Trex Company, Inc.

Trex Company, Inc., also known as Trex or Trex Decking, is a major manufacturer of wood-alternative decking, railings and other outdoor items made from recycled materials.[5] It has been a publicly traded 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, Virginia.[6] With manufacturing facilities in Fernley, Nevada and Winchester, Virginia, the company’s products are sold in more than 40 countries. Trex products are carried by approximately 6,700 retail locations worldwide.[7]

Trex Company, Inc.
TypePublic
IndustryConsumer Discretionary
FoundedAugust 1996 (1996-08)
HeadquartersWinchester, Virginia, U.S.
Area served
United States, International
Key people
Bryan H. Fairbanks
(president and CEO)[1] James E. Cline
(Chairman of the Board)[2]
Productsdecking, railing
Revenue US$ 684 million (2018)[3]
US$ 176.7 million (2018)[4]
US$ 134.6 million (2018)[4]
Total assets US$ 465.1 million (2018)[4]
Number of employees
1,214 (December 31, 2018)
Websitetrex.com

According to public documents,Trex is the world’s largest manufacturer of wood-alternative decking and railing,[8] with approximate 2018 annual revenues reported of $684 million,[9] annual operating income of $176.7 million, net income of $134.6 million and total assets of $465.1 million.[10] Bryan H. Fairbanks was named president and CEO of Trex effective April 29, 2020.[11] Former president and CEO (2015-2020), James E. Cline, has assumed the position of Chairman of the Board.[11] Dennis C. Schemm was named vice president and CFO[12] and Ronald W. Kaplan is now vice chairman effective April 29, 2020.[11] Other key executives of Trex Decking include; S. Leslie Adkins, vice president of marketing; Barry L. Creek, vice president of manufacturing; Christopher P. Gerhard, vice president of sales; William R. Gupp, senior vice president of general counsel and secretary; Zachary C. Lauer, vice president of supply chain; Jacob T. Rudolph, vice president of human resources; Adam Zambanini, president of Trex residential products.[13][14][15][16]

Trex Composite Decking
Trex Composite Decking

Trex is widely considered as one of the inventors of composite decking made from recyclable materials.[17] 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.[18]

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 1998. The Assignee was Trex Company LLC, operating in Winchester, VA.[18] 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.”[18]

Manufacturing processes

The Trex process combines different materials, mostly wood and plastic, and forms them 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.[19] Trex uses more than 1.5 billion plastic bags each year to make its eco-friendly outdoor-living products and reclaims and repurposes more than 800 million pounds (400,000 tons) of recycled plastic film and reclaimed wood fiber annually. Plastic film and wood fiber each make up about 50% of this total. [20] An average, 500 square foot composite Trex deck may contain approximately 140,000 recycled plastic bags. [21]

Trex diverts more than 400 million pounds of plastic film, bags and wrap each year from landfills and uses it to make eco-friendly outdoor living products that endure for 25+ years.[22] 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.[19] Trex uses vegetable oil instead of petroleum-based fluids in some hydraulic systems and we prioritize process water reuse in closed loop systems, thereby lowering our consumption of water and conserving this important resource. 160M+ gallons of water is saved per year between Winchester and Fernley.[21] The proprietary, eco-friendly processing method and bi-coastal factories also reduce fuel consumption and minimize greenhouse gas emissions.[21]

Transcend Decking

In 2009 Trex introduced a ‘Transcend’ line of decking [23] 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.[24] The Trex Transcend line of decking claims a recycled content rate of more than 95%[25] but costs about five times the price of natural wood.[26]

Products

Trex products include:[27]

  • Transcend® Decking and Railing
  • Select® Decking and Railing
  • Enhance® Decking
  • Trex Signature® Railing
  • Elevations® Steel Deck Framing
  • Trex® Outdoor Lighting™
  • Trex® Fascia
  • Trex® Pergola™
  • Trex® Outdoor Kitchens™
  • Trex® Spiral Stairs™
  • Trex® Rain Escape® Deck Drainage System
  • Trex® Outdoor Furniture™
  • Trex® Outdoor Fire & Water™
  • Trex® Cornhole™
  • Trex® Latticeworks™
  • Trex® Fencing

Environmental considerations

Trex promotes an environmental stance as part of its commercial appeal in the marketplace.[28] 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 nearly 100% of Trex factory scrap is recycled back into the manufacturing line.[27]

Recycled components

Trex composite decking contains more than 95% recycled content and offers verification by ICC-ES.[29] 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.[29]

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).[30]

Through the LEED point-based system, the use of Trex decking and railing products add points based on the percentage of recycled product content.[27]

Environmental programs

Trex conducts and participates in eco-friendly educational and recycling programs in various parts of the United States.[28] Since 2006, students at schools throughout the country have participated in a ‘Trex Plastic Bag Challenge’ (recently renamed ‘Plastic Film Recycling Challenge’[27] ). Students collect plastic bags in exchange for a gift of Trex benches to participating schools.[31]

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:

  • Trex won “Greenest Decking” in the Green Builder Media 2019 Readers' Choice Awards for the 10th year in a row. Trex has held this title since the awards were first launched in 2009.[35]
  • In 2019, Trex received Green Builder Media’s highest honor, the Eco Leader award.[36]
  • Trex earned a 2015 & 2016 Readers' Choice award from Green Builder magazine for greenest product in the decking category.[37]
  • Trex won a GAIA award, the Middle East’s premiere environmental award.[38]
  • The 2013 ‘Green Award’ from Washingtonian Magazine. The award recognizes citizens, companies and organizations in the DC Metro area working to improve the environment and encourage eco-friendly living.[39]
  • The Green Builder Media’s 2013 Reader’s Choice Awards, earning more than 40% of the vote for the ‘greenest’ decking in the industry.[40]
  • The ‘Excellence in Plastics Recycling’ award from the Society of Plastic Engineers Recycling Division. The award is given based on plastic volume, type and the success of the resulting products.[41]
  • In 2005 Trex was given the ‘Green Award’ by Winslow Management Company in recognition of companies that contribute positively to both the environment and shareholders.[42]
  • The Governor of Virginia’s Environmental Excellence First Place Award. Trex has received this award twice. First, in 2001, for building a nature trail on Teddy Roosevelt Island in Arlington, VA and again in 2003 for ‘Outstanding Environmental Project’ in the Smaller Manufacturer’s category.[43]

Industry recognition
  • 2019 Builder Brand Use Study top brand in three composite/PVC subcategories – #1 in Brand Familiarity, #1 Brand Most Used, #1 Brand Used Most in the Past Two Years.[44]
  • #1 in Brand Familiarity, #1 in Quality, #1 Brand Most Used, #1 Brand Used Most in the Past Two Years for the composite/PVC decking category of the 2019 Remodeling Brand Use Study.[45]
  • Three Trex products were chosen by Qualified Remodeler as part of their 2019 “Remodelers’ Choice 100” – Trex Enhance, Trex CustomCurve, Trex RainEscape.[46]
  • 2017 Builder Brand Use Study top brand in three composite/PVC subcategories, including Brand Familiarity, Brand Used Most and Brand Used in the Past Two Years.[47]
  • 2017 Best of Houzz Design Award [48]
  • Top brand in all four composite/PVC subcategories in 2016 Builder Brand Use Study, including Quality, Brand Familiarity, Brand Used Most and Brand Used in the Past Two Years.[49]
  • 2016 Publicity Club of Chicago – Gold Award, Social Media Communications [50]
  • 2016 Best of Houzz Design Award.[51]
  • Six 2015 ADEX (Award for Design Excellence) awards: three Platinum Awards. and three Gold Awards for Design Excellence[52]
  • 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
  • #1 in all categories in "Builder" Magazine's 2015 Builder Brand Use Study[53]
  • "Builder" Magazine's 2015 Brand Use Study for top spot in Composite/PVC division for:[54]
  • "Brand Familiarity,"
  • "Brand Used in the Past Two Years"
  • "Brand Used Most" within the Decking Category
  • "Quality Rating"
  • Ocean Home magazine's Best Decking on their 2015 Platinum List [55]
  • Trex Outdoor Deck Storage – This Old House's 2015 top 100 Best New Home Products [56]
  • Eight (8) awards in Remodeling magazine's 2015 Brand Use Study[57]
  • 2015 Hardware + Builder Supply Dealer's Golden Hammer Award in the decking category
  • Trex Spiral Stairs – 2014 Best New Product by Professional Remodeler Magazine [58]
  • Top 2014 Workplace by the Washington Post in their annual feature, released on June 22, 2014[59]
  • Trex Elevations & Trex Pergola – “Professional Builder” and “Professional Remodeler” trade journals' “101 Best New Products” 2013 in the Decking/Outdoor Living category.[60]
  • Trex sweeps composite decking category in “Remodeling” magazine's 2013 brand study for fifth consecutive year.[61]
  • Trex Chairman, president and CEO, Ron Kaplan receives "E-3" Executive Award from Emerald Asset Management during the Twentieth Annual Emerald Groundhog Day Investment Forum in Philadelphia, PA on February 7, 2013.[62]
  • Transcend Decking & Railing – 2010 Editors Choice in March issue of “ProSales” magazine[63]
  • Decking: 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

A manufacturing problem at the Trex manufacturing facility in Fernley, Nevada from 2002 to 2007 led to the production of decking boards 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.[64] In a settlement approved in 2010, [65] Trex agreed to replace any decking boards, including some resulting labor costs, for decking affected by surface flaking.[64]

Company history
YearEvent
1988
  • Roger Wittenberg combined sawdust and plastic bags to create park benches and, later, decking[8]
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[8]
  • Trex established its corporate headquarters in Winchester, VA[6]
1999
  • Company IPO on New York Stock Exchange NYSE:TREX[6]
  • Trex opened a second manufacturing facility in Fernley, NV[6]
2000
  • Trex created the TrexPro program, providing installation and sales training to pre-screened contractors in U.S.[6]
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[66]
2007
  • Trex introduced the Escapes decking line[67]
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[68]
2010
  • Trex introduced Trex Outdoor Furniture
  • Trex introduced Trex Deck Lighting[68]
  • Trex introduced Trex RainEscape from a licensing agreement with Dri-Decking Enterprises LLC[69]
2011
  • Trex acquired Iron Deck Corporation and adds Elevations Steel Deck Framing to its product line[70]
  • Through a licensing agreement with Backyard America, Trex adds Pergola kits to its product line
  • Trex introduced Transcend Porch Flooring[68]
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[68]
2017
  • Trex introduces new aluminum railing line Trex Signature[71]
2018
  • Trex re-engineered its Enhance line to now include two color collections – Basics and Naturals – and a lighter weight, scalloped profile.[72]
2019
  • Trex establishes a new construction facility in Virginia and expands production facilities in Nevada[7]

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