Beth Miller

On January 8, 2024, nine high school students will begin their flooring installation career journey through the dual-enrollment partnership between The Dalton Academy (TDA), a Whitfield County area high school, and Georgia Northwestern Community College (GNTC).

Bona’s Matt Casey, director of professional marketing and the Bona Certified Craftsman Program, has been with the company for nearly two decades. During that time, he has witnessed a multitude of contractor challenges as well as the evolution of new product solutions. He details the current state of sustainability in the wood products industry, offering a few tips on how to work smarter not harder. 

Georgia Northwestern Technical College and The Dalton Academy, a high school in Dalton Georgia, have established a dual-enrollment program partnership where students can complete the 12-credit hour Flooring Installation Technician course while still in high school. This is an industry first.  

Architect Scott Faucheux is an expert at bringing magic to retail environments. Having worked on concepts for Urban Outfitters and Anthropology, Faucheux is now creative director at TPG Architects. Learn what he has to say about the role flooring plays in the design of retail spaces. 

The Basic Floor Covering Installation program developed by the Floor Covering Education Foundation (FCEF) and its partners is now being offered at Chattanooga State Community College (CSCC) in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Classes begin December 11, 2023, and are eligible for scholarship through the FCEF. 

In recognition of Interface's 50th anniversary, Chip DeGrace, director of design purpose, reflects upon the history of carpet tile, Interface’s noteworthy accomplishments, and looks ahead to next horizon for flooring design. 

Mohawk honored veterans and celebrated 10 years of support of the Tunnel to Towers Foundation at a ceremony held in Calhoun, Georgia, on November 15, 2023. 

Recently, The Home Depot announced it had expanded its Path to Pro program to include both English and Spanish. Jenna Arca, director of workforce development, fills us in on the Path to Pro program and what this expansion means for the current and future labor pool. 

Surfaces Construction Group, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, hosted a two-day Certified Flooring Installers (CFI) certification for hardwood, laminate and luxury vinyl plank (LVP) on November 2-3. 

At the recent grand opening, Luiz Brito, CEO, Portobello America, talked about the new U.S. facility and its impact on the local economy, how they moved forward during the pandemic, and what’s in store for 2024.