Blog

Florence, Ala.—Schönox recently welcomed customers here to begin the the Porsche Track Experience, where the company was able to draw parallels between itself and the automobile company. Its invitees gathered at the Schönox Florence Support Center on day one....

Dave Garden Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) announce that Dave Garden, who most recently served as executive director of education for Certified Flooring Installers (CFI), has transitioned into a newly created role as WFCA master instructor. In this...

Christine Zampaglione Stanton Design has promoted Christine Zampaglione to vice president of marketing. Zampaglione joined the company in October 2019 as director of marketing and quickly pivoted Stanton’s overall marketing strategy to amplify digital channels,...

The North American Laminate Flooring Association (NALFA) has launched a newly redesigned website. With a modern look, intuitive navigation and enhanced content, the new platform reinforces NALFA’s commitment to advancing the laminate flooring industry and delivering...

Our good friend and 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Harold Traister often stops by our office to shoot the sh%t. (No, we do not work remotely.) Harold, with 60-plus years in this industry, has been around the block a few times and likes to share his wisdom....

People making a difference in the flooring industry come from all walks of life and experiences. There are top-level business executives as well as flooring installers and even a well-known politician (but perhaps not the one you’re thinking of). What binds tie these...

Orlando—Celebrating its 35th edition, Coverings continues to be the ultimate destination for design professionals, architects and industry leaders seeking the latest advancements and hottest trends in ceramic/porcelain tile and natural stone. The 2025 edition of the...

Dalton—The Floor Covering Industry Foundation’s (FCIF) Day of Giving—taking place on June 1—is an opportunity for the flooring industry to come together in support of colleagues facing life-altering medical challenges. A pledge to FCIF provides comfort, relief and...

Mickey Trammel Louisville, Ky.—Louisville Tile, a distributor of ceramic tile and related products, announced the appointment of Mickey Trammel as its new branch sales manager. With over 40 years of valuable experience in the flooring industry (25 of which just tile),...

Norman J. Freebeck Fostoria, Ohio—Roppe Holding Company announced the promotion of Norman Freebeck to the role of president. In this capacity, Freebeck will oversee the strategic direction, operational performance and culture of all RHC companies, drawing on more than...

Hank’s Specialties announced that it has purchased a building in Green Bay, Wis., for the purposes of opening its newest location. Located at 1260 Parkview Rd. the new location is part of Hank’s Specialties’ continuing commitment to the flooring professionals, dealers...

Los Angeles — Emser Tile, a leading designer and producer of tile and natural stone, has earned the prestigious 2025 USA Today Top Workplaces award. The award honors organizations with 150 or more employees that have created exceptional, people-first cultures. This...

Jeremy Barker (right) is presented with a special recognition award from Rod Owen Jackson, Miss. – The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) recognized outstanding individuals who have demonstrated extraordinary dedication to their communities and the tile...

Screenshot MS International (MSI), a leading supplier of flooring, countertops, wall tile and hardscaping products in North America, is a part of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle’s inaugural pop-up showroom at Buckhead Village from May 15 to June 28, 2025. “We are...

MS International (MSI), a leading supplier of flooring, countertops, wall tile and hardscaping products in North America, has been named by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Gen Z in 2025. Newsweek’s list recognizes the top workplaces in the U.S....

Fairfield, NJ — Apollo Distributing Company has announced a new partnership with Raskin Industries, in which Apollo will offer Raskin’s extensive line of high-performance vinyl flooring including click, loose lay and glue down formats—as well as products made in the...

IFC’s Julian Dossche, second from right, welcomes Sam, Margie and Jason O’Krent. St. Petersburg, Fla.—Tariffs were predictably the major topic of conversation at the recent spring meeting of the National Floorcovering Alliance (NFA), and the prevailing sentiment among...

Las Vegas—The International Surface Event (TISE), the largest flooring, stone and tile show in North America, announced the return and expansion of its StartUp Station Pavilion for 2026, an exclusive opportunity for emerging businesses in the floor covering, stone and...

Salem, N.J.—In recognition of the benefits that higher education provides to both individuals and the communities in which they live, Mannington Mills is a corporate sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation and the underwriter of scholarships for children...

Michael Mathews Solon, Ohio—Global flooring manufacturer Tarkett recently appointed Michael Mathews as senior vice president of commercial strategy. In this role, he will lead Tarkett’s segment, product, innovation, design and sustainability teams. “Mathews is an...

Dalton—Fuse Alliance, a member-owned commercial flooring network, recently announced the addition of four new members in an effort to further strengthen its presence across the United States. The new members bring diverse expertise and expanded reach to the network as...

Mike Kiefer (r) and Drew Hash (l). Milwaukee, Wis.—Southwind Floors announced the retirement of Mike Kiefer, its long-time territory manager here, after a 39-year career in the floor covering industry. Kiefer is said to have played a vital role in Southwind’s growth,...

Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, was cut from his high school basketball team. Author Stephen King’s first book, Carrie, was rejected by publishers 30 times. Van Gogh sold only one painting during his lifetime—to a friend for a mere...

Chattanooga, Tenn.—American Home Surfaces Group (AHSG) and Commercial USA have announced a new supplier partnership with Xpress Global Systems (XGS), a leading transportation provider specializing in floorcovering logistics. Based here, XGS is said to have built 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...

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...