Issue Date:4/5/2010
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Issue Date:4/5/2010
Owens Flooring Opens Under New Ownership Quanex Homeshield LLC (Houston) has purchased certain assets of Owens Flooring Company (Shawano, Wis.), formerly owned by Owens Inc.; financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Quanex has established a new company doing business as Owens Flooring by Colonial Craft, which is located in the same facility as the former Owens Flooring Company. The newly formed company began production of engineered flooring April 1 and is operating with 30 to 40 workers, a number of which are former Owens Flooring Company employees, according to General Manager Jeff Smith. The new company's Web site can be viewed at www.colonialcraft.com. Owens Inc., former parent company of Owens Flooring Company and Owens Door Company, went into court-supervised receivership Dec. 4 after being unable to secure credit to continue operations and meet debt obligations.
NWFA Marks 25 Years with D.C. Convention The NWFA celebrated its 25th anniversary and 25th convention March 22-25 at the Gaylord National Resort in Washington, D.C., a far cry from its humble beginnings when 170 attendees gathered in St. Louis in 1986 for the first NWFA convention. This year there were 2,544 attendees, slightly more than last year's total, with 237 companies in 414 booths. A change for this year was that the educational seminars were held in the exhibit hall. The mood at the show was decidedly upbeat, with many attendees saying they feel the industry is headed for a turnaround later this year. "The convention was a snapshot of the economy ... growing with cautious optimism," said NWFA Executive Director/CEO Ed Korczak. "In the tough, unsteady economy, NWFA is proud to partner with our members on moving forward and advancing their businesses." Korczak also noted that having the educational programs on the Expo floor nearly doubled the number of dealers attending the seminars and demonstrations.
At the awards presentation on the last night of the show, four individuals were recognized for having attended every NWFA convention. They were: Don Conner, Wayne Cotton, Bill Price Sr. and Lanny Trottman. Next year's NWFA convention will take place April 26-29, 2011, in San Diego, Calif.
New Chairman Takes Reins of NWFA During the NWFA convention, Neil Poland of Mullican Flooring (Johnson City, Tenn.) took over as chairman of the NWFA; Don Finkell of Anderson Hardwood Floors (Clinton, S.C.) is now immediate past chairman. The other Executive Committee members are Vice Chairman Rick Holden of Derr Flooring Co. (Willow Grove, Pa.); Treasurer John Lessick of Apex Wood Floors (Downers Grove, Ill.); and Secretary Jeff Fairbanks of Palo Duro Hardwoods (Denver, Colo.).
John Wooten, CMH Flooring Products (Wadesboro, N.C.), was elected to the Board of Directors with a three-year term. Re-elected for new three-year terms were: Fairbanks; Holden; Kim Holm, Mannington Wood Floors, (Salem, N.J.); Sprigg Lynn, Universal Floors (Washington, D.C.); and Kevin Mullany, Benchmark Wood Floors (Albuquerque, N.M.). Other returning directors on the board are: Bob Haggard, Hassell & Hughes Lumber Company (Collinwood, Tenn.); Tommy Maxwell, Maxwell Hardwood Flooring (Monticello, Ark.); Tom Anstett, Powernail Company (Lake Zurich, Ill.); Dewevai Buchanan, Mohawk Industries (Dalton, Ga.); David Graf, Graf Brothers Flooring (South Shore, Ky.); Glen Miller, Superior Flooring (Etobicoke, Ontario); and Sam Smith, Koetter Woodworking (Borden, Ind.).
The ex-officio directors are Jerry Coleman Jr., Porta-Nails (Wilmington, N.C.); Mark Elwell, Bamboo Flooring Hawaii (Honolulu); Enos Farnsworth, Basic Coatings (Toledo, Ohio); Jamie Lupresto, Diamond Flooring (Elizabethtown, Ky.); and Jim Schumacher, 3M (Annandale, N.J.).
Additionally, it was announced that NWFA CEO/Executive Director Ed Korczak will retire at the end of 2011, and that a committee is being formed to find his replacement. Korczak received a standing ovation recognizing his years of dedication to the NWFA.
Nine Wood Floor of the Year Trophies Awarded NWFA members voted to determine the winners of this year's Wood Floor of the Year awards. Nine awards and two honorable mentions were presented:
Best CNC/Laser Cut: Czar Floors (Newtown, Pa.) Best CNC/Laser Cut (Honorable Mention): John Yarema (Oakland, Mich.) Best CNC/Laser Cut (Honorable Mention): Yantarnaya Pryad - Parquet (Khimki, Russia) Best Commercial: Schmidt Custom Floors Inc. (Waukesha, Wis.) Best Extreme Makeover: Inex Floors (Richboro, Pa.) Best Limited Species: Archetypal Imaginary Remodeling Corp. (Little Neck, N.Y.) Best Manufacturer Factory Finished: John Yarema Best Reclaimed: DM Hardwood Designs (Farmington, N.M.) Best Residential: John Alford Floorcovering Inc. (Milan, Ind.) Best Restoration: Universal Floors Inc. (Washington, D.C.) Members' Choice: Universal Floors Inc.
Inaugural Environmental Craftsmanship Award Presented Precision Floorcrafters (Summerfield, Fla.) was the winner of the first-ever NWFA Environmental Craftsmanship award, which recognizes a project that "exhibits creative and responsible environmental stewardship in its methods of installation, raw material sources and/or contribution to human wellbeing in the indoor built environment." The winning floor was constructed of reclaimed antique heart pine and bald cypress dock pilings, with filler made from sawdust created from sanding the floor.
Members Receive NWFA Degrees at Awards Presentation At the convention, those receiving a Craftsman Degree (for individuals who have attained 25 credits for education, achievement and service, of which 15 must be in education) were: John Alford, Gary Dessert, Bob Haggard, Ken Kephart, Tommy Maxwell, Jon Namba, Ken Nguyen, and Kjell Nymark.
Those receiving a Master Craftsman Degree (who have earned another 25 NWFA credits, 15 of which are for achievement, and have attended or served as an instructor at an NWFA Advanced or Expert School and/or received an NWFA Floor of the Year Award) were: Al Carvalho and Avedis Duvenjian.
Individuals receiving an Advanced Master Degree (for those who attain another 25 achievement credits) were: Tom Anderson, Joe Boone Jr., Johannes Boonstra and Drew Kern.
Those receiving a Vanguard Degree (who have received 25 credits, 15 of which are for industry service or achievement) were: Dave Darche, Jeff Fairbanks, Diana Gurley, Mike Gurley, Mike Kearns, Jeff Marcum, Robert McNamara, Mark Mukosiej and John Troendle.
Individuals accepting an Ambassador Degree (Vanguard Degree recipients who have earned an additional 25 credits for serving the industry) at the show were: Tom Anstett, Charles Peterson and Tony Robison.
Market to Exceed 8.85 Billion Square Feet by 2015 According to a report from Global Industry Analysts Inc., the worldwide hardwood flooring market is expected to exceed 8.85 billion square feet by 2015. GIA says the market is expected to pick up once the current economic recession subsides, which it says is directly dependent on residential and commercial building. Furthermore, although Europe and North America are traditional markets for hardwood flooring, Asia Pacific is now the dominant wood flooring market. The full 218-page report can be purchased for $3,950 at www.strategyr.com/Wood_Flooring_Market_Report.asp.
Manufacturer News Avant-Guard Inc. (Laval, Quebec) has acquired all assets of flooring manufacturer Reynco Inc. (Thurso, Quebec); financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Avant-Guard Inc. has integrated the manufacturer under the Avant-Guard Flooring Inc. name. The company now has an annual production capacity of 8 million square feet, according to an Avant-Guard release.
Primatech Inc. (Quebec City, Quebec) has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence from the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters and National Research Council of Canada; Primatech was recognized for its innovations in new technology.
Distributor News Southland Floors Inc. (Pompano Beach, Fla.) has been named a distributor in Florida for private label engineered flooring manufacturer From the Forest LLC (Weston, Wis.). Southland has From the Forest inventory in stock and ready to ship.
Erickson's Flooring & Supply held its 2010 Educational Conferences Feb. 27, March 6, March 20 and March 27 at its Michigan, Indiana and Illinois locations. Training for dustless and hand-scraped refinishing, green topics—including VOC regulations and the EPA's Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program—and key business techniques were offered. With the help of 34 vendors, Erickson's instructed about 200 attendees. For information on future Erickson's events, call 866/541-9663.
People News Mont-Royal Hardwoods (Montreal) has named Erick Rocheleau vice president sales and marketing. Rocheleau can be reached at [email protected].
Nicholas Di Tempora, former CEO and president of MAPEI Americas, has been awarded the Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, or the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, Italy's most senior order of knighthood. Di Tempora received the honor from Italy's consulate in Miami, Fla. Di Tempora retired from MAPEI Americas in 2007 and currently serves as chairman of the board of MAPEI Corporation.
By the Numbers
Tradeshow News Domotex Asia/Chinafloor 2010 took place March 23-25 in Shanghai, China. Close to 40,000 domestic and international visitors attended the event; about 1,000 companies exhibited.Nearly 31,000 design community members attended the Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2010 March 18-21 in New York. Organizers said this was the highest traffic ever at the ninth-annual event; overall attendance increased 30 percent over 2009.
In Memoriam Robert "Bob" Brown, founding partner, owner and CEO of Biwood International, passed away March 26. He was 82. Brown, a veteran of the U.S. Navy, was former vice president of operations for Bruce Paneling and Molding Division. Brown was preceded in death by Jeanne, his wife of 55 years, and he is survived by his sister and two daughters.
Aristide Laurenzi, former owner of Delmhorst Instrument Co., passed away Jan. 10 after a long illness. He was 88. Laurenzi emigrated to the U.S. in 1950 and joined Delmhorst Instrument Co. in 1962, becoming partner in 1969 and then sole owner in 1978. He was active with the company as chairman until 2005, when he turned the business over to four of his children, Tom, John, Sandra and Paul Laurenzi. He was also an active member of ASTM International. Laurenzi is survived by Phyllis, his wife of 59 years, and his 10 children and their respective spouses.
Mark Your Calendar The NWFA will hold a Subfloor Prep & Solid Glue Down on Concrete School on May 12-14 in St. Louis. 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).
Long Floor (Richmond, Va.) will host "Bonalution" on April 9 from 8 a.m. to noon at its Richmond branch at 2801 Hermitage Road. This free event will showcase Bona product innovations, and lunch will be provided. For more information, call Mike Carroll at 804/353-4419.
A to Z Wood Flooring Inc. (Eagan, Minn.) will offer a Loba-Wakol Adhesive & Waterborne Finish School April 20 and April 22 at its Eagan branch. At its Rochester, Minn., branch on April 5 and April 6, Powernail Flex Power Roller Testing sessions will be offered throughout each day. On April 21, A to Z will offer another Loba-Wakol Waterborne Finish School at its Rochester branch. For more information or to register, visit www.atozwoodflooring.com/events.html or call 651/366-6001.
Eugen Lagler GmbH (Guglingen, Germany) will host ten contractors at its Professional Sanding Training (PST) July 16-21 at its headquarters. Lagler will provide airfare, lodging and sightseeing. To enter, visit www.laegler.com.
Purchase a Hardwood Floors Microsite Companies may now purchase a microsite in Hardwood Floors' online Resource Book. A microsite gives your company a mini Web site within the online Resource Book. It can include digital catalogs, online video, product releases and more. With a microsite, your company will also pop to the top of Resource Book search results. A microsite costs $1,020; examples can be viewed at the online directory for Hardwood Floors' sister publication, Athletic Business, at www.athleticbusiness.com/buyers_guide/company.aspx?id=101877.
NWFA Member Services NWFA members can receive competitive property and liability insurance programs from Willis Insurance Services of California Inc., an agent of the Travelers Indemnity Company. Willis Insurance currently serves more than 400 floor covering firms and has specialized in providing risk management and insurance to the floor covering industry for more than 20 years. Claims reporting is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and getting a quote through the plan is easy. For more information, contact Stacy Eickhoff at 800/477-7401 or [email protected].