NDS, Inc.

About NDS: A History of Growth, Innovation, and Aquisition

The NDS tradition of designing and manufacturing stormwater management solutions began over 30 years ago, when we started production of our signature line of plastic drainage products. Lightweight yet durable, NDS plastic drainage products provided solutions that were easy to install and simple to maintain.

Having established ourselves as market leaders in stormwater management, the 1990s represented a whole new era for the company that focused on continuous innovation through new product launches and growth by acquisition.In 1990, we began manufacturing channel drain systems to expand our highly successful drainage product line offering. Micro Channel, Mini Channel, Spee-D Channel, and Dura Channel were all introduced within a two-year period. In 1992, we manufactured our first valve box, thus entering a whole new market segment. Utilizing a national distribution network, we quickly made a name for ourselves in the irrigation valve box market. NDS Pro Series channel drain systems were introduced in 1995, with a modular design including a mechanical interlocking joint system that replaced the need for couplings. The Pro Series channel quickly became our premium channel offering, and a model for product line segmentation.

In 1995, we moved corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities from Camarillo in Southern California to Lindsay in Central California. From this new location, NDS products could now be delivered to most locations in California and surrounding states within one business day. In addition to this, the move marked the beginning of major changes for NDS, widely regarded as the most innovative company in the drainage industry.Pro Series Valve Boxes were introduced in 1996. With this new line of superior quality valve boxes, we could now match the high quality of the market leaders in this category, opening many new opportunities for specification by Landscape Architects and Engineers.

In 1997 we purchased American Drainage Products (ADP), incorporating a lower priced drainage line and a complete line of landscape products including root barrier, trunk protectors, and TuffTrack Grassroad Pavers. The landscape market was a natural progression for the NDS, and the ADP acquisition provided a very competitive product line with which to lead the market. In September of 1997, we purchased Shawtown Industries, a leading manufacturer in the root barrier industry, and solidified our position as a leader in the landscape products market. Our proven channels of distribution expanded sales of the newly acquired line of landscape products from California to the entire nation.

We focused much of 1998 on new product introductions and improvements to our existing products. Root barrier fabric was introduced in the third quarter of 1998. This revolutionary new product allows essential water, air, and nutrients to flow through the fabric to the roots while also suspending horizontal root growth and promoting secondary root growth. In the fourth quarter, DuraCast ductile and cast iron inline grates and fabricated PVC catch basins were introduced, allowing NDS products to be specified on more golf course and municipal landscape projects. In 1999, there was a shift back to an acquisition mode with the purchase of Bartron Corp. and Agrifim Irrigation Products. Bartron manufactured Grassroad Pavers8 Plus, the industry’s leading grass paver product, and Agrifim is a leader in the drip and micro irrigation markets.

One year later, we acquired Flo Control, a market leader for thirty years and a manufacturer of specialty fittings used in the irrigation and pool & spa industries, and also aquired Raindrip, the best-selling name in retail drip irrigation.With this series of strategic acquisitions, we entered the lucrative markets of irrigation and flow management, and eventually become the leading water management company in the industry. In 2001, executive, sales and marketing activities were relocated to a new corporate headquarters in the Warner Center business community of Woodland Hills, California.Today, we are proud to be the industry’s one source for solutions in stormwater management, efficient landscape irrigation, flow management, sewer and drain fittings, valve and meter boxes, and root barrier products. We are committed to providing the highest quality products and services to meet and exceed our customers' expectations.