Manufacturers of hard
surface flooring and installation products seem to agree: the number of
products marketed as environmentally friendly is skyrocketing. And, the
increasing demand for “green” products is presenting unique challenges.
Additionally, many manufacturers note creating green products is not
inexpensive, yet consumers often expect to see little or no price difference.
Bob Haggard, president of NOFMA, spoke to NFT recently about having his more than 100-year-old organization become part of the National Wood Flooring Association. He said the merger was in the works for a little more than a year and was necessary to ensure NOFMA would not lose its "brand awareness," particularly its grading and certification system.
The sixth annual NeoCon East show, held recently in Baltimore, was a success as far as show organizers are concerned. While attendance was flat (approximately 8,000 show goers, which is comparable to last year numbers), the number of exhibitors rose by 7 percent to 302. Additionally, the show included 48 seminars and association forums -- more educational courses "than ever before," organizers noted.
Mannington Commercial welcomed about 70 Delaware Valley architects and designers, along with a handful of retailers, buyers and end-users, to the company’s headquarters in Salem, N.J., recently for an open house. While the event was used to showcase several new commercial products, the main focus of the day was not product launches. Rather, the event was designed to position Mannington – one of the largest flooring makers in the United States - as a family-owned, local supplier of quality flooring products.
Like all flooring
segments that have taken a hit during these tough economic times, laminate is a
category in transition. One top executive estimated that sales for the product
will be off by 15 percent this year. Another noted that overall volume may drop
as much as 24 percent. Despite the rocky road, laminate makers say the category
remains durable, dependable and full of surprises. They point to advances in
technology and aesthetics, along with relatively low price points, as reasons
why the category will remain a strong contender for the consumer’s dollar - especially
for those who increasingly find themselves on a budget.
While
“Green” – as in “environmental sustainability” – has long been a driving force
in the commercial flooring business, the gauge to measure standards is evolving
rapidly. The gold standard remains the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification process, but now that
environmental considerations are a dominant theme other third-party ratings
processes are elbowing their way onto the scene.
While much of
flooring is feeling the sting of a sluggish economy, there are some segments
that are bouncing back. A case in point is resilient. Manufacturers and
retailers say they are beginning to see an uptick in consumer sales,
particularly in upper-end residential vinyl floors. They say consumers who are
eager to find flooring that offers a fresh look and high durability at a
reasonable price are increasingly opting for vinyl.
The commercial carpet segment is getting a little more hip. According to Jenny Rogers, director of creative marketing and sustainability for commercial carpet maker J&J/Invision, the commercial market has taken a welcome turn back to color. This is in sharp contrast to a few years ago, when the market favored what she calls “a tonal, blank canvas.”
Tom Davis, CEO of Mannington Mills, did not mince words during Wednesday's open house for his company's commercial division. "This is the worst housing slump I've seen since probably World War II," he told the architects and designers on hand at Mannington's headquarters in Salem, N.J. Despite that dire assessment, he also saw a silver lining -- the continued expansion of the commercial market.
Shaw Industries announced yesterday that it would be dipping its toe into the water of a new segment: specifically, the marine market. This means that Shaw, looking to expand its business, will soon offer a special range of flooring for use in boats and other nautical craft. According to Fred Thomas, Shaw Marine's marketing manager, the new business has its roots in the purchase of the Dixie Group's Carriage Carpets division about five years ago.