This is an overview of FCNews‘ Great Reveal 2022. For the full product details, please see The Great Reveal 2022 issue (Jan. 10/17, 2022).
As the flooring industry kicks off what is typically a busy winter selling season, specialty retailers are in search for that next difference-making product, be it a hidden gem no one saw coming or perhaps a new iteration from a winning collection. With COVID-19 still causing disruptions (forcing the cancelation of CCA Global’s winter convention, for example), retailers are welcoming the opportunity to preview new products wherever they can find them. FCNews’ Great Reveal provides manufacturers with creative ways to get their innovative products in front of specialty retailers eager to showcase new floors that will excite their customers.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rear its ugly virus head in the form of the Omicron variant, unlike last year, many of the winter and spring conference schedules are planned to go on as live, in-person events. And that would include the granddaddy of them all—Surfaces, scheduled Feb. 1-3 in Las Vegas.
In anticipation of the big show, flooring manufacturers are readying new launches that span all product categories—from residential carpet to water-resistant laminate and, of course, waterproof LVT and its many permutations.
Many of these breakthrough introductions will be covered in the pages of Floor Covering News as it unveils its second annual edition of The Great Reveal—a platform to provide manufacturers with creative ways to get their new products in front of retailers.
Following is an overview of what’s rolling out for the new selling season. More extensive product details are featured in FCNews‘ Great Reveal 2022 supplement.
Engineered Floors
From its roots as a carpet supplier, Engineered Floors has grown into a multi-surface provider of both solution-dyed soft surface and SPC products with realistic wood looks. Both are represented in The Great Reveal, most notably its signature PureColor solution-dyed fiber, which has elevated the EF/Dream Weaver brand in the eyes of flooring dealers. Engineered Floors’ solution-dyed manufacturing not only ups the ante for style and design, it is good for the environment as well.
i4F
i4F’s mission is to enhance flooring through technological excellence, meaningful innovation and human partnerships. Indeed, i4F impresses on many fronts. On the product/technology side, its i-Click4U (impermeable Click4U) is a water-resistant, one-piece drop-lock flooring installation system that has exceeded all NALFA requirements and is approved by German and French test institutes. i4F is also about partnerships and licensing. Through an exclusive patent partnership with Quickstyle Industries, i4F has the sole licensing rights for Quickstyle’s True Grout patent portfolio in markets worldwide.
Indusparquet
Indusparquet regards itself as the gold standard in premium Brazilian hardwood flooring. A case in point is Largo Brazilian Chestnut Autumn. Billed as perhaps the most versatile floor in Indusparquet’s entire line, Brazilian Chestnut Autumn conveys warm tones of gold and brown blending with a wire-brushed, low-gloss, matte finish to enhance the beauty of any room. One of its fastest-growing product groups is Brazilian Oak, which is distinguished by its very clean appearance and a 7 ¾-inch-wide plank format.
Lions Floor
Lions Floor offers a multitude of classic yet stylish SPC flooring options featuring state-of-the-art registered embossing technology. The end result is an array of highly durable, 100% waterproof flooring products that are designed to not only last for a long time but also more closely replicate the texture of real hardwood veneers.
L.W. Mountain
L.W. Mountain may not be a household name in flooring retail circles just yet; however, the supplier is looking to change all that in 2022. L.W. Mountain has more than 200 flooring options from which to choose as well as its own transitions program that offers moldings that match exactly with the base product. Plus, the company’s new waterproof laminate collection (Bridgeton) comes on a 14mm platform with V-groove beveled edges, as well as a 7-inch-wide plank with an attached 2mm EVA foam pad.
Mannington
Mannington continues to pursue its mission of bringing innovative products with great style and design to the market. Its 2022 lineup is stocked with potential winners such as Restoration Revival. Capturing the naturally rustic beauty and modern appeal of hickory, Revival is this year’s latest addition to the award-winning Restoration collection, and is featured in an 8-inch-wide format in 20 individual plank designs. Mannington is also showcasing CraftedEdge, a next-generation technology that allows SPC to mimic the look of real hardwood flooring.
Mohawk
After putting the “new normal” to the test in 2021 with its successful Momentum Roadshow, Mohawk is back on the road again this year. At Surfaces, Mohawk will flex its considerable brand muscle with new offerings from Mohawk, Karastan, Pergo and its Performance Accessories division. In 2022, Performance Accessories will launch a stair tread program to help retailers reach previously untapped markets and provide a waterproof quarter round—specifically designed as a universal accessory to address the rapidly expanding waterproof flooring market.
Phenix
The importance of healthy homes has taken on new meaning in the age of COVID-19. In that respect, Phenix is as well positioned as any in the industry. Phenix is the exclusive provider of residential carpet with Microban surface protection. Microban helps to protect 24/7 against the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew, and is said to remain 99% cleaner than untreated surfaces. Phenix is also well regarded for its on-trend styles; as such, it will debut several ForeEver PetPlus products.
Shaw
Perhaps the most exciting development at this year’s Surfaces is the return of Shaw Floors as an exhibitor. As the company has noted, it’s a new year and—with it—a reimagined Shaw residential division. That means more programs and initiatives stretching across its entire residential portfolio of brands—including Anderson Tuftex and COREtec. Shaw Floors has plans to wow the crowd with products like Favoured Path, a Pet Perfect carpet featuring a remixed herringbone that is a perfect balance of pattern and texture.
SLCC
SLCC’s impressive portfolio includes engineered hardwood, laminate and luxury vinyl floors. From its high-end engineered flooring to its value-driven offerings, quality manufacturing and selection of species are key. One product to watch is a new SLCC laminate featuring wavy design patterns and natural-looking knots made from oak for a modern and contemporary look.
Unilin Technologies
Unilin is going all out at Surfaces with six technology launches designed to address the main issues facing the industry—two resilient cores that bring sustainability and improved performance; a technology to make laminate waterproof; a solution for squared tiles with a click system that can be installed in a checkerboard pattern; a ceramic bevel imitation for SPC; and digital printing.
Wellmade
With increased impact resistance and superior thermal properties, HDPC floors are engineered to provide a lifetime of hassle-free beauty and performance. At Surfaces, Wellmade will unveil exceptional HD visuals and new painted bevels that are the hallmark of HDPC rigid core vinyl planks. It will also introduce acid-stained concrete vinyl tiles with variegated colors.
