American Home Surfaces Group (AHSG) and Commercial USA are kicking off 2025 with an expanded focus on technology solutions and new supplier partnerships, according to president Tony Wright.

AHSG, an alliance of independent floorcovering dealers, currently has 262 members with 335 locations. Commercial USA, a network of independent flooring contractors, comprises 181 members operating over 200 locations. Combined, the organizations added 38 new members with 52 locations in 2024.

AHSG and Commercial USA signed several new supplier partners last year: AHF Contract/Armstrong, Guru USA, Johnson Hardwood, Johnsonite, Milliken, Quantify USA, Southwind and Spraylock Adhesives.

The group's focus on technology solutions also helped to forge new partnerships with C/F Data Systems, Cyncly, Floorcloud, Quantify USA and Roomvo. Wright said the AHSG and Commercial USA team is in talks to add a marketing firm to its vendor partner list to complement existing services, giving members more options.

"If your website's not working for you, then you're just throwing money out the window," Wright emphasized. "It's got to be effective. It's got to bring people into your store. When business is a little softer, it's easier to integrate new technology than when you're running a full sprint."

Wright noted that AHSG and Commercial USA's growth comes from their unique approach, which differs from that of other flooring groups in avoiding stringent branding requirements. 

"There are a lot of options in the market in terms of aligning with groups, but virtually all the other groups are going to have more requirements of the member in terms of the branding in their store and private label branding and sometimes the name of the store," he said.

The organization maintains four regional vice presidents covering the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, Mid-South, and upper Midwest regions, with plans to add a fifth position covering the Southwest in the first quarter of 2025. These regional VPs help to connect members with supplier partners, implement seasonal vendor campaigns, facilitate product training, and make connections to other products and services that would aid business profitability. 

"One of our core values is focus on the member," Wright said. "When our members are more successful, they're selling more products for our suppliers."

Read more: AHSG, Commercial USA Members Share Business-Boosting Strategies at 2024 Annual Convention

Watch: Takeaways from the 2024 AHSG Convention & Member Outlook for 2025