Life Floor Uses $135,000 REED Loan to Update Equipment in its Madison Plant

Life Floor, which creates safe surfaces for aquatic facilities, recently upgraded its equipment in Madison, South Dakota, with a $135,000 loan from the Rural Electric Economic Development (REED) Fund. The upgrades reflect Life Floor's continued growth, which has changed the face of aquatic recreation since its founding in 2011.  

“Our mission is to make aquatic spaces safe and beautiful for all ages and abilities,” says Briana Valente, Marketing Manager at Life Floor. “We make people feel well-equipped so they can navigate their environment confidently.”

Life Floor products have been installed in 3,800 facilities across 45+ countries and 65+ cruise ships. More than five million square feet of flooring have been installed. Learn how this equipment allows Life Floor to further ramp production while creating better aquatic experiences worldwide.  

New Equipment Promotes Safety While Reducing Waste

The new equipment found in Madison will change how the facility, in partnership with Falcon Plastics, operates. Valente highlighted four key areas of improvement expected from the new technology:

1. Safety: The equipment decreased speeds, reducing pinch hazards and lowering temperatures, which also mitigates burn risk.
2. Yield: While the yield improvements are in the early stages, there has been an 11% yield improvement. The equipment has also helped decrease unusable sheet waste by 75%. Further improvements will continue as Life Floor optimizes the equipment settings.
3. Productivity: The new equipment has more than doubled capacity through automation and the ability to continuously run batches if they are the same color. 
4. Operating Improvements: The new equipment has sensors that allow the manufacturing process to be automated, so it no longer relies on operator measurements for process steps.

In the case of the Madison facility, automation is a good thing. It will not replace any workers but will make it easier for them to complete customer orders. There is less running to keep up and a reduced risk of injury. 

This is Life Floor’s Third Loan With REED

Life Floor has worked closely with REED throughout the past decade. It first secured a REED loan in 2014 to bring its production to the United States from Vietnam. This created the Madison plan in South Dakota. The company then used REED funding to expand its product offerings in 2018. The company was able to double its production through these efforts.

This loan improves the work experience of Madison employees, reduces waste, and further increases production, keeping Life Floor a leader in its industry.

"Having partnered with REED twice previously, the loan application process was quite streamlined and straightforward,” says Jonathan Keller, CEO of Life Floor. “They have been a great partner with Life Floor for over a decade now!"

Life Floor recently paid off its second REED loan and immediately started its next application. This allows it to grow as a valued employer in the Madison area.

“Sioux Valley Energy members are directly and positively impacted by REED loans such as the one provided to Life Floor,” says Tim McCarthy, General Manager and CEO of Sioux Valley Energy, the local electric cooperative serving the Madison area. “It is essential that electric cooperatives support business expansion efforts in smaller communities. REED loans help to create and retain jobs, expand the tax base, and improve the lives of our members.”

Life Floor Lets Kids (and Adults) Play Safely

Demand for Life Floor products grows as more hotels, cities, theme parks, and cruise lines invest in pool safety. This company's material is slip-resistant, impact-absorbing, impermeable, UV and chemical-resistant, and easy to clean. The organization has completed multiple certifications to ensure its products are safe, accessible, and inclusive.

“We don’t want to bubblewrap kids during play, but we do want to prevent play-halting injuries,” says Valente. “Let’s find ways to enable play so kids can learn and grow.”

With Life Floor creating new products, the days of kids falling on hard cement at a splash pad or slipping on ceramic tile are numbered. The team in Madison, South Dakota, is responsible for keeping kids (and kids at heart) safe no matter where they’re playing in the world. 

Explore Other REED Projects

REED invests in different types of economic development projects to support the families and communities of its partner cooperatives. Read about some of its recent business loans and how REED funding helps communities grow.  

If you have a need in your business or are looking to expand your operations, start the application process. Just like Life Floor, we can help you invest in your organization to change the world.