New deal establishes largest landscape turf business in U.S.

This Sept. 28, 2016, photo shows a Duraspine turf field in Newark, N.J. FieldTurf, the country’s leading maker of artificial sports turf, sold more than 1,000 fields to towns, schools and teams nationwide after its executives knew they were falling apart faster than expected and might not live up to lofty marketing claims, according to an investigation by NJ Advance Media. (Andre Malok/NJ Advance Media via AP) This Sept. 28, 2016, photo shows a Duraspine turf field in Newark, N.J. FieldTurf, the country’s leading maker of artificial sports turf, sold more than 1,000 fields to towns, schools and teams nationwide after its executives knew they were falling apart faster than expected and might not live up to lofty marketing claims, according to an investigation by NJ Advance Media. (Andre Malok/NJ Advance Media via AP)

By Mike Pare March 30, 2018 2 min read

They'll be looking to grow.

A Dutch company has bought a controlling interest in a longtime Dalton, Ga.-based venture to create what’s called the largest landscape turf business in the United States.

TenCate Grass, a global leader in the development, production and marketing of synthetic turf components, acquired the interest in Challenger Industries, according to Chattanooga-based FourBridges Capital Advisors.

Chris Rowe, a managing director of the investment banking firm that acted as an adviser to Challenger, said the combined revenues of TenCate Grass and Challenger is more than $1 billion.

Challenger was the largest independent manufacturer of artificial grass, serving the landscape, sports and residential markets.