FloorCoveringNews

Miami-based Surfaces, a producer and supplier of glass tile to the homes of America, recently forged an agreement to market a line of glass mosaics in conjunction with Crayola, the Easton, Pa.- based brand known for its iconic art tools that inspire kids’ creative expression, which has 99% name recognition in U.S. consumer households.

The show floor at SURFACES 2012 definitely had more hustle and bustle with steady traffic comprised of quality buyers looking to do business, thanks in part, to two of the floor covering industry’s top distributors.

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.

Verona, Va. – Personna, manufacturer of high-precision specialty blades and bladed tools, introduced a new line of coated blades—the most durable in the industry – at the Surfaces trade show last month in Las Vegas, N.V.

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.

Dallas — Surfaces| StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas, the leading event in the floor covering and natural stone industries, held January 24-26 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas, was an impressive showcase of all of the newest and hottest products to hit the market in 2012. Hundreds of exhibitors were on hand to introduce the products that will set them apart for the upcoming year.

Dallas — With more than 600 exhibiting companies from all over the world introducing their newest products to more than 25,000 attendees, singling out six companies to take top prize in the Best of Surfaces proved to be a difficult task; however, at the end of the first day of Surfaces, six companies and their products were selected and awarded the top honor.

Invista Surfaces, a division of INVISTA Performance Surfaces and Materials (PS&M) and maker of Stainmaster carpet fibers, continues to ‘walk the talk’ of investing in the equity of its 25 year strong Stainmaster brand. At the Surfaces tradeshow, Invista will unveil two new fiber innovations to retailers; in addition, Invista will highlight some exciting Stainmaster brand extensions and brand-supporting and consumer-reaching advertising and merchandising support for its aligned retail partners.

HomerWood Premium Hardwood introduces Birch Run flooring, an all-American birch in a designer inspired color palette.  The new line is designed for retailers to sell to homeowners who want the quality of a HomerWood premium product at a value driven price point. Surfaces booth #S5977 

Gerflor, a global leader in the design and manufacture of specialized resilient flooring, today announced it will introduce its 2012 USA Texline® Home Collection at Surfaces in booth # S6080 on January 24-26.

San Diego, Calif. — DuChateau Floors unveils their new Heritage Timber Edition for 2012 – a collection that replicates the patina of reclaimed distressed building materials. With the natural look and charm of reclaimed barn wood, DuChateau Floors transforms the wood into planks of unparalleled beauty.

Houston — International Stoneworks, Houston’s premier natural stone restoration and maintenance business, will not only co-present the session, Natural Stone Refinishing from A-Azul Bahia to Z-Zimbabwe Black, but will also moderate The Essentials of Stone Maintenance Forum and participate as a panelist in the Stone Restoration Forum. International Stoneworks president, Rawi Tabbah is taking a more active role this year at SURFACES | StonExpo/Marmomacc, the largest stone and floor event of the year.

The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) will conduct a product demonstration on Tuesday, January 24, at 1 p.m. in conjunction with Surfaces 2012 in Las Vegas, NV.

Tuscaloosa, Ala — Resource & Financial Management Systems, (RFMS, Inc.) providing business management software and services for floor covering operations, is holding its annual User Conference in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino on Monday, January 23, 2012.

Dalton — Dream Weaver Carpets, a newly acquired division of Engineered Floors, announced its planned unveiling of six new collections at the Surfaces trade show, Las Vegas, January 24-26. All six collections will incorporate PureColor continuous filament solution-dyed polyester fiber with SoilShield technology by Engineered Floors, which was founded by Robert E. Shaw.

Kinnelon, N.J. — Getting found online by prospective customers is of critical importance to flooring and stone businesses which will learn how to assess and strengthen their online visibility during “Improving Your Digital Visibility to Better Connect with Customers”, a one-hour seminar led by Christine B. Whittemore, chief simplifier, Simple Marketing Now, at Surfaces 2012. 

See Wellmade’s top-selling engineered strand bamboo collection at this year’s Surfaces Expo. Available in eight popular styles and textures, colors range from natural and carbonized to mahogany, walnut and dark ebony. Choose from traditional smooth surfaces or rustic hand-scraped and distressed treatments.

If you have not yet reviewed the 80-plus seminars, mini-sessions and workshops that comprise the Surfaces educational program, now is the time. Cosponsored by FCNews, the programs are divided among eight tracks focusing on today’s most relevant industry topics, including business, marketing and sales.

During Surfaces 2012, Urbanfloor is offering a free round trip to Rome, Italy. The trip includes 5 nights at  a first class hotel and airfare for two people. This “topnotch” trip has a value close to $5,000 with the winner being selected during the show.

Medley, Fla.— With more than 40 years experience as the number-one manufacturer of Brazilian exotic hardwood flooring around the world, IndusParquet launches a collection unlike any other for the US market. The Coterié Collection is made up of a sumptuous range of exotic wood species in mosaic patterns and metallic finishes—the only line of exotic hardwood not only designed for the floor but also walls.

Saint-Georges, Quebec, Canada– Mirage, the hardwood flooring brand renowned for quality, is heading into another year of innovation with the launch of nearly a dozen new floors to expand its product line and meet the highest demands in terms of quality and design.

Saddle Brook, N.J. — Nourison will introduce over 100 new rug designs at Surfaces 2012. This includes several brand new collections as well as additions to many existing lines.

“Traditionally, we have the most new introduction during the [Surfaces],” said Alex Peykar, principal at Nourison. “We are very pleased with all our new product offerings this year. Last year, we made several strategic additions to our facilities and machinery that has enabled us to manufacture products that our competitors simply cannot match.”

Syosset, N.Y.— Stanton Carpet Corporation, one of the nation’s leading suppliers of decorative, high quality branded carpet and custom rugs will unveil an impressive and extensive array of high style broadloom from natural Sisals to gorgeous Wiltons to lush loop pile patterns and wonderfully textured cut pile wool for Surfaces 2012. In addition, Stanton will launch it’s largest patterned printed carpet ever in various stunning designs and fresh new hues in the new Atelier Collection complete with a new display.

According to Jonathan Cohen, Chief Operating Officer at Stanton, “With improving business conditions we are aggressively supporting our customers with our largest introduction ever across our brands while maintaining a focus on well styled and highly saleable products coupled with excellent inventory and outstanding service both internally and in the field.”

New product highlights from Stanton:

Atelier Collection

Atelier Collection - Calder

Our newly introduced Atelier collection will literally take the carpet world by storm this year. Produced from 100 % nylon with Stainsafe treatment, these printed carpets feature a variety of all loop and cut pile patterns. The collection will encompass over 120 skus that feature original designs using the best of today’s transitional, animal, geometric and some floral in the most sought out color pallets the market has ever seen. These products are so well styled and constructed they can be used for the most discriminating of residential interiors to the most lush of hospitality and commercial settings.

Stanton Naturals

Following the success of Stanton’s sisals ands naturals launch in 2012, two new patterns will be added to the Stanton Sisal Collection featuring edgy structures that are both sophisticated and detailed. The pattern Caracas features a nubby textured loop with beautiful colored yarns weaving in and out of the loops. Atmosphere, which is extending its success with new color additions, utilizes a combination of wool and sisal to form a dimensional box texture. Both designs compliment naturals at its finest.

Signature Series

Stanton unveils for the first time in four years, three new style additions to the Signature Series of woven wiltons. The collection features a unique combination of colors as well as overlaying geometrics. Gibson displays geometric genius with its maze-like pattern, Country Star boasts an sophisticated pin-dot design, while Summer Hill highlights its intensely detailed connecting trellis that’s reminiscent of today’s best in Ikat. Made from only the finest New Zealand Wool, this collection also features a matching runner border.

New product highlights from Royal Dutch Carpets:

The Essentials

This year, the Lake Collection is making another “splash” at Surfaces with seven fresh, new patterns. The 2012 Lake Collection sports an array of geometric styles from intricate diamond patterns to modern trellises, our essentials lineup combines new tradition and modern style producing gorgeous results. Colors featured in this collection include various browns, blacks, beiges, grey tones, aquas, blues, reds and creams.

Royal Kingdom Collection

Royal Kingdom - Zaire

Animal patterns make a dynamic expansion in this pattern favorite. In the all-new Royal Kingdom collection, explore the wild with two of our latest hits; Zaire and Tigara. Blending traditional carpet design with modern animal inspirations, these two styles are unlike any animal print on the market. Tigara showcases a connecting diamond pattern with a leopard spotted background while Zaire displays a wavy-like Zebra design.

Avant Garde Collection

Continuing the success of Shaggy Luxe, our Avant Garde Collection sports two new patterned Shag additions to the family. Shaggy Medina and Shaggy Kasbah bend all the shag rules with their diamond and checkerboard designs. Thick woven with thin yarns makeup this lush carpet, featuring colors such as brown, beige, white, and silver.

Anywhere Collection

With its premiere Royaltron branded polypropylene fiber with UV stabilizers, the Anywhere collection can literally go Anywhere! The UV makes it fade resistant and useable outdoors and virtually maintenance free. This year at Surfaces 2012, we are introducing two new styles to the successful Anywhere line, Fiji and Bora Bora. Fiji displays a thin linear weave while Bora Bora touts a wishbone fretwork pattern. Come check out the wonders of our Anywhere Collection!

New product highlights from Antrim:

Sumana- Antrim introduces its new line for 2012 with Sumana. Hand-woven and produced from 100% Wool, Sumana features a more casual-stylistic approach with cable-like yarns and looping constructions. With a combination of natural and dyed colors, Sumana provides a soft and comfortable feel for any room type.

Veda- The long and surreal summer days of your youth are relived with Veda from Antrim. Crafted from mostly wool with a subtle and sophisticated use of viscose for the slightest of luster, Veda is a perfect addition to any home interior, which will give any house a vibrant and warm glow. Veda’s soft woolen texture is not only pleasing but comfortable underfoot.

New product highlights from Rosecore:

Simplicity Collection

The Simplicity Collection boasts three all-new solid colored viscose and wool combinations in a luxurious hand woven construction: Simplicity Edge, Simplicity Groove, and Simplicity Abyss. Simplicity Abyss and Simplicity Groove both boast 100% viscose; Simplicity Abyss takes you deep into its lush and cozy solid cut pile while Groove sports a cut and loop aesthetic, both give any room a sleek glimmering feel and are both incredibly soft underfoot. Simplicity Edge offers 8 stunning colors in loop and cut boasting a wool-viscose combination that’s simply eye-catching while retaining its simplistic sophistication.

Harrison Collection

Rosecore - Harrison

The Harrison Collection features all wool Wiltons with soft geometric designs with a whole new aesthetic twist. With three edgy styles to choose from, it is the perfect compliment for any residential setting. Harrison will also be available with a coordinating border/runner for all your custom rug and runner needs.

Williston Square & Roundel

A new addition to the Williston Series, Williston Square boasts a sophisticated connecting square design while the existing Williston Roundel extends its color offering, touting five new sophisticated tri-color combinations. The Collection is Wilton woven of 100% wool in a low profile aesthetic capturing the feel of both modern and antiquity.

Corboo Horizons - Moss

This is a collection of our proprietary, patent-pending Corboo – hybrid bamboo and cork strand woven product – with our Endura AR UV-cured finish. These are a unique look and a signature product line for USFloors. They will feature a traditional tongue and groove profile on an multi-ply engineered structure and will be backed by lifetime residential wear and structure warranties as well as a 15 year, heavy commercial wear warranty. Corboo Horizons will be available as an addition to our Green Island display or as a stand alone display.

Multi-Width Strand Woven Bamboo

We will be expanding our multi-width strand woven bamboo offerings and will preview these products at Surfaces. We introduced our multi-width Antique Spice in 2011 and it was extremely popular. Each will feature our Endura AR UV-cured finish and will be backed by lifetime residential wear and structure warranties as well as a 15-year, heavy commercial wear warranty.

Navarre wide plank - Nice

We will be adding seven new products to our Navarre collection that feature some wider widths, 8 1/2″, darker stains, and handscraped surfaces with smooth, raised knots. The products are finished with our Natural-E Natural Oil Finish that provides a more natural look and, unlike synthetic hard coatings, eliminates micro-scratching and allows for spot repairs when necessary.

Digitally Enhanced Cork

We will be introducing some digitally enhanced cork flooring as an update to our New Dimensions Natural Cork collection. The looks will be printed directly onto the cork substrate and will provide the look of marble and travertine with all of the ecological and performance benefits of cork.

Tritan LVT on our proprietary H3F core

Finally we have a new LVT line of products on our proprietary H3F core with a glueless drop and lock installation profile. H3F is made for recycled bamboo and virgin PVC binders creating an essentially inert core structure that is impervious to water and does not expand and contract due to environmental conditions eliminating the need for transition strips when installing in large areas. Typical HDF cores will swell, pucker, and warp when exposed to water. Our H3F core will not and we have some great demonstrations for this that will be on display at the show. Versus traditional glue down LVT,  Tritan is much easier to install and eliminates the need for floor levelors, glues, etc. to provide a much more economical total cost of product + installation.

 

 

 

Rancho Cucamongo, Calif. — Based on its optimism for resumed growth in the wood flooring sector, Max Windsor’s dual themes for 2012 are Growth and Glamour.

“We started crossing our fingers about 18 months ago,” said Joannie Liu, CEO, “hoping the strong growth we were experiencing wasn’t a fluke, and it wasn’t.” Ms Liu expressed, “gratitude to our growing dealer base, which continued to support our line, even at the bottom of the economic cycle.”

Mullican Flooring is introducing its Hillshire Collection this year at Surfaces 2012. The collection is comprised of five 3/8-inch-thick, prefinished engineered oak products available in both three-inch and five-inch widths. The selections are red oak natural, oak caramel, oak gunstock, oak saddle and oak bordeaux. Hillshire represents the company’s first American-made engineered line of products.

Fort Lee, N.J. — In honor of its 85th anniversary this year, Couristan will be giving away two trips at next month; one at the Atlanta International Area Rug Market and the other at Surfaces. Each winner will receive a four-day/three-night trip for two to his or her choice of the Dominican Republic’s Punta Cana or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.