GSE's stock had been at a year-long high on Dec 31, 2003. By January 3, 2004 the company’s shares saw a significant drop to $17.96 after they announced their merger with GEO Holdings Corp., a newly formed entity indirectly controlled by Code Hennessy & Simmons LLC (CHS). Stock prices then increased to $18.15 on January 3, 2004 and have held relatively steadily coming in at $18.14 today. The Exchange contacted the company and requested that the GSE issue a public statement indicating if the unusual activity could be explained by any corporate developments. The company stated that its policy is not to comment on unusual market activity or rumors. Will the pending lawsuit filed by Twist Partners LLP have an effect on GSE's future prices? Geosynthetica.net will keep you informed.

An ASCE student chapter competition. A paper-reinforced soil retaining structure: Helped only by kraft paper taped to a posterboard face, an open-sided box must hold hundreds of pounds of dry sand in place. The SE regionals @ USF-Tampa will be doing competition this year. Frank Townsend is in charge of the event. 26 schools have been notified, sand samples have been sent, etc. Needed? 1) Student and faculty catalysts, nationwide 2) Professional Mentors 3) Industry sponsors. For rules and guidelines, visit the link below, or to volunteer, contact Barbara Luke, e-mail: bluke@ce.unlv.edu or phone: (702) 895 1568. Learn more here.;

I-CORP recently performed a a combined wading and water lance leak location survey on a double geomembrane liner separated by a geonet/single geotextile composite. The flat floor of the facility was surrounded by 45 ft long 1:1 slopes with a 6 ft concrete wall at the top. Normally it would only be guaranteed to find leaks where the leak detection system could be backfilled with water to provide a conductive medium from a leak to the location of the current return electrode. However, in this case the geotextile of the composite was a Sensom conductive geotextile - a PP nonwoven with high carbon black content. It provided a much-better-than-expected conductive layer, clearly requiring no added water in the LDS. However, there may have been some condensation from construction water in the LDS contributing to the conductivity. The current return electrode was simply clamped to the geotextile at the periphery of the facility.

Colorado Engineering Professor Wins PECASE: Jorge G. Zornberg, an assistant professor in the civil, environmental, and architectural engineering department at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has been named a recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Zornberg was nominated for the award by the National Science Foundation. His research work has focused on the use of evapotranspirative cover systems for hazardous waste sites in arid and semiarid climates.

Joining the GMA now will result in direct member benefits that total $4,472. One complimentary subscription to GFR ($52), 10 product chart listings in GFR's Specifier's Guide ($2,950), 10 directory listings in GFR's Specifier's Guide ($300), A 3% advertising discount in GFR ($870), and A Geosynthetics 2003 exhibition discount ($300) Call Danette Fettig at 800-636-5042 for more information.

7IGC 22-27 September 2002 in Nice was a fantastic success! Over 1,200 attendees, all booths sold out(and a few extras), elections, four unique educational tracks (300+ papers), dining, dancing, footballand so much more.

SABIC has taken over the petrochemical activities of DSM: with effect from 1st January 2002. From the 1st October, 2002, the company name will be SABIC Polyolefine GmbH. The new company takes over all responsibilities of the DSM Polyolefine GmbH. Address and telephone extensions remain unchanged.

GIGSA August 2002 Newsletter: 5 pages featuring GIGSA award nomination information, project review and upcoming events. Newsletter Note: This is a pdf file. For free software to download this newsletter: Acrobat Reader

Geosynthetic Construction Concerns - A series of actual installation photographs that illustrate what not to do on an installation - too bad we didn't get to these folks sooner!

Geotextile Manufacturer Fibertex A/S Aalborg Ost, Denmark has been purchased by Aktieselskabet Schouw & Co. The company was formerly owned by the East Asiatic Company (EAC) which established Fibertex as a wholly owned subsidiary in 1968. The current management of Fibertex, including CEO Knud Waede Hansen, will continue to head the company.