Michigan Dominates the Forest-to-Floor Industry for Sports Courts
In partnership with: Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development
Conner Sports is revered as an industry leader, building premier hardwood flooring including floors for the NBA, NCAA and WNBA. Initially engineering furniture and wooden toys for decades prior to the introduction of basketball courts, the company alley-ooped into indoor gymnasiums when it produced its first basketball court in 1914. Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2022, the company now averages 600 sporting floors per year.
Connor Sports’ forest-to-floor operation begins in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in remote Amasa, where timber workers sustainably harvest northern hard maples. Trees must be at least 25 years mature and meet quality requirements for sourcing.
Then, with a workforce of 130 mill employees, raw materials are dried, processed and cut to size. Shipped in either pallets or panels, hardwood is delivered to venues and, lastly, sanded, painted and sealed.
“The finish of our maple floors differs based on the weather conditions and climate of each region. Specifically, humidity levels and temperature swings determine the specific installation requirements a court needs,” says Zach Riberdy, marketing communications specialist of Connor Sports.
Riberdy attests that the Great Lakes State is also the greatest for flooring supplies because northern maples have tight grains for durability and natural beauty with color possibilities. A first-grade tree tends to have a lighter hue which, aside from the highest quality, is visually preferred by spectators as it reflects light better. Plus, these trees – at first, second and third grades – allow for safe recreation despite friction (i.e., free of slivering and slipping).
Some arenas opt for parquet flooring, which is achieved by positioning differing grades of wood in a pattern formation. Compared to outdoor concrete or asphalt spaces, indoor courts offer better shock absorbency, which benefits performance.
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Rebounding the Forest
Typically, 80 to 100 trees are sourced to construct one basketball court. However, certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, Connor Sports never fouls when it comes to sustaining Michigan’s woodland.
“Tree plots are rotated yearly, allowing for proper soil regeneration and natural growth to take place, replacing key minerals and nutrients in the areas. We care about the forest floor as much as we care about the floors we produce,” Riberdy says.
Aside from manufacturing professional, collegiate, high school and community-based courts nationwide, Michigan’s maples have scored international accolades thanks to Connor Sports’ alignment with the International Basketball Federation and the Summer Olympic Games. Connor Sports also makes synthetic sports flooring and protective coverings.
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Halftime Report
Take a timeout and check out these facts about Connor Sports and basketball courts:
- The wilderness village of Amasa, home court to Connor Sports, has a population of 365 residents.
- Connor Sports’ workforce comprises 150 employees, including 130 mill staffers.
- The NBA requires flooring to be replaced every 10 years, though most professional courts are rotated out after two to three seasons.
- Because arenas are typically shared spaces, most basketball courts are fully portable using a Quicklock Fusion
- Basketball is the world’s second most popular sport.
Sources: Connor Sports, Pure Michigan, Washington Post