Vortex Companies leadership on Thursday at the Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport (WWETT) Show in Indianapolis discussed more details about its recent acquisition of Applied Felts and its MaxLiner and FerraTex brands.

“Applied Felts is a pioneer in the industry,” Vortex Companies CEO Mike Vellano says. “We feel like we bought Caterpillar.”

Applied Felts Inc. represents all manufacturing and distribution throughout the Americas. Applied Felts Ltd., based in the U.K., will remain with W.E Rawson Limited including manufacturing and distribution supporting customers outside of the Americas.

Since 2015, Vortex Companies has been a trailblazer in transforming the trenchless rehabilitation industry through a commitment to making access to cutting-edge technologies easier and more streamlined. This new acquisition will further help that effort, Vellano says.

Vortex Companies, in pursuit of its mission, has executed 17 strategic acquisitions and many partnerships, all aimed at revolutionizing the way contractors and asset owners approach infrastructure repair. The acquisition of Applied Felts and the MaxLiner and FerraTex brands allows Vortex to offer a direct, total solution to the trenchless market all under one roof.

“We will focus on product development, and this will give us control over the entire process, in the right way, addressing real problems,” says Matt Timberlake, who has been with the Vortex executive team since 2019 and is set to assume the role of president of Applied Felts. “They’re really like two different industries in trenchless — curb up and curb down. This is the last piece of the puzzle to have this total solution. We want to set up our customers for success. And successful contractors means more willingness to adopt trenchless technologies. Ultimately that’s the goal — growing acceptance of trenchless technology.”

Alex Johnson of Applied Felts also shared his perspective on the acquisition: “Joining forces with Vortex Companies represents an exciting chapter for Applied Felts Inc. The Vortex approach to the market will allow them to deliver integrated solutions, ensuring quality and innovation in every aspect of trenchless rehabilitation throughout the Americas. Applied Felts Ltd, based in the U.K., will continue to support all business in an advisory relationship. This is a significant step forward for the future of the industry we serve. There was no better choice than Vortex to carry the business forward and I look forward to continuing our long friendship and watching all the people of Applied Felts Inc. and Vortex flourish together.”

According to Vortex, among the benefits of the acquisition are:

• Quality Control: By shortening the supply chain, Vortex enhances quality control ensuring top-tier standards throughout every project phase.
• Shorter Lead Times and Reduced Shipping Costs: Facilities strategically located to reduce lead times and shipping distances, providing more efficient service to customers.
• Broader Service Support: Vortex Companies and Applied Felts, together, now boast a greater regional reach, enabling faster and more comprehensive support for customers.
• R&D Streamlined: With research and development consolidated under one roof, Vortex’s team of engineers, designers and chemists can seamlessly advance technologies and products in harmony with a “total project” mindset, simplifying the approach to comprehensive projects.

For more information, visit vortexcompanies.com.