FloorCoveringNews

The 2012 WFCA Benchmarking Survey begins May 1, 2012.  The confidential survey conducted by Profit Planning Group is the best source of financial benchmarks for the industry. Additionally, participants receive a personalized performance analysis report free of charge. The report also provides suggestions for improving your firm’s profitability.

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).

BIG SHOES: The unexpected passing of Chris Davis did more than send shockwaves throughout all segments of the industry, it left a mighty large hole as his influence went far beyond that of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). Davis was personally involved in a multitude of flooring associations, organizations and committees—in many cases he was the chairman or head of a particular group. Davis was unique in his abilities and deft at being able to juggle so many different hats. How all these posts will be filled is still anyone’s guess. Will one person be able to step in and take command as Davis was able to or will the responsibilities be divided among different people? Either way, the shoes Davis left behind are large by anyone’s standards.

by Matthew Spieler

Anaheim, Calif.—For nearly 18 years, he was more than just the leader of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), he was a leader of the industry, promoting the professionalism of its people and beauty of its products to every media avenue possible and along the way, selfishly giving of himself to help those in need. On Feb. 22, D. Christopher Davis unexpectedly passed away from lung cancer, less than three weeks after turning 64.

The WFCA mourns the loss of Chris Davis. We have passed along to his family the heartfelt condolences expressed by so many. In lieu of flowers, they have requested donations be made in his name to The Floor Covering Industry Foundation or the American Cancer Society.  Memorial services will be held March 29th 4pm time at The Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort.

Friends, colleagues mourn the loss of beloved and revered flooring industry icon

February 24, 2012 – Anaheim, Calif. – World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), Board of Directors Chairman, Jim Walters, announced today that D. Christopher Davis, President and Chief Executive Officer, World Floor Covering Association, passed away on the evening of February 22, 2012. He was 64.

“We are deeply saddened to announce the untimely passing of our friend, colleague and the esteemed leader of the World Floor Covering Association, D. Christopher Davis,” said Walters. “It goes without saying that Chris was an extraordinary businessman in every way – he took the WFCA and the industry to heights that we never imagined; he championed causes and concerns that we cared about; he orchestrated programs that helped us grow and become better leaders and business people; and he paved the way to future success in our industry. His shocking loss is a tragedy that we are all still coming to terms with. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his children and extended family.”

Floor Covering News received a letter from the Maryland and Northern Virginia Floor Covering Association requesting flooring dealers to attend a hearing between the committee, Economic Matters, headed by Delegate Kelly Schultz, and the DLLR (Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation) in regard to the Work Place Fraud Act.

Vote now for the 16^th Annual Award of Excellence, the industry’s most prestigious award cosponsored by Floor Covering News and World Floor Covering Association. *

Click here to vote online now.

*Voting takes an average of 5-7 minutes to complete.

In an effort to kick off the promise of a fruitful 2012, the Flooring Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), Hanley Wood Exhibitions and the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) have come together to promote a campaign aimed not just at the health of the flooring industry but at the health of its individual members.

The promotion will run for all three days of Surfaces, January 24th through 26th. It will consist of a centrally located themed booth just outside of the Exhibit Hall on level 1 of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The booth will be staffed with teams of up to ten professional nurses offering free confidential check-ups to Surfaces and StonExpo/Marmomacc Americas attendees. Screenings will include: total cholesterol, blood sugar analysis, blood pressure and body mass index.

Hicksville, N.Y.—In 1996, Floor Covering News and the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) joined forces to form the Award of Excellence, an annual competition that allows those in the industry a say as to who are the best floor covering manufacturers in their respective categories as well as the Best Overall Manufacturer.

While much has changed since then—in the world, the industry and the competition itself—the original goal has not: to provide a vehicle for retailers, salespeople, installers, distributors, contractors and designers the opportunity to voice their opinion for the manufacturers they feel help them the best in running successful, profitable business operations.

In an effort to kick off the promise of a fruitful 2012, the Floor Covering Industry Foundation (FCIF), Hanley Wood Exhibitions and the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) have come together to promote a campaign aimed not just at the health of the flooring industry but at the health of its individual members.

by FCNews Staff

GOLDEN THINKERS: Our congratulations go out to the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), which received the distinguished Golden Thinker Award from the North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS). The esteemed honor is presented only to a select few companies each year whose content for editorial placement is the most highly sought by press across the country. This is the fourth time NAPS has recognized the WFCA with such an award.

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) received the Golden Thinker Award from North American Precis Syndicate (NAPS). The honor is presented to a select few companies each year whose content for editorial placement is the most highly sought by press across the country.

KANSAS CITY, MO.—With the support of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) and the CFI Associate Members’ sponsorship, flooring installers can attend installation training in all surfaces for only $125.

CFI must receive a date from a sponsoring party to conduct the training no later than Nov. 4. The event is to be conducted no later than Dec. 16.

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has endorsed and is in full support of Senate Bill 1452, “The Main Street Fairness Act,” which addresses a fundamental unfairness allowing out-of-state Internet and mail order companies to avoid collecting and remitting state and local sales taxes while local brick-and-mortar stores are obligated to collect these fees, noted Chris Davis, WFCA’s president and CEO.

Web presence is part of today’s new normal, identified as an essential component of the cost of doing business. In this industry, a website can be considered a landing page for the consumer to learn about products, programs and ways to improve her home, though that paradigm is shifting with the proliferation of social media platforms; particularly Facebook with its more than 750 million active users.

Today’s websites favored by Google and Yahoo search engines have fresh and unique content, so many companies are focused on updating and differentiating what draws consumers to their sites. Additionally, search engines filter duplicate content, so the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) was careful to add features that made it one-of-a-kind when its spiders crawl through site content.

KANSAS CITY, MO.—There is no arguing that every segment of the industry has been impacted by the poor economic conditions of the last four years. But those on the lower rung of the ladder, the folks who not only spend most of the day on their knees installing floors, but have to fight for every penny they make, have been hit the hardest. While the hardships currently being endured by this group of people was clearly evident at the 18th annual International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) convention, the overall attitude displayed by attendees remained optimistic that things will get better, and the industry can one day come together as a unit working toward the same goal: to satisfy the end user.

Anaheim, Calif.—Senator Richard Durbin’s (D-IL) Main Street Fairness Act (MSFA) addresses what the states have been fighting for years; internet sellers not paying local taxes. Also known as the Amazon tax, MSFA would require businesses to collect taxes (that are already owed under current law) regardless whether the seller has a physical presence in the state.

ANAHEIM, CALIF.—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has announced the launch of a completely re-vamped consumer flooring website at wfca.org. The organization’s design team re-imagined the portal to provide consumers with improvements in navigation and accessibility, in addition to cutting-edge digital tools and an enhanced user interface.

MILWAUKEE—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) is cross promoting with CFI’s Installer Week in January by giving its members more with the cost of signing up.

ATLANTA—Confident this prolonged economic downturn will soon end, members of FEI Group came to the 2010 National Conference with spirits up and hopes that the worst is behind.

“Times are tough, businesses are running lean,” noted Dave Gheesling, FEI’s CEO, who, like other executives, was greeted by raucous cheers from members of the buying group’s three units—Home Solutions, Multi-Family Solutions and KBx— “but there are some positive signs out there.”

Anaheim, Calif.—Summer Turner, president of House of Carpets in Murfreesboro, Tenn., has been appointed to fill an unexpired vacancy on the Board of Directors of the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA).  Directors confirmed Turner’s appointment for a two-year term at their meeting this month in Denver.

Last May, when the biggest change in consumer credit protection in over 40 years was passed, the economy was still on a downward spiral. One year later, with consumer spending up 3.6% from the same time last year, effects of the Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 (CARD Act) finally have some spending behind it.

Though many lenders, buying groups and retailers reported seeing little change in day-to-day business due to the CARD Act, several legislative adjustments were made. As of Feb. 15, promotions less than six months in length will be discontinued—it is the end of the 90 days with no interest offering. “No pay” pro- motions will also be discontinued and require no advertising or offers to consumers after Jan. 3 of this year.

CFI

Through its partnership, with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the International Certified Floorcovering Installlers Association (CFI) has trained over 40,000 industry personnel since 1993 in all flooring surfaces worldwide, noted Roy Davison, CFI’s president. “The hands-on approach to training provides the greatest rewards when accompanied by a verbal and written test.”

He said the programs target installers, sales associates, inspectors and all industry-related individuals and include the following: