FloorCoveringNews

Emeryville, Calif.— Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) has announced its first three certifications under the tile industry’s brand new Green Squared certification standard. Certifications were awarded to tile manufactured by Crossville, Interceramic, and Metropolitan Ceramics by Ironrock.

After 5 years developing an all-encompassing multi-attribute sustainability standard for tile and tile installation materials, the very first certified sustainable products are being announced.

Cumulatively, eight major manufacturers of tile and installation materials have hundreds of products that are already certified or will be certified by the start of Coverings on April 17, with yet even more of their products still in the evaluation process and expected to earn certification this year. At least six additional manufacturers have started the certification process for hundreds more products that are expected to be certified within the year.

By Louis Iannaco

When it comes to ceramic tile, state-of-the-art technology has raised the bar in recent years as mills seemingly are able to create any look or design they desire. Natural stone, travertine, slate and wood looks continue to proliferate in a category where porcelain has become king. This was evident once again at Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmo-macc Americas 2012 where both manufacturers and distributors strutted their stuff with the latest innovative offerings.

Improving economy gives show best feeling in years

by FCNews staff

Las Vegas—Immediately after the curtain was raised on the stage that was Surfaces 2012, it was apparent to everyone from manufacturers to contractors to retailers that something was different in the air at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.

Mark Shannon

Crossville, Tenn.—Crossville has named Mark Shannon executive vice president of sales and DeWayne Galey executive vice president, CFO.

Shannon’s responsibilities have expanded to include the oversight of marketing. “Our goal is to increase synergy between strategic sales and strategic marketing, which will ultimately foster greater success for both Crossville and its customers,” said John Smith, president and CEO. “Mark, a Crossville veteran, has the leadership and management skills to make this happen.”

Lindsey Ann Waldrep

Crossville, Tenn.— Lindsey Ann Waldrep has joined Crossville as the tile manufacturer’s vice president of marketing. John Smith, Crossville’s president, said, Waldrep will work with Crossville’s marketing team “to develop strategic, multi-faceted marketing campaigns with a strong focus on branding, advertising and POP material development.” Waldrep was most recently, senior director of creative marketing for Mohawk Industries, where she managed an internal creative group and three external agencies. Earlier, she worked for Tarkett’s wood division, first as national account product manager and then creative manager.For more, call Crossville at 931.484.2110

Ceramic tile has long been known as one of the most hygienically clean and environmentally friendly products the flooring industry has to offer. The segment is full of companies that take the matter of making a small carbon footprint to heart, and in practice, in a very big way. The following is an environmental update of what some companies are currently doing in the way of environmental friendliness.

TORONTO—Despite the crowds not being as big as last year; despite the absence of a number of well-known flooring brands from the sold-out exhibition floor; despite much of the world continuing to struggle to climb out of the economic pit it has been in, the 10^th annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo not only proved to be beneficial to those who participated, the event showed the green building movement remains strong throughout the world.

Ceramic tile producers have been hard at work coming up with some new products for retailers. The following are a few of the latest and greatest.

CHICAGO—As the commercial market continues on the comeback trail, NeoCon 2011 served as the landscape for many flooring manufacturers to roll out new products, concepts and directions.

Mannington Commercial, for example, unveiled a litany of products, all collaborations with outside designers. One in particular was the Best of NeoCon Gold winner Vivendi Collection, a heterogeneous vinyl sheet developed in conjunction with world renowned design firm HOK and fabrics manufacturer Pallas Textiles.

CHICAGO—The commercial market is on the upswing, and NeoCon 2011 could not have been more reflective of that trend. Hotel room reservations were up 27% over the three-day NeoCon 2010 period, forcing many members of the A&D community to the outskirts of the city. Elevator wait times at the Merchandise Mart were longer than in recent years, and hallways on the floors housing the permanent showrooms were more challenging to negotiate—all signs of a healthy show.

ROSLYN, N.Y.—Following a two-year hiatus, Shaw Industries was voted the industry’s Best Overall Manufacturer in the 15th Award of Excellence competition. This was the third time in the award’s history that Shaw took top honors, which it last held in 2008. Shaw also repeated its performance from last year by taking home the Award of Excellence for Environmental Leadership, which was first awarded in 2010.

Roslyn, N.Y.—The 15^th annual Award of Excellence competition, sponsored by Floor Covering News and the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), is a way for manufacturers’ customers—retailers, distributors, designers, installers, specifies, etc.—to honor the companies they feel consistently provide the best service, professionalism of sales force, management responsiveness, value, design, B2B, handling of claims and ease of doing business. In other words, those manufacturers help them do the best job running successful, profitable business operations, whether it be a retail operation, distributorship, design centers or installation workrooms.

Much of the U.S. may still be struggling to escape winter temperatures but the calendar says it’s officially spring. A time of rebirth and hope, not just in nature, spring is when consumers air out their homes and take a look at how to get the glum out of the house. One historical way has been to redecorate, with new floors and furniture and a fresh coat of paint. Spring traditionally marks one of the industry’s busiest selling times.

LAS VEGAS—For a show making its Las Vegas debut—a month earlier than past events, six weeks after Surfaces and just four weeks following Cevisama in Spain—Coverings, the third largest tile show in the world, held its own.

When it comes to ceramic tile, state-of-the-art technology has raised the bar in recent years to where mills can create any look they want. Natural stone, travertine and slate looks continue to proliferate in a category where porcelain has become king. This was evident once again at Surfaces where companies showcased the latest cutting-edge designs. And with the StonExpo show joining the festivities, there were more stone offerings available to dealers than ever before.

With so much focus being put on all manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint, ceramic tile producers have taken the initiative with innovative programs and state-of-the-art techniques resulting in earth-friendly, high performance products.

According to Paul Young, general manager of Mediterranea, the use of natural minerals is key as the company’s porcelain tiles are manufactured in a “100% closed-loop process that recycles all remaining raw materials used in production, as well as all water used in the polishing line. Already, back in 2008, environmental efforts made by Mediterranea resulted in six million gallons of water and 12.5 tons of waste being recycled and reused in one year.

With the warm and neutral earth tones of autumn on the horizon, ceramic tile manufacturers have seemingly followed suit, mimicking the look of fall for the floor. Faux fabric looks, stripes and metallics are also in, as are a growing number of mosaic offerings. The following are some of what some major players are debuting this season.

Ceramic Tiles of Italy

According to Danielle DeVita, what’s old is new again. “Thanks to popular shows like ‘Mad Men,’ the swinging ’60s are making a big comeback. In tile, surfaces will be transformed into masculine stripes, delicate fabrics and muted metallics. The 2011 forecast calls for everything from renaissance-inspired looks to patchwork patterns to what Pantone is calling ‘the mosaic of color.’

ROSLYN, N.Y.—Mannington Mills has regained the mountaintop, as it was voted the industry’s Best Overall Manufacturer in the 14th Award of Excellence competition. This was the ninth time in the award’s history that Mannington took top honors, which it last held in 2006. Shaw Industries was the winner in the inaugural Award of Excellence for Environmental Leadership.

These awards, along with 12 other honors, were presented at a gala evening reception and dinner here. In addition, Sandy Mishkin, co-founder and president of CCA Global Partners, was among the invited guests as the recipient of the first Floor Covering News Lifetime Achievement Award, which was present- ed to him earlier this year at Carpet One’s 25th anniversary (FCNews, Jan. 25/Feb. 1).

Nowhere in the flooring industry is the use of high tech, state-of-the-art production advancements more evident than in ceramic tile. It seems as though manufacturers can make finished products look and feel like anything they want, whether it be the visual appeal of slate or the earthy tones of limestone. The following focuses on some of the more upscale products several porcelain and ceramic tile manufacturers have recently developed.

Crossville

UltiMetal is a high-end product combining the durability of Crossville’s porcelain stone with the glitz of metaillic finishes, noted Laurie Lyza, director of marketing, “The field tile has an almost minimalist look, but with a subtle fabric texture. The mosaics and decos have bold geometric patterns and more metallic sheen for that really high-end look.

“What differentiates UltiMetal from other metal tile products is its functionality,” she explained, “in addition to its aesthetic appeal. It will not scratch, etch, or stain as many metals do, and it is rated for commercial use.

Spring is in the air, and soon homeowners will be looking to clean their homes as well as remodel their surroundings. What better way to refresh their castles than with new products underfoot, and what better time for tile producers to offer retailers and consumers the latest and hottest in ceramic and porcelain offerings than the spring? The following covers some of what tile manufacturers are coming out with for the new season.