Lauded industry pioneer Robert W. Van Buren, former vice chairman and CEO of Domco Tarkett (now Tarkett Inc.) died Friday, May 27, at his home in Marlboro, N.Y. Van Buren was celebrated for his manufacturing expertise, playing a key role in such developments as sheet vinyl manufacturing technology and the introduction of the first urethane-coated tile.
Van Buren began his flooring career in the late 1940s with Mastic Tile, and stayed on with the company to become plant supervisor in 1956. He moved on to a similar capacity in GAF's Flooring Division. After helping supervise the construction of manufacturing facilities in Germany and Japan for the company, he was named vp of manufacturing.