Cataphote

Cataphote is a name that has come to stand for excellence in specialized glass beads and thermoplastic pavement markings. Our name is derived from two Greek words: cata, meaning "returned", and phote, meaning "light".

In 1942, the word "Western" was dropped, and "Cataphote" became known as the name of distinction in the pavement marking field. Our glass bead research continued through the World War II years; the first beads were produced after the war. Thus began a constantly expanding line of glass beads that meet stringent specifications for pavement markings and industrial use, as well as a line of specialty Microbeads.

In 1949, Cataphote moved operations to Flowood, Mississippi where our glass bead and thermoplastic facility is now the single largest in the world. Cataphote has a strong commitment to Mississippi and our 190 employees.

In 1987, Cataphote became part of Sovitec Cataphote Group an International producer of glass beads. Glass beads have three main applications: road marking, surface treatment of metals and resin reinforcement. They are produced and/or marketed worldwide by six sister companies: Sovitec Belgium (Fleurus), Sovitec Iberica (Barcelona), Sovitec France (Florange), Sovitec Germany (Saarbrucken), Glass Beads S.A. ( Buenos Aires, Argentina) and Cataphote (Jackson, MS -USA).

In 1997 Kirk Fordice, Governor of the State of Mississippi, recognized Cataphote as being the largest single factory for the production of glass beads in the world and the largest manufacturer of thermoplastic pavement markings in the US. The Mississippi House of Representatives recognized Cataphote's achievements with proclamation that also applauded the contribution"... to the care of our environment by annually recycling 100 million pounds of glass..."

In 1999 there was a major expansion of our thermoplastic operations in West Point, Mississippi. This 10-acre property accommodates an automated process design for increased capacity to meet the needs of current and furture demands. As a member of the Sovitec Cataphote Group, Cataphote will continue to blaze new trails of creativity and achievement in the pavement marking and industrial markets for years to come.