Scott Sandlin, vp of hard surface business development for Shaw Industries, recently spoke with Flooring Insider about Shaw's purchase of Zickgraf, a longtime supplier and manufacturer of solid hardwood flooring. He said the company's relationship with Zickgraf, combined with the decision of chairman and CEO F.P. Bodenheimer to exit the business, led to the deal. (Bodenheimer will retain ownership of a lumber and machine company.)

"Zickgraf has been a very good supplier to Shaw. We knew their people very well and have liked their organization as a supplier to Shaw. It evolved from there to where we are today," he said.

Sandlin noted that through the partnership Shaw will be able to market solid hardwood flooring to consumers. "We felt it was important to add solid wood to our manufacturing assets. We feel this will allow us to improve service, quality and product offering for our customers that buy solid," Sandlin said.

Sandlin noted that the first new products should appear during the winter markets.

"We will continue to market products via Zickgraf's current customers with their current brand. We will also sell products to our Shaw customers via our Shaw hard surface sales teams that utilize these manufacturing assets. We will do what it takes to earn our customers' business in all channels of distribution," he added.

Plans call for Zickgraf to become a subsidiary of Shaw: Zickgraf Hardwood. "We will work closely with their talented team every day," Sandlin said, adding that "Mr. F.P. Bodenheimer was determined to find a partner that would build their business and take care of the good people at Zickgraf. That is our goal."