FloorCoveringNews

One of the great advantages for companies that make product both abroad and in the U.S. is the ability to control their fate. In the case of quality control, firms that manufacture here are able to shape their own destiny as they reassure customers that product will get to them in a timely—and profitable—fashion.

by Emily J. Cappiello

Social networking is no longer an added part of success; it has become one of the main tools to help businesses thrive. Social networking allows companies to get closer to their customers and can even help consumers find local flooring stores, since Facebook is becoming an ever-increasingly popular search engine as well as social networking site. YouTube can enable people to network with each other but can also be used to supply partners and potential customers with educational information about products. And with new additions like Pinterest, social networking is growing by leaps and bounds.

by Matthew Spieler

Fajardo, Puerto Rico—Twenty years ago, changes were taking place that still reverberate today: In politics, Bill Clinton and the Democrats were taking office; in entertainment, Jay Leno replaced Johnny Carson on “The Tonight Show,” and in flooring, 12 flooring contractors got together to form what is today the Starnet Worldwide Commercial Flooring Cooperative.

by Matthew Spieler

In recent years, manufacturing has gotten to the point where some low-end products have a high-end look and feel. This is especially true in laminate. In fact, there are products that if brought back in time to just 10 years ago, they would qualify as mid- to high-end goods. So what’s a retailer to do to show consumers the differences between a quality product and one constructed not to perform very well?

Shanghai—Two years ago, Flooring Industries introduced the License To Clic (L2C) program (FCNews, April 19/26, 2010) to distinguish those companies that are legally licensed to use its patented intellectual properties from those that are infringing on its patents. During the recent Domotex asia/ChinaFloor show here (FCNews, April 2/9), the company announced as of April 1, all licensees, even those with cross-license agreements, must incorporate a specially designed sticker on product boxes which signifies their affiliation.

Dalton — Mohawk is utilizing a new social media campaign to show consumers that its flooring can stand up to even the biggest messmakers. The manufacturer has launched a three-month Facebook contest in search of the messiest kid in America. Moms across the nation are invited to upload a photo or video of their messy children in action to the Mohawk Flooring Facebook page for an opportunity to win some big-ticket prizes.

Marietta, Ga.—The Mohawk Group continues to find new, innovative ways to improve the customer experience for architects, designers and end users.

Aims to ‘ignite’ business moving forward

Stone Mountain, Ga.—What’s in a name? Well, if you were to ask members of the ReSource Commercial Flooring Network (RCFN), their answer would probably be, “a lot.” That’s how it seemed as members responded with applause to the announcement at the group’s Network Exchange 2012 convention here that ReSource will now be known as the Fuse Commercial Flooring Alliance.

by Matthew Spieler

Shanghai—With the U.S. economy starting to once again show signs of life and the Asian market continuing its strong growth trend, the 14th annual Domotex asia/ ChinaFloor (DACF) was filled with plenty of optimism.

The upbeat spirit was seen by both visitors and exhibitors and across all product segments on display—even by those who were not selling or buying products. “It’s been too busy,” proclaimed Bert Van der Stock, managing director of Flooring Industries, the division that handles the Uniclic licensing for Mohawk/Unilin. “I haven’t been able to leave the booth for the entire show.”

Marietta, Ga. — The world’s leading architects and designers can now evaluate and celebrate the work of their peers as part of an exciting, new project installation challenge. Mohawk Group, in partnership with Designer Pages, is launching In Your Space, a four-round online competition that invites the A&D community to vote for their favorite space featuring carpet from Mohawk Group’s premier brands. The winner from each round will compete head-to-head in a “Final 4 Showdown,” which will conclude with a special presentation at NeoCon 2012.

Dalton — It’s known as the brightest savings event of the year, crafted exclusively for Mohawk’s Floorscapes and ColorCenter retailers. Consumers will have plenty of motivation to purchase flooring from a Mohawk aligned retailer during the 2012 Colors of Spring sales event, which begins March 28^th and runs through May 2^nd. During this period, Mohawk will offer incredible savings on the company’s most popular products, as well as deliver strong financing opportunities to persuade consumers to buy their dream floor today.

From March Madness and the Grapefruit League to spring sales and rebates, many phrases and terms make their way into the conversation this time of year. Numerous flooring companies gear up for the season by running special springtime promotions, an annual rite of the season. Here are just a few specials being offered.

The Carpet and Rug Institute has reported that on Wednesday and Thursday, March 7-8, a group representing the carpet industry and the North Georgia business community traveled to Washington, D.C. for CRI’s annual Hill Visits and Legislative reception.

City of Industry, Calif. – Bentley Prince Street, Inc., an industry leader in commercial carpet design, quality and sustainability, is pleased to introduce Holly DeBrodt as the company’s new director of sustainability. DeBrodt has been with Bentley Prince Street since 2009 and previously served as a sales representative based in Portland, Oregon. Her background in sales will be beneficial to both associates and customers, as she will bring a valuable perspective to Bentley Prince Street’s multi-faceted sustainability philosophy and programs.

Resilient certification garners industry-wide support

Kansas City, Mo.—Flooring installation training is on track to break records in 2012, according to Jim Walker, CEO of the International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI).

Proliferation of new suppliers runs the risk of commoditization

Nebraska Furniture Mart is pleased with the top brands it carries in the floating luxury vinyl tile (LVT) category—among them Mannington, Armstrong and Karndean—but that hasn’t stopped manufacturers from contacting senior flooring buyer David Snedeker on a regular basis. “There seems to be someone new—or at least new to me—calling every week with versions of their latest and greatest LVT.”

During the long economic downturn, few, if any, hard surface categories demonstrated the promise and robustness as vinyl, with LVT the leader. The popularity of glueless LVT and its various click systems has produced a swath of new entrants, some with little or no flooring experience. “We’ve seen furniture manufacturers getting into the market,” said Yon Hinkle, product manager, residential tile, Armstrong.

by Steven Feldman

Dallas—Against the backdrop of some improving economic indicators that have helped rally floor covering sales, Abbey Carpet & Floor’s annual convention here saw its greatest attendance in the last five years. And paralleling the increase in bodies was a sense of optimism not seen at recent conventions.

by Matthew Spieler

Two years ago it was ranked No. 68; last year it jumped to No. 18. This year, Mohawk Industries came in as the fourth best employer-sponsored training and development program in the country. The ranking is part of Training magazine’s Training Top 125.

Marietta, Ga. — Durkan, the hospitality brand of The Mohawk Group, is pleased to offer customers the most innovative and advanced method of printing with its new Spectronics 25X digital printing technology. The company is the first in the hospitality industry to employ the state-of-the-art 25 dpi system, which uses computer controlled, high-speed valves to achieve deep color penetration and elaborate design precision.

Dalton — Training magazine, the leading business publication for learning and development professionals, has released its annual “Top 125” rankings for training organizations. Mohawk Industries placed number 4 on the prestigious list, higher than any other flooring manufacturer. This is the seventh straight year Training magazine has recognized Mohawk for its commitment to corporate-sponsored learning and development, and it marks Mohawk’s highest ranking to date. Last year, the company ranked number 18.

by Celia Payne

Las Vegas—Surfaces 2012 presented the opportunity to shine—even brighter than the Vegas strip. The successful protagonists at the show know you must set yourself apart among a sea of introductions.

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.

Marietta, Ga.—For the first time, three of Mohawk’s commercial flooring brands—Karastan Contract, Lees and Bigelow—are compiled in one printed publication that architects and designers can easily reference. The Mohawk Group is issuing its inaugural product catalog, which contains detailed information about every product manufactured under these brands as well as photography of the company’s collections.

Traverse City, Mich. – Kiss Carpet owners, the father/son team of Ken Roberts Sr. and Ken Robert Jr., were on hand to accept the honor at the recent prestigious Mohawk retailer gala in Nashville, Tennessee.

“To receive this industry award in 2004 and now again for 2011 is a tremendous honor,” said Ken Sr. “We pride ourselves on being a reputable local business that always puts the customer’s needs first, and we are delighted that Mohawk recognizes our efforts.

Princeton, Ill—Mohawk’s SmartStrand is now the talk of the town thanks to Todd and Debra Burrows, owners of Princeton’s Wyanet Carpet, who held a SmartStrand Challenge for all to see by installing SmartStrand carpet on Main Street for the Homestead Festival Parade.

Dalton—On Oct. 3 2011, consumers were greeted by a new option to help them with their home remolding decisions, HGTV Magazine—and Mohawk Industries found it the perfect vehicle to help with promoting its Anniversary Sale (FCNews, Sept. 26/Oct.3).

Dalton — With the introduction of an iPad app for Karastan, now consumers can take Karastan’s full catalog wherever they go and easily match styles, colors, textures, and patterns as they shop.

by Steven Feldman

When 2011 gives way to 2012, Mohawk Industries will have two new leaders in place. Brian Carson becomes president of the Mohawk Flooring Business Unit, while John Turner Jr. will carry out the same role for the Dal-Tile Business Unit. Both were promoted to COO of their respective divisions in early 2011.

Carson, who joined Mohawk in 2006 as president of Hard Surfaces after a 16-year career at Armstrong, succeeds Frank Peters, who has held the title of Mohawk Flooring president since 2008. Turner, meanwhile, takes over for Harold Turk, who has been with Dal-Tile since 1976, serving as its president for the past five years. Both Peters and Turk will continue with Mohawk by leading strategic development activities in their respective segments.