DURA-BASE® Mats' Remote Access Capabilities on Display for Engineers and Contractors

CHICAGO, April 1, 2014 - Electrical engineers and utility contractors alike can see the latest innovations in ground protection and remote access technology firsthand at this year's Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Power and Energy Society (PES) Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Conference & Exposition at McCormick Place in Chicago, April 14 -17. Newpark Mats and Integrated Services (NMIS), a unit of Newpark Resources, Inc. (NYSE: NR) is exhibiting at the show (booth 9004) and will feature its DURA-BASE® Advanced-Composite Mat System, which is used widely throughout the power industry as a safe and efficient way to speed maintenance and construction projects.

According to a recent White House report released in August of 2013, the US power grid is over a century old with roughly seventy percent of transmission lines and power transformers more than 25 years in age. This aging infrastructure, along with the electricity demand of an ever growing US population, calls for regular maintenance and expansion of the nation's power distribution capacity. These projects often require utility contractors and power companies to work in remote areas. Newpark's DURA-BASE® system is a field-proven access solution used for projects conducted on sensitive or difficult terrain. The mats are precision engineered to withstand loads of up to 600 pounds per square inch, making them ideal for supporting heavy equipment on remote worksites.

"With such a high concentration of electrical engineers and utility contractors in attendance at the IEEE PES T&D conference, we feel this is an ideal place to showcase the various benefits our DURA-BASE® system delivers to the power industry," said Jeff Juergens, President of Newpark Mats and Integrated Services. "The ability to quickly and effectively maintain our nation's power grid is mission critical, and our product allows customers to do just that, while enhancing worker safety and saving time and money."

The interlocking matting system uses a patented twist-lock feature to create a smooth continuous surface that reduces the risk of slips, trips and falls at the worksite. This unique interlocking design effectively distributes weight and eliminates differential movement in even the most rugged terrain.

These features make the system ideal for building temporary roads to access remote areas. The mats' ease-of-installation also allows for faster remobilization when multiple roads or platforms are needed for a project. Additionally, DURA-BASE mats weigh half as much as wooden mats; allowing for easier transport, reduction of transportation time, and minimization of overall expense.

To learn more about the DURA-BASE® Advanced-Composite Mat System, visit http://www.newpark.com/.

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About Newpark Mats and Integrated Services
Newpark Mats and Integrated Services is the leading provider of ground protection solutions. DURA-BASE® Advanced-Composite Mat Systems are utilized widely throughout the utility, oil & gas, pipeline, construction, heavy haul, military and entertainment industries. Newpark is the largest, most experienced manufacturer of matting systems globally and an innovator in ground protection technology. The Lafayette-based company is a unit of Newpark Resources, Inc.click here.

Editorial Contacts:

Megan Rabalais
Sales & Marketing
Newpark Mats and Integrated Services
+1 337.565.2130
mrabalais@newpark.com

James Lisk
ABI
+1 212.529.4500
jlisk@abipr.com

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