Shaw Industries’ Julius Shaw Retires

DALTON—After 40 years of service with the company, Julius Shaw has retired from Shaw Industries.

“We will miss Julius’ wise counsel, his commitment to our customers, and all the wonderful things he has done for Shaw, our associates and our customers over the past 40 years,” said Vance Bell, CEO of Shaw.

Bob Hardaway has been named vice president, home center sales and marketing, and has filled Julius’ leadership role. Hardaway began his career at Shaw in 1985 and has served in numerous sales and leadership roles over the past three decades.

For more, call (800) 441-7429 or visit shawfloors.com.
 

Florida Tile Opens Atlanta-Area Showroom

ATLANTA—Florida Tile’s new Atlanta-area showroom is serving the region’s design, architect and contractor market.

“We are here to bring to market our expertise and tile know-how but mostly our passion for beauty,” said Luca Setti, Florida Tile’s chief sales and marketing office, during the showroom’s grand opening.

The new facility is operated by six full-time employees and features a 3,711 square-foot showroom with contractor area and a 10,042 square-foot warehouse.

The Atlanta-area branch is located at 1455 Oakbrook Drive Suite 100 Norcross, Ga., 30093.

For more, call (859) 219-5200 or visit floridatile.com.

Portanova Named President/CEO of Kronotex

BARNWELL, S.C.—Kronotex USA has appointed Zeb Portanova to the position of president and CEO, effective Feb. 1.

Portanova succeeds Norman Voss, who has served as Kronotex interim CEO since March 2014. Voss will remain with the company as a member of the board, and continue to be actively involved in future expansion, investment and raw material sourcing activities for Kronotex, according to the company.

“Zeb is a proven leader with deep operations, technology and business experience,” said Max Von Tippelskirch, board member of the Swiss Krono Group, of which Kronotex is a subsidiary. “He is well-known for his collaborative style of leadership with partners, customers and employees. We are looking forward to the energy and creativity he will bring to the U.S. operation.”

For more, call (866) 334-9923 or visit kronotexusa.com.

In Memoriam: Jerry Anderson

GLENDALE, ARIZ.—Industry veteran, Jerald “Jerry” Anderson of Glendale, Ariz., has passed away. He was 74.

Anderson worked for Sears in the carpeting department and then joined Jim Bennett in the carpet industry. In 1971, Anderson and his family moved to Elk Grove Village, Ill., where he worked for Majestic Carpet Mills. He also worked for Queen Carpet before starting his own carpet business.

In 2000, Anderson and his family relocated to Arizona, where he worked for Johnson Diversey and SC Johnson Co. He retired from the company in January 2011 after his Parkinson’s started to progress.

Anderson is survived by many loved ones, including his wife, Sue of 47 years, his son, Heath Edwin, and his daughter, Heather Milstead.

Donations in Anderson’s name can be sent to the National Parkinson’s Foundation.

For more, call (800) 473-4636 or visit parkinson.org.

Destin Retailer Donates to Military Makeover

DESTIN, FLA.—Sergeant Kevin Parke and his family were selected for Lifetime Networks’ “Designing Spaces Military Makeover,” and Destin Flooring America has provided the home’s flooring.

When Destin’s owner, Dan Carr, heard about the makeover, he joined forces with “Designing Spaces” to contribute to the family. Destin’s Downs H2O was installed in three bedrooms, the living room and the hallway.

“It’s an opportunity for us to give back in a meaningful way to a family who has sacrificed so much for our liberty,” said Carr.

Throughout the series, “Designing Spaces” along with its partners works to enhance the home of a Purple Heart hero.

For more, call (850) 389-4612 or visit destinflooringamericadestin.com.

Mohawk Provides Flooring for Kitchen Throwdown 

CALHOUN, GA.—Mohawk Industries provided laminate flooring for Pulte Group’s Kitchen Throwdown Event.

Six supplier teams were challenged to create innovative and functional kitchens for today’s homeowners. Teams addressed three specific lifestyles: the family chef, the empty-nester cooking enthusiast and the millennial entertainer. Once the kitchen vignettes were built, focus groups of target consumers provided feedback on the kitchens and how they fit into consumers’ lifestyles.

Visit mohawkflooring.com, or call (800) 266-4295 for more.

Fuse Alliance Broadens with Three New Partners

LAGUNA NIGUEL, CALIF.—Fuse Alliance has expanded its network of service providers with the addition of Aligned Floor Covering, Henges Interiors and One Source Commercial Flooring.

“Our network is centered on service, therefore we are forging strong partnerships throughout North America so we can effectively support local customers as well as our expanding national account base,” said Geoff Gordon, executive director at Fuse.

Aligned Floor Covering, located in British Columbia, Canada, is a full-service flooring provider focused on all segments in the commercial market. One Source, located in Texas, offers extensive flooring services and systems in corporate, education, healthcare, government and athletic. With locations in Missouri and Illinois, Henges provides a number of interior services for the residential and commercial markets.

For more, call (888) 586-1198 or visit fusealliance.com.

Desso Carpet Tile Receives C2C Gold Cert 

WAALWIJK, THE NETHERLANDS—Desso is the first carpet tile manufacturer to achieve Cradle to Cradle (C2C) Gold level certification for a new carpet tile collection.

The new Gold Collection features EcoBase backing—which contains upcycled reengineered chalk from local drinking water companies—and Econyl, a 100% regenerated nylon made from recovered waste materials including post-consumer yarn waste.

According to the manufacturer, the Gold certification is the culmination of seven years of hard work and effort, inspired by the goal of transitioning to the circular economy based on C2C principles.

“The innovations that are required on our path to becoming a C2C company continue to contribute to our commercial success,” said Roland Jonkhoff, managing director, Desso, and vice president of carpet EMEA for Tarkett.

For more, call (888) 337-7687 or visit desso.com.

Milliken Increases Products’ Recycled Content

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken has integrated an average of 8% to 10% additional recycled content in all standard modular carpets in the Americas, raising the range of total recycled content in U.S. manufactured floor coverings to between 28% and 58%.

The recycled content is clean—eliminating eco-toxicity concerns and ensuring that the material has not been contaminated during previous manufacturing or exposed to potentially hazardous or toxic materials.

“The increase in recycled content across our standard floor covering collections represents the next step in our sustainability journey,” said Philip Ivey, global sustainability leader for the Milliken floor covering division. “We’re dedicated to continuously improving the sustainability of our products from a holistic perspective.”

Visit millikenfloors.com, or call (800) 241-4826 for more.

Crossville Flooring in Napa Valley Showhouse 

CROSSVILLE, TENN.—Crossville was a sponsor and product contributor for the fourth annual Traditional Home Napa Valley Showhouse.

Organizers, along with Traditional Home, a shelter publication that reaches 4.8 million readers, assembled 20 interior designers from around the country to transform three properties in the heart of downtown Napa, Calif. Crossville products were found in eight rooms across each of the revitalized dwellings that have been dubbed “Randolph Street Revival.”

“This beautiful showhouse event brings together some of our nation’s most renowned design talent,” said Lindsey Waldrep, Crossville’s vice president of marketing. “To see how these visionaries creatively incorporate Crossville tile collections in the design of kitchens, baths and living areas is a great reminder of the versatility of the products we offer—even for residential settings.”

For more, call (931) 484-2110 or visit crossvilleinc.com.

Daltile Hosts Golf Event at Total Solutions Plus

SAVANNAH, GA.—For the fifth consecutive year, Daltile hosted the Total Solutions Plus annual golf tournament. Held in Savannah, Ga., the conference brought the ceramic tile industry together for professional development and networking.

“Total Solutions Plus is like a reunion every year, bringing the best of the best in our industry together to celebrate successes and discuss future opportunities,” said Jeremy Sax, director of installation products and sales at Daltile. “The tournament is a great example of the camaraderie in our industry, and lets us show off our competitive sides a little bit, too.”

Daltile’s sister brands Marazzi and American Olean also had a presence as part of the sponsorship.

For more, call (214) 398-1411 or visit daltile.com.

In Memoriam: De Clerck, Founder of Beaulieu

DALTON— Roger De Clerck, founder of Beaulieu, has passed away at the age of 91.

De Clerck founded his first company in 1959, which grew by his ambitious approach to the Beaulieu Group that is known today. According to the company, De Clerck built a solid reputation both at home and abroad.

Visit beaulieuflooring.com, or call (706) 277-9524 for more.

Starnet Adds Two Contractors to Network

DARIEN, CONN.—Milburn Flooring Mills and JDS Flooring Associates have joined the Starnet partnership.

According to Jeanne Matson, Starnet’s president and CEO, the operations were chosen due to their dedication in upholding the highest standards of performance and service excellence, along with the shared goal of growing and improving the commercial flooring industry.

Milburn Flooring has been servicing customers for more than 50 years and has become a leading provider of commercial flooring for the Long Island, N.Y., market.

JDS Flooring has been a provider of commercial flooring services in the Southern New Hampshire/Northern Massachusetts market since 2001.

Visit starnetflooring.com, or call (888) 239-8675 for more.

Metroflor’s Crush MS Campaign Under Way

NORWALK, CONN.—Metroflor’s Crush MS Campaign, which is raising money and awareness for Multiple Sclerosis (MS), is under way.

“Our Crush MS Campaign will run through June 2016 with hopes and expectations of raising $25,000 in externally contributed funds, in addition to the contribution we will also be making corporately,” said a company representative.

According to the company, throughout the campaign Metroflor will hold a number of events, including a golf outing and electronic silent auctions.

Visit metroflorusa.com, or call (866) 882-4407 for more.

Shannon Floors Awarded Contract with Premier

MILWAUKEE—Shannon Specialty Floors was awarded a national group purchasing contract in the Architectural: Flooring Products and Services category with Premier.

“We look forward to playing a part in their efforts to decrease healthcare costs and improve the health of communities,” said Dale Carson, vice president of national accounts for Shannon Floors.

Premier is a healthcare improvement company that unites an alliance of approximately 3,600 U.S. hospitals and 120,000 other providers.

For more, call (414) 771-9166 or visit shannonspecialtyfloors.com.

Editor’s note: For complete coverage of these and other industry news stories, visit our website at floortrendsmag.com, where you can also sign up for a free subscription to our daily enewsletter, TalkFloor.