Hilliard, Ohio-based Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. acquired Brookfield, Conn.-based Cultec Inc. to expand its product offering in the stormwater and on-site septic wastewater markets.
Founded in 1986 by Bob DiTullio Sr., family-owned Cultec has a strong reputation for innovation and expertise with engineers and contractors, according to ADS President and CEO Scott Barbour.
"Today, Cultec designs and sells plastic chambers and related products into the stormwater and on-site septic markets. Their products expand ADS' portfolio of solutions, enabling us to meet the growing and evolving needs of our customers," Barbour said in a news release.
Cultec's products are primarily injection molded from high density polyethylene, and the company outsources its manufacturing.
Founded in 1966, publicly traded ADS is the third-largest pipe extruder in North America with $1.49 billion in pipe sales, according to Plastics News data.
ADS uses both recycled and virgin high density polyethylene and polypropylene in products that drain fields, hold stormwater and control erosion for the construction, municipal infrastructure and agricultural markets.
Cultec's stormwater and septic products are made of similar materials for retention, detention and infiltration.
"In addition to a complementary portfolio of products, we share similar values, including our common commitment to protecting the world's most precious resource, water," Barbour said.
One of Cultec's first popular products was a leaching gallery used in New England states to manage stormwater. Cultec replaced the concrete chamber with lightweight plastic for easier handling and installation.
Cultec's Contactor and Recharger-brand chambers also replace conventional stormwater retention and detention systems such as ponds, swales and stone trenches or beds.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.
In December, ADS acquired Jet Polymer Recycling Inc., a supplier of recycled PP to its Infiltrator Water Technologies subsidiary. That deal gave ADS more in-house recycling capacity for HDPE and PP. It ranks No. 1 in the new Plastics News ranking of recyclers.
ADS operates 63 manufacturing plants and 32 distribution centers.