Larry Press, director of flooring with Helmitin Adhesives, announced that he will be stepping down after 15 years with the company due to health issues, effective immediately.

Press’ involvement in floor covering has been lifelong, as part of the third generation of a family involved in all aspects of flooring installation and retail sales. He learned installation as a teenager at his parents’ New York-based retail operations in Richmond Hill and Long Beach. In 1974 he and his parents opened another location in Bedford, Pa., where his brothers and several other relatives continue the family legacy.

In 1986, Press was hired by Kentile Floors as director of consumer affairs and quality control; he would go on to hold similar positions at ParaChem and Helmitin. His involvement and dedication to the industry resulted in him receiving ASTM’s highest recognition, the Award of Merit. He was also named as an FCICA Lifetime Honorary Membership for his contributions to the flooring industry, and is a past member of Carpenters Local 900 as a flooring installer.

Press noted that he will continue his volunteer involvement for the development of flooring standards with ASTM Committees F06 on Resilient Floor Coverings and D14 on Adhesives, as well as head of delegation for the ISO 219 Technical Advisory Group responsible for standards development on Textile, Resilient and Laminate Flooring. He added that he may also consult in the future.

For more information, visit helmitin.com.