Surratt Named Digital Communications Leader of The Year

CALHOUN, GA.—Mollie Surratt, senior director of public relations, social media and content marketing at Mohawk, has been awarded a PR People Award in the Digital Communications Leader of the Year category from PR News. The award celebrates the professionals behind the best PR and marketing campaigns of the past year.

“Mollie has helped develop one of the most successful digital strategies in the flooring industry,” said Elise Demboski, vice president of creative services for Mohawk. “Mohawk is the largest flooring manufacturer in the world, and it is people like Mollie who give us strength in not only our marketing approach but in our value to our aligned retail partners.”

Surratt is a pioneer in the practice of strategic public relations in the flooring industry, and under her public relations leadership, Mohawk has enjoyed an abundant increase in media coverage.

For more, call (800) 266-4295 or visit mohawkflooring.com.
 

CCA Floors & Interiors Announces Promotions

ALEXANDRIA, VA.—CCA Floors has announced a series of organizational changes.

Ralph Grove has assumed responsibility for a newly created position of vice president for strategic and key accounts. In this new role, Grove will be responsible for developing sales with a targeted group of regional owners of commercial office space, property management companies, facilities management, education and healthcare segments.

To enable Grove to transition into his new role, Peter LePage will assume the position of executive vice president of sales. In this capacity, LePage will add to his current responsibility for managing CCA’s government sales group and Tidewater team by including regional sales efforts in the Baltimore/DC/Northern Virginia markets. Additionally, LePage will assume responsibility for sales administration.

Gibb Verjee has been promoted to vice president of sales for CCA’s Multi-Family Division. In this capacity, he will be responsible for leading the sales effort within the multi-family marketplace.

“CCA is extremely fortunate to have these senior level executives, along with Shawn Bayat of our Home Interiors group, lead our sales efforts into the future,” said Ken Hirshman, CCA’s CEO. “Their more than 100 years of combined experience is an incredible asset that will unquestionably enable CCA to continue to improve our ability to provide the exceptional service required to ensure our customers’ success.”

For more, call (703) 370-0000 or visit ccafloors.com.
 

In Memoriam: PFS Founder James Lee

GRANBURY, TEXAS—Founder of Professional Flooring Supply (PFS), James “Jim” Lee, passed away in Granbury, Texas, on Dec. 9, 2016, at the age of 84.

Under Lee’s leadership, PFS grew from a single store in Forth Worth, Texas, into a leading distributor of flooring installation products in the state. The company now has 15 branches in Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah.

“Jim Lee built the foundation of our business based on three things: a drive to succeed, acting with integrity in everything he did and persistence in the face of difficult challenges,” said Dan Lee, CEO of PFS. “Those three things are fundamental to our business success today and are guiding the second and third generations of our family as they lead the company.”

During his career in the floor covering industry, Lee served as president and member of the board of directors of the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD), and was a founder of the Floor Installation Association of North America (FIANA), serving 10 years as president and director of the association after retiring from PFS.

For more, call (817) 834-4737 or visit professionalflooring.com.
 

Hair Named VP of Hard Surfaces for Phenix

DALTON—Jason Hair has joined Phenix Flooring as vice president of hard surfaces.

In this new role, Hair will be responsible for planning, developing and implementing a strategy to allow the organization to continue to expand and successfully compete within the hard surface category.

“We’re excited about our future in the ever-expanding hard surface arena and we’re thrilled to have an individual seasoned in the field to be taking on this endeavor,” said Mark Clayton, president of Phenix. “It provides additional opportunities for the company to grow and meet our customers’ needs and we are confident that Hair is the right person to make that happen. His insight into the industry is a huge asset on this investment in our hard surfaces department. His leadership experience makes him a perfect fit for the position and the company at large.”

Phenix entered the hard surface arena earlier this year with the launch of its Origins luxury vinyl tile and laminate programs. Hair will play an integral role in expanding upon this offering with the launch of four new products at Surfaces 2017. According to the company, these products will each offer unique, industry-leading technologies which address the needs of today’s consumer.

For more, call (800) 609-9557 or visit phenixflooring.com.
 

Pratt Joins Haines’ Executive Leadership Team as CSMO

GLEN BURNIE, MD.—Chris Pratt has joined Haines’ executive leadership team as chief sales and marketing officer (CSMO).

In this newly created position, Pratt will lead the sales and marketing efforts for the three Haines Divisions: Armstrong Division, CMH Division and Supplies Division. As CSMO, Pratt is responsible for all customers and supplier matters, and most importantly, for defining and delivering the value Haines brings to its customers.

Pratt brings to Haines more than 15 years of sales and marketing leadership experience. He has held executive positions in sales and marketing with the Industrial Distribution Group and more recently with Turner Supply, where he was vice president of sales and marketing.

For more, call (800) 922-9248 or visit jjhaines.com.
 

15th Annual Tile of Spain Award Winners Announced

MIAMI—The winners of the 15th Annual Tile of Spain Awards of Architecture and Interior Design have been announced.

The Tile of Spain Awards boasts a trajectory that is widely acknowledged in the world of architecture. Both the prestige of the participating judges and the standard of the winning projects, have turned these awards, organized annually by ASCER, into a major event on the Spanish and international architecture scene.

First prize in the Architecture category went to a two home project in Oropesa, Spain; in the Interior Design category, the judges awarded first place to a restaurant on the ground floor of the Tabakalera Culture Centre in San Sebastian, Spain, TABA espazioa’ by Ibon Salaberria and the final degree project was awarded to M Wesam Al Asali from the University of Cambridge.

Honorable mentions were also awarded to select projects, including: MM House, Palma de Mallorca by Ohlab, a home designed in accordance with the passive house standard in order to guarantee optimum energy efficiency; Casa#77 by Raúl Montero Martínez and Emilio Pardo Rivacoba; and Como agua de mayo’ by Belén Collado González, a student at the San Pablo CEU University in Madrid.

For more, call (305) 446-4387 or visit tileofspainusa.com.
 

Oceanside Glasstile Acquires Uroboros

CARLSBAD, CALIF.—Oceanside Glasstile has acquired Uroboros Glass, a Portland, Ore., stained-glass manufacturer.

“I am delighted to announce that a sale of Uroboros Glass’ name, equipment, technology and formulas has been completed, and that the future of its many iconic products is now secured,” said Eric Lovell, president and founder of Uroboros.

Uroboros management will help with set up and training of the Oceanside Glasstile engineers, furnace handlers and chemist. From this collaboration, the art glass industry can anticipate a ramp up of Uroboros product, according to the company.

Oceanside’s acquisition of Uroboros follows the company’s acquisition of art glass manufacturing equipment, formulas and intellectual property from Spectrum Glass last year.

For more call, (760) 929-4000 or visit glasstile.com.
 

Industry Veteran Turner Joins CRI

DALTON—Richard Turner has joined the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) as director of technical services and programs.

Turner, a 45-year carpet industry veteran, Turner most recently served as senior manager of sustainability and regulatory affairs at Mohawk Industries. He also has work experience in laboratory management and quality assurance for Mohawk.

Turner has been active with CRI, serving on a number of committees and panels, including the Product Performance and Standards panel that oversees the organization’s testing programs and standards.

“Richard is an expert in many aspects of the flooring industry and he will be a great addition to our team at CRI,” said CRI president Joe Yarbrough.

For more, call (706) 278-3176 or visit carpet-rug.org.
 

2016 NAFCD Award Winners Announced

CHICAGO—The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) has announced the winners of its 2016 Lifetime Achievement, Leadership in Action and Growth Awards.

The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made outstanding contributions that have led to expanding the vision of the floor covering distribution channel. Lucky Burke of Readers Wholesale in Houston, and Dennis Cook and Melinda McChesney of Gilford Johnson based in Jeffersonville, Ind., were all 2016 recipients of the award.

The Leadership in Action Award recognizes individuals for the positive impact and meaningful contributions that they have made to their company’s success. Recipients of the 2016 Leadership in Action Reward were Russ Rogg of Metroflor Corporation in Norwalk, Conn.; Shawn Gagg of Jaeckle Distributors in Madison, Wis.; and Mike Barrett of J.J. Haines based in Glen Burnie, Md.

NAFCD also recognizes a member who has made outstanding contributions in furthering NAFCD membership. From increasing engagement with current members and growing support from industry partners to exceptional efforts in member recruitment, the Growth Award is presented to a member who has had a positive impact on the association over the past year. Heidi Cronin of The Cronin Co. in Portland, Ore., was presented with the 2016 NAFCD Growth Award.

For more, call (312) 321-6836 or visit NAFCD.org.
 

Artistic Finishes and MoldingsOnline Announce Merger

MINNEAPOLIS—Artistic Finishes has merged with MoldingsOnline.

Operating under the Artistic Finishes name, the merger will marry the new technologies and processes of Moldings Online with Artistic Finishes’ craft to create an easier one-stop-shop for customers.

“Our brand transformation embodies where the company is today and our vision for the future of Artistic Finishes,” said Cassie Alverson, MoldingsOnline’s director of sales and marketing. “Merging MoldingsOnline to the legacy company Artistic Finishes, reflects our foundational style of the credible quality our customers have been provided for over 30 years as well as our modern strategy going forward. By combining the two organizations it creates more efficient processes and allows for us to amplify new product innovation to better service our customers in the flooring market.”

For more, call (888) 783-0374 or visit artfinishes.com.
 

Metroflor’s Clarke Appointed to HPDC Harmonization Initiative Technical Sub Group

NORWALK, CON.—Metroflor’s environmental and compliance manager, Arthur Clarke III, has been appointed a member of the newly created Health Product Declaration Collaborative (HPDC) Harmonization Initiative Technical Sub Group (TSG).

The goal of the Initiative is to remove ease-of-use, cost and complexity barriers to advancing the widespread use of material health reporting in the construction industry. The Harmonization Technical Sub Group members were appointed by the HPDC Technical Committee, following an open industry call for applicants.

“It’s quite an honor to be working with such an esteemed and well-tenured group. It will be a collective effort among all members to determine how to best work towards the goal of harmonizing reporting methods related to product content and health information,” said Clarke.

The members of the HPDC Harmonization Technical Sub Group are: Jennifer Atlee, PROSOCO; Catherine Bobenhausen, Vidaris; Arthur Clarke III, Metroflor; Wim Denecker, modulyss; Stacy Glass, Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute; Nancy Hulsey, HKS; Casey Johnson, Forbo Flooring Systems; Monica Miller, ThyssenKrupp Elevator; Alexandra Muller, International Living Future Institute; Priya Premchandran, Google; Michelle Turner, Clean Production Action and Denise Van Valkenburg, Herman Miller.

“Arthur will be among the upper echelon of the environmental movement in the Harmonization TSG,” said Metroflor’s COS, Rochelle Routman. “These knowledgeable people are the ones we should be having philosophical discussions with regarding sustainability and particularly transparency.”

For more, call (866) 882-4407 or visit metroflorusa.com and hpd-collaborative.org.
 

WFCA University Announces New Training Modules and Educational Camps

DALTON—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has rolled out new training modules and on-site educational camps available through the association’s WFCA University training program.

WFCA University, created in partnership with Benchmarkinc, provides members with an array of professional training programs designed to enhance business skill sets for flooring industry professionals in a variety of disciplines and capacities. The educational platform offers courses that tackle pressing issues faced by today’s independent flooring retailer. The two-pronged WFCA University platform offers highly effective, targeted online module courses and live, on-site training.

“What we are bringing to our members through WFCA University are business strategies and tactics that have been tried and tested over the past 15 years and are part of the daily operations of some of the most successful retailers in the industry,” said Scott Humphrey, CEO of WFCA. “The instructors in this program currently work in our industry.” Humphrey pointed out that the instructor who teaches the inside sales camp currently sells over $1,000,000 a year in flooring. “The training available online and through our destination camps is exclusive to WFCA University and cannot be found anywhere else.”

To date, the digital component of WFCA University consists of 45 online courses covering such topics as selling skills, merchandising controls, pricing strategies, budgeting and financial metrics, sales management and recruiting and compensating productive employees, among dozens of others.

In addition to the digital component, WFCA University offers live, on-site intensive camps designed to provide more in depth training in a collaborative environment. The camps take place throughout the year in locations throughout the country.

For more, call (706) 217-1183 or visit wfca-pro.org.
 

Fishman Flooring Extends Footprint with Acquisition of Fisher Flooring

BALTIMORE—Fishman Flooring Solutions has purchased Fisher Flooring Supply, expanding the company’s footprint into Northwestern Pennsylvania.

Fisher Flooring has been distributing products to flooring installers in the Erie, Pa., market since 1981.

“Over the past three decades, Fisher president, Chuck Klein, has built an outstanding business and we’re grateful for the opportunity to take his success to an even higher level by delighting our new customers with our products and service,” said Bob Wagner, president and CEO of Fishman Flooring. “Fisher is an excellent fit for Fishman and is the latest example of our firm executing its three-part strategic plan for growth: expanding our product lines, growing our business organically and acquiring established companies in new territories.”

According to Wagner, Fisher Flooring customers will benefit from the technologies Fishman uses to operate its business, which include advanced website, remote access to customer information, advanced truck routing and state-of-the-art purchasing capability.

For more, call (800) 556-7899 or visit lfishman.com.
 

Shaw Partners with Lead Tools for Retailer Software Platform

DALTON—Shaw Floors has partnered with Lead Tools, a cloud-based sales enablement and customer relationship management (CRM) software platform, to grant Shaw retailers access to the company’s platform designed to provide a superior buying experience for consumers, driving both new and repeat business for Shaw’s retail partners.

“Modern sales software should be an essential element in every flooring retailer’s business plan,” said Aaron John, director of Shaw Flooring Network and retail programs. “Lead Tool helps retailers sell smarter by organizing and following up on leads, identifying problem areas in the sales process, and getting the most ROI on their advertising and marketing expenditures.”

According to Chase Shiels, co-founder and CEO of Lead Tool’s parent company, 4me Group, the partnership will bring the most modern sales processes and tools to retailers that are designed to deliver the best experience for today’s consumer.

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