TCNA appointed Michael Kephart to lead Tennessee's ceramic tile workforce development project, partnering with eight major manufacturers. The initiative leverages Tennessee's $1 billion workforce investment to create training programs for the state's advanced tile manufacturing sector.
Sunil Palakodati, CEO of Artivo Surfaces—America's largest flooring distributor with $720 million revenue—is among 35 finalists for Ernst & Young's 2025 Entrepreneur of the Year Michigan and Northwest Ohio Award. The 40-year-old program recognizes bold leaders who disrupt markets.
The Coalition for Fair Trade in Ceramic Tile filed a federal court appeal challenging the Commerce Department's determination that Indian ceramic tiles aren't being sold below fair value in the U.S., despite finding countervailable subsidies and a trade commission ruling on material injury threats.
Ceramics of Italy's 2025 trends report reveals tile evolution beyond traditional flooring, featuring Art Deco geometries, light-interactive surfaces, and full-surface cladding applications. Color drenching, nature-inspired palettes, and human-centric design emphasize craftsmanship and cultural storytelling in contemporary ceramic collections.
Carpet America Recovery Effort launched its 23rd Annual Conference in Oceanside, California, on Tuesday, May 20, focusing on "Carpet Recycling: Riding the Sustainability Wave" while recognizing industry leadership and exploring circular economy solutions.
Swedish flooring manufacturer Kährs posted SEK 541 million in Q1 sales, down 8% organically, but maintained stable order intake and improved cash flow. CEO Johan Magnusson cited geopolitical uncertainty affecting demand while noting signs of a recovery in the renovation market.
Darko Pervan, founder of Välinge Innovation, was honored with Sweden's Enterprise Medal for inventing click-together flooring that eliminated the need for 100 million glue bottles annually. His company now holds 3,500 patents and operates globally through the Bjelin Group.
The tile installation materials supplier introduces industry-first Environmental Product Declaration for Ditra membrane, enhancing transparency and supporting green building standards while expanding its comprehensive sustainability documentation.
Asia's largest flooring exhibition returns to Shanghai May 26-28, showcasing innovations across 210,000 square meters with 1,600 companies representing the complete flooring value chain amid shifting global trade dynamics.
