Pictured is a group of installers during a recent training event at Sherwin-Williams in Anchorage, Alaska. The weeklong event, featuring the new Armstrong Certified Commercial Resilient Certification, attracted more than 30 flooring installers. Tim Provence of Armstrong conducted the resilient training with other members of the CFI Team; Jim Walker, Jon Namba and Ed Braile. Craig Priest, CFI Master Installer and owner of Classic Floors in Anchorage also assisted with tools and training.
Armstrong's Tim Provence explains the requirements of the Armstrong Certified Installer Program to a group of installers recently at Sherwin-Williams in Anchorage, Alaska.
In Charlottesville, VA, installers attended a CFI Carpet Installation Training and Certification hosted by Duane Cassis of CarpetsPlus. Attendees traveled many miles, including a Jobs Corp trainer from Pennsylvania, to better understand the CFI programs, a flooring installer from Kentucky and 3 technical representatives from Shaw Industries. Members of the CFI Team, Jim Walker, Ed Braile, Roland Thompson, Tom Keene and George Johnson demonstrated the CFI methods of installation, trained those seeking the Residential-I and Commercial-I levels and provided certification testing for the R-II and C-II levels.
“Our company is very involved with CFI and we have hosted many events because we believe the latest training methods definitely make a difference in the manner in which we provide customer satisfaction,” host Duane Cassis said. “The CFI Team always does an exceptional job of presenting the latest information and techniques.”
In Anchorage, AK the CFI training program was expanded to include the Armstrong Certified Commercial Resilient Certification. The week-long event sponsored by Sherwin-Williams of Anchorage attracted over 30 flooring installers. Tim Provence of Armstrong conducted the resilient training with other members of the CFI Team; Jim Walker, Jon Namba and Ed Braile. Craig Priest, CFI Master Installer and owner of Classic Floors in Anchorage also assisted with tools and training. The installers worked in modules constructed by the team onsite and were required to demonstrate skills of direct and straight scribing, seaming, flash-coving and heat-welding.
“The group was very interested and excited to participate in a program to demonstrate their skills and knowledge,” said Jon Namba, CFI Executive Director. “Because of the time involved, the daily classes were very lengthy, but no one complained. CFI is convinced that the training we provide is unequalled in the industry. This is evident by the response we receive from the participants. Our goal is to offer new techniques that enhance their skills to provide the customer with the ultimate flooring experience. “Through our partnership with Armstrong and other hard surface manufacturers, CFI offers training and certification in all flooring surfaces. We are always looking for another opportunity to provide training and certification for installers who strive to be among the best in their field.”
On Friday, Jim Walker conducted a carpet installation seminar that was followed by a day of hands-on training in pattern alignment, powerstretching, seaming, stair upholstery, direct-glue installation and substrate preparation.
“Installers who were signed up only for the vinyl certification found the training to be exceptional and joined us for the carpet certification also,” said Ed Braile “Any dealer would be excited to have installers represent their stores with the attitudes and the desire to be the best that was exhibited by this group.”
Installers from Avalon Carpet in Pennsylvania work with large sections of carpet for a woven-patterned carpet workshop taught by CFI instructors.
“We were very pleased with the event,” said Alan Avery of Sherwin-Williams. “Not knowing what to expect from the training, it more than exceeded our expectations. It is our goal to continue this type of training in the future. The installers are still talking about all the information that was shared. It was well worth the time and expense that was involved. We have not had the opportunity to receive this type of intensive, hands-on involvement regularly in Alaska. Twenty-four installers who represent our firm, one previously CFI certified installer from the North Pole and installers from Classic Floors of Anchorage participated in the training. We look forward to our continued relationship with CFI and the opportunity to pursue more training avenues in the future.”
“CFI appreciates dealers who go the extra mile to provide in-house training for the installers who represent their firms,” said Jim Walker. This is an opportunity to secure the “edge” on installation skills to furnish their customers with what is expected when flooring is purchased. Sherwin-Williams made a substantial investment of financial resources and time to bring this program to Anchorage. The company also opened the event up to all interested installers to provide the utmost in customer service, hands-on skills training and certification as an absolute must.”
To schedule a training event or to participate, up-to-date information is available online at www.CFIinstallers.com or by calling the national CFI office at (816) 231.4646.
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