Spartan Composite Mats

Tupelo, Mississippi- best known as the birthplace of Elvis Presley is a vibrant and welcoming community of about 52,000 residents. The city blends a rich musical heritage with a strong sense of local pride and steady economic growth. With a diverse economy spanning manufacturing, healthcare, and retail, Tupelo has become a hub for innovation and opportunity in North Mississippi while still preserving its small-town character. The arrival of Spartan Composites marks an exciting new chapter for the region. In addition to bringing advanced manufacturing capabilities, Spartan is committed to being an active community partner. A central part of this commitment is collaboration with Itawamba Community College and other local technical programs to help build a workforce equipped for modern composite manufacturing. Through hands-on training, internships, and curriculum support, Spartan will work closely with students to provide real-world experience and clear career pathways right here in Tupelo. These efforts aim to ensure that local residents especially those entering the workforce, can access high-quality technical careers without leaving the area. Spartan’s presence is also expected to generate a wide range of job opportunities, from entry-level production roles to highly skilled technical and engineering positions. By investing in local talent and supporting long-term career growth, Spartan Composites is contributing to the continued economic vitality of Tupelo and the surrounding region. This collaboration represents a shared investment in the future where industry and education align to create opportunity, strengthen the community, and support the next generation of skilled professionals. We extend our sincere thanks to the many partners who welcomed us and shared their expertise: ·       Advancement in Manufacturing Upskilling (AiMUP) Lab & MSU CAVS Extension Center: Dr. Tonya McCall (Director), Billy Peacock (Associate Director), Harry Kitchens (Senior Project Engineer), Carver Middleton (Research Engineer, Athlete Engineering – AiMUP) ·       Advanced Composite (MAC) Training Center: Crisler Herdon (Research Program Manager), Jeremy Sawaya (Research Engineer, Advanced Composite Institute) ·       Advanced Composites Institute (ACI) & MAC Training Center: Dr. Chris Bounds (Director, ACI), Chris Herdon (Research Program Manager) ·       Itawamba Community College: Tzer Nan Waters (Director of Workforce Education), Dylan Baldwin (Dean of Career Education) ·       Three Rivers Planning & Development District: Terry Treadaway (Director, Division of Workforce Development) ·       Community Development Foundation: Hunter Aycock (Vice President of Economic Development) Special thanks to Forrest Bryan, Workforce Development Manager at AccelerateMS, for keeping everything on track. We truly appreciate everyone’s time, insight, and partnership. hashtag#tupeloMS hashtag#itawambacommunitycollege hashtag#ICC hashtag#AiMUP hashtag#MAC hashtag#ACI hashtag#AccelerateMS hashtag#MSU hashtag#CAVS hashtag#spartancomposites

Background In cold-weather operating environments, frac pad sites often face significant safety challenges. Snow accumulation and soft ground conditions create surfaces that are easily rutted by heavy vehicle traffic, increasing the risk of slip, trip, and fall incidents for personnel working on site. Challenge The end user operating in this environment identified recurring safety concerns related to unstable ground conditions. Heavy equipment traffic frequently degraded the work surface, leading to uneven terrain and hazardous walking conditions for crews. Solution To address these challenges, larger frac pads were constructed using System7XT™ mats. By expanding the pad footprint and deploying a high-performance matting system, the site was able to create a stable, uniform working surface capable of withstanding both harsh winter conditions and continuous heavy vehicle traffic. The System7XT™ mat proved to be the ideal solution for this project due to several key performance advantages: High load distribution – The structural design of the System7XT™ mat spreads heavy equipment loads across a larger area, preventing rutting in soft or snow-covered ground. Superior traction surface – The engineered surface texture helps maintain footing for personnel, even in icy or snowy conditions, reducing slip and fall hazards. Rigid interlocking system – The mats connect securely to create a continuous, stable platform that resists shifting under vehicle traffic. Durability in extreme environments – System7XT™ mats are engineered to maintain performance in cold-weather conditions where traditional ground surfaces quickly degrade. Rapid deployment and scalability – The system allows operators to quickly build larger pads that can be expanded or reconfigured as operational needs evolve. Results The larger mat-based pad significantly improved site safety by reducing uneven surfaces and eliminating many common slip, trip, and fall hazards associated with snow-covered and rutted ground. In addition to the safety improvements, the enhanced work surface enabled smoother equipment movement and improved crew mobility across the site. Impact By utilizing System7XT™ mats to construct larger frac pads, the end user achieved measurable safety improvements while also realizing operational efficiencies. The stabilized surface reduced incidents, improved workflow, and created a safer, more reliable operating environment for crews working in demanding winter conditions.

Temporary Access Road Construction Using System7 XT™ ChallengeA homeowner required continued access to their property while critical maintenance was performed on a pipeline valve located beneath their driveway. The valve replacement necessitated excavation that would temporarily render the driveway unusable, creating a significant access issue for the homeowner. SolutionTo maintain uninterrupted access, System7 XT™ was deployed to construct a durable temporary road. The system was installed adjacent to the existing driveway, providing a stable and reliable surface capable of supporting residential vehicle traffic throughout the duration of the project. ExecutionThe System7 XT™ panels were installed quickly and efficiently, minimizing disruption to the homeowner. The modular design allowed the road to be precisely aligned with site constraints while ensuring structural integrity over the pipeline work area. OutcomeThe temporary road enabled the homeowner to safely access their property while the pipeline valve replacement was completed beneath the driveway. Upon project completion, the System7 XT™ roadway was removed, leaving the surrounding area undisturbed and restoring the site to its original condition. Key Benefits Maintained homeowner access throughout construction Rapid installation and removal Protected existing infrastructure Minimized disruption and site impact