• Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • PRODUCTS
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
  • AWARDS
  • EDUCATION
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
  • EMAGAZINE
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Breaking Flooring News
  • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
  • Carpet & Area Rugs
  • Hardwood
  • Installation Products
  • Installation Tools & Equipment
  • Laminate
  • Resilient
  • Specialty
  • Tile & Stone
  • MARKETS
  • Commercial
  • Residential
  • AWARDS
  • Installation Awards
  • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
  • Continuing Education
  • Webinars
  • MEDIA
  • FLOOR Podcast
  • Videos
  • TISE 2025 Videos
  • Product Spotlights
  • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
  • eMagazine
  • Archive Issues
  • Contact
  • Advertise
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
ColumnsBusiness Insights

Shifts in the Flooring Industry’s Supply Chain

By Dave Foster
Dan Martin

Dan Martin, CEO of Xpress Global Systems.

Photo: Xpress Global Systems.

distribution

Xpress Global reports a bigger shift towards third-party carriers because of the massive growth in volume this year.

Photo: Xpress Global Systems.

warehouse

XGS offers manufacturers warehouses and flooring distribution facilities across the United States for those who need them.

Photo: Xpress Global Systems

Dan Martin
distribution
warehouse
September 14, 2021

With a great deal being written about changes within the supply chain, we felt it timely to sit down with Dan Martin, CEO of Xpress Global Systems, a major provider of shipping and distribution services to the floor covering industry owned by private investment firm Aterian Investment Partners. The following are excerpts from that conversation. You can listen to this conversation it its entirety here.


TF: You recently acquired Delta Distribution/Michigan Carpet. Talk about this acquisition. 

Martin: I think a while ago we looked at our network and our footprint across the U.S. We are based in North Georgia and have locations all over the map, however there are several regions where we really could use some support in bolstering our footprint. Michigan Carpet is one of the best service providers in the industry. They have a great reputation for customer service, were a great fit for us to partner with. We are going to be able to leverage and grow with at least eight facilities within our network and take on an amazing group of people. As you know, it is very hard to resource people — drivers, dock workers, and they have some really brilliant people at their headquarters — and take on the additional network, which is part of our growth strategy.


TF: How large is your network?

Martin: At the beginning of this year, we had 30 locations. We are currently in the process of greenfielding in new cities, but with the acquisitions of Michigan Carpet and 7 Hills Transport earlier in the year, we are now going to be pushing close to 40 locations by the end of this calendar year. We are really proud of that. We service about 92% of the U.S. zip codes and we operate in every state. We also operate warehouse management services, obviously LTL shipments, to every retailer and we ship to over 41,000 locations today. The network is expansive, and we provide a variety of services for our customers.


TF: An important element of the trucking business in this industry is the relationship a trucking company has with industry suppliers and the services that are offered to them. Talk about this. 

Martin: A great deal has happened since COVID, but unfortunately a lot of the supply base has dried up. We have been very lucky over the last 18 months to build very strong relationships with our supply network, our mill partners and our retailers. We are in a very strong position to be able to add value and provide them service. It has taken us a long time to get here, but we are really happy to be in our current position.


TF: It sounds as though the company has been in a growth mode.

Martin: The market is ripe for growth. As the largest service provider in the flooring transport industry, we feel we can keep on going. We have seen a number of conventional flooring suppliers in the transport sector shift to general commodities because it is easier. It is much easier for us to make our case because we have specialty equipment and specialty trailers. Our facilities do not look like a lot of the general warehouse space out there, because we can accommodate both palletized loads and carpet rolls. Our facilities just look and feel different. We have the resources and the technology needed to supply the industry. It really does differentiate us. As a result, we are growing within the industry.


TF: What kind of change are you seeing as a result of the decreased market share of roll goods? I suspect that is a sizable change for you.

Martin: In the last year, we have seen carpet actually pick up. We do a lot of turf, which has really blown up over the last 18 months. The good news is that the other parts of the flooring business will continue to grow as the commercial market comes back. We haven't seen that come back to the extent we have seen the retail market come back. We are looking forward to a lot of that growth in 2022.


TF: What has happened to the ratio of floor covering products shipped via mill-owned transportation versus third-party carriers?

Martin: I think we have seen a bigger shift towards third-party carriers mainly because of the growth and the inability of mill providers to handle all of the volume. We have seen a shift — whether it's a permanent shift or not, I'm not sure — but we have been able to fill a huge void. The acquisitions are really helping as well, because when you pull two fleets together, you find a lot of efficiency. Rather than park units or selling them, we've been able to use them to fill the void of the growth.

I also think the trend of pushing the mill-owned fleets and the independent fleets closer together to service the bigger customers is going to continue. There's a great deal of collaboration left to be done.


TF: Sounds like the name of the game is filling trailers, no matter who owns them.

Martin: It's interesting that you say that. We do somewhere around 15,000 stops a day and ironically, at a lot of the big retailers we visit, there are four or five trucks with the same type of product in them sitting, waiting to unload. And, every single time someone unloads and picks up, there is a cost to serve there. We are all going there and we're not all full. We have a big LTL fleet as do others. There is so much to be gained in leveraging and pulling these fleets together and looking at ways to collaborate more. And the cost savings will go right to the retailer and the consumer. So, I think there is a lot more to be done in this area.


TF: Going forward, then, to have closer relationships between mills and transportation companies, I suspect some of the technology that is available will perhaps be the tools to be able to solve some of those problems.

Martin: Many are concerned about the transparency of their fleet, into their inventories. We have installed state-of-the-art warehouse management systems and transport management systems that are actually still being rolled out in our network. That is really going to help us provide a better and higher level of service for some of those guys who have been concerned. I think some of the mills look at it as a competitive advantage, and we are hoping that we can show that our system and our network can really help them leverage their spend and improve their costs.


TF: Ecommerce in the floor covering business is going to be more prominent in this industry as we go forward. What are your thoughts?

Martin: I do not think any of us thought five years ago that we'd be spending a great deal of our money online. I think things will continue to transition and change. We are going to be exploring last-mile deliveries right down to the consumer. And hopefully the industry will follow suit, but we are hoping that maybe it's not next year, but in the next three to four years. I do believe we'll see a pickup here.


TF: How about autonomous vehicles? Is that something you see in your future?

Martin: I do not see autonomous vehicles in the next few years, but I do think, with all the regulatory requirements we have seen over the last five years related to drivers and the massive driver shortfall, I think we will see more of that being introduced into the market.

Get more of the latest business insights for retailers

There are a lot of companies out there investing their future on this concept. And they are starting to partner with the big guys. I think it's a wait-and-see—I don't think we'll see a lot of this in the next two to three years, but especially in the line haul business where trucks are leaving Dalton and ending up in, say, Dallas, I do think that will be the first place we see this thing take off, but probably not for another four or five years.

KEYWORDS: distribution flooring manufacturers supply chain

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Dave foster author
A pioneer in the industry’s digital media, Dave Foster launched the industry’s first news and information websites, culminating with TalkFloor.com, the industry’s first site offering both audio and video interviews and industry news as it happens. Now with BNP, Foster will continue to travel the industry interviewing its movers and shakers and offering his thoughts in this blog.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • resilient flooring

    The 7 Types of Resilient Flooring

    The resilient flooring category is comprised of many...
    Resilient Flooring
    By: Resilient Floorcovering Institute
  • QuickDrain USA’s ShowerLine linear drain

    Tips for Curbless Shower Installation Using a Linear Drain

    Consider these four tips when planning for a curbless...
    Installation How-To
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Floor Coverings
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

close

1 COMPLIMENTARY ARTICLE(S) LEFT

Loader

Already a Registered User? Sign in now.

Subscribe For Free!
  • eMagazine
  • eNewsletter
  • Online Registration
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Subscription Customer Service

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

What Shaw Flooring Network Dealers are Banking on for 2025

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Shaw Flooring Network Retailers Report Post-Election Sales Surge

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

More Videos

Popular Stories

Schluter waterproofing system

Waterproofing Wet Areas: Three Essential Methods to Protect Your Bathroom and Shower Installation

kitchen floor

Regrouting Caution for Cement Grouts

Starnet 2025 Carlsbad CA

Future-Proofing Success: How Starnet Members Are Building Resilient Flooring Businesses


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

June 9, 2025

NeoCon 2025

A trade show for the commercial interior design industry.

December 1, 2030

Webinar Sponsorship Information

For webinar sponsorship information, visit www.bnpevents.com/webinars or email webinars@bnpmedia.com.

View All Submit An Event

Poll

Flooring Groups

Flooring retailers, do you belong to a buying, marketing or franchise group?
View Results Poll Archive

Products

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

2025 BNI Interiors Square Foot Costbook

See More Products

FLOORtalk podcasts - Listen Now

Related Articles

  • fiber spinning

    Fiber 101: The Amazing Story of Fiber in the Carpet Industry

    See More
  • Installation Summit

    What is the Future of the Flooring Industry Going to Look Like?

    See More
  • flooring software

    Where is the Flooring Industry’s Technology Headed?

    See More
×
Dan Martin, CEO of Xpress Global Systems. Photo: Xpress Global Systems.
Xpress Global reports a bigger shift towards third-party carriers because of the massive growth in volume this year. Photo: Xpress Global Systems.
XGS offers manufacturers warehouses and flooring distribution facilities across the United States for those who need them. Photo: Xpress Global Systems

We’re rolling out the red carpet of flooring knowledge!

Stay in the know on the latest flooring retail trends.

JOIN TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
    • Breaking Flooring News
    • eNewsletters
  • PRODUCTS
    • Carpet & Area Rugs
    • Hardwood
    • Installation Products
    • Installation Tools & Equipment
    • Laminate
    • Resilient
    • Specialty
    • Tile & Stone
  • A&D
  • INSTALLATION
  • MARKETS
    • Commercial
    • Residential
  • AWARDS
    • Installation Awards
    • Top Flooring Products
  • EDUCATION
    • Continuing Education
    • Webinars
  • BUYER'S GUIDE
  • MEDIA
    • FLOOR Podcast
    • Videos
    • TISE 2025 Videos
    • Product Spotlights
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP