Issue Date:3/8/2010
NWFA Continues Education Mission The NWFA held an Advanced Installation School on Feb. 24-26 in St. Louis. Led by NWFA's Steve Seabaugh, volunteer instructors included Brett Miller (Basic Coatings), Brett Ker (Bona US), Tony Robison (Consult Inspect Design Inc.), Michael F. Dittmer (Michael Dittmer Wood Floors), Gene Jarka (Powernail Company Inc.) and Mike Kearns (Primatech Inc.).
Also, March 3-5 the NWFA held an Intermediate Installation and Sand & Finish School in Lexington, S.C. NWFA's Frank Kroupa led the instruction, while volunteer instructors included Jim Schumacher (3M), Josh Frink (Basic Coatings), Bob Burton (Bona US), Jeff Marcum (Cherryhill Manufacturing Corp.), Rob Zehnder (Colorado Hardwoods), Lynn Brinkman (Dura Seal), Roger H. Barker (Fortifiber Building Systems Group), Mark Mukosiej (Ground Floor Training & Consulting), Cort Dunlap (Hardwood Inspections), Reed Maddray (Maddray Flooring LLC) and Leif Coleman (T.L. Coleman Hardwood Floors LLC).
Manufacturer News During 2009's fourth quarter, Mohawk Industries (Calhoun, Ga.) posted net income of $19.8 million, an improvement from a nearly $128 million loss during the final quarter of 2008. The company posted net sales of $1.3 billion, down 13.3 percent from sales of $1.5 billion during the year-ago period. For the year, Mohawk lost $5 million on $5.3 billion in sales; in 2008, the company lost nearly $1.5 billion on $6.8 billion in sales.
During 2009, Shaw Industries Inc. (Dalton, Ga.) posted earnings of $144 million, down 29.8 percent from $205 million in 2008. The Berkshire Hathaway segment had sales of nearly $4 billion for the year, down 21 percent from 2008's sales of more than $5 billion.
Armstrong World Industries (Lancaster, Pa.) posted a net loss of $3.8 million during the fourth quarter of 2009, an improvement from a $25.5 million loss during the final quarter of 2008. Armstrong had fourth quarter net sales of $653 million, down 7.8 percent from fourth quarter net sales of $708 million in 2008. Its wood flooring segment had sales of $121 million for the quarter, down 3.2 percent from 2008's $125 million. For the year, its wood flooring segment had $510 million in sales, down 18.4 percent from sales of $625 million in 2008. The company posted net earnings of $78 million in 2009, down 3.7 percent from earnings of $81 million in 2008. Armstrong had $2.8 billion in net sales in 2009, down 17.6 percent from 2008's $3.4 billion.
Green River-American Hardwood (Oswego, N.Y.) has produced a four-minute DVD explaining its restructuring. Viewers are introduced to the firm's new partners and its vertically integrated wood flooring production process. The DVD is available to qualified buyers and specifiers nationwide. For more information, call 866/549-3344.
Distributor News DecorWorks Ltd. (Auckland, New Zealand), a wood filler manufacturer, is seeking U.S. distributors. For more information, contact Nigel Justice at 64-9-8389700 or [email protected].
Floor Style Products Inc. (Dania Beach, Fla.) took its 40 best customers on vacations in Key West, Fla., on Feb. 6-11 and Feb. 19-22. The company sponsors vacations for select customers annually, and business representatives can contact Dave Posey at [email protected] to learn how a company can qualify.
Dealer News Pinnacle Floors LLC (Newark, Del.) has overtaken operation of Bay Floor Service Inc. (Arnold, Md.). Bay Floor Service has served homeowners and builders in the Annapolis, Md., Baltimore and Washington, D.C., areas for 40 years under the guidance of Fred Connatser and Patty Connatser. Bay Floor Service will remain in Arnold under the ownership of Mark Weaver, Mark Prengle and Ed Ortolano.
Jamie Beckwith Interiors (Nashville, Tenn.) has named Beaverton Wood Floors (Beaverton, Ore.) exclusive dealer of the Jamie Beckwith Collection in both Oregon and Washington. The Jamie Beckwith Collection is an array of high-end wood products.
People News Horizon Forest Products (Raleigh, N.C.) and Long Floor (Richmond, Va.) have named Bunny Hawkins inside sales/account representative for their Beltsville, Md., branch. Hawkins is responsible for assisting customers, providing support services to outside sales representatives, and building and maintaining customer relationships to secure future sales. Hawkins can be reached at 301/419-0033.
Wickham Hardwood Flooring (Wickham, Quebec) has named Gerald Downing U.S. sales manager. Downing is a 40-year veteran of the flooring business.
Paul A.C. Dominie has been named principal at GKA Research (Madison, Wis.), a consulting firm that can serve the wood flooring industry. Dominie recently spent three years with Madison's Coyle Carpet One as general manager. Dominie has over 20 years of flooring and consulting experience, working with dealers and manufacturers, and he can be reached at 800/205-7145, ext. 3460, or [email protected].
Satin Finish Hardwood Flooring Ltd. (Toronto) has named Christine Beer territory manager for the province of Alberta. Beer has more than seven years' industry experience in sales and account management.
Mercier Wood Flooring Inc. (Montmagny, Quebec) has named John Straw Midwest territory sales manager. Straw brings with him 20 years of industry experience, and he can be reached at 414/588-3135 or [email protected].
Bozovich Timber Products Inc. (Evergreen, Ala.) has named Mike McDede and Maggie Weaver sales team members. McDede can be reached at 908/832-0623 or [email protected]; Weaver at 239/220-9110 or [email protected].
By the Numbers
On the Web The Greenguard Environmental Institute (GEI) (Atlanta) has redesigned its Web site at www.greenguard.org. The site now offers manufacturers a clear roadmap for certifying products and materials for low chemical emissions. It also provides an easy-to-understand outline of various certification programs that GEI offers, as well as a list of sustainable credits that architects and designers can earn by using Greenguard Certified products.Mark Your Calendar The NWFA will hold an Intermediate Installation and Sand & Finish School on April 20-22 in New York. For more information, visit www.nwfa.org, e-mail [email protected], or call 800/422-4556 (U.S. and Canada) or 636/519-9663 (local and international).
Job Watch Tom Duffy Company (Fairfield, Calif.) is seeking experienced applicants for a warehouse manager position. Its 45,000-square-foot distribution facility is located in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Résumés should be sent to Jon Youngberg at [email protected].
Finium/Fini UV International Inc. (Frampton, Quebec) is seeking a sales representative with a good knowledge of the Canadian wood flooring market for a position in Quebec. Résumés should be sent to [email protected].
NWFA Member Services NWFA members are eligible to receive scholarships to advance their wood flooring education and knowledge. The NWFA Scholarship Program was established to provide financial assistance for the ongoing education and training of professionals in the wood flooring industry. Scholarships are available for students to attend all NWFA technical schools. All skill levels are eligible. Applications can be accessed on-line at www.nwfa.org under the "Education and Schools" link. A complete schedule of schools is available as well. For more information about NWFA schools or scholarships, contact the NWFA at 800/422-4556 (U.S. and Canada) or 636/519-9663 (local and international).
