Jean-Sébastien Roy is the marketing manager for the hardwood flooring manufacturer Preverco. Since joining the Quebec City-based company in February 2005, he has worked to increase Preverco's profile in North America and expand its product line. Jean-Sébastien's background includes a number of high profile marketing assignments including five years as marketing manager for MAAX, Canada's largest bathroom fixtures manufacturer, and three years as product development and food category manager at IPL Packaging. Before devoting himself to the flooring industry, his sales and merchandising background included work on such well known brands as Pepsi, Coke, and Quaker Oats.
Engineered
wood is far from new. In fact, more than a century ago, the first so-called
engineered wood product – plywood - was introduced. Since that humble
beginning, the value of engineered wood has been recognized by builders and end
users alike. It’s not hard to
understand why the strength and performance of engineered wood is excellent. Further, the environmental benefits of
engineered woods cannot be overstated. On average, one tree will produce 2,000
square feet of engineered wood, as opposed to only 500 square feet of other
wood products.
Not all engineered wood is created equal, particularly in the flooring industry. Strength, stability and resistance are issues that separate the best from the rest. Fernand Dicaire, director of salesF for Parquet Deluxe, explained the kind of stringent testing that his firm utilizes to determine these qualities.
If you're a retailer looking for a hardwood manufacturer/distributor, it's best to start on the ground floor. There are six key criteria you should use to evaluate the category.