• 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
  • 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
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
Shows and Events for FlooringBusiness InsightsCarpet and Rugs

5 Lessons in Leadership: Dixie Group Chairman and CEO Dan Frierson

By Tanja Kern
v

Dan Frierson recently attended a luncheon at Dixie’s yarn plant in in Roanoke, Alabama, where associates were honored for 25 years of service.

Photo: The Dixie Group.

October 2, 2024

Navigating nearly six decades of industry upheaval with a steady hand and an eye for innovation, Dan Frierson's journey from yarn to luxury carpets embodies the transformative power of adaptable leadership in the ever-evolving world of floor coverings.

Frierson has been one of the flooring industry’s most prominent executives. His flooring career began in 1966 when he first joined Dixie Yarns, and he is now chairman and CEO of The Dixie Group. Following in the footsteps of his father, J. Burton Frierson, who came to Dixie in 1925, Dan Frierson paid his dues, initially working every job in the plant and operations during the early years before being appointed CEO in 1980 and chairman in 1986.

In the early 1990s, it became clear that Dixie’s customers would be heading overseas, searching for lower-cost alternatives to apparel manufacturing. To ensure the company's survival, Frierson led the challenge of transforming the business from a textile company to a carpet company. Dixie purchased Masland Carpets in 1993.

“We had been selling them yarn for 40 years, and we had talked in the ’80s about maybe trying to get together," Frierson said. This gave Dixie a foothold in the carpet business.

From 1993 to 2000, Dixie made over a dozen carpet-related acquisitions and divested its textile and apparel assets. The big one came in 2000 when Dixie acquired Fabrica International. The deal helped secure Dixie’s brand as a luxury floor covering manufacturer and further burnished Frierson’s credentials as a leading flooring executive who was unafraid to take risks. We recently spoke with Frierson about what advice he would give to others embarking on careers in flooring.

Dan Frierson

Dixie Group Chairman and CEO Dan Frierson.
Photo: The Dixie Group


5 Lessons in Leadership

1. Adaptability and Flexibility

Frierson emphasizes the importance of being flexible and adapting to rapid changes in the industry. Reflecting on his career, he said: "Things didn't change as quickly, but today things do... So rapidly you either change with it or you get changed by it."

 

2. Encouraging Innovation and Risk-Taking

Frierson actively promotes a culture that encourages trying new things without fear of failure. "What we preach along with our values, which revolves around people, is the willingness to try new and different things. And if they're not successful, not to look at it as a mistake, but it's a learning experience."

 

3. Focus on Quality and Customer Satisfaction

The Dixie Group has built a reputation for high-quality products and prioritizing customer satisfaction, even during difficult times. “There’s a tendency in every business in difficult times to dumb down products, and to me, that's not positive and it's not good for the industry. We like to make product that makes our customers not only happy, but thrilled."

 

4. Long-term Focus and Employee Recognition

The company maintains a long-term focus and recognizes long-serving employees. Frierson recently attended a luncheon at Dixie’s yarn plant in in Roanoke, Alabama, where associates were honored for 25 years of service. "You recognize people for their commitment,” he said.

 

5. Creating an Enjoyable Work Environment

Frierson emphasizes the importance of creating a workplace where people enjoy their work. He advised, "You got to find something you enjoy. And my advice is if you don't enjoy what you're doing, you need to find something you do enjoy because it's very difficult to do something well if you don't enjoy doing it."

See more articles from our October 2024 issue!

  • How Showroom Pricing is Revolutionizing Flooring Retail with QR Code Technology
  • Building Durable Enterprises: The Starnet Formula for Flooring Industry Longevity2
  • The Ballin Knows Best Team Shares Cutting-Edge Flooring Installation Insights
KEYWORDS: business management innovation leadership

Share This Story

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

Tanja kern headshot 2023

Tanja Kern is the associate publisher and editorial director of FLOOR Trends & Installation. She is also the host of the FLOORtalk podcast, where she explores the changes and challenges facing the flooring community's thought leaders and creatives. Tanja has been writing about business, design, and lifestyle for two decades, and her work has appeared in publications such as American Way, Better Homes & Gardens, Fine Interiors, Fodor's, Food Channel, CA Modern, Chicago, Fine Interiors, and Los Angeles.

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,...
    Residential Flooring
    By: FLOOR Trends & Installation Editors
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Manage My Account
  • 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

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

Retailers Share Top Takeaways from Shaw Flooring Network Convention

More Videos

Popular Stories

Shaw Americana Oak

Wood Flooring Trends: Natural Finishes and Classic Patterns Make a Comeback in 2025

Fishman Knoxville Tennessee location interior

From Tariff Talk to Trade Labor: Fishman's West Region Manager on Flooring Industry Challenges

salesperson meeting with clients

How to Dominate Flooring Sales: The Art of Listening Before Selling


Download the Free Moisture Meters Guide

Events

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

Investing in your Business

What's Your Top Business Investment Priority for 2025?
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

  • TISE Leadership Panel 2025.jpg

    Flooring Industry Leaders Share 5 Career-Defining Leadership Lessons

    See More
  • abstract house

    Flooring Industry Resilience: From Fed Rates to Legacy Leadership

    See More
  • 1866 by Masland

    The Dixie Group: Founders of Fashion

    See More

Related Products

See More Products
  • interior design.jpg

    On Interior Design

  • M:\General Shared\__AEC Store Katie Z\AEC Store\Images\Flooring images\new FL site\oriental-rug-cleaning.gif

    Oriental & Specialty Rug Cleaning

  • Ultimate_Carpet_Manufacturing_and_Claims_Training_Manual_bleed-2 (2).jpg

    The Ultimate Carpet Manufacturing, Inspection and Claims Training Manual

See More Products
×

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
    • eBooks
  • EMAGAZINE
    • eMagazine
    • Archive Issues
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP