Nobody knows wood floors like the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). At this year's annual NWFA trade show in Palm Springs, Calif., the more than 2,200-member-strong association demonstrated its devotion to beautiful floors through its sponsorship of the 2001 Floor of the Year Awards.
Quick quiz: What durable flooring material is harvested from trees? Wood used in hardwood floors, right? Not always. For some manufacturers, the answer is cork.
In the wake of their selection as the best of their respective industry segments, winners of NFT's second annual Supplier Service Awards have responded to their accolades with a mix of pride, appreciation and renewed resolve to maintain their high levels of performance over the coming years.
Of course it would be the hottest day of the week as I arrived in Chicago for the annual marathon tour of the Merchandise Mart known as NeoCon. But everything got off to a positive start, as I managed to find a parking spot just two short blocks from the Mart.
Dolphins, forest animals and court houses. When it came to ceramic tiles this May, the 15th Annual Spectrum International Ceramic Tile Competition had it covered (in tiles, of course). This year's entries offered Spectrum judges an eclectic mix of fun and sophistication, with pieces inspired by art, architecture and nature.
A constant challenge for any retail business is staying on top of trends. For carpet manufacturers, awareness of new styles - as well as continued acknowledgement of classic lines - is vital to maintaining and, ideally, increasing sales.