Hardwood Floors E-News - 6/1/2009

Pro-U.S. Hardwood Industry Amendment Passes The U.S. House of Representatives has passed an act that will provide public schools throughout the nation about $6 billion for environmentally sound renovations, which can include domestic hardwood products. The 21st Century Green High-Performing Public School Facilities Act, or H.R. 2187, is now under consideration in the U.S. Senate. In its original form, the act deemed only products that met LEED and other leading environmental rating specifications as eligible for use in renovation projects. However, an amendment from Rep. Brad Elsworth (D-Ind.) was approved that included provisions for the use of domestic hardwood products and to require "agencies receiving grant funds under the bill to disclose whether any flooring installed was from renewable sources."

NWFA Holds Engineered Glue Down School The NWFA hosted an Engineered Glue Down School on May 29 in Madeira Beach, Fla; 15 students attended. NWFA's Rusty Swindoll led the instruction. Volunteer instructors included: John Fairbanks and Chuck Garvey, Bona US; and Kenneth Kephart, Kephart's Custom Floor Covering Inc. The lead distributor for the school was Florida Hardwood Floor Supplies (Tampa, Fla.).

Manufacturer News Basic Coatings (Toledo, Ohio) and Atlantic West Flooring Distributors (Denver) will host a Tykote School and lunch June 4 at Atlantic West's showroom. For more information, contact Brett Miller at 303/805-9900 or [email protected].

Distributor News CDCLarue Industries Inc. (Tulsa, Okla.) has named Arrow Tools (Van Nuys, Calif.) a distributor for Southern California.

ProSource Wholesale Floorcoverings Inc. (Earth City, Mo.) will re-open two Southern California showrooms under new ownership. One ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held June 3 at 2342 East Valencia Drive, Fullerton, CA 92831; another will be held June 5 at 12625 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605.

Crown Wood Floors & Supplies Inc. (Green Island, N.Y.) is opening a machine repair shop at 60 Cohoes Ave., Green Island, NY 12183; the company says it will be open by mid-June. Arnold Fancher, formerly with Basic Coatings and Hoboken Floors, will run the shop in addition to assisting Crown with outside sales. For more information, call 518/274-5000, fax 518/274-5005 or e-mail Fancher at [email protected].

Erickson's Flooring & Supply (Ferndale, Mich.) is now a distributor for Torlys Inc.'s (Mississauga, Ontario) recycled leather flooring. For more information, call 800/225-9663, visit www.efs.bz, or e-mail [email protected].

National Wood Products Inc. (Salt Lake City) hosted a hardwood flooring school May 19-20; 19 students attended. Educational topics included NWFA guidelines, installation techniques, adhesives, fasteners, abrasives, tools and equipment, finishes, sanding techniques, and repairs. Instructors included: Brett Miller, Basic Coatings; Greg Mihaich and Chris Viscel, Norton Abrasives; Bob Sweezey and Alex Rivera, Stauf-USA Adhesive LLC; Bryan Fussell, Clarke American Sanders; Grant Hayes, Mullican Flooring; and Sean Moore, Powernail Company Inc.

Dealer/Contractor News Scott Floor to Ceiling (Pleasant Hill, Calif.) has named Rhonda Baker its office manager and store supervisor. Baker previously worked for Walnut Creek Carpet One; she has 20 years' experience in design and flooring.

By the Numbers

Job Watch A Virginia-based flooring manufacturer specializing in plank and prefinished flooring is searching for an innovative and experienced national sales manager. Candidates must be willing to travel. The position reports directly to senior management, has the potential for significant growth and is compensated with base salary plus commission. Resumes and salary requirements should be sent to: Hardwood Floors, Attn: Virginia Job Watch, 4130 Lien Road, Madison, WI 53704.

Perfect Interior Designs Inc. (New York City) is seeking sales applicants. Application materials should be mailed to 18 W. 21st Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10010. For more information, contact PID's Steven Skutelsky at 212/337-3433, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.pidfloors.com.

NWFA Member Services NWFA members can receive supplemental insurance benefits through American Family Life Assurance Company (AFLAC), a world leader in guaranteed-renewable insurance, serving more than 40 million people worldwide. Supplemental policies include life, long-term care, disability, cancer indemnity, accident, recovery and dental. Plans are available for members, their spouses, and their children, and are paid through individual payroll deduction. For more information about AFLAC supplemental insurance, contact Lisa Quisenberry at 314/495-7367 or [email protected].