Bring on the Game

Hellas supplies the playing fields

STORY BY AMY PASSARETTI

When Super Bowl LVI kicked off at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood California in February, a piece of Dadeville was there for the game. Local sports construction manufacturer Hellas Construction contributed to the field turf on the play floor. Hellas is the largest sport selfperforming contractor that also produces polyurethane running tracks and tennis court surfacing.

Employing more than 1,000 in local jobs, Hellas recently added $4 million of equipment to the Dadeville plant, increasing its size by 50 percent since it opened about seven years ago. “We’ve become more aggressive with recruiting employees by offering an increased starting pay. It’s had an impact on the quality of employees, and we invest in our people as much as anything else,” said Ron Norsworthy, director of manufacturing at the plant.

The Dadeville plant spins the yarn from raw materials. The yarn is then sent to northwest Georgia to be turned into fabric for the tufted fields. Construction crews located in various parts of the U.S. then install the product, so Hellas has control throughout the entire process.

“We are one of the few companies that is completely vertically integrated,” said Norsworthy. “This helps us

quality control everything from manufacturing, installation, the base work, and assures our customers they are getting the premium product they paid for.” Norsworthy added that the countrywide demand for the products are evident, which has led to the natural need for expansion. Robert Norsworthy “We make the best, and a lot of people want the best and are willing to pay for it,” he said. The employees of the company are what truly make Hellas Construction stand apart from the rest, said Norsworthy. “Competitors can buy the same machinery and raw materials we buy, but it’s the people that truly make a difference and their passion for a quality product,” he said. The company has had a positive economic impact in the area, and Norsworthy said they are open to more involvement in the community. From hosting Hellas Night at football games to working with other local companies and industry, the company has an impact on local living. “My perception is that Dadeville has a lot to offer. Lake Martin seems to be a big part of that. It’s a small town with positive quality of life and fairly close to other larger locations,” said Norsworthy.

Hellas Construction in Dadeville manufactures the yarn used to create sports fields across the country