Bostik Sponsors Tour de France 2015

Bostik, Inc. is an official supplier of Tour de France 2015. This sponsorship provides a platform for promotional activities showcasing Bostik brands and activities to a global audience.

The 102nd Tour de France started July 4 in Utrecht, Netherlands, and finished on the world-famous Champs-Élysées in Paris, France July 26. The 21-stage route covers a distance of over 3,000 km., taking riders through three countries and extremely challenging terrain.

As a sponsor, Bostik participated in the Tour de France ‘Publicity Caravan’ which accompanied the race. Various promotional vehicles offered spectators gifts and giveaways while awaiting the riders, which strongly promoted the firm’s already well-recognized gecko in a prominent visual role.

To add to the Tour de France 2015 sponsorship, Bostik will be launching a number of international promotional programs through September. These will include social media campaigns, customer events and in-market promotions across multiple countries, including cycling-related competitions, giveaways and special offers.

Ardex Group Buys Majority Stake in Wakol

Ardex, specialist for building chemicals based in Witten, Germany, has acquired a majority interest in adhesive manufacturer Wakol GmbH. Family owners who are currently active in the business will continue to hold substantial shares.

With Ardex as partner, Wakol strengthens its system expertise, its global footprint and therefore ensures a sustainable growth. This cooperation holds great potential for future growth for both companies, according to representatives from both companies.

Mark Eslamlooy, CEO of Ardex Group, said, “This cooperation with Wakol is a perfect way for us to massively increase our systems expertise in the flooring industry. I cannot imagine having a better partner. This shared philosophy is the base for our future success.”

HPS Schönox Recognizes CDC Distributors

HPS Schönox presented its first ever Schönox Smooth Performer Award to CDC Distributors Inc., headquartered in Cincinnati. Al Futscher, president and CEO, and Tony Roberto, COO, both of CDC Distributors, accepted the award from Thomas Trissl, HPS Schönox principal.

The award was developed to highlight the support, dedication and outstanding efforts by distribution partners of HPS Schönox. The Schönox Smooth Performer Award’s name is a linkage to Schönox’s smoothing, patching and self-leveling products that the company’s distribution partners market in their regions. The award includes a $1,000 contribution to the charity of CDC Distributors’ choice.

The Schönox Smooth Performer Award came with an additional unexpected surprise. Roberto and Futscher were given a Porsche 911 Targa 4S to drive for a month during the summer, provided by Trissl Sports Cars.

INSTALL Names Two New Alliance Partners

INSTALL has added two new companies as Alliance Partners in its mission to improve installation training and certification standards across the floor covering industry. The newest partners are Better Life Technology LLC and UpoFloor. INSTALL focuses on bringing together the major flooring mills, manufacturers, consultants, associations, contractors and installers to work towards elevating installation standards.

INSTALL’s Alliance Partners participate in ongoing curriculum reviews and work with INSTALL instructors to revise and refine the curriculum to assure it meets manufacturer standards. According to the company, this training and education ensures INSTALL’s floor covering professionals are highly trained and equipped to meet the needs of today’s marketplace.

Johnston First FCICA Certified Installation Manager

Amy Johnston, of Flooring Services Inc. in Livonia, Mich., recently completed all of the learning modules and assessments in FCICA’s Certified Installation Manager (CIM) Program to become the first Certified Installation Manager.

“Completing the CIM program was an important accomplishment for me,” Johnston said. “Through the FCICA and the CIM certification program, I have been able to continue to build on our current procedures with a set of specific standards passed on from experts in our industry.”

The CIM program is an online certification program specifically developed for and available to all who want to obtain the knowledge necessary to become a Certified Installation Manager and learn the important skills required of that position, regardless of their affiliations. For more information, visit www.fcica.com/training-program.

Custom Names New Vice Presidents

Custom Building Products has promoted Garett Shandler to vice president of sales in Canada and Matt Flowers to division vice president of the company’s U.S. South Region.

Shandler joined Custom more than 20 years ago and in that time, he has fostered significant growth in the construction and retail sales channels across Canada, the company said. Under his leadership and direction, the Canadian sales team has built Custom into that country’s category brand leader together with its valued distribution partners.

Flowers has held numerous positions during his 18-year tenure at Custom, most recently as the national manager for consumer accounts. In his new role, Flowers will continue to oversee national sales and service for Custom’s co-op retail partners as well as take on the company’s construction channel sales leadership across the Southern U.S., Caribbean and Central America.

CFI, Goodwill Partner for Carpet Training

Goodwill of North Georgia and the Chattahoochee Technical College are working with the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) to conduct a three-week, intensive carpet installation training program Oct. 5-23 at the college.

To address the shortage of flooring installers, Spectra Contract Flooring collaborated with Goodwill to develop an installation program to put installers to work. CFI conducted a pilot program in May that has proven successful.

A portion and/or all of the tuition is available for students who are veterans or women who want to enter the trade. The cost per student is $2,050 if paid directly to Goodwill. However, if a veteran or woman is seeking employment, Goodwill should be contacted directly to initiate the required paperwork to apply for grants.

The carpet course will include all facets of training, including estimating, product knowledge, business skills for the independent worker, soft skills and all applicable hand-skills. The focus of the training is hands-on, working in modules to become proficient to enter the workplace upon graduation in the commercial and/or residential field.

TISE Joins IBS, KBIS for 2016 Design & Construction Week

The NAHB International Builders’ Show (IBS) and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) have announced The International Surface Event (TISE) will return as an official show partner for Design & Construction Week (DCW), taking place Jan. 19-22, 2016, in Las Vegas. TISE joins the International Window Coverings Expo (IWCE) as a partner event.

“TISE is the leading floor covering, stone and tile industry event in the country, so they are a natural fit to take part in Design & Construction Week, the largest annual residential construction event in the nation,” said NAHB chairman Tom Woods. “We are pleased to be able to welcome them back as an official show partner, and look forward to another great show in 2016.”

Eugen Lägler Acquires Palo Duro Hardwoods

Eugen Lägler GmbH, headquartered in Frauenzimmern, Germany, has reached an agreement to acquire Palo Duro Hardwoods, located in Denver, effective immediately.

The two companies have shared a close business relationship for more than two decades. “Palo Duro has been the North American importer and sales agent for Lägler since 1995,” said Bruce Whisenhunt, Palo Duro president. “This acquisition will solidify Palo Duro’s position in the marketplace.”

Both companies are characterized by long-term supplier, customer and employee relationships according to Palo Duro vice president, Jeff Fairbanks. “The new company will continue to reinforce and build on these relationships, as well as our outstanding customer service,” he added.

Sound Seal’s Impacta Division Releases Smartphone App

The Impacta division of Sound Seal released its smartphone app—available on both the Android and Apple platforms—offering valuable Impacta underlayment product and technical information. Simply visit the app store on your mobile device and search the word Impacta.

The Impacta app offers its users the ability to access and view technical data right on their phone, eliminating the need to carry multiple resources out into the field. The tools available through the smartphone app include detailed product information broken out by application, important technical data, access to the Impacta website, and phone and email access to a regional representative at the click of a button.

Bona Launches First Canadian Training Center

Bona US recently opened its first Bona Regional Training Center in Canada. The 1,500 sq. ft. facility houses two test floors of red oak and maple, and is fully equipped for training on the installation, sand and finish and care of hardwood floors.

The center reflects Bona’s ongoing commitment to educate distributors and contractors on the latest Bona products and best practices in hardwood floor care. The training center is easily accessible from Highway 400 and 401 as well as major metro areas. The Toronto training center is located at 36 Gordon Mackay Road, Unit 5; Toronto, ON M9N 2V6.

Bona offers seven additional training centers throughout the country in Manalapan, N.J.; Monroe, N.C.; Aurora, Colo.; Chicago; Seattle; San Jose, Calif.; and Dallas.

Appointments at the Toronto training center can be scheduled through Jordan Anderson, Bona territory sales manager, at (416) 333-6074 or Jordan.Anderson@bona.com.

BNP Media Acquires Three Leading Publications

BNP Media has revealed the company’s strategic acquisition of three leading publication brands, Architectural Record, Engineering News-Record (ENR) and SNAP.

Considered “the record” of architectural history, Architectural Record is a monthly magazine that has been dedicated to architecture and interior design for more than 110 years.

ENR is a weekly magazine providing news, analysis, data and opinion for the worldwide construction industry. SNAP is a newer publication devoted entirely to covering building products and provides readers a quick and accessible way to learn about the latest product news, trends, statistics, events and more.

The three publications were acquired from Dodge Data & Analytics. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

USGBC Confirms New Alignment with CALGreen

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has confirmed the availability of a new path forward for California project developers seeking LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification.

Effective immediately, nonresidential projects in California subject to the mandatory 2013 California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) requirements will be able to use an alternative documentation path for LEED.

CALGreen is the nation’s first statewide mandatory green building code, covering nearly all residential and nonresidential construction in California. This new path will make beyond-code green building leadership even more accessible as the state continues to set more aggressive targets for energy and water efficiency.

The alternative documentation path outlines a set of documents that projects may provide in lieu of standard LEED documentation in order to demonstrate LEED compliance. The alternative documentation path will be available for use with measures related to indoor water use reduction, refrigerant management, the storage and collection of recyclables, construction waste management and the use of low-emitting paints and adhesives.

INSTALL Expands Warranty Program

INSTALL, the North American alliance of flooring mills, manufacturers, consultants, associations, contractors and installers, has announced all INSTALL warranty contractors can now provide an additional, extended, free, non-proprietary and third-party installation warranty of $25,000 and two years. These new terms are five times the original warranty coverage and two times the original term.

The INSTALL Warranty Program began in 2013 with warranty terms of one year and $5,000. Six months later, terms were expanded to two years and $10,000.

“This has been a very successful program for INSTALL, the floorcovering industry and our customers,” said John McGrath, INSTALL director. “After two years and millions of square feet of floor covering installations of all kinds, we haven’t had one claim lodged against the INSTALL Warranty. This is a testament to our superior floorcovering contractors and the best training in the business.”

Rick Fedrizzi to Step Down as USGBC’s CEO

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced founder and CEO Rick Fedrizzi is stepping down and will not seek renewal of his contract as USGBC’s CEO at the end of 2016.

“As one of the founders of USGBC, I never could have imagined the sweeping global impact the organization would have, the wide-ranging work that could be accomplished, the dramatic change in our industry we would lead, the scale of the innovation we would spark or the number of lives we would touch,” he said. “It’s been a humbling and gratifying experience.”

With this early notification of transition, current USGBC board chair Marge Anderson noted the board has already set up a search committee so that it can move quickly to fill the CEO position.

Mohawk Completes Purchase of IVC Group

Mohawk Industries has completed its acquisition of the IVC Group for $1.2 billion in cash and stock. IVC is a major vinyl and laminate flooring manufacturer with 2014 revenues of approximately $735 million and manufacturing operations in Belgium, Luxembourg and the U.S.

According to the company, the acquisition expands Mohawk’s position as the world’s largest flooring manufacturer and significantly increases the company’s presence in the luxury vinyl tile (LVT) and sheet vinyl categories. LVT now represents about 5% of the U.S. flooring market, with sales projected to grow more than 15% annually through the end of the decade.

Mohawk’s IVC acquisition includes a new LVT manufacturing facility in Dalton, Ga., which is in the initial stages of production. IVC is also a major sheet vinyl manufacturer.

AFA to Host Pavilion at Domotex 2016 for the 18th Year

The American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA) will once again host a pavilion Jan. 16–19 in Hannover, Germany at Domotex 2016. Participating floor covering companies are housed in the AFA Pavilion equipped with a State of Georgia sponsored community lounge, conference room and exhibit space.

The 2016 show will include over 1,200 exhibitors from 60 countries along with an estimated attendance of over 38,000 individuals with 90% being the top decision makers of their respective companies.

New Hires and Promotions

Isaac Sorensen has joined Compotite where he will be handling the firm’s sales throughout the Northeastern region of the U.S. Sorensen’s previous experience includes being project manager of Terraform, a New York City-based firm providing unique product solutions to the landscape design trade and luxury terrace market.

Keene Building Products has announced Richard Brand as the new Southeast regional manager. Brand previously has 15 years of experience in the construction industry as a field supervisor, customer relations, estimating and sales.
Additionally, the company recognized Jeremy Fern as its new Northwest regional manager. Fern joins Keene with over 15 years of experience in professional sales and marketing including business development and marketing programs, training new sales team members and customer relations.

Raymond Hicks is now Koster American’s new president, effective June 1. Hicks’ has spent the last seven years in various leadership positions at Koster, including two years as vice president of sales.
Koster also welcomed Matthew Sorensen as the new technical specialist in the technical department. Sorensen, a civil engineer, is educated in concrete materials chemistry and has extensive experience in targeting optimal solutions for the installation and repairs of saunas and pools.
Additionally, Koster announced the appointment of technical director Howard Kanare to the position of vice president and Jenilee Lucero to assistant to the president/marketing director.

Laticrete’s Bernadette Smith Anderson has been promoted to the position of assistant director of sales, Tile & Stone Installation Systems. Anderson will continue to report to Rob Smith, director of sales APD, as a regional sales manager for California and Oregon, while assisting in an expanded set of sales projects.

Michael Halebian & Co. has hired Michael Cosgrove to serve its Connecticut-based sales team. Cosgrove is the current president of the Connecticut Flooring Association and a 30-year veteran of the flooring industry.

Becky Serbin has been appointed to the newly created position of education and curriculum coordinator for the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). Serbin joins NTCA having worked for the past 13 years for Georgia Pacific Corp.

Penetron Specialty Products (PSP) has named Tim Hobbs as the company’s new sales representative for the Carolinas. An experienced construction industry sales expert, Hobbs will help spearhead PSP’s ongoing expansion into the Southeast U.S.
The company also assigned Grant Urban as the company’s new sales manager for the West Coast region. Based in Southern California, Grant will play a key role in Penetron’s expansion across the West Coast.

Stauf USA announced the addition of Peter Lucchesi to the Stauf sales force. As the central regional sales director, Lucchesi will be responsible for managing and servicing the Central region of Stauf’s distribution network as well as development of new opportunities for the company.

Distributor Appointments

Compotite has announced Arley Wholesale Inc. will be distributing its installation products. Arley’s executive vice president of operations, Scott Levy, stated, “We recently signed papers to handle Compotite, which is an innovative company that has been around a long time.”

DriTac Flooring Products has declared its new distribution partnership with Midwest Floor Coverings Inc. Midwest Floors will now carry the full line of DriTac premium flooring adhesives, concrete moisture control systems, wood floor repair kits, adhesive removers, trowels and the complete range of DriTac’s solvent-free and VOC-free adhesives in Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming and Nevada.

Pallmann has appointed Custom Wholesale Flooring as its newest distributor in Florida and Georgia. Custom Wholesale will distribute Pallmann’s Hardwood Complete range of wood flooring products throughout the cities of Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa, Miami and Atlanta.

Ufloor Systems Inc. has named Lansing Flooring Supply its newest distributor partner for the Uzin brand throughout Michigan. Additionally, All Floor Supplies will distribute Uzin products throughout the Ohio valley, western Pennsylvania and West Virginia from its Cleveland and Pittsburgh branches.

Stauf USA has partnered with Ohio Valley Flooring, which will become a key player among Stauf’s distribution network, the company said. This partnership was forged from years of ongoing relationships with Stauf’s Armstrong affiliated distributors and continued effort and growth from Stauf.

Upcoming Events

2015 Concrete Décor Show – Indianapolis, Sept. 28-Oct. 2. www.concretedecorshow.com

FCICA Mid-Year Meeting – New Castle, Del., Oct. 7-9. www.fcica.com

TISE East 2015– Orlando, Fla., Nov. 2-5. www.tiseeast.com

NAFCD/NBMDA Convention – Orlando, Fla., Nov. 3-5. www.distributorconvention.org

For more industry events and training, visit www.fcimag.com and click Calendar of Events under the More tab.

Master Craft Opens Facility Expansion

Master Craft recently opened the doors to its newly expanded facility in Plymouth, Mich. The 9,000 sq. ft. office facility allows space for 20 private offices, two conference rooms, warehouse offices, a flooring library, a design/workspace, a full kitchen, break-out areas, a lobby and a 25,000 sq. ft. warehouse.

The expansion was the result of continued business growth, a need for clients to warehouse attic stock and house materials as well as accommodate planning for larger projects. Company leadership expects the new space to increase available inventory, speed and efficiency in delivering products to client.

Design for this project was based on direct feedback from customers. According to the company, the facility displays many of Master Craft’s capabilities while also offering a place where clients can see different flooring installations and solutions in application.

Somerset Hardwood Flooring Joins PPG CAP Group

PPG Industries’ building products-interior coatings group has announced Somerset Hardwood Flooring has been accredited as a member of the PPG CAP Certified Applicator Program (PPG CAP) group and is the first program participant accredited to apply Durethane wood coatings by PPG to hardwood floors.

Brian Knapp, PPG director, coil and building products, said the addition of Somerset Flooring to the PPG CAP group represents the beginning of a new era for the program, which had previously certified only metal-coatings applicators.

As a member of the PPG CAP group, Somerset Flooring completed a rigorous training and auditing program that encompassed every aspect of how to apply and cure Durethane wood coatings.

IICRCA Postpones October Event Until 2016

The International Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Council of Associations (IICRCA) postponed this year’s event. Originally planned for October, the IICRCA event was rescheduled for May 11-14, 2016, at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino.

The conference will feature panels and individual presenters, with a focus on interactive sessions and discussion. During the event, there will also be a tradeshow consisting of companies from the inspection, cleaning and restoration industries, as well as live demonstrations and presentations of products and services.

Haines Increases Capacity in Florida with New Warehouse/Showroom Location

Haines is set to relocate by year end to a new flooring warehouse in Orlando, Fla., that is approximately 50% larger than the current Haines facilities and less than half a mile away. The facility will also house a Supplies Center for customers.

“The additional space will give us the ability to better serve our customers and grow in the Florida market,” said Bruce Zwicker, Haines president and CEO. “The brand-new Haines Supplies Center showroom will be located inside the new larger warehouse, and the warehouse will have a better layout with much more inventory capacity.”

American Concrete Institute Offering New Fall Seminars

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is offering a new series of seminars this fall to focus on ACI 318-14, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. In addition, the seminars are now available as an online course through ACI University, and can be purchased for an individual user or for a group of five individual users at a reduced rate.

Participants can now learn about the new code directly from an expert during a live seminar, or at their own pace by taking the online course through ACI University.

ACI 318-14 represents the first major change in code organization in over 40 years and has been completely reorganized from a designer’s perspective, said the group. This seminar will help participants get acquainted with the new organization and various technical changes to the code as quickly as possible.

For more information on seminar dates, locations or to register, visit concreteseminars.com. For information about the online course, visit ACIUniversity.com.

Interior Specialists Acquires Advanced Flooring & Design

Interior Specialists, Inc. (ISI) has affirmed the acquisition of Advanced Flooring & Design (AFD), a leading provider of quality floor covering and design finishes serving the East Coast.

AFD serves the residential and commercial building industry offering product and installation services of flooring and window coverings to its customers. In addition, the company operates design centers in eight states to support their residential home builder customers.

“The acquisition of AFD will enable us to deliver consistent levels of performance to national and super-regional home builders across markets and we are excited to add AFD’s employees, expertise and customers to our growing platform,” said Alan K. Davenport, CEO of ISI.

NAHB Professional Women in Building Council Accepting Entries for Annual Awards Program

The NAHB Professional Women in Building (PWB) Council is now accepting entries for its annual awards program. The awards recognize local councils and women in the home building industry for their contributions to the industry and philanthropic efforts in their communities.

According to the company, the NAHB PWB awards are the most prestigious awards that recognize the achievements of women in the home building industry, providing the opportunity for individuals and local PWB councils to be acknowledged for the work they’ve accomplished.

Local PWB councils can apply for awards in the following categories: Innovative Programs, Legislative and Political Advocacy and Community Outreach.

In addition to group awards, the PWB Council also recognizes individual achievements. Winners will be honored at an awards luncheon during the 2016 NAHB International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas.

MSI Launches New Distribution Center

M S International Inc. (MSI) has opened its newest distribution center near Minneapolis. Located in Plymouth, Minn., the 50,000 sq. ft. distribution center offers a full array of MSI product lines including slabs, flooring, wall tile/mosaics and hardscaping made from natural stone, quartz, porcelain and ceramic.

According to the company, the facility features a tile design gallery that showcases MSI’s latest on-trend products and digital kitchen, bathroom and stacked-stone visualizer tools for customer-friendly selections. In addition, the warehouse employs multiple overhead cranes that service thousands of natural stone and quartz slabs. With over 250 colors from 36 countries, this location has one of the largest slab inventories in the Twin Cities.

The new distribution center is located at 10205 10th Ave. North, Ste. B; Plymouth, Minn., 55441. The center can be reached at (952) 486-6600 or msi_minnesota@msistone.com.