Breaking News - Floor Covering Installer

Kährs to use latest Välinge tech in its wood floors

Välinge said Kährs is the first wood flooring licensee using Välinge’s latest technology, 5G-S. Välinge and Kährs have signed a global license agreement which gives Kährs the right to produce and sell wood floor featuring the 5G-S fold down locking system. The system, based on side-push technology, has been adjusted for Kährs with a displaceable wood-based tongue.

Coverings’ organizers make ‘strategic’ move to L.A. for 2011

National Trade Productions (NTP), which manages and produces the Coverings tile and stone exhibition, has announced that the annual show will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center in 2011. The 2010 edition (set for April 27-30) is scheduled at the familiar Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL.

Duboff named president of Arrow Fastener Co.

Gary DuBoff has been named president of Arrow Fastener Company, located in Saddle Brook, NJ.

Crossville announces Tile Take-Back Program

Crossville is in the process of launching a tile take-back program later this summer that will produce new tile with “verifiable recycled content,” the company says.

CTEF installers receive certification incentives

Ceramic tile and installation materials manufacturers have stepped up to support tile installers who pass the installer certification test administered by the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF). Together, the companies participating in CTEF’s “It Pays To Be Certified” program are providing coupons for free product to offset the $295 registration price for certification testing. CTEF Certified Tile Installers (CTIs) will be able to select the coupons they want, up to $900, and cash them in at any distribution outlet that carries the products selected.

Antron names winners of Product Innovation Awards

Masland Contract, Atlas Carpet Mills and Lees were the top winners in the ninth Antron Carpet Fiber Product Innovation Awards, held recently at NeoCon in Chicago. Masland Contract’s Floorplan Series and Atlas Carpet Mills’ Dance Partner Collection both won the gold award in the broadloom category. Lees was given the gold award in the modular category for its Sixth Sense Collection.

Bona US hires regional sport manager

Bona US has hired Rob Johnson as regional sport manager for the Midwest region. Johnson will play a critical role in maintaining existing partnerships and increasing new business in the professional sports arena. Working closely with industry professionals and key departments at Bona, Johnson will be responsible for training, inventory, operating procedures and relationship management.

Roppe unveils IMPACT recycling program

Roppe Corp. has launched IMPACT, a rubber products recycling program. Products are gathered at the jobsite and palletized for return to the company's recycling partner, based in the Midwest. Additionally, a new proprietary process allows products with adhesive to be recycled as well.

LATICRETE sponsors Dal-Tile Atlanta’s charity golf event

LATICRETE was a sponsor of Dal-Tile Atlanta’s charity golf event at the Bear’s Best Golf Course in Suwanee, Ga. on May 15, to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. At the 2009 annual event, more than 150 tile and stone industry professionals gathered at Bear’s Best Atlanta and raised more than $8,000 to benefit pediatric care at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Anderson to return to Surfaces

Anderson Hardwood Floors said it will expand its presence at Surfaces 2010, set for Feb. 2-4 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las vegas. Not only will the company return to its 8,000 sq. ft. front row position on the show floor, but is planning a "significant additional footprint to the show floor," Anderson said.

Industry coalition seeks support for new stimulus bill

A coalition of trade groups covering residential building products, floor coverings and furnishings announced it has been investigating ways on using a portion of the nation's economic stimulus package to jumpstart the building sector.

Senbetta to head MAPEI LEED AP group

Dr. Ephraim Senbetta, LEED AP, will spearhead the group of LEED Accredited Professionals MAPEI Corporation is assembling to assist architects, contractors and specifiers with questions concerning the role of MAPEI’s products in helping contribute valuable points to projects seeking LEED certification.

Bonsal expands Cincinnati plant

Bonsal American recently expanded its Cincinnati manufacturing facility (pictured). The expansion and renovation has added a substantial amount of capacity and efficiency to the plant, replacing 1940s-era equipment with state-of-the art technology, Bonsal said. The Cincinnati plant was the original production facility for the Sakrete brand, which was introduced in 1936.

Shaw to build new carpet-to-energy plant; operational by end of next year

Shaw Industries said it will build a new reclaimed carpet-to-energy facility at one of its carpet manufacturing plants in Dalton, Ga. Planned to be completed by Q4 of 2010, the Re2E (Reclaim-to-Energy) facility will be completely fueled by reclaimed carpet materials from both internal manufacturing operations and post-consumer carpet collections. The operation’s alternative-fuels-fired boiler is expected to convert more than 76 million pounds annually of reclaimed carpet materials into steam and electricity for the manufacturing site. This is the second of Shaw’s alternative fuel-to-energy operations in five years.

CFI conducts training across the U.S.

The International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) is travelling across the nation to offer training around the United States.

Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh benefits from INSTALL-Forbo partnership

One of the biggest construction news items coming out of Pittsburgh in 2009 is the long-anticipated opening of the new Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (CHP). Moving its operations from an ailing, aging building to a new campus with state-of-the-art equipment, CHP opened its doors in May 2009. And as children, parents and medical professionals walk the hallways and occupy patient rooms, the thousands of hours of work by INSTALL flooring professionals and Forbo representatives will support them.

NAFCD to conduct new retailer study in partnership with WFCA

The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD), in partnership with the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA), said it will conduct a comprehensive research study called “Understanding the Needs of the Floor Covering Retailer.” The study is aimed at helping NAFCD members and their dealer customers develop a deeper understanding “of the pressure points in their channel of distribution,” the group said.

Beaulieu to exhibit at Surfaces 2010

Beaulieu of America said it will return to Surfaces to exhibit at the 2010 show. The company plans to showcase its full line of Coronet and Hollytex broadloom as well as the Bliss by Beaulieu residential carpet brand,.using the same 11,500 sq. ft. space Beaulieu has occupied for the last two years. Beaulieu is a veteran of the show, having exhibited since 1990.

Anderson names CMH top distributor

CMH Flooring Products, based in Wadesboro, N.C., was honored recently as 2008 National Distributor of the Year for Anderson Hardwood Floors.