In a move that combines the resources of hardwood flooring’s top two trade groups, the National Wood Flooring Association has absorbed the Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association, (NOFMA). Ed Korczak, executive director and CEO of the 4,000-member NWFA, will oversee the newly expanded St. Louis-based organization. He noted that Memphis, Tenn.-based NOFMA, which was founded nearly 100 years ago, has been officially dissolved as a corporate entity, but the NOFMA certification program will continue under the NWFA.

“It became clear that we were singing the same hymns, so we decided why not use the same hymn book,” Korczak told NFT in explaining the move. “This is good for the [hardwood flooring] industry because it gives us one solid voice.”

Bob Haggard, formerly NOFMA’s president, noted the merger with NWFA will give the NOFMA certification program a broader scope. “We will keep the standards that NOFMA created and maintained, but under the NWFA umbrella,” he said, adding, “We anticipate we’ll be a standalone group within NWFA.”