Issue Date:6/15/2009
NWFA Holds Intermediate Installation and Sand & Finish School The NWFA held an Intermediate Installation and Sand & Finish School June 3-5 in Madeira Beach, Fla.; 14 students attended. NWFA's Frank Kroupa led the instruction, while volunteer instructors included: Arthur Tsatryan, Art's Flooring Inc.; Dave Stark, Bona US; Terry Green, Dura Seal; Mike Osborn, Glitsa American Inc.; Steve Marley, Johnson Premium Hardwood Flooring; Gary Arnold, Synteko Floor Finishes; and Mike Summers, UFloor Systems Inc.
Manufacturer News Junckers Hardwood Inc. (New York) is now selling directly to retailers in California, Arizona, Nevada and Washington. For more information, call 800/878-9663.
Distributor News Dealers Supply North Inc. (Columbus, Ohio) recently was named a distributor for Lauzon Distinctive Hardwood Flooring (Papineauville, Québec); Dealers Supply will service Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana and western Pennsylvania from its Ohio and Pennsylvania locations. For more information, call 450/786-8971.
Southern Tile Distributors (Norfolk, Va.) has been named a distributor for WE Cork Inc. (Exeter, N.H.) in Virginia, as well as the eastern shore of Maryland, and the northeast and Outer Banks areas of North Carolina. Southern Tile operates from two Virginia-based warehouses. For more information, call 800/666-2675.
Belknap White Alcco dba United Hardwood Distributors (Avon, Mass.) recently was named a distributor for Appalachian Flooring Ltd. (Cowansville, Quebec). United Hardwood will service the northeastern United States from its Avon and Albany, N.Y., locations.
CMH Flooring Products Inc. (Wadesboro, N.C.) was named 2008 Distributor of the Year by Anderson Hardwood Floors (Clinton, S.C.).
Merle B. Smith Co. Inc. (Burr Ridge, Ill.) held an open house May 22 featuring Dura Seal, Powernail Company Inc. and Norton Abrasives. More than 50 customers attended and participated in discussions about VOC laws and tool repair.
Dealer/Contractor News Costen Floors Inc. (Richmond, Va.) was awarded the Start! Fit-Friendly Companies award by the American Heart Association (Dallas). Costen's President Ralph Costen implemented a wellness program at his headquarters due to the "increasing epidemic" that is physical inactivity in the United States, according to a company release. The company's grounds now include a walking path and healthier snacks in the vending machines; employees also have weekly opportunities to measure their wellness.
People News MAPEI S.p.A. (Milan, Italy) recently named Luigi Di Geso president and CEO of MAPEI Americas dba MAPEI Corporation (Deerfield Beach, Fla.). Di Geso joined MAPEI in 2000 as regional sales manager for eastern Canada, eventually being named general manager in 2004.
Hamberger Flooring GmbH & Co.KG (Rosenheim, Germany) has named Holger Burkhardt head of marketing. Burkhardt previously was head of marketing and communication at WeidmĂĽller Interface GmbH & Co. KG.
By the Numbers
On the Web Armstrong Hardwood Flooring (Lancaster, Pa.) has launched a new residential flooring Web site at www.armstrong.com/flooring/floors.html. The new site has a simple design and is easy to use, the company says; it was implemented to inform, attract and inspire customers to seek local retailers.Tradeshow News Domotex Middle East was held May 17-19 in Dubai, U.A.E. NWFA's Glen Miller attended the event, along with Bill Secrest of Graf Brothers Flooring Inc. and Jack Shannon III of Shamrock Plank Flooring.
Mark Your Calendar NWFA will hold an Intermediate Installation and Sand & Finish School June 29-July 1 in Minneapolis. NWFA scholarships are available for all technical schools. For more information, e-mail [email protected], visit www.nwfa.org, or call 800/422-4556 (U.S.), 800/848-8824 (Canada) or 636/519-9663 (local and international).
NWFA Member Services The NWFA is offering two new instructional DVDs. The first, "Installation of Solid Wood and Engineered Wood Floors," covers the procedures for mechanical fastening of solid wood strip or plank flooring, as well as the glue-down installation of engineered wood floors. The second, "Sanding & Finishing Solid Wood Floors," covers basic sanding techniques including sequence, grit patterns and edging, and finish techniques such as rolling, T-bars and cutting in. The cost for each DVD is $10, or $15 for a two-disc DVD. For more information, visit www.nwfa.org, or call 800/422-4556 (U.S.) or 800/848-8824 (Canada).
