Calhoun, Ga.–For more than two decades, Jeff Lorberbaum, Mohawk Industries’ chairman and CEO, has consistently delivered outstanding results for shareholders, employees and customers. This year, Atlanta Business Chronicle recognized Lorberbaum’s exceptional leadership of the world’s largest flooring company by honoring him as 2016’s Most Admired CEO in the Manufacturing category.
Atlanta Business Chronicle announced its third-annual Most Admired CEOs during an exclusive event at the Georgia Aquarium on Aug. 25.
“I share this award with Mohawk’s 36,000 employees worldwide,” Lorberbaum said. “The success of any organization depends on each individual’s talent and commitment to excellence. I’m very proud of our team and our ability to deliver innovation, service, quality and value to our thousands of customers around the globe.”
During April and May, Atlanta Business Chronicle asked its readers for nomination of business leaders in 10 categories: banking and finance, commercial real estate, education, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, nonprofits, professional services, residential real estate and technology. The five CEOs who received the most nominations in each category were named finalists and were presented to the publication’s readership during June for voting.
Lorberbaum faced stiff competition in the manufacturing category. The four other finalists included two additional Fortune 500 CEOs—Steven Voorhees of WestRock Company and Martin Richenhagen of AGCO Corporation—and the leaders of two of the largest privately held companies in the U.S.—Dennis Love of Printpack and Stuart Thorn of Southwire.
“I was honored to be included among such an illustrious group of finalists in the manufacturing category,” Lorberbaum said. “I respect their success, and I appreciate the contributions that they’re making to our state’s economic development.”
Lorberbaum has served as CEO of Mohawk Industries since 2001, growing the company from a niche U.S. carpet manufacturer into a global flooring leader. Over the past 25 years, Mohawk has completed 35 acquisitions and built a world-class management team that brings industry-leading innovation and value to the marketplace. The company is a leading participant in every flooring category, including ceramic tile, carpet, hardwood, vinyl, laminate, stone and rugs. Mohawk operates manufacturing facilities in 15 countries and has leading positions in the U.S., Mexico, Europe, Russia and Asia Pacific.
Since the company’s initial public offering in 1992, Mohawk’s enterprise value has increased more than 50 times. The company has been a fixture on the Fortune 500 since 2000, was added to the S&P 500 in 2013 and this year was ranked as one of Forbes’ Best Large Employers in the U.S.
For his industry leadership and philanthropy, Lorberbaum was presented with Floor Covering News’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013 and earlier this year was honored by Ernst & Young as the Southeast Region Entrepreneur of the Year.
The Most Admired CEO Award winners will be profiled in the Friday, Aug. 26 issue of Atlanta Business Chronicle.