Tensar

History

In the late 1970s, Netlon’s founder, Dr Brian Mercer, invented and patented the Tensar stiff polymer geogrid, now used worldwide. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, the company developed, refined and researched Tensar uniaxial and biaxial geogrids, and expanded the range of construction applications where geogrids and associated geosynthetics could successfully be used.

Tensar Corporation in the US was initially formed in 1983 as a joint venture between Gulf Canada Limited, Netlon Limited and Dr Brian Mercer. In 1988, senior executives of the joint venture in the U.S. purchased the business and managed and operated the entity through 2000. At that time the business was sold to a private equity investment firm. The Company was purchased in 2005 by another private equity firm located in Atlanta.

Throughout the development of its geogrids, Tensar International has invested in extensive third party research and testing with major test institutes in the North America and Europe. In 2005, the company in the UK, by now renamed Tensar International sold off the original Netlon brand and the associated range of non-construction related products. That same year Tensar International established its wholly owned manufacturing facility in China. In 2006, Tensar International was acquired by its US licensee, Tensar Corporation who are a subsidiary of Arcapita.