The upcoming CFI-WFCA Delmarva Resilient Course will feature wide-ranging participation from manufacturers, according to International Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI).

“This will be the largest gathering of resilient manufacturers involved in CFI resilient training,” said Roland Thompson, President of the CFI Delmarva Chapter. “The benefit of this type of program exceeds expectations. Managers, sales associates and those involved with installation may also attend and receive their CFI Technical Certification.”

At the March 29-30 event at the L. Fishman Training Center, installers and sales associates will work with Tony Pastrana, Rick Herr and Tim Provence of Armstrong; Joe Cea and Ed Justice, Congoleum; Kevin Hannigan, IVC; Terry Fitzpatrick, Bill Wiese and Ron Wheel, Mannington; and Don Styka and Dick Schmidt of Johnsonite. CFI instructors Tony Buckhardt, Bob Gillespie and Roland Thompson are also coordinating the event.

“We host the CFI events because of our dedication to installation training. The programs are open to everyone in the area who has the desire to improve their skills and knowledge. Fishman will be working closely with the CFI Resilient Team during the final stages of program coordination,” said Jerry Murphy, Regional Manager of Fishman Flooring Solutions.

“Installers and sales associates and industry personnel have the opportunity to work with products that are rapidly becoming top selections of the customer. Working in individual modules, the resilient flooring installation will be covered from understanding the product, correct applications specified by the manufacturer in a hands-on environment and technical knowledge,” added Joe Cea, CFI Chairman of the Resilient Flooring Committee and technical representative of Congoleum.  

Tim Provence, Armstrong Installation and Technical Services and CFI Committee member, noted, “Those who successfully complete the CFI requirements will be also be offered the opportunity to become Armstrong Certified. ... The study guide and the written test are also manufacturer-specific.”

According to Jim Walker, CFI ceo, “We are extremely proud of the work that has gone into this program and the members who have donated untold hours to bring it to the flooring community.”

The final date for World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) scholarship funds is Feb. 25. “One of the numerous WFCA benefits is the educational scholarships available for education. WFCA has sponsored hundreds of training workshops, providing installation education for thousands of flooring installers,” said Tony Buckhardt, CFI instructor.

The tool and supply manufacturers and distributors donated in generous quantities the products, tools and supplies necessary to stock the CFI training crates so every installer will be equipped to work with the flooring materials. Donations have been received from AAT, Allied Products, Armstrong, Beno J. Gundlach Company, Better Tools, Bullet Tools, Bosch, Carpet Cushions and Supplies, Carpet Shims, Congoleum, Crain, Delmhorst, DeWalt, Dustbuster, Duo-Fast, Fishman Solutions, GE, J. J. Haines, Johnsonite, Koolglide, Mannington, Mohawk, Personna, QEP, Seam Master, Stanley, Taylor Tools, TRAXX and Wagner Electronics.

The members of the initial CFI Resilient Committee are Chairman, Joe Cea of Congoleum; Co- Chairman, Tim Provence of Armstrong; Tony Buckhardt of Carpet Cushions and Supplies of Fort Wayne, IN; Ken Simmons, industry consultant of Lee’s Summit, MO; Kelly Huddleston of La Junta, CO; Roy Davison, past CFI President of Chillicothe, MO; Roland Thompson of MD, Bob Gillespie, past CFI President of Grain Valley, MO; Jim Walker, CEO; Ed Braile, Chairman of the Certification Committee, Dick Schmidt of Johnsonite; Tony Viers of Truxton, MO and Jay Zurn of Hartford, WI.