• 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

Van Buren Concludes a 50-Year Career of Achievement

By Howard Olansky
September 27, 2000
Robert Van Buren


Domco’s retiring CEO honored for trend-setting products, marketing innovations and varied contributions to the industry

Several hundred coworkers, colleagues and well-wishers recently gathered in Montreal to honor Bob Van Buren on his retirement after 50 years in the floor covering industry. He started as a chemist in the engineering department of a small resilient tile manufacturer. At retirement, he was president and CEO of Domco Industries and vice chairman and CEO of Domco Tarkett, the second-largest flooring manufacturer in North America.

Over the years, Van Buren earned universal respect for his capabilities, expertise and accomplishments in every part of the industry — from manufacturing, styling and retailing to distribution, sales and marketing. Superb in dealing with these varied facets of the business, he distinguished himself as a top-flight executive as well. He gave of himself to the companies with which he was associated, to the people with whom he worked and to the floor covering industry as a whole.

The list of Van Buren’s industry achievements is mind-boggling. For instance, his first position was in the engineering department of the Mastic Tile Co. (which through acquisitions became Ruberoid, and then GAF). By the time he left that company 23 years later, he had risen to vice president of manufacturing. Among other things, he was instrumental in the development of the company’s sheet vinyl and tile operations and the launch of thru-chip commercial tile.

Van Buren’s next post was the presidency of Amtico (now a division of Congoleum) which, during his tenure from 1973-1979, introduced the first urethane-coated tile. Next, he moved on to Azrock Industries as president.

It was in 1989 that Domco Industries brought him to Canada as its president and CEO. He built a team that took a $70 million company and — through strategic business decisions that included the acquisition of Azrock Industries and Nafco, and a merger with Tarkett — transformed it into a $1.2 billion powerhouse. Quite an empire any way you look at it.

That is one heck of a lot for any one person to have on his or her plate. But throughout his career, Bob Van Buren also devoted much of his energy to industry associations. He was an early supporter of the WFCA and served on its board of directors for two years. He was among a select group of industry leaders who helped the WFCA launch the annual Surfaces trade exposition. This year, he was inducted into the prestigious WFCA Hall of Fame.

In addition, Van Buren served two terms as president of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) and established himself as a strong and avid supporter of the National Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD). He has also lavished his time and talents on numerous community endeavors, including efforts to aid hospitals and research foundations, children’s causes, theaters, and the arts.

Bob Van Buren made a mark on this industry that will remain for many, many years to come. He, and his wife Elaine, made floor coverings a better place for all of us.

Hundreds turned out at a dinner reception to honor outgoing Domco Tarkett CEO Bob Van Buren on his retirement. Marking the occasion here are (standing from left) John Harris, Rocky Genovese, Cam Gentile, Marc Assa, (seated from left) Janet Gentile, Joy Genovese, Bob Van Buren and Elaine Van Buren.

Share This Story

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

Senior Editor

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...
    Flooring Installation
    By: Darryl Jones
  • 2024 New Flooring Product Guide

    2024 New Flooring Products Guide

    We explore this year's introductions in area rugs,...
    Flooring Installation
    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

Unlock the future of flooring trends and installation techniques with FLOOR Trends & Installation.

REGISTER TODAY

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

  • 50 Years of Passion from the subfloor up: The Olansky Files

    See More
  • Distributors Pull No Punches On How to Deal Positively With a Changing Industry

    See More
  • End of an Era: CRI's Ron VanGelderen Retires

    See More
×

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