Fortress sells composite decking business

Fortress Building Products announced that it has completed the sale of its composite decking assets to Eva-Last Americas.

The deal includes Fortress Decking, cladding, and HULK Fasteners. The financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

The sale will allow Fortress to pursue growth in its core metal outdoor living products, including steel and aluminum railing, Evolution Steel Deck Framing, fencing, pergolas, and lighting.

“This transaction enables Fortress to place added focus on our core metals products and gives Eva-Last direct access to bring their core composite and fastener products to the North American market,” said Mike Walsh, president and CEO at Fortress Building Products. “We are excited to take this next step in our strategic plans.”      

Over the past year, Fortress and Eva-Last said they have actively explored ways to evolve and expand the composite decking business. 

“I’m extremely proud of what our team has built and am thrilled to see Eva-Last take advantage of this platform to spur growth, while at the same time accelerating our tremendous momentum in metals products, like our Evolution Steel Deck Framing,” said Jeff Schulz, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Fortress Building Products. “This sale will benefit Fortress employees, Eva-Last employees, our mutual partners, and the industry as a whole.”    

“Our partnership with Fortress over the past seven years has seen meaningful introductions of our best-in-class APEX PVC and Infinity I-Series Composites,” says Marc Minne, CEO of Eva-Last. “Our recent IPO (SZSE:301429) brought significant funding that will allow us to invest heavily in the growth of the Americas, ensuring our position as a global leader of innovative building products is fully realized.”  

As steel framing and pergolas continue their upward momentum with professionals and consumers, Fortress — based in Garland, Texas — said it will continue to drive the adoption and usage of the products.