The AZEK Company scales securely with an embedded network partner
As AZEK grew its footprint across manufacturing and office sites, its network had to keep pace. Katalyst delivered network-focused managed services and embedded engineering, strengthening reliability, adding segmentation for security, and providing consistent 24/7 coverage across 24 or more sites.
About The AZEK Company
The AZEK Company is a leading manufacturer of low-maintenance outdoor living products, rooted in innovation and sustainability. Headquartered in Chicago's Fulton Market district and supported by manufacturing and recycling facilities across multiple U.S. states, AZEK uses advanced material science and recycled content to deliver brands like TimberTech, AZEK Trim, and Versatex, with a goal of using one billion pounds of recycled material annually.
The Challenge
AZEK's IT organization was navigating the realities of growth: an expanding footprint, higher security expectations, and the need for reliable connectivity across diverse sites. The internal team was strong, but the pace of expansion demanded additional expertise and consistent monitoring to keep operations uninterrupted.
CIO Michelle Kasson, who joined in 2019, wanted a resilient network foundation to support long-term strategy, and a partner who could provide both hands-on network support and strategic guidance. "Our network environment was becoming more complex as AZEK grew. I wanted to make sure we had the right structure in place to support that growth, and finding the right partner was a critical part of the strategy," she explained.
The Solution
Katalyst was first engaged for a network modernization initiative. Reliability, expertise, and accountability built trust quickly, and the project-based work grew into a long-term managed network partnership with dedicated engineering support.
Managed network services and embedded engineering
Through 24/7 monitoring, infrastructure management, and embedded resources who work alongside AZEK's staff, Katalyst became an extension of the internal team. The model lets AZEK adapt network resources to changing needs without overextending internal staff. "They came to me with a model that offered more flexibility and value than traditional hiring. It wasn't just about filling a gap, it was about finding a smarter way to scale," Kasson said.
Segmentation and resilience
Network segmentation improved security while proactive monitoring improved stability across sites, giving the internal team a clear escalation path and confidence that operations would stay strong even as priorities shifted toward strategic initiatives.
"Katalyst is an accelerator to my team. I don't have to staff every new skill set internally, I can rely on Katalyst to advise and execute when needed. They enable my team to move faster."
Michelle Kasson, VP & CIO, The AZEK CompanyThe Results
The partnership delivered reliable network operations, strategic collaboration, and real operational confidence.
Proactive monitoring and segmentation gave AZEK's sites greater stability, keeping employees focused on production and innovation. Blending managed services with network engineering positioned AZEK to meet immediate demands while preparing for future needs, and embedded Katalyst engineers became part of the daily workflow, providing consistency and accelerating projects. "What I appreciate most is trust. I know Katalyst is invested in our journey, and that makes them more than a vendor, they're a partner I can count on," Kasson said.
Key Takeaways
- A smarter way to scale. An embedded, managed model gave AZEK flexibility that traditional hiring could not match.
- Stability across sites. Proactive monitoring and segmentation improved reliability and security across 24 or more locations.
- An extension of the team. Embedded engineers worked inside AZEK's workflow, accelerating projects and adding consistency.
- Built for growth. A resilient, scalable network foundation positioned AZEK for its next phase.
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