manages compliance and permitting, and helps ensure Liberty stays ahead of evolving regulatory expectations while improving environmental outcomes. Her team connects daily operational decisions to Liberty’s broader commitments around zero waste by 2030, community impact, and long-term value creation by engaging drivers, plant workers, and site teams across North America.

Under her guidance, Liberty has achieved an 81% recycling rate (compared to a nationwide recycling rate of 6% for plastics), collected over 215 million tires annually, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions even as the company has grown. These results reinforce Liberty’s role as a national leader in tire recycling and circular material innovation.

Amy’s recognition follows Liberty’s 2025 Recircle Circular Economy Award win with Walmart, which honors a closed-loop system where end-of-life tires collected from Walmart and Sam’s Club service centers are recycled into consumer products that are sold in Walmart stores. It also comes as Liberty continues to innovate in other areas like rubber modified asphalt and molded goods.  

You can read the full article about Amy, as well as others about Liberty, below.

Tire Business Innovator In Sustainability: https://www.tirebusiness.com/sustainability/tb-innovator-sustainability-liberty-brackin/

Recircle Circular Economy Award: https://libertytire.com/About/News/2025-Circular-Economy-Award-Win/

Atlanta Rubber Modified Asphalt Project: 

https://share.google/L5ll7HZ01C6Kid6bm

Jaxon Jaggers brings four years of civil engineering experience specializing in athletic facility development. A University of Kentucky graduate and American Sports Builders Association member, he focuses on site development and stormwater solutions. His notable projects include Purcell Marian High School's Staubach Stadium, a 2024 ASBA award winner, and Moeller High School's Kremchek Baseball Stadium.

Zach Ruschell is a recent Ohio Northern University engineering graduate. As Civil Engineer, he focuses on site layouts, utilities, and grading for athletic projects. His experience as a former collegiate baseball player provides valuable athlete insight that enhances facility functionality and user needs.

"Jaxon and Zach are already contributing to our diverse portfolio of Sportworks projects from local parks to collegiate-level athletic facilities," said Kayleigh Hammond, Group Leader of Sportworks Design. "Their expertise and passion strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional sports facilities.”

About Sportworks Design
Sportworks Design, a division of The Kleingers Group, is a dedicated group of civil and sports engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects, focused on sports facility planning and design. Sportworks has successfully completed more than 400 athletic projects. Using innovative engineering modeling technology and national sports industry standards, Sportworks has designed awardwinning athletic facilities, campus site plans, synthetic turf fields, and field performance testing. For more information, visit www.sportworksdesign.com.   

Liberty Tire Recycling and Walmart Win Prestigious Recircle Award for Circular Economy Innovation 

Long-standing collaboration recognized for transforming end-of-life tires into consumer products and sustainable infrastructure solutions 

Pittsburgh, PA – May 28, 2025 – Liberty Tire Recycling has been honored with the 2025 Recircle "Circular Economy Award" in recognition of its groundbreaking collaboration with Walmart that exemplifies closed-loop sustainability. The award acknowledges the innovative partnership that has successfully established a circular system to collect, recycle, and transform end-of-life tires into consumer products and infrastructure solutions. 
 
For over two decades, Liberty Tire Recycling has worked with Walmart to create practical, market-viable circular economy solutions that demonstrate sustainability leadership across the retail and recycling industries. 
 
"This award represents what's possible when companies commit to reimagining traditional waste streams as valuable resources," said Amy Brackin, Senior Vice President of Sustainability at Liberty Tire Recycling. "Our work with Walmart has created a true circular model where tires collected from their stores return as products consumers can use to improve their homes and gardens, all while keeping millions of tires out of landfills." 
 
The collaboration began with basic tire collection services from Walmart locations but evolved approximately six years ago when Liberty began manufacturing consumer products from recycled tires and selling them back through Walmart's retail channels. Today, shoppers can purchase a range of recycled rubber products in Walmart stores, including rubber mulch, garden edging, patio tiles, and other lawn and garden items. 
 
"We believe that every tire has more than one life to give," said Brackin. "Working with Walmart allows us to close the loop in a highly visible way that demonstrates circular economy principles to millions of consumers. When people talk about circular recycling, this is exactly what it's all about." 
 
Liberty Tire Recycling collects over 215 million used tires annually with an 81.1 percent recovery rate, making tire recycling one of the highest recycled product categories in the country. The company has set a zero-waste goal by 2030, committing to finding every end-of-life tire a home. 
 
A recent showcase project at Walmart Store #101 in Rolla, Missouri, highlights the initiative's innovative approach to sustainability. The companies collaborated to repave a portion of the store's parking lot with rubberized asphalt that incorporated more than 1,200 end-of-life tires from Walmart stores, 420 gallons of used motor oil from Walmart service centers, and 170 tons of reclaimed asphalt. This triple-win solution extends the parking lot's lifespan while demonstrating creative reuse of multiple waste streams. 
 
The Recircle Awards, established to recognize excellence in sustainable practices within the tire and rubber industry, selected the Liberty-Walmart partnership from a competitive field of global applicants. The Circular Economy Award specifically honors initiatives that successfully keep materials in use, design out waste and pollution, and regenerate natural systems. 
 
Liberty continues to actively explore new applications for recycled rubber, aiming to replace virgin materials with recycled content across more product categories. This approach aligns with both companies' broader commitments to sustainability. 
 
"We are proud to be the leader in recycling tires, but we won't be satisfied until we recycle every tire we collect," added Brackin. "Working with forward-thinking retailers like Walmart committed to regenerative growth is critical to helping us reach that goal." 
 
For more information about Liberty Tire Recycling and its products, visit LibertyTire.com. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:

Donna Kent, Director of Marketing

donna.kent@sprinturf.com

854-500-1954

NFL Hall of Famer Brett Favre Endorses Sprinturf as the Smart Choice for Athletic Fields Nationwide

Daniel Island, SC, April 23, 2025 — Sprinturf, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of high-quality synthetic turf, is proud to announce its latest endorsement from NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre. In a newly released video, Favre shares his support for Sprinturf’s commitment to safety, performance, and long-term durability.

“As you can imagine, I’ve played on every kind of field—some good, some not so good,” said Favre. “The playing surface makes a huge difference. That’s why I’m a fan of Sprinturf.”

Favre commended Sprinturf’s dedication to developing turf systems that help athletes perform at their best while prioritizing safety.

“Whether it’s Friday night lights, college ball, or the pros—safety has to come first,” said Favre. “Sprinturf’s technology is about durability, maximizing safety, and standing up to the demands of the game. And it’s all made right here in the USA.”

Sprinturf has installed over 4,000 fields worldwide since 2010, all without a single fiber failure. The company’s turf systems are trusted by schools, stadiums, and training facilities across the country and designed for sports ranging from football and soccer to lacrosse, baseball, and beyond.

“When it comes to protecting athletes and enhancing performance, Sprinturf is the real deal,” Favre added.

The full video is available to view at www.sprinturf.com/brett-favre.

About Sprinturf

Sprinturf is a premier manufacturer of synthetic turf, providing high-performance solutions for sports fields, parks, and commercial applications. With manufacturing facilities in Dadeville, Alabama, and an ISO-9001-certified facility in Chatsworth, Georgia, Sprinturf delivers industry-leading products that meet the highest standards of quality and environmental responsibility.

"We're honored to give back in a way that aligns with our values," said Justin Reddy, CEO of Sprinturf. "This isn't just about turf—it's about investing in people, in potential, and in places where access to recreation and play can change lives."

Beyond financial support, Sprinturf plays an active role in helping recipients bring their visions to life. Each project benefits from high-performance turf systems—engineered for safety, durability, and long-term value—as well as expert design consultation and installation services. For field replacements, Sprinturf also provides advanced turf removal and recycling using in-house crews and specialized equipment, enabling faster timelines and more sustainable results.

For more information about the Sprinturf LEAP Grant program, visit www.sprinturf.com/LEAP.

About Sprinturf

Sprinturf is a premier manufacturer of synthetic turf, providing high-performance solutions for sports fields, parks, and commercial applications. With manufacturing facilities in Dadeville, Alabama, and an ISO-9001-certified facility in Chatsworth, Georgia, Sprinturf delivers industry-leading products that meet the highest standards of quality and environmental responsibility.

Media Contact:
Donna Kent, Director of Marketing
393118@email4pr.com
854-500-1954

SOURCE Sprinturf, A PlayCore Company

Wilmington, DE - Yardex is pleased to announce that our Stadia 6014 and Flexpad 22 synthetic turf system has successfully passed rigorous testing and now officially meets World Rugby Regulation 22 standards. Achieving this quality benchmark reflects the high standard of products we deliver to the market.

A Standard for Quality and Innovation

World Rugby's Regulation 22 is an internationally recognized standard ensuring artificial turf fields are suitable for rugby union and international competitions. These surfaces are designed to maintain optimal performance and durability in all weather conditions, ensuring consistent player-surface interaction.

This recognition confirms the reliability and quality of our products as we continue to collaborate with the professional sports industry.

Yardex FlexPad Solution

 Our rugby turf system includes the Yardex FlexPad, an advanced EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) shock-absorption layer that enhances safety and performance. Known for its ability to protect against head impacts, this pad is ideal for rugby, football, , and other contact sports like men’s lacrosse and American football.

The interlocking panels allow for quick, weather-resistant installation. The modular design simplifies resurfacing when needed, and the pad’s thermal insulation properties make field construction more cost-effective, adaptable to various base construction options, including “no dig” designs.

Making Our Mark in the International Sports Arena

 This accomplishment follows our recent recognition as a Certified Turf Manufacturer under the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Quality Program, further solidifying Yardex’s position as a trusted provider of sports surfaces.

Zane McDade, Yardex USA President, commented on this achievement:

“Securing World Rugby Regulation 22 compliance for our system highlights our dedication to upholding the highest standards. This accomplishment demonstrates our team’s expertise and reinforces Yardex's position in the sports industry.”

 With World Rugby Regulation 22 compliance, we’re equipped to provide certified artificial turf solutions for rugby at all levels. Our focus on innovation and quality ensures athletes have safe, reliable surfaces as we continue expanding our offerings in the professional sports sector.

Additionally, this system is tested to meet RFL Community, Stadia and FIFA Quality standards, making it a versatile, all-around solution that brings us closer to achieving the ‘one turf concept.’

Learn more about Yardex at https://yardex.com/.

Wilmington, DE - We are proud to announce that we have been officially recognized as a Certified Turf Manufacturer under the International Hockey Federation (FIH) Quality Program. This significant milestone underscores our commitment to producing high-quality products that meet the international requirements for top-level field hockey.

The FIH Quality Program is a globally recognized standard that ensures field hockey turf facilities provide safe, durable, and high-performance playing surfaces. The program ensures that field hockey competitions and matches are conducted in comfortable and uniform playing conditions, benefiting the game and players. We at Yardex support this quality concept.

In confirming Yardex’s FIH certification, Alastair Cox, FIH Facilities and Quality Program Manager commented: “Yardex has joined an exclusive group of companies that have demonstrated their ability to manufacture field hockey surfaces to the highest standards of performance, safety, and durability.”

Commenting on the certification, Zane McDade, Yardex USA President, commented: “This certification is a significant milestone. We aim to earn further accreditations that underline our product quality. This FIH recognition affirms our ability to deliver top-tier turf while working sustainably and efficiently.”

“This also shows our dedication to innovation across all turf sectors, further enabling us to provide a complete solution for turf needs. The FIH certification supports the expansion of our presence in the USA.”

This certification opens new doors for Yardex. It allows us to work closer with consultants, sports clubs, field builders, independent schools, and universities. All these partners pay careful attention to the choice of an approved turf product when planning the facility.

We are growing with the vision of creating outstanding sports surfaces that benefit players and communities alike. Yardex remains committed to innovation, and we are excited about the opportunities this license brings.

Learn more about Yardex at https://yardex.com/.

Source: https://www.chemical-concepts.com/chemical-concepts-appoints-andrew-morris-as-new-ceo/

TenCate announced Marty Olinger is joining the company in the role of president of the sports division for North America.

“We are extremely excited to add someone with Marty’s synthetic turf experience to our team,” said Charles Dawson, CEO, Sports Division for TenCate Americas. “His proven track record of sales and brand development will be invaluable as we continue to create and install game-changing sports turf products across the country.”  

Olinger was most recently senior vice president of sales for Tarkett Sports. He has held several executive management roles in the sports and consumer industries, including at Srixon Sports, Dunlop Maxfli Sports Corporation and Johnson & Johnson.

“I could not be happier about joining TenCate, the clear leader for innovation and sustainability in the synthetic turf industry,” Olinger said. “I look forward to lending my experience and skills to helping TenCate continue to expand the reach of its world-class product portfolio and its mission of creating healthier, more beautiful communities.”

Source: https://sportsfieldmanagementonline.com/2024/04/02/tencate-names-olinger-as-president-of-sports-division/

“These are great companies who have served their clients and employees well. We are thrilled to continue their legacy of excellence,” said Thomas Womble, CEO of Liberty Tire Recycling. “This is a real opportunity for Liberty and Central Florida to leverage our scale and financial position to expand operations, create new jobs, improve collections and recycling efforts, and provide sustainable solutions for end-of-life tires.”

Empire Tire of Edgewater is the largest Orlando-area scrap tire collector and McGee Tire is an Orlando-area route collection business. Combined, these organizations bring decades of experience to the Central Florida scrap tire market. Empire Tire & Wheel retail stores will continue to operate under their existing ownership.

“My brother and I worked hard for over 20 years in this business. We’d worked with Liberty in the past and knew them to be good operators, but what really impressed me was their commitment to their employees.” Jesse McGee, founder of McGee Tire. “They really care about the people like we do.”

Liberty’s acquisition positions it to handle additional collections, and processing capacity in the rapidly growing Florida market and more efficiently move end-of-life tire materials into higher value markets. America’s scrap tire generation closely mirrors its population, with an estimated one million scrap tires generated annually for every million people. This is a growing challenge for Central Florida where the population is growing at more than 25% each decade.

“Adding Empire and McGee to the Liberty team has created a truly world-class operation here in Florida.” said David Cannon, Regional Vice President of Liberty. “We are going to be able to keep hundreds of thousands of tires out of Florida landfills each year by finding more opportunities for reuse and recycling, all while optimizing our route collections and customer service.”

Liberty is a full-service tire collection, processing, and manufacturing company. Each year, all types of tires are collected from more than 36,700 retail locations across North America and processed at one of their 54 locations throughout the United States and western Canada. Over the last decade, more than 1.56 billion tires have been collected by Liberty and the company is continually developing new partnerships to expand its recycling efforts.

Through reclamation and recycling efforts, Liberty repurposes end-of-life tires into useful, inventive products for both the commercial and retail sectors. Utilizing recycled rubber, Liberty manufactures more than 100 products sold in North America at more than 10,000 retail and commercial locations, including every major home improvement retailer.

About Liberty Tire Recycling
Liberty Tire Recycling is committed to partnering with industry leaders to help inspire a more sustainable planet. We are continuously striving to find new and better ways to reclaim, recycle, reuse and repurpose the more than 195 million end-of-life tires we collect for renewable solutions that benefit the long-term health of the world we live in. As the market leader in tire recycling management in North America, reclaiming more than 4.3 billion pounds of rubber each year, our passion is to make the world a better place to live for generations to come by boldly changing the way the industry approaches sustainability.

Source: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104427956/en/Liberty-Tire-Recycling-Announces-Acquisition-of-Empire-Tire-and-McGee-Tire-of-Central-Florida

About AstroTurf®
For athletes and sport enthusiasts, AstroTurf® has redefined the way the game is played. The brand offers advanced, state-of-the-art, multi-sport and specialized synthetic turf systems with proprietary engineered technologies. A growing number of high schools, colleges, professional sports teams and municipalities continue to select AstroTurf-branded products for their premium quality, technical superiority, and safety. To learn more, visit AstroTurf’s website at www.astroturf.com.

Source: https://astroturf.com/astroturf-names-mitchell-to-vice-president-of-business-development-position/

"Throughout his tenure as the executive vice president of SYNLawn, George has proven to be a results-driven leader with years of measurable success," said Jay Glasscock, CEO of Sport Group Americas, the parent company of SYNLawn. "George will lead continuous improvement processes in all areas while driving our global business growth. We look forward to expanding SYNLawn's international presence under the talented leadership of George."

As the president of SYNLawn Global, Neagle will be responsible for overseeing the new division's product strategy for international sales channels. He will also partner closely with colleagues from around the world to develop market strategies that drive profitable growth for the company. 

Under Neagle's helm, SYNLawn Global will establish new distribution channels in Europe. The company will also host its first international conference for distributors in 2023.

"I am excited to take SYNLawn into its next phase of international growth," said Neagle. "I will ensure our new division achieves its primary goals and objectives by focusing on innovation, quality and sustainability."

Neagle has been an integral part of SYNLawn for the past two decades. He started his career with the company in 2003 as the first distributor in Nevada. Throughout his tenure, Neagle has overseen more than 300,000 residential and commercial installations, developed key partnerships with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United Soybean Board (USB), expanded SYNLawn's retail presence, and facilitated the expansion of the distributor network to 120 locations across the Americas, including Canada and Central America.  

Visit www.SYNLawn.com to learn more about SYNLawn's premium artificial grass and synthetic surfacing products. 

ABOUT SYNLawn®

SYNLawn® is the largest manufacturer and unrivaled innovator of artificial grass in North America and offers the Greenest Turf on Earth. As part of the Sport Group Holding® family of companies, SYNLawn, along with sister surfacing brands — AstroTurf ®, Rekortan ®, APT ® and Laykold ® — delivers the best products available on the market. SYNLawn's turnkey network of over 120 distributors seamlessly combines environmental stewardship with industry-leading innovations. Manufactured in Georgia, SYNLawn uses bio-based ingredients, such as soy and sugarcane, and consumer-conscious additives to meet customers' wide range of needs. With more than 300,000 residential and commercial installations, the company is raising the bar for global synthetic turf standards and transforming the idea of grass. We have a proprietary system with a large percentage of renewable content. SYNLawn has installed over 150 million square feet of U.S. soy-backed grass across 300,000 installations in the United States and over 20 other countries since 2008. SYNLawn added more soy than ever to its products in 2021, which increased its use of U.S. soy by 10%. For more information, visit www.SYNLawn.com.

Source: https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/12/06/2568440/0/en/George-Neagle-Appointed-President-of-New-SYNLawn-Global-Division.html

Through this acquisition B.I.G. strengthens its position in the global artificial grass market, especially in the sports segment. Act Global has close to 300 certified fields installed, and holds soccer (FIFA), hockey (FIH) and rugby (WR) certifications. No financial details are disclosed on the transaction.

With this statement, B.I.G. is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with US-headquartered synthetic turf manufacturer Act Global to acquire its complete range of activities (November 1, 2022). Through this acquisition, B.I.G. strengthens its position int he global artificial grass market, especially in the sports segment.

In line with Beaulieu International Group's (B.I.G.) purpose statement 'Shaping sustainable living, together', the group aims to develop and create innovative and sustainable flooring and material solutions to enhance the quality of living and working for every generation.

Therefore, and as part of its corporate strategy, the group is actively investing in key growth markets, including artificial grass, in order to further strengthen and expand its solutions portfolio. Today B.I.G. is a market leader in the fast-growing padel market, targeting further growth in soccer, hockey and other segments.

CEO Pol Deturck comments: "With the acquisition of Act Global, we not only strengthen our position in the global sports market and extend our manufacturing capabilities in North America, but we also expand our solution portfolio to key landscaping, aviation and landfill markets while boosting its research and development efforts for even more sustainable products in the future."

With headquarters in Austin, Texas, USA, Act Global is a FIFA licensee (soccer), FIH Preferred Supplier (hockey) and a World Rugby Preferred Turf Producer with over 300 certified fields installed around the world. American landscaping business, patented aviation and landfill solutions, and recognition by the industry Synthetic Turf Council for its sustainability and philanthropic efforts.

Act Global CEO John Baize: "We are thrilled to join B.I.G. family. Not only do we share the same customer focus, but also our solutions portfolio and teams are very complementary, putting us in an ideal position to continue our success in the sports and other markets."

Together, B.I.G. and Act Global will integrate their businesses and manufacturing activities over the coming months, ensuring business continuity for customers, partners, suppliers and employees.

About B.I.G.

Beaulieu International Group (B.I.G.) is a worldwide specialist in flooring and material solutions. Headquartered in Belgium, B.I.G. employs over 4,900 people worldwide in 19 countries throughout Eurasia, America and Oceania and serves customers in 140 countries. In 2021, B.I.G. reported sales of €2.5 billion. At B.I.G., people work purposefully to build the future. B.I.G.'s sense of entrepreneurship and ambition enables the group to continue to grow sustainably together with employees, customers, suppliers, shareholders and the society in which B.I.G. operates.

About Act Global

Act Global is a global synthetic turf manufacturer with world-class manufacturing facilities in North America, Europe, Middle-East and Asia with product installations sold in more than 90 countries. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, US, Act Global is a FIFA licensee (soccer), FIH Preferred Supplier (hockey) and a World Rugby Preferred Turf Producer with over 300 certified fields installed around the world.

Its experience includes multiple NFL football installations, a growing North American landscaping business, patented aviation and landfill solutions, and recognition by the industry Synthetic Turf Council for its sustainability and philanthropic efforts.

By: Maya Johnson

By: Meagan Scott

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Newtown, OH – The Motz Group is happy to announce Nick Maynard’s promotion to Director of Services for the Motz365 track and synthetic turf field maintenance team. Nick will continue to serve the organization by increasing operational capacity and services to fulfill customers’ needs, as well as, deliver responsive support for which Motz has become known.

Nick has over 10 years of experience in the industry and was the co-founder of Sport Aide, a regional expert in synthetic turf sports field maintenance and running track cleaning service. He joined Motz in 2021 as the Sport Aide Program Manager with a focus on the expansion of track cleaning services. Nick joined Motz because he saw growth potential and wanted to continue his entrepreneurial spirit at an Employee-Owned company.

Nick stated, “What makes Motz unique from other companies is its culture. It is the reason I chose to partner with the Motz team in 2021. The employees and leadership at Motz care. As an Employee-Owned company, everyone is part of making Motz work efficiently in order to develop innovative resources that deliver high-quality services and products for their partners. Motz’s mission is to move people to better lives and deliver consistent, safe, and high-performing fields and tracks for its customers. I am proud to help achieve this mission through this new position and expand the new evolution of the maintenance side of Motz.”

Russ Speigle, Vice President of Operations at Motz stated, “Nick has the expertise to run a  business, a department, and a team. I know Nick will help us fulfill Motz’s purpose and mission, as well as, achieve our values with every decision he makes in his new position as Director of Services.”

About Motz:

The Motz Group has built performance for more than four decades now and has made its name by designing and constructing innovative, performance-based sports field systems nationally and internationally. The business culture and customer support at Motz are built on the culmination of people and planning, processes and problem solving, innovations and responsiveness, and an intense desire by a passionate and dedicated team of employee-owners working relentlessly to bring all the elements of quality, consistency, innovation, and service perfectly together. Founded in 1977 and serving the high-performance natural and synthetic turf markets, Motz is one of the world’s most recognized and highly respected turf system specialists. The Motz team of experts don’t just talk about performance – they build it. This employee-owned company celebrates 45+ years in the industry and proudly stands behind its products and services to ensure long-lasting, prosperous relationships with its valued customer base. Motz as an organization is built on the promise of delivering the best experience to its customers and aspires to continuously drive the industry forward and impact the customers and communities they proudly serve.

The goal of this effort is to help solve the problem that has challenged the industry for years: how to efficiently and effectively recycle synthetic turf into feedstock that can be used to create new turf and other valuable products.  

Known as TenCate Turf Recycling Solutions, the program is starting by processing 50 aged turf fields from high schools and college campuses. The end-of-life turf will be shipped to a Southern California facility where it will be shredded.

The shredded turf will then be delivered to Texas, where Cyclyx International will further pre-process it before sending the turf to ExxonMobil’s Baytown recycling facility. With ExxonMobil’s Exxtend technology, the end-of-life turf will be broken down into raw materials that can be used to make new products that are no different in quality and performance than those made from virgin raw materials, the companies say. In addition to strengthening the circularity of plastics, ExxonMobil has found that its recycling technology does so while delivering lower relative GHG emissions when compared to processing the same amount of fossil-based feedstocks.

Synthetic turf has been proven to conserve water. Depending on the region, a typical grass sports field in the US requires between 500,000 to a million gallons of water or more each year. During 2010, between 3 billion to 8 billion gallons of water were conserved through the use of synthetic turf. This is becoming even more critical with an increase in droughts and new regulations around water usage.   

It also saves time and labor. Synthetic turf does not need to be watered, fertilized or mowed. Synthetic turf can also help reduce noxious emissions from mowing and other maintenance. The EPA estimates gas-powered lawnmowers account for 5% of the air pollution in the United States.

This program with ExxonMobil and Cyclyx builds on TenCate’s efforts to recycle synthetic turf. In the Netherlands, where the company headquarters are located, TenCate recycles its end-of-life turf into Ecocept, an elastic layer in sports fields, and third parties also use the agglomerated material to manufacture new products.  

After this initial phase is complete, TenCate plans to expand the initiative across the US — an effort that’s needed now more than ever. In North America alone, the total value of installed synthetic turf systems was estimated at $2.7 billion in 2020, according to the Synthetic Turf Council. This translates into roughly 265 million square feet of installed turf.  

ExxonMobil’s recycling facility in Baytown has processed more than 11 million pounds of plastic waste, as of June 2022. ExxonMobil is expanding to a large-scale advanced recycling facility at the site, which, upon startup later this year, will be among North America’s largest advanced plastic recycling facilities, with the capacity to recycle 66 million pounds of plastic waste per year. 

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Textile Rubber & Chemical Co., Inc., Acquires 50% of SynLok Technologies, LLC

DALTON, Ga., October 3, 2022—Textile Rubber & Chemical Co., Inc. (TRCC), a global chemical and technology company with manufacturing facilities throughout the world, has acquired 50% of SynLok Technologies, LLC (successor to SynLok Adhesives), a leading manufacturer of eco-friendly polyurethane adhesives used in synthetic turf systems. Brad Church, the founder of SynLok Adhesives, will continue in the leadership role as President and General Manager of SynLok Technologies, LLC.

“We are extremely pleased to have Brad and the SynLok team join the TRCC family of companies,” stated TRCC President Chip Howalt. “Together with Brad’s leadership, we will build upon SynLok’s success by expanding its technologies, technical service and sales support.”

“This acquisition will allow for increased manufacturing capacity and TRCC’s global presence will open many opportunities for expansion into new and exciting markets,” stated Brad Church. “As an Affiliate of TRCC, our company is well-positioned to grow with the most trusted brand in the Synthetic Turf Industry supply chain and through TRCC’s Research & Development teams, we will be able to enhance and grow our product line,” he continued. “Many thanks to all of our loyal customers as we look forward to discovering innovative solutions, together.”

Learn more about TRCC’s innovative solutions by visiting www.trcc.com.

About Textile Rubber & Chemical Co., Inc.
Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, USA, Textile Rubber & Chemical Co., Inc. (TRCC) began as a supplier of latex to the emerging tufted carpet and rug industry in 1951. Since then, TRCC’s global reach has grown, allowing the company to export to all continents and establish manufacturing and distribution facilities around the world. With a focus on research and development, maintaining outstanding quality standards and providing superior service to its customers and their markets, TRCC remains on the cutting edge of technology. Learn more at www.trcc.com.

About SynLok Technologies, LLC.
An Affiliate of Textile Rubber & Chemical Co., Inc. (TRCC), SynLok Technologies, LLC., is an eco-friendly manufacturer of non-hazardous polyurethane adhesives used for the installation and repair of synthetic turf systems. Its proprietary adhesives and applicators were developed from years of synthetic turf experience and cutting-edge chemical engineering to support a variety of industries, including sports, entertainment, commercial, industrial and residential. Learn more at www.synlok.com.

The goal of this effort is to help solve the problem that has challenged the industry for years: how to efficiently and effectively recycle synthetic turf into feedstock that can be used to create new turf and other valuable products.  

Known as TenCate Turf Recycling Solutions, the program is starting by processing 50 aged turf fields from high schools and college campuses. The end-of-life turf will be shipped to a Southern California facility where it will be shredded.

The shredded turf will then be delivered to Texas, where Cyclyx International will further pre-process it before sending the turf to ExxonMobil’s Baytown recycling facility. With ExxonMobil’s Exxtend technology, the end-of-life turf will be broken down into raw materials that can be used to make new products that are no different in quality and performance than those made from virgin raw materials, the companies say. In addition to strengthening the circularity of plastics, ExxonMobil has found that its recycling technology does so while delivering lower relative GHG emissions when compared to processing the same amount of fossil-based feedstocks.

Synthetic turf has been proven to conserve water. Depending on the region, a typical grass sports field in the US requires between 500,000 to a million gallons of water or more each year. During 2010, between 3 billion to 8 billion gallons of water were conserved through the use of synthetic turf. This is becoming even more critical with an increase in droughts and new regulations around water usage.   

It also saves time and labor. Synthetic turf does not need to be watered, fertilized or mowed. Synthetic turf can also help reduce noxious emissions from mowing and other maintenance. The EPA estimates gas-powered lawnmowers account for 5% of the air pollution in the United States.

This program with ExxonMobil and Cyclyx builds on TenCate’s efforts to recycle synthetic turf. In the Netherlands, where the company headquarters are located, TenCate recycles its end-of-life turf into Ecocept, an elastic layer in sports fields, and third parties also use the agglomerated material to manufacture new products.  

After this initial phase is complete, TenCate plans to expand the initiative across the US — an effort that’s needed now more than ever. In North America alone, the total value of installed synthetic turf systems was estimated at $2.7 billion in 2020, according to the Synthetic Turf Council. This translates into roughly 265 million square feet of installed turf.  

ExxonMobil’s recycling facility in Baytown has processed more than 11 million pounds of plastic waste, as of June 2022. ExxonMobil is expanding to a large-scale advanced recycling facility at the site, which, upon startup later this year, will be among North America’s largest advanced plastic recycling facilities, with the capacity to recycle 66 million pounds of plastic waste per year.