Coverings Awards Standout Booths

ORLANDO, FLA.—Coverings’ officials awarded standout booths with the 2017 Best Booth Awards.

Based on design, creativity, display of product and overall presentation, Best Booth Awards winners were selected by judges from more than 1,110 exhibitors on the show floor.

“There are so many truly astounding booth displays, which really highlights the passion in the industry for tile and stone as stylish design statements,” said Jennifer Hoff, president of Taffy Event Strategies, the event management company that produces Coverings.

The Overall Best in Show honor was presented to Florim Ceramiche, which earned praise for its impressive architectural elements and integration of technology into the booth display. Judges noted that the large digital screen brings a sense of dynamism to the booth experience. The many spaces within the booth itself showcase a spectacular portfolio of tile products.

Best in Show awards were also given to Grespania, Gruppo Ceramiche Ricchetti, Porcelanite Lamosa, Ceramiche Refin, StonePeak Ceramics and Vives.

For more, call (703) 539-5504 or visit coverings.com.

CTDA Names Florida Tile Supplier of the Year

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Ceramic Tile Distribution Association (CTDA) named Florida Tile its 2017 Supplier of the Year.

The Supplier of the Year award, which is voted on by CTDA’s members, recognizes domestic and international suppliers who provide the most value to our distributor members and the ceramic tile and stone industry.

For more, call (630) 545-9415 or visit ctdahome.org.

Shaw’s Chapman Makes 2017 Energy Manager Today 50

DALTON—Charles Chapman, director of energy and reliability engineering at Shaw, has been named to the Energy Manager Today magazine’s 2017 Energy Manager Today 50.

Chapman, who joined Shaw in 1997, has been instrumental in the company’s efforts to reduce its energy impact. With a goal of achieving a 40% reduction in energy intensity (the amount of energy required to make each pound of finished product) by 2030, the company has already reduced its impact by 15% compared to its 2010 operations. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Energy has recognized Shaw for improvement across its U.S. facilities through the Department of Energy Better Plants program.

“As we strive to create a better future, it takes a companywide commitment to operating sustainably,” said Paul Murray, vice president of sustainability and environmental affairs at Shaw. “Charles’ commitment to propelling the organization forward exemplifies our holistic approach from product design and manufacturing to sales and distribution. His focus on energy efficiency, renewable energy sources, and the impact of product design on energy consumption is one of the many ways we aim to have a positive impact on the world around us.”

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

NWFA Awards Wood Studies Scholarship

ST. LOUIS—Rachel Nation is the recipient of the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) Education & Research Foundation (NERF) Wood Studies Scholarship.

This nonrenewable scholarship in the amount of $1,000 is awarded to a current high school senior who will study forestry in an effort to advance and improve forestry practices for generations to come. Nation, a Florida high school senior, is planning to study forestry with a concentration in environmental conservation at Mississippi State University.

For more, call (800) 422-4556 or visit nwfa.org.

In Memoriam: Mike Blanton, Owner, President and CEO of Dalton Carpet One

ATHENS, GA.—Mike Blanton, owner, president and CEO of Dalton Carpet One in Athens, Ga., has passed away.

Blanton founded the store in 1978 and has been a member of Carpet One since 1988. He focused on the commercial market and grew the business to three locations.

Blanton’s integrity and commitment to excellence earned tremendous respect within the industry. He was named the 2013 World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) Gold Standard Award recipient and the 2011 Carpet One Alan Greenberg Award winner, among other honors in recognition of not only professional achievements but also for his support of the Athens community and other philanthropy as well.

In lieu of flowers, the family graciously wishes for donations to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s Building For America’s Bravest program in Blanton’s honor. To make a donation, visit OurBravest.org.

For more, call (706) 521-0032 or visit daltoncarpetoneathens.com.

Mohawk Supports HomeAid Programming with Grant

NEWPORT BEACH, CALIF.—Mohawk Industries has given HomeAid America a $50,000 grant to oversee its programs.

HomeAid is a nonprofit that provides housing to organizations helping the homeless throughout the country and its programming includes building housing and other facilities for homelessness service providers and undertaking community outreach activities to provide facility renovation or operational assistance for the programs of these service providers.

HomeAid shelter projects are built for charities helping the homeless in its 17 communities. The charities HomeAid builds for provide support services—such as education and job-skills training, financial counseling and both physical and emotional support—that help residents move toward self-sufficiency.

“For generations, Mohawk’s products have been synonymous with creating stylish, comfortable homes, so promoting universal access to sustainable housing is a natural area of focus for us,” said Karen Mendelsohn, Mohawk’s senior vice president of marketing. “Our support for HomeAid is consistent with existing national partnerships with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Building for America’s Bravest that support stable housing as well as with local nonprofit groups with similar goals that do important work within their communities.”

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

ACI Elects President, VP and Board Members

FARMINGTON HILLS, MICH.—Khaled Awad has been selected to serve as president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI) for a two-year term.

Awad is the chairman and founder of ACTS, a material and geotechnical consulting firm based in Beirut, Lebanon, and operating in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and several other countries of the Middle East.

An active member of ACI, Awad serves on several committees, including the Certification Programs Committee, International Advisory Committee, ACI Board Committee Chairs Committee and the International Certification Subcommittee, of which he is a past chair. He is also a trustee of the ACI Foundation. Awad received the ACI Henry L. Kennedy Award and the ACI Chapter Activities Award in 2007, and the ACI Certification Award in 2011.

Randall Poston has been elected ACI vice president for a two-year term, and David Lange is now the Institute’s senior vice president, which is also a two-year term. Additionally, four members have been elected to serve on the ACI Board of Direction, each for three-year terms: H.R. Trey Hamilton, Joe Hug, William Klorman and Tracy Marcotte.

For more, call (248) 848-3700 or visit concrete.org.

Impact Products’ Borgen Promoted to VP of Marketing

TOLEDO, OHIO—Impact Products’ Robb Borgen has been promoted to vice president of marketing.

Borgen brings 30 years of experience in the industry to his new position. He held previous positions with Impact including regional business manager, director of emerging markets, and most recently, director of marketing. Prior to joining Impact as a direct employee in 2008, Borgen represented Impact as a manufacturer’s representative for 15 years while employed with the Stockdale Company, where he also served as executive vice president.

“Robb brings a unique perspective of the needs of the various stakeholders that Impact serves,” said Terry Neal, president and CEO of the company.

For more, call (800) 333-1541 or visit impact-products.com.

Willis joins MilliCare as Network Managing Director

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Steve Willis is the new network managing director of milliCare Floor and Textile Care.

In this role, Willis is responsible for leading all aspects of growth and performance within the global milliCare franchise network. Based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Willis will personally oversee the ongoing recruitment to grow the milliCare network, overarching strategy for the business and leadership of the corporate team.

“Steve takes a team approach to improving operational efficiency,” said Bill Graves, vice president of commercial sales Americas for Milliken’s Floor Covering Division. “His high level of financial and strategic acumen will lead the milliCare franchise network toward achieving their profitability and performance goals.”

According to Willis, one of his top goals is to increase network engagement by implementing initiatives to elevate the milliCare brand and business to new heights. “I’m looking forward to developing a long-term team strategy to support and benefit the milliCare franchise network,” he said.

For more, call (888) 886-2273 or visit millicare.com.

Milliken Recognized as 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company

SPARTANBURG, S.C.—Milliken has been recognized by the Ethisphere Institute as a 2017 World’s Most Ethical Company.

Milliken has been recognized as a World’s Most Ethical Company for 11 years, a distinction that underscores Milliken’s commitment to leading ethical business standards and practices.

“Over the last 11 years we have seen the shift in societal expectations, constant redefinition of laws and regulations and the geo-political climate,” said Ethisphere’s CEO, Timothy Erblich. “We have also seen how companies, such as Milliken, honored as the World’s Most Ethical respond consistently to these challenges. They invest in their local communities around the world, embrace strategies of diversity and inclusion, and focus on long term-ism as a sustainable business advantage.”

J. Harold Chandler, president, CEO and chairman of Milliken, said, “How Milliken grows is equally as important as how much we grow—this is an integral belief that each Milliken associate holds, and that directs their work daily. It is an honor to be annually recognized for this perspective on a successful, values-based business.”

Tarkett’s Johnsonite Wins Fuse’s Best Product Award

SOLON, OHIO—Tarkett’s Johnsonite product brand is the winner of Fuse Commercial Flooring Alliance’s Best Product Award.

The Best Product Award is presented to the supplier who has a complete product collection with the most depth and range, aesthetic and market acceptance, and overall value of their product offering. As a member-owned organization, those who vote on the awards are flooring professions who work with a variety of products daily.

“At Tarkett, we are continually looking for ways to exceed our customers’ expectations through innovative products, service and experience,” said Jeff Fenwick, president and COO of resilient products, Tarkett North America. “Our product strategy spans the entire business model, as we recognize what’s important is not just what we make, but how we deliver value for our customers. Having professionals with expertise across industry brands select our Johnsonite products for the Fuse Best Product Award reinforces that our strategy is working—and that our focus on durability, flexibility, design and sustainability is truly delivering value for our customers.”

For more, call (800) 899-8916 or visit tarkett.com.