Blog

Dallas, Texas—Daltile is currently honoring contractors and tile installers during the annual Daltile Trade Pro Week, running May 12-16. This week applauds the hard work of trade professionals and highlights Daltile’s ProContractor Program, a comprehensive system that...

Lebanon, Tenn.—The Tile Council of North America (TCNA), in partnership with eight leading ceramic tile manufacturers based here, appointed Michael Kephart, president of Kephart Group Inc., to lead its Tennessee Workforce Development Project—an initiative aimed at...

Jackson, Miss.—The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) recently accredited three tile contracting firms into its Five-Star accredited contractor program during the second quarter of 2025. These companies are said to have demonstrated a commitment to...

With high consumer expectations and shorter attention spans, having a showroom that is eye catching and welcoming—but not necessarily overwhelming—can make all the difference. To that end, design-savvy floor covering retailers are utilizing all the tools at their...

Bonita Springs, Fla—Abbey Carpet Co., has appointed Bill Wilson as chief operating officer. As COO Wilson will serve both retail franchise brands—Abbey Carpet & Floor and Floors To Go. “Bill has been an integral part of Abbey Carpet Co., Inc. for over two decades,...

Washington, D.C.—Confidence in the market for new multifamily housing declined year-over-year in the first quarter, according to the Multifamily Market Survey (MMS) released today by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). The MMS produces two separate...

Every two weeks, FCNews seeks out flooring retailers across the country to offer their advice on hot topics of the day. This week, we asked: In terms of business, where have your bright spots been? Here are their responses: “Our rug business has really accelerated...

Waregem, Belgium—Unilin Technologies, the intellectual property division of Unilin, has been officially granted the European patent EP 4114629 for its Osiris recycling technology. This innovation is designed to enable the recovery of wood fibers from waste...

Shaw Floors’ Tranquil Spirit seamlessly merges a soft feel with a moderate density, ensuring a plush experience. Patterned carpet is a popular choice these days, offering both visual interest and practical benefits like concealing dirt and wear, which makes it...

Istanbul, Turkey—Milat Floor has signed an i4F drop-lock license agreement for all its new SPC product ranges. The company will begin manufacturing the new SPC flooring ranges, enhanced with i4F’s drop-lock system, at its facility starting in September. Milat’s...

Running a floor covering business for 75 years in and of itself is considered an amazing feat by many observers. But doing it at a very high level over the course of seven-plus decades is even more impressive. That’s the rarified air that Grand Rapids, Mich.-based...

Right-to-left: Anatolia Co-CEO’s Berrin Elmaagacli, Cengiz Elmaagacli, Bekir Elmaagacli. Vaughan, Ontario—Anatolia is a 2025 Platinum Club recipient of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program. The award and Platinum designation is a testament to Anatolia’s...

Recent tariff announcements have once again stirred uncertainty and anxiety across the flooring industry, especially among retailers. With limited clarity on timelines, product categories impacted and the duration of enforcement, this latest development has triggered...

(Part two) In the previous column, we talked about how to lead through uncertainty—not by cutting back, but by showing up as the clear, trusted expert in your market. This time, we’re diving into one of the most powerful, cost-effective growth strategies a dealer can...

When it comes to enjoying repeat success in the retail flooring business, there are different approaches to achieving the same goals. So much, of course, depends upon demographics, local/regional trends, the level of competition in a given market and a retailer’s...

Orlando, Fla.—Wonder Porcelain, a leading American porcelain tile manufacturer, unveiled its new ConnecTile Collection at Coverings 2025. The ConnecTile Collection, manufactured at the company’s Tennessee facility, elevates design by seamlessly incorporating natural...

Honolulu—Kiba Studios by American Floor and Home (AFH) has opened its newest addition to its showroom for kitchen and bath remodeling projects, located in its showroom here. Kiba Studios strives to be Oahu’s newest go-to location for kitchen and bath remodeling. “With...

Washington, D.C.—To kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May, which promotes the benefits of hiring a professional remodeler, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has highlighted recent data from the American Community Survey (ACS) that shows almost...

Georgia Couri Fort Lee, N.J.—As Couristan approaches its 100-year anniversary in 2026, the third generation of this family-owned business is becoming more involved in the future success of the company. But Georgia Couri is unlike prior Couri family members: She is a...

(Editor’s note: This is the first installment of a new series highlighting the relationship between Shaw and its retail partners. FCNews staff polled floor covering dealers on the attributes that make Shaw stand out from the pack.) Fantastic Floors Orange Park, Fla....

As the whirlwind of economic uncertainty moves about the market, flooring retailers are searching for something increasingly elusive these days from their suppliers—product dependability and pricing transparency. To that end, Ultimate Floors plans to deliver on a...

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts presents short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance...

Much to the delight of flooring retailers who seek variety in their portfolios, the most promising products to emerge from 2024 did not hinge on one specific segment (SPC) as had been the case in prior years. Instead, it was WPC, laminate, engineered hardwood and...

Across the country, industries from manufacturing to healthcare are investing heavily in education and workforce development to ensure their future success. These efforts include targeted recruitment programs in high schools, partnerships with technical colleges,...

Florence, Ala.—To celebrate Earth Day 2025, Schönox presented trees to Scott Jones, the principal of Allen Thornton Career Technical Center, at the construction site of the new Lauderdale County Innovation Center. The center is part of a development that also includes...

Rinaldi Tile & Marble was recognized with the Community Impact Award for its efforts community-created mosaics on a public parking structure. Jackson, Miss.—The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) announced the winners of the 2025 NTCA Five-Star...

A little more than a year ago I attended FloorCon, the annual event hosted by Broadlume before the company was acquired by Cyncly. One thing I recall about those FloorCons (there were three, I believe) was the quality of the speakers and their presentations. One...

Coverings 2025 garnered 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries for its 35th edition. Orlando, Fla.—Coverings 2025 was held here April 29-May 2 at the Orange County Convention center where it celebrated its 35th edition. This year, 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries...

Orlando—Coverings, the preeminent event for the ceramic tile and natural stone industry in North America, announced the winners of its annual Best Booth Awards at Coverings 2025. The awards program celebrates outstanding booth designs and creative displays on the show...

Mooresville, N.C.—Lowe’s Companies recently entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Artisan Design Group (ADG)—a leading nationwide provider of design, distribution and installation services for interior surface finishes, including flooring— from the Sterling...

It sounds so simple in theory: Private equity firms invest capital and expertise into mature businesses in traditional industries in exchange for an ownership stake—with the goal of increasing the value of a business and eventually selling it for a profit. Based on...

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), the parent organization of Flooring Consultants and Training Inspection Services (FCITS), Floor Covering Business-to-Business (FCB2B) and other affiliated entities, unveiled a fresh, unified brand identity. This...

Mohawk Group has launched its “Believe in Better” awards program. It is now seeking completed interior design projects from any commercial market segment from 2022 to 2025 that creates a well-designed built space that serves people, place and planet with positive...

Ken Sherwood Ken Sherwood, a flooring industry veteran for over 40 years who served as vice president of franchise development – Western and Rocky Mountain states for Abbey Carpet & Floor, passed away on April 29 after suffering a heart attack, the company...

Watsonville Brillante was a CID winner in the Artistic Design category. Orlando—Coverings, North America’s largest international tile and stone conference, has bestowed Coverings Installation & Design (CID) Awards to 22 exceptional tile and stone projects that...

Washington, D.C.—Constrained housing affordability conditions due to elevated interest rates, rising construction costs and labor shortages led to a reduction in housing production in March, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Overall...

Washington, D.C.—The modest decline in mortgage rates and lean existing inventory helped boost new home sales in March even as builders and consumers contend with uncertain market conditions, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Sales of...

Washington, D.C.—Growing economic uncertainty stemming from tariff concerns and elevated building material costs kept builder sentiment in negative territory in April, despite a modest bump in confidence likely due to a slight retreat in mortgage interest rates in...

Baxter, Tenn.—Portobello America, the U.S. business unit of Portobello Grupo, announced it has achieved Green Squared certification, the tile industry’s most respected recognition for sustainability and responsibility. This significant milestone comes just 18 months...

Louisville, Ky.—Louisville Tile announced the launch of the Wilcox Fifty Five “LavoMOD,” a new program meticulously designed to revolutionize the installation of porcelain slabs. The offering is designed to provide a faster and more efficient solution for achieving...

Every two weeks, FCNews seeks out flooring retailers across the country to offer their advice on hot topics of the day. This week, we asked: What segment of your business looks the most promising? Here are their responses: “We are experiencing strong growth in every...

TrueTouch Floors Coast New Smyrna Beach, Fla.—TrueTouch Floors announced a strategic partnership with Tri-West, a dominant distributor in the Western U.S., known for its stylish and innovative engineered wood flooring solutions. Tri-West will help expand TrueTouch’s...

Solon, Ohio—Tarkett recently released its 2024 Sustainability Statement that is fully audited by independent third parties. Tarkett said it is the first global company in its sector to meet new EU CSRD legislation (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive). “The...

Leah Ledoux and Ben Giamichael, co-founders and managing partners of Arch 180, displaying samples of the Contract 180 program. Las Vegas—Floor covering distributors and commercial contractors in search of quality, fully curated commercial carpet tile and resilient...

Multipurpose flooring adhesives are showing up in greater numbers these days, and it’s no accident. In fact, multipurpose adhesives offer versatility and convenience, allowing installers to use one product for various floor covering types and substrates, saving time...

Charlotte, N.C.—The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) hosted its 2025 Wood Flooring Expo from April 15-17 at the Charlotte Convention Center here, drawing over 2,500 wood flooring professionals worldwide. Marking NWFA’s 40th anniversary, the event embraced the...

Chicago—NeoCon, the world’s premier fair for commercial design, announced a powerhouse jury for the 2025 Best of NeoCon Awards. Now in its 35th year, the industry-leading competition features an on-site panel of top architects, designers, facility managers and...

Tuscumbia, Ala.—Flexco Corporation, a leading resilient flooring manufacturer, announced its recent award of a Sourcewell cooperative purchasing contract in the flooring materials category. This allows Flexco to expand its offerings to public agencies across North...

Roswell, Ga.—American Home Surfaces Group (AHSG) and Commercial USA announced that Durato USA has joined the network as a supplier partner. Known for its cutting-edge waterproof flooring and stylish surface solutions, Durato brings a strong blend of design innovation...

Jennifer Farrell Orlando, Fla.—Celebrity designer and television host Jennifer Farrell is teaming up with industry leader Emser Tile as the official tile partner for her visionary showhome, I.C.E. House. The showhome will be featured at Coverings, North America’s...

Amid mid the tit-for-tat trade war between the United States and China, flooring retailers are figuring out ways to take advantage of their domestic roots and promote American-made goods. FCNews asked several dealers for their thoughts: “Every year we run a Made in...

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts presents short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance...

Arlington, Texas—The United Football League (UFL) has partnered with Ecore Athletic, a leader in performance flooring, to outfit the league’s premier training facility here with high-performance athletic surfacing designed to support player wellness, safety and...

Orlando, Fla.—The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) has announced the recipients of two of the tile industry’s most prestigious honors: the NTCA Joe Tarver Award for Lifetime Service and the NTCA Tile Person of the Year. These awards will be presented at...

Uncertainty isn’t coming—it’s here. Between the Trump tariffs, stock market jitters and fluctuating material costs, it’s no wonder so many dealers are gripping the wheel tighter and waiting for the next speed bump. And when fear takes hold, the knee-jerk reaction is...

Atlanta—Flor, a high-end area rug brand, introduced Terra Nova, its latest carbon negative area rug style that is said to store more carbon than is released when it’s made. This expansion further supports the company’s goal to be carbon negative by 2040. Flor launched...

Dallas, Texas—In recognition of Earth Day 2025, sister brands Daltile, Marazzi and American Olean are highlighting some of the many sustainability features of its products, processes and company ethos. “As a company, we strive to create beautiful tile designs...

In 2022, Will was the very first person to apply for a Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) scholarship. He enrolled in the Basic Floor Covering Installation program at Georgia Northwestern Technical College in Dalton. That single step set him on an...

Mohawks’ signature “American Originals” advertising campaign—which officially kicked off in summer 2023 with RevWood leading the charge—continues to gain momentum among retailers and end consumers who have wholeheartedly embraced the underlying Made in USA theme on...

Olga Robertson addresses members on opening day. Fort Myers, Fla.—The Luminary Hotel was the setting for FCA Network’s 2025 Convention, which featured three days of summer-like weather, a waterfront view and the launch of SelectFit360, the group’s proprietary soft...