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It’s been three decades since a company that was originally called Staging Concepts entered the market with a portfolio of platforms, risers and stairs. Today that company is Trex Commercial Products, a national provider of custom-engineered architectural railing and staging systems for the commercial and multifamily sector. This year, the Minneapolis-based company is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
Initially focused on the performing arts market, Staging Concepts started out working with theaters and live event spaces. Following the enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), venues across the country sought to enhance the accessibility of their facilities and Staging Concepts’ platforms proved a solution—particularly for major sports stadiums and arenas.
“This was a pivotal time in our company’s history,” says Laura Rygielski Preston, president of Trex Commercial Products. “We had the right products at the right time, and business took off.”
As the company designed ADA-compliant solutions for performing arts and sports facilities, railings became a natural part of the equation. Before long, customers were asking Staging Concepts to engineer railings for entire venues, according to the company. In 2004, it contracted its first major railing job at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
“That one project propelled us from a small staging company for performing arts and cast us onto the national sports scene,” says Cindy Albrecht, director of sales and marketing.
Over the years, the business has continued to diversify within the commercial and multifamily market, taking on projects in hospitality, healthcare, worship and retail, according to the company.
“Instead of approaching projects like a traditional supplier, we come in with a turnkey support program and team, including in-house mechanical engineers, 3D modeling technology, an intimate knowledge of codes and design stamping capabilities,” says Dan Stachel, vice president of sales and marketing. “Essentially, we take the technical onus off of architects and specifiers and partner with them through the entire process.”
Following years of steady growth driven by new product development and diversification, according to the company, Staging Concepts caught the attention of Trex Company, a manufacturer of high-performance, low-maintenance wood-alternative decking, railing and outdoor living products. In 2017, Trex acquired Staging Concepts to form Trex Commercial Products Inc.
In the past three years, Trex has made investments in manufacturing capabilities and capacity aimed at reducing operational costs for the commercial division. The combined companies also have focused on leveraging synergies to drive efficiencies, innovation and growth.
Looking ahead, Trex Commercial Products plans to continue what Staging Concepts started 30 years ago—focusing on providing engineering and solutions, pursuing new opportunities and being a valued supplier partner.
“While a lot has changed over the past 30 years, our core philosophy remains the same,” says Rygielski Preston. “We understand that our role is more than just a fabricator of a designer’s vision. It’s about being a meaningful partner with our customers, from the conceptual beginning to the successful completion.”
