The Netherlands-based Royal Ten Cate NV has purchased a minority stake in Austin, Texas-based Hellas Construction Inc. — a sports contractor involved in turf manufacturing and the construction and installation of sports fields, running tracks and tennis courts. Hellas manages all processes to provide its customer with product, marketing and sales, quality control and project management. The agreement will allow TenCate to contribute research and development, turf backings and carpet manufacturing to Hellas' business. 

In other company news, TenCate will take over the bankrupt Osiris Inkjet Systems BV, the Netherlands, and continue its business activities. TenCate had previously announced it was looking at possibly restarting the business (See " TenCate Investigates Possible Restart Of Osiris Inkjet Systems," www. TextileWorld.com, May 16, 2011).

An agreement was reached with the official receiver to continue production and sales of Osiris' ISIS™ inkjet printing system. The business will be handled by United Kingdom-based Xennia Technology Ltd., a company acquired by TenCate in 2008 to research using inkjet technology as process technology for the application of surface coatings on textile materials.

At least six of the 10 Osiris employees will be offered an employment contract, and the business will operate within Xennia Holland BV. TenCate also plans to build a pilot production process in Nijverdal, the Netherlands, sometime during 2011, to strengthen and expand inkjet technology for textile applications on an industrial scale.

June 14, 2011