With an $8 million polishing line investment and breakthrough Dry-Fix technology, Panariagroup USA is setting new industry standards while leveraging its American manufacturing presence to deliver premium surfaces with shorter lead times and consistent quality.
At The International Surface Event (TISE), industry veterans Nate Bowen and Pat Noonan shared their perspectives on the show, the critical role of proper installation training, and their ongoing efforts to advance the Installation Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL).
Footprints Floors' new headquarters features a 3,000-square-foot training warehouse that can accommodate up to 20 franchisees simultaneously. This consolidates the entire training process under one roof while supporting the company's goal of reaching 200 franchise locations over the next decade.
Sandra Soraci, Tarkett North America's healthcare segment strategy director, discusses how modern flooring combines aesthetics with infection control while addressing sustainability concerns and installation efficiency in healthcare settings.
Paula Resa, assistant director, Southwest Mountain States Carpenters, and Sandra Rodriguez, director, Sisters in the Brotherhood (SIB), have very different points of entry to the skilled trades, but their stories align in that they are women who have overcome hardships to find a career path within the trade unions they represent. Here, they talk more in depth on the many ways the Sisters in the Brotherhood program offers support to current and future tradeswomen.
Sika's complete acquisition of Schönox HPS North America creates a single-source provider of flooring installation solutions for residential and commercial projects. Sika Senior Director of Floor Covering Marlene Morin discusses the strategic move, which combines two industry leaders, and what it means for flooring contractors in 2025.
James Pope, a graduate of the basic flooring installation program implemented by the Floor Covering Education Foundation and its education and training partners, attended Great Falls College in Montana where he completed the 10-week course. Here, he shares his experience in the program, the support he received along the way and his thoughts on his generation’s perception of the trades.
How does a purchasing assistant become the sustainability chief of a leading tile manufacturer? Meet Julie Grajeda, who's bringing fresh energy to California-based Arto's mission of merging artisanal craftsmanship with environmental responsibility. Get the full story in our Q&A.
Following its acquisition of Commercial Flooring Services (CFS), Universal Metro executives outline plans to leverage AI technology, expand Southeast presence, and create a new model for industry consolidation that focuses on legacy preservation and people-first growth. Universal Metro is a member of Starnet.
Top flooring pros reveal strategies for achieving a six-figure income in installation, emphasizing quality craftsmanship, business acumen, and continuous education.
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.jpg?height=168&t=1740090466&width=275 "Podcast_James Pope (780 x 439 px).jpg")
