Hardwood Floors E-News - 6/28/2010

EPA Delays Enforcement of RRP Certification Requirement The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will delay enforcement of the Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) Rule's firm certification requirement until Oct. 1. In addition, the agency will not enforce against individual renovation workers for violation of the rule's renovation worker certification requirement if the person has applied to enroll in, or has enrolled in, a certified renovator class by no later than Sept. 30; the training must be completed by Dec. 31. For more information on the rule, visit www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/renovation.htm#requirements. According to an agency statement, "EPA is simply giving firms more time to file the appropriate paperwork demonstrating they are following the lead-safe work practices. Moreover, EPA is also giving individual contractors more time to enroll in and take the required training courses." Industry groups had lobbied to extend the deadline for compliance due to the lack of training opportunities for certification. The rule applies to all contractors—including wood flooring contractors—disturbing more than 6 square feet of coatings in homes built prior to 1978.

Cikel Transfers Production to Boost Capacity Cikel Brasil Verde Madeiras Ltda. (Araucaria, Brazil), parent company to Cikel America (Miami), will close its manufacturing facility in southern Brazil and transfer the technology and machinery to its northern facility in Belem, the metropolitan center of Para State; Cikel's offices and other functions in southern Brazil will remain in operation. The change is intended to streamline production and boost capacity by 50 percent for 2011, according to a release. Cikel has made capital improvements in excess of $42 million at its northern facility, including upgrades in finishing capabilities, infrastructure and machinery. The change also moves Cikel's manufacturing process closer to its 1.2 million acres of privately owned, FSC-managed forests in Brazil.

Home Size Continues to Decline The size of new single-family homes declined last year to 2,438 square feet, according to a study conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau. The figure increased continually for nearly three decades until it peaked at 2,521 square feet in 2007; it remained flat in 2008 and then fell in 2009, making new single-family homes almost 100 square feet smaller than in 2007. New single-family homes completed in 2009 also had fewer bedrooms and bathrooms. For the complete report, visit www.census.gov/const/www/charindex.html.

Artisan Wood Prepares to Donate Flooring to Flood Victims In response to the Tennessee floods last May, Artisan Wood Products (Nashville, Tenn.) is seeking nominations for victims who are in need of flooring. The company will donate hardwood flooring and supplies to a deserving family whose recovery needs weren't met by FEMA or flood insurance. Nominations should include a compelling story and must be sent to [email protected] by June 30; the winner will be announced July 4. For more information, visit www.artisanwoodproducts.com or call 615/463-8711.

Manufacturer News Jelight Company Inc. (Irvine, Calif.) has received approval to CE-mark its complete line of mobile ultraviolet curing systems. This will allow Jelight to sell its products in countries that recognize the European Economic Area conformity mark for consumer safety, health or environmental requirements.

Warmboard Inc.'s (Aptos, Calif.) Radiant Subfloor was named one of the 2010 Top 10 Green Building Products by Sustainable Industries magazine. This is Warmboard's second time winning the award. Warmboard Radiant Subfloor was selected from more than 100 entries based on the radiant subfloor panel's environmental performance, scalability/market impact, innovation, design aesthetic, value and compatibility with the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system.

Teragren Bamboo Flooring, Panels & Veneer's (Bainbridge Island, Wash.) network of flooring distributors is now offering Teragren Bamboo Countertops to its flooring retailers throughout North America.

Super Thin Saws Inc. (Waterbury, Vt.) is offering free first sharpening, shipping and return shipping with the purchase of any Super Thin Saws (thin-rim or straight-plate). Extra work (such as tip replacement) is not included; the shipping offer applies to surface shipping in the U.S. and Canada; and the initial order must be at least $1,000. For more information, call 800/541-7297. Saws can be shipped to 80 Commercial Drive, Waterbury, VT 05676.

Distributor News Delta Quip Supplies Ltd. (Burnaby, British Columbia) has been named a distributor of Glitsa brand wood floor finishing products by Rudd Company (Seattle).

The Master's Craft (West Plains, Mo.) has been named a distributor for Robina Wood Inc.'s (Kennesaw, Ga.) Heritage, Vogue and Classic Series engineered wood collections in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas. Representatives from the two companies recently participated in a one-week concentrated sales blitz to launch products in retail stores in six of the seven states.

Breeze Wood Forest Products (Tillsonburg, Ontario) is accepting distributor and dealer applications in all regions for its domestic Ontario Hardwoods Collection by Breeze Wood Forest Products brand; the company also offers a collection that can be private-labeled. To inquire, contact Adam Jensen at [email protected] or 519/688-3553.

The Bahr Company (Romeoville, Ill.) has been named 2009 Distributor of the Year by Green River-American Hardwood (Oswego, N.Y.) for its efforts in the Chicago market.

Swiff-Train Co. (Houston) has received FSC chain of custody certification for its EarthWerks brand.

People News Rick Brian has returned to R. B. Brian & Associates Inc. (Southern Pines, N.C.), the hardwood flooring industry and building products consulting firm he formed in 1997. The firm is branching out into product development, research, marketing, strategic planning, executive recruiting, and mergers and acquisitions. Brian was part of the Robbins Hardwood Flooring team that developed a premium prefinished line; the Robbins operation was acquired by Triangle Pacific in 1997 and later sold to Armstrong World Industries. In 2001, Brian acquired a foam fabricating company; he recently sold these assets to return to consulting. Brian can be reached at 513/310-6938 or [email protected]. His company's website is www.rbbainc.com.

Creative At Home Inc. (Burnaby, British Columbia) has named Fred Schaarschmidt territory manager for northern California. Schaarschmidt has over 25 years of industry experience in manufacturing and distribution.

By the Numbers

On the Web NWFA recently launched two websites. The first, www.woodflooringinstallers.com, helps consumers locate NWFA-member, professional installers. The second, www.woodflooringinspectors.com, helps people find NWFACP-certified wood flooring inspectors in their area. Users of both sites can perform searches by company name, country, state, province, city, mailing code or area code; results can be narrowed by mileage.

Bona US (Aurora, Colo.) has redesigned its flooring professional website at www.bona.com/en-gb/United-States.

Mark Your Calendar Basic Coatings (Toledo, Ohio) and Powernail Company Inc. (Lake Zurich, Ill.) will hold Atlantic West Customer Appreciation Day July 8 at Atlantic West Flooring Distributors (Denver), 12150 E. 46th Ave. Events will include the "Fastest Installer in Colorado" competition (during which the Golden Mallet Trophy will be awarded), a Tykote demonstration, giveaways and a barbeque lunch. For more information, call 303/371-5964.

Basic Coatings and Lockwood Flooring (Urbandale, Iowa) will hold a Tykote Recoat School July 14 in Omaha, Nebraska. Application of the dustless recoating system and water-based finish will be addressed. The school will take place at Holy Ghost Church, 5220 S. 52nd Ave. The cost to attend is $75, which includes lunch. For more information, reach Lockwood's Omaha branch at 402/697-8087 or Basic's Josh Neuberger at 262/308-9126.

Registration for U.S. Green Building Council's 2010 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo is now open at www.greenbuildexpo.org/register.aspx. The event will take place Nov. 16-19 at Chicago's McCormick Place, 2301 S. Lake Shore Drive.

For Sale Washington Wood Floors Inc. (Kingston, Wash.), a turn-key flooring company, is for sale for $50,000. Included are multiple vehicles, business name, client list and enough equipment to run three jobs at once. The company's owner/operator, David Pregartner, is retiring. For complete details, e-mail [email protected] or call 360/649-2911.

Resource Book Update Requests Have Been Sent Update requests for Hardwood Floors' 2011 Resource Book and NWFA Networking Guide have been sent to all NWFA members. If you have not received an update request by e-mail (or, for members without e-mail, by mail), e-mail Jodi Chamberlain at [email protected] or call 800/722-8764, ext. 106.

Hardwood Floors ad deadline July 7 is the deadline to reserve ad space in Hardwood Floors' August/September 2010 Green Issue. For more information, contact Publisher Kris Thimmesch at [email protected] or 800/722-8764, ext. 107.

NWFA Member Services NWFA members can save on all their office products needs through Office Depot Business Solutions Division. Members can shop for supplies, furniture, toner, machines, and copy paper in-store or by phone, fax or online. To get your discount, you must sign up for the program. Contact Kristina Binder at 636/244-0261 or [email protected].